Thanks Living: Embracing Gratitude and Service in Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with the concept of "thanks living," a lifestyle of continuous gratitude, as opposed to celebrating thankfulness only during specific events like Thanksgiving. The speaker draws from Jeremiah's dialogue with God to illustrate the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and surrounding oneself with good influences. They share a personal story of healing and finding purpose through faith, highlighting the transformative power of the church's mission to live loved by God and to love others with His love. This mission, rooted in the commandment to love God and others, is central to the speaker's message.
The speaker then challenges the congregation to step out of their comfort zones and actively serve others, emphasizing the need to be broken and poured out for the advancement of God's kingdom. They share that true fulfillment comes from living to give rather than living to get, and that one must be changed by God before attempting to do things for Him. The speaker also addresses the difficulties faced by individuals with authority issues within the church, acknowledging the tension between the flesh and the spirit as described in Galatians 5:17.
Furthermore, the speaker warns against the danger of appearing godly without embracing the transformative power of God's word. They urge the congregation to align their lives with Jesus' teachings, as He is the way, the truth, and the life. The speaker shares concerns about young people opposing biblical truth and encourages them to recognize Jesus as the ultimate source of truth and fulfillment.
The sermon concludes with a powerful message about the necessity of living a life of brokenness, as exemplified by Jesus during the Last Supper. The speaker testifies that their greatest blessings and lessons came through times of brokenness and assures the congregation that there is hope in Jesus, who provides everything needed for a godly life. They also discuss the struggle between personal desires and the call of the spirit, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God's calling. The speaker ends with a blessing over the congregation, asking for God's peace in Jesus' name.
Key Takeaways:
- Living a life of continuous gratitude, or "thanks living," is a transformative practice that goes beyond mere moments of thankfulness. It requires a conscious effort to maintain a positive outlook and to choose the influences that shape our lives. This lifestyle is not only beneficial for personal growth but also for nurturing a grateful community. [29:31]
- The church's mission to live loved by God and to love others with His love is a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. It is through understanding and embracing this love that individuals can find healing and purpose. The speaker's personal journey serves as a testament to the life-changing impact of embodying this mission. [34:37]
- True Christian service involves a willingness to be broken and poured out for others. The speaker emphasizes that spiritual growth is not just about personal development but also about being ready to give oneself away for the betterment of others and the advancement of God's kingdom. This selflessness is a hallmark of a mature faith. [57:25]
- The conflict between the flesh and the spirit is a common struggle within the church. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding God's love and learning to love others with that same love, even when dealing with personal baggage and authority issues. This understanding is crucial for fostering a healthy church community. [43:22]
- The speaker warns against the complacency of appearing godly without embracing the power of God's word. They stress the importance of knowing the scriptures and the power of God, and of aligning one's life with Jesus' teachings. This alignment is essential for living a life that is truly transformative and grounded in truth. [49:26]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV): "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts."
2. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV): "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
3. Galatians 5:17 (ESV): "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jeremiah 15:16 suggest about the impact of God's words on Jeremiah's life?
