Gratitude and Faithfulness: A Call to Worship

 

Summary

In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of gratitude and thankfulness, especially in the midst of challenging times. The sermon began with a reflection on the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the need for us to be thankful for His grace and mercy. The speaker also highlighted the importance of worship and the power of hymns in reminding us of God's faithfulness. The sermon then transitioned into a discussion on the importance of gratitude, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The speaker encouraged us to be a light in our communities by expressing our gratitude for all that God has done for us.

The sermon concluded with a reflection on Psalm 117, which emphasizes the importance of praising God with every fiber of our being. The speaker encouraged us to look back on our lives and recognize God's faithfulness, even in times when we may have let Him down. The speaker reminded us that God's love and faithfulness are constant, and that we should express our gratitude for these gifts.

Key Takeaways:
- The importance of expressing gratitude, even in challenging times, as a testament to God's faithfulness and love. (#!!39:12!!#)
- The power of worship and hymns in reminding us of God's faithfulness and love. (#!!52:20!!#)
- The call to be a light in our communities by expressing our gratitude for all that God has done for us. (#!!41:33!!#)
- The reminder of God's constant love and faithfulness, even when we may have let Him down. (#!!34:06!!#)
- The importance of praising God with every fiber of our being, as emphasized in Psalm 117. (#!!45:39!!#)

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 8: The story of the man healed from a legion of demons. (Timestamp: #!!39:12!!#)
2. Psalm 117: A short psalm of praise and thanksgiving. (Timestamp: #!!45:39!!#)
3. 2 Timothy 2:13: A verse about God's faithfulness. (Timestamp: #!!49:03!!#)

Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 8, what was the man's response after Jesus healed him from the legion of demons?
2. How does Psalm 117 describe God's love and faithfulness?
3. What does 2 Timothy 2:13 say about God's faithfulness even when we are faithless?

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the man's response in Luke 8 tell us about the impact of Jesus' healing in his life?
2. How does Psalm 117 encourage us to respond to God's love and faithfulness?
3. How does 2 Timothy 2:13 challenge our understanding of God's faithfulness in relation to our faithlessness?

Application Questions:
1. Like the man healed from a legion of demons in Luke 8, how can you share about what God has done in your life this week?
2. In light of Psalm 117, what are specific ways you can praise God for His love and faithfulness in your life?
3. Considering 2 Timothy 2:13, how can you respond to God's faithfulness when you feel faithless or unfaithful?
4. Can you think of a specific situation where you experienced God's faithfulness even when you were faithless? How did that experience impact your faith?
5. How can you demonstrate gratitude for God's faithfulness in your daily interactions with others?

Devotional

Day 1: God's Faithfulness is Everlasting

God's faithfulness is not temporary or fleeting, but rather it endures through all generations. When we place our lives in His hands and become children of God through the saving work of Jesus Christ, His faithfulness becomes evident in our lives. His faithfulness is evident in the fact that He calls us into a relationship and then remains faithful day after day in everything that He does ([49:03]).

Psalm 100:5 - "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How did it impact your faith and relationship with Him?

Day 2: God's Faithfulness in Our Unfaithfulness

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. His faithfulness is not dependent on our actions or our faithfulness to Him. He remains faithful because He cannot disown Himself. This understanding should lead us to a deep sense of gratitude and worship ([52:20]).

2 Timothy 2:13 - "If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you were faithless, yet experienced God's faithfulness? How did that experience shape your understanding of God's character?

Day 3: God's Faithfulness in Our Healing

Jesus' healing of the man possessed by a legion of demons in Luke 8 is a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness. Even in our most broken and desperate states, God remains faithful, offering healing and restoration ([39:12]).

Luke 8:35 - "Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid."

Reflection: How have you experienced God's healing in your life? How did this experience reveal God's faithfulness to you?

Day 4: God's Faithfulness in Our Daily Provision

God's faithfulness is evident in our daily provision. From the air we breathe to the water we drink, every aspect of our lives is a testament to God's faithfulness. His provision extends beyond our physical needs to our spiritual needs, offering us the companionship of Jesus and the promise of eternal life ([41:33]).

Matthew 6:31-33 - "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Reflection: How have you seen God's faithfulness in your daily provision? How does this understanding influence your perspective on worry and anxiety?

Day 5: God's Faithfulness in His Love for Us

God's faithfulness is most profoundly demonstrated in His love for us. His love is so great that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. This act of love is the ultimate demonstration of God's faithfulness, showing us that He will never let us down ([45:39]).

Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: How have you experienced God's love in your life? How does this love reveal His faithfulness to you?

Quotes

1. "When we connect with Him, when we place our life in His hands, when we become a child of God through the saving work of Jesus Christ, God's faithfulness is already evident. It's evident in the fact that He calls us into a relationship and then it's faithful day after day after day in everything that He does." - 49:03

2. "I think for us in this year of 2020 right now, what if Jesus were saying that to each of us right now? How could you really answer that? How could you say, yes, Jesus, I'll go out. I'll be grateful right now and tell others how much God has done for me. That sounds pretty challenging in 2020." - 39:12

3. "We're thankful that we have so many people watching out for us and I think of those that perhaps find themselves alone in apartments or townhouses or various structures and realizing that even in those situations, Father, we're looking out for one another and that is an amazing gift that we have." - 19:44

4. "Isn't it an amazing gift to think that we have this faithful God who never lets us go, who always stays close to us and probably today's vernacular hangs in with us. It's one of the most important factors of our faith." - 17:14

5. "We're in a season where we need to be reminded at times that we need to be thankful. God is continuing to bless us even in these complicated days. We're sharing the service today in a wonderful way. I'm so grateful that you're with us again. I pray that God will watch over us and encourage us." - 04:36