Thanking God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Gratitude is not just a seasonal feeling or a polite response to blessings; it is the very foundation of a life that honors God. When gratitude is directed more toward the gifts than the Giver, our worship becomes shallow and our hearts drift from true devotion. The call is to cultivate a discipline of thanksgiving that is rooted in the character and work of God Himself, not merely in the circumstances or material blessings we enjoy. True gratitude is transformative, shaping not only our own hearts but also the lives of those around us, as it becomes a testimony to the world of God’s goodness and sovereignty.

Thanksgiving, at its core, is Trinitarian. We are to thank the Father, who is the source of every good and perfect gift, including the gift of salvation and the new birth. Even in trials and suffering, we are reminded that God is sovereign, working all things for our good and His glory. Complaining is natural to our flesh, but the Spirit gives us the capacity to offer thanks in all things, recognizing that every provision, every breath, and every circumstance is under God’s loving control.

Our gratitude is offered through the Son, Jesus Christ, who is our mediator and the only way to the Father. His sacrifice on the cross tore the veil that separated us from God, granting us access to the throne of grace. Everything we do—whether in word or deed—is to be done in the name of Jesus, reflecting His character and will. Without Christ, we have neither the reason nor the capacity to give true thanks.

Finally, it is the Holy Spirit who empowers our thanksgiving. We cannot manufacture genuine gratitude on our own; it is the Spirit who fills us, opens our eyes to God’s blessings, and produces in us the fruit of a thankful heart. When we are filled with the Spirit, our relationships, our worship, and our daily living are transformed. Gratitude becomes not just a duty, but a joy that overflows from a heart aligned with God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True gratitude must be directed first and foremost to God, not merely to the blessings or the people around us. When our focus shifts from the Giver to the gifts, our worship loses its depth and our hearts become prone to idolatry. Thanksgiving is an act of honoring God’s sovereignty and goodness in every aspect of life. [01:46]
• 2. The Father is the source of every good and perfect gift, including our salvation and even the trials that shape us. Recognizing His hand in all things—both pleasant and painful—frees us from complaint and anchors our joy and peace in His unchanging character. Ingratitude is not just a minor flaw; it is a subtle rebellion against God’s rule in our lives. [12:57]
• 3. Jesus Christ is the mediator through whom all our thanksgiving is offered. His work on the cross grants us access to the Father and makes every spiritual blessing possible. To do all things “in the name of Jesus” means to act in accordance with His will and character, not merely to use His name as a formula, but to let His life shape our prayers, actions, and attitudes. [20:18]
• 4. The Holy Spirit empowers genuine thanksgiving, producing in us a heart that overflows with praise, gratitude, and submission. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual surrender, allowing Him to control and transform every relationship and circumstance. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—are the evidence of a grateful heart. [27:27]
• 5. Gratitude is a powerful witness to the world, especially in times of trial. When others see a life marked by thankfulness, even in suffering, it draws them to the source of that hope. Our gratitude becomes an invitation for others to encounter Jesus, the only One who can truly satisfy and transform the heart. [37:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:35] - The Danger of Shallow Gratitude
• [01:11] - Who Is the Object of Our Thanksgiving?
• [02:25] - Gratitude as the Parent of Virtues
• [03:09] - Thanksgiving in the Lord’s Supper
• [04:33] - The Trinity and Thanksgiving
• [05:44] - Thankfulness in All Circumstances
• [07:07] - Scriptural Commands to Give Thanks
• [09:02] - Practicing Gratitude in the Home
• [10:25] - Every Good Gift Comes from the Father
• [12:57] - Ingratitude as Rebellion
• [14:51] - Honoring God Through Thanksgiving
• [16:51] - Thanking the Father, Son, and Spirit
• [17:31] - Jesus as Our Mediator
• [24:05] - Thanksgiving Empowered by the Spirit
• [27:27] - The Spirit’s Role in Relationships
• [33:18] - Thankfulness from the Heart
• [34:37] - The Fruit of the Spirit and Gratitude
• [37:20] - Refocusing Our Gratitude
• [39:07] - A Challenge to Live Thankfully
• [40:23] - Preparing for the Lord’s Table

Bible Reading

James 1:16-18 (ESV) — > Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

2. Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV)
> Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3. Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV)
> And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

1. According to James 1:16-18, what is the source of every good and perfect gift, and what is one of the greatest gifts mentioned in these verses?
2. In Colossians 3:16-17, what does Paul say should fill our hearts as we teach and sing together, and how should this affect everything we do?
3. What does Ephesians 5:18-20 say is the key to giving thanks always and for everything? How does being filled with the Spirit show up in our relationships and worship?
4. The sermon mentioned that when we focus more on the gifts than the Giver, our worship becomes shallow. What example did the pastor give to illustrate this point? [00:35]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it important to recognize God as the source of every good and perfect gift, even in difficult circumstances? How does this perspective change the way we respond to trials? [10:25]
2. The sermon says that ingratitude is a form of rebellion against God’s sovereignty. What does this mean, and why is it so serious? [12:57]
3. What does it mean to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus”? How is this different from just saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer? [20:18]
4. Why can’t we manufacture genuine gratitude on our own? What role does the Holy Spirit play in producing a thankful heart? [24:05]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about a gratitude journal that focused more on blessings than on the Giver. If you were to make a list of things you’re thankful for this week, would God Himself be at the top? How can you shift your focus from the gifts to the Giver in your daily life? [00:35]
2. Think about a recent trial or difficult situation. Were you able to thank God during that time? If not, what kept you from doing so? What would it look like to practice gratitude even when life is hard? [10:25]
3. The sermon said that ingratitude is a subtle rebellion against God’s rule in our lives. Are there areas where you find yourself complaining or feeling entitled? What is one step you can take to replace complaint with thanksgiving this week? [12:57]
4. Doing everything “in the name of Jesus” means letting His character shape our actions and attitudes. Is there a specific area of your life—work, family, friendships—where you need to be more intentional about reflecting Jesus? What would that look like in practice? [20:18]
5. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be thankful. Are there habits or attitudes in your life that make it hard for the Spirit to fill you with gratitude? What is one thing you can surrender or change to make room for the Spirit’s work? [24:05]
6. The pastor said that gratitude is a powerful witness, especially in times of suffering. Can you think of someone in your life who needs to see hope and thankfulness in you? How might your attitude open a door for them to encounter Jesus? [37:55]
7. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, and peace. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you want to see grow in your life this month. What is a specific action you can take to cultivate it in your relationships? [34:37]