Rooted in Christ: A Life of Gratitude

From the very beginning, God’s creative power and goodness have been on display, and every moment of our lives is a testimony to His mercy, grace, and faithfulness. As we gather on this Thanksgiving Sunday, gratitude naturally wells up for the blessings we enjoy—family, provision, answered prayers—but our deepest thanksgiving is reserved for what Jesus Christ has accomplished for us. The cross is the foundation of our gratitude, for it is there that Jesus laid down His life, offering us forgiveness, redemption, and a restored relationship with the Father.

True thanksgiving is not rooted in our circumstances or the material gifts we receive, but in the finished work of Christ. Our identity is not defined by our past, our pain, or the labels others have placed on us. Instead, we are defined by what Jesus has done: we are new creations, redeemed and set free by His blood. The cross cancels our debt, reclaims our lives, and offers us a new beginning. This is not partial or conditional mercy, but total and complete redemption.

Yet, it is easy to drift from this truth—not always through rebellion, but often through neglect. When we stop engaging in the practices that keep us anchored—prayer, reading the Word, fellowship, gratitude—we begin to feel empty and unmoored. The call is to return to the basics, to abide in Christ, and to let thanksgiving become a lifestyle that restores our perspective and anchors our souls.

Even in the midst of storms and challenges, gratitude is a declaration that our circumstances do not define us—our Savior does. When we thank God in the storm, we proclaim that He is greater than our trials and that our future is secure in Him. Thanksgiving lifts our eyes above our blessings to the One who bled and died for us, and it invites us to live rooted in a vibrant, living relationship with Jesus. Because of Him, our past is forgiven, our chains are broken, and our hope is secure. Let us respond with lives of gratitude, faith, and worship, anchored in the immeasurable grace of God.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Goodness and the Foundation of Thanksgiving Every sunrise and answered prayer is a reminder of God’s unchanging goodness and love. True thanksgiving flows not from what we have, but from who God is and what He has done for us. Our gratitude is anchored in the reality that God’s mercy wipes away our failures and His faithfulness never changes. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary blessings to the eternal character of God. [10:18]
• 2. Redemption: More Than Forgiveness, a New Identity Through Christ, we are not merely forgiven; we are made entirely new. The cross does not just cover our sin—it cancels it, and the blood of Jesus reclaims our lives from the grip of the past. Our identity is no longer shaped by wounds, failures, or what others have said, but by the finished work of Christ, who calls us chosen, redeemed, and beloved. This is a radical transformation, not a mere improvement. [77:35]
• 3. The Danger of Drift and the Call to Be Anchored Spiritual drift often begins not with open rebellion, but with quiet neglect—letting go of the habits that keep us rooted in Christ. When we stop reading the Word, praying, and engaging in fellowship, our souls become untethered and empty. The call is to return to the basics, to abide in Christ, and to let gratitude, prayer, and the Word anchor us again, restoring our peace and passion for God. [83:06]
• 4. Thanksgiving in the Storm: Faith Over Circumstance Gratitude is most powerful when expressed in the midst of difficulty. Thanking God during trials is a declaration that our circumstances do not define us—our Savior does. When we worship and give thanks in weakness, we remind our souls that Christ has already won the victory, and we begin to expect new things from God, trusting Him to move mountains and restore hope. [85:59]
• 5. A Lifestyle of Gratitude: Living Rooted in Christ Thanksgiving is not just a day or a feeling, but a way of life that flows from the cross. When we live with gratitude, we lift our eyes above our blessings to the One who gave everything for us. This lifestyle keeps us anchored, increases our faith, and opens us to the immeasurable more that God wants to do in and through us. Our response is to live lives of worship, faith, and rootedness in Christ. [89:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:18] - God’s Creative Power and Goodness
• [37:59] - Thanksgiving and Worship
• [39:14] - Community Life and Announcements
• [43:28] - Student Ministry Update
• [44:48] - Honoring Faithful Members
• [46:33] - Prayer of Blessing for Bill and Vicki
• [48:01] - Offering and Generosity
• [51:19] - Serving the Community and Scripture Reading
• [67:21] - The Reality of Sin and the Gift of Forgiveness
• [71:19] - True Thanksgiving: Rooted in the Cross
• [73:26] - New Identity in Christ
• [77:35] - Redemption and the Power of the Blood
• [83:06] - The Danger of Drift and Returning to the Basics
• [85:59] - Thanksgiving in the Storm
• [89:29] - Living Rooted in Christ
• [92:12] - Prayer for Restoration and Salvation
• [93:32] - Closing Blessing and Announcements

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) — > Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2. Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
> In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

3. Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
> Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what happens to a person who is “in Christ”? How does the passage describe the change that takes place?
2. In Ephesians 1:7, what does Paul say we have “in him” (in Christ), and how is this made possible?
3. In Colossians 2:6-7, what are believers encouraged to do after receiving Christ, and what is the result of being “rooted and built up in him”?
4. The sermon says, “You are not defined by what happened to you. You are defined by what Jesus did for you.” What examples did the pastor give of things that might have defined us before Christ? [[01:12:44]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon emphasizes that the cross doesn’t just cover our sin, but cancels it and gives us a new identity. What does it mean for someone’s past to be “buried” and their future “born” at the cross? [[01:19:27]]
2. Why do you think Paul uses the language of “redemption” and “new creation” instead of just “forgiveness”? How does this shape the way we see ourselves and others? [[01:17:04]]
3. The pastor mentioned that spiritual drift often starts with neglect, not rebellion. What are some habits or practices that help keep us “anchored” in Christ, according to the sermon? [[01:23:06]]
4. The sermon says that gratitude is most powerful when expressed in the midst of difficulty. Why might thanksgiving in the storm be a declaration of faith? [[01:25:59]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “When we stop engaging in the practices that keep us anchored—prayer, reading the Word, fellowship, gratitude—we begin to feel empty and unmoored.” Which of these practices have you neglected recently, and what is one step you can take this week to return to it? [[01:23:06]]
2. The pastor shared that our identity is not defined by our wounds, failures, or what others have said, but by the finished work of Christ. Is there a label or past experience that you still let define you? What would it look like to let Christ’s work define you instead? [[01:13:26]]
3. The sermon calls us to “let thanksgiving become a lifestyle that restores our perspective and anchors our souls.” What is one practical way you can make gratitude a daily habit, especially when life feels hard? [[01:25:36]]
4. When facing storms or challenges, the pastor encouraged us to thank God in the middle of it as a declaration that “the storm doesn’t define me. My Savior does.” Can you share a recent challenge where you struggled to be thankful? How might you approach it differently in light of this message? [[01:25:59]]
5. The sermon says, “If you love him, if you love His Word, if you spend time with him in prayer, then you will love his church.” How connected do you feel to the church community right now? What is one way you could deepen that connection this month? [[01:24:16]]
6. The pastor said, “When you come back to the cross, peace returns, hope returns, joy returns, and your heart gets anchored again.” Is there an area of your life where you need to “come back to the cross”? What would that look like for you this week? [[01:28:40]]
7. The message ended with a call to respond with “lives of gratitude, faith, and worship, anchored in the immeasurable grace of God.” What is one area of your life where you want to grow in gratitude, faith, or worship? What is a specific action you can take to move forward? [[01:29:58]]