2. According to Matthew 22:37-39, what are the two greatest commandments, and how are they related?
3. How does Galatians 5:17 describe the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit?
4. In the sermon, what personal story did the speaker share to illustrate the transformative power of the church's mission? ([34:11])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can the concept of "thanks living" as described in the sermon be applied to everyday life? ([30:41])
2. What does it mean to be "broken and poured out" for others, and why is this important for spiritual growth? ([51:19])
3. How does the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit manifest in the lives of believers, according to the sermon? ([41:12])
4. Why is it dangerous to appear godly without embracing the transformative power of God's word? ([48:11])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you practice "thanks living" beyond moments of thankfulness? What specific steps can you take to maintain a positive outlook and choose good influences? ([30:41])
2. The speaker emphasized the importance of being broken and poured out for others. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you can serve others selflessly? What might that look like in practice? ([51:19])
3. Think about a time when you struggled with the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from that experience to better align with the Spirit in the future? ([41:12])
4. The sermon mentioned the danger of appearing godly without true transformation. Are there areas in your life where you might be focusing more on appearance than genuine change? How can you address this? ([48:11])
5. The speaker shared a personal story of finding healing and purpose through the church's mission. How has your involvement in the church impacted your personal growth and faith journey? ([34:11])
6. How can you actively love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself in your current context? What practical actions can you take this week to live out these commandments? ([35:18])
7. The sermon concluded with a blessing for peace. How can you seek and share God's peace in your daily interactions and relationships? ([58:45])
Devotional
Day 1: Gratitude Beyond Circumstances
Gratitude is not merely a reaction to receiving blessings; it is a proactive stance in life. By choosing to live with a heart of thankfulness, one can transform their outlook and interactions with the world, fostering a spirit of contentment and generosity. This approach to life, "thanks living," is about recognizing the good in every situation and acknowledging the grace that permeates all aspects of life. [29:31]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily routine, even in the face of challenges or mundane tasks?
Day 2: Embracing Love as Transformation
Understanding and living out the love of God is the cornerstone of a transformative life. This love is not passive; it calls for active engagement in loving others and serving the community. It is through this divine love that one finds healing, purpose, and the ability to impact the lives of others profoundly. [34:37]
Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate God's love to someone in your community this week?
Day 3: The Blessing of Selflessness
True fulfillment in the Christian journey comes from selflessness—being willing to be broken and poured out for the sake of others. This self-giving is not a loss but a profound gain, as it aligns with the heart of God's kingdom where serving is the path to true life. [57:25]
Matthew 20:26-28 - "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: What is one way you can serve someone else this week without expecting anything in return?
Day 4: Navigating Flesh and Spirit
The tension between the flesh and the spirit is a reality that requires discernment and a commitment to spiritual growth. By understanding the love of God and learning to love others with that love, one can navigate personal struggles and authority issues, fostering a healthier community of faith. [43:22]
Galatians 5:24-25 - "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where you felt torn between the flesh and the spirit? How might you respond differently by keeping in step with the Spirit?
Day 5: Aligning with Divine Truth
Living a godly life goes beyond appearances; it requires a deep engagement with the scriptures and a commitment to align one's life with the teachings of Jesus. This alignment is the foundation for a life that is transformative and anchored in truth. [49:26]
James 1:22-25 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
Reflection: What is one teaching of Jesus that you find challenging to live out? How can you take practical steps to align your life with this teaching today?
Quotes
"It's really Thanksgiving living, but I figured that we put it together and call it thanks living. Because it's a lifestyle. It's not something that we do just doing Thanksgiving or every now and then. But it's living a life of Thanksgiving." [30:49] (Download)
"But little did I know, That he had another plan for me. He wanted me to get closer to him and draw closer to him. And that's what coastal mission helped me to do." [34:37] (Download)
"Having the appearance of godliness but denying the power to change. Think about that. Is there anything that you need to change in your life today?" [48:13] (Download)
"Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. Everything has to be done according to Jesus' words." [49:26] (Download)
"He's able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything that we could think or imagine as we sang in that song. That's the truth. But anytime you hear anything that opposes biblical truth, it's a lie." [50:33] (Download)
"Agape love is relational, not transactional. So live to give, not live to get. We don't have to worry about getting anything; God gives us everything that we need and some to pass out to somebody else." [57:25] (Download)
"Living a life of brokenness and being poured out is hard. It's not easy. It doesn't feel good. But I can stand here and tell you that my greatest seasons of blessings and my greatest lessons that I've learned in life came through a time of brokenness." [52:48] (Download)
"God has given us everything we need for a godly life. We received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. That is good news." [53:56] (Download)
"May the Lord bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you, and may the Lord be gracious to you and turn his face towards you and give you peace in Jesus's name." [59:39] (Download)
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