Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Philippians 4:4–9 NLT

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

INTRODUCTION:

Thanksgiving Lady

Thanksgiving might not be celebrated in the United States today, were it not for a patient, persistent woman named Sarah Hale.

It is well-known that the first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621 to give thanks for their winter in the New World.

In 1789, President George Washington issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation to commemorate the first Pilgrim celebration. But Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States discontinued it, calling Thanksgiving, “a kingly practice.”

After this, Thanksgiving was observed by some individual states, and on whatever date suited their fancy.

Then in 1828, Mrs. Hale, the editor of the magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book and author of the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” began campaigning for the restoration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

She wrote letters and sought appointments with national leaders from the President down. Time after time she was politely rebuffed, sometimes being told it was “impossible” and “impractical,” and sometimes being dismissed with a this-is-none-of-your-business scolding.

Finally in 1863 President Lincoln listened seriously to her plea that North and South “lay aside enmities and strife on (Thanksgiving) Day.” He proclaimed the fourth Thursday of November to be the official “National Thanksgiving Day.” This day was finally ratified by the U. S. Congress in 1941.

There are 138 passages of Scripture that deal with the subject of thanksgiving.—Larry Poland

(What?) What do the scriptures teach?

What are some actions that the Apostle Paul gives in the text that will promote developing an attitude of gratitude?

I. A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO BE JOYFUL (Philippians 4:4).

Philippians 4:4 NLT

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

4 Χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε· πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε.

A. Circumstances do not have to determine your outlook.

1. The Apostle Paul’s circumstances were not favorable—yet his outlook remained good.

a. He was in prison for proclaiming the good news about Christ.

2. The Philippian believers, to whom he was writing, had some negative circumstances.

a. Persecution of Christians was common in the Roman society.

II. A CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS THAT IS A MINDSET (Philippians 4:5).

Philippians 4:5 NLT

5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

5 τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς·

A. Operating out of a mindset of consideration for others leads to less focus on self.

(1 Corinthians 10:24)

1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT

24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

1. When the focus is on consideration for others, there is a more of a tendency to be grateful.

a. When we see the needs of other people, we begin to see our own blessings.

b. When we are focused on helping others, there is less time to focus on self.

B. Remember that Christ is returning soon when interacting with others (believers and unbelievers).

1. If you knew that Jesus would return while you are interacting with people, how would you treat them? He Might!

(Matthew 24:44-51)

Matthew 24:44–51 NLT

44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. 45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

a. When we focus on the fact that the Lord is returning and will make all things new, we can be grateful that circumstances are temporary.

III. A COMPLETE RECOGNITION OF THE SOURCE OF ALL RESOURCES (Philippians 4:6-7).

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

A. Recognize that the source of your provisions is not in this world.(Philippians 4:6a)

Philippians 4:6 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

6 μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετʼ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν·

1. Worry accomplishes nothing positive and prevents an attitude of gratitude…it produces misery.

a. Jesus warned his disciples not to worry.

(Luke 12:22-31)

Luke 12:22–31 NLT

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? 27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

B. Recognize that God is the source of all you need. (Philippians 4:6b)

Philippians 4:6 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

6 μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετʼ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν·

(Philippians 4:19)

Philippians 4:19 NLT

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

1. Pray and ask him to supply your needs.

(Luke 11:1-3)

Luke 11:1–3 NLT

1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. 3 Give us each day the food we need,

2. Thank God for all he has done to provide for your needs.

(Colossians 4:2)

Colossians 4:2 NLT

2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Pastor’s Conclusion

A clergyman included in his annual parochial report the item “Nine persons lost at sea.” When the congregation expressed shock and amazement, he said, “Well, eleven persons requested prayers for those going to sea, and only two asked me to give thanks for a safe return, so I assume that the other nine were lost at sea.”

C. Recognition of God’s providential care will produce gratitude and peace. (Philippians 4:7)

Philippians 4:7 NLT

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

7 καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

Count Your Blessings

An old adage says that counting sheep will help you go to sleep. For the Christian the better exercise would be to count God’s blessings upon you. You cannot exhaust that number. But reflecting on His blessings will bring joy to your heart and drive out worry. Then you will know God’s peace—and so, to sleep! Why should you toss sleeplessly when the One watching over you never sleeps—or needs to?

IV. A CONSCIOUS FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE (Philippians 4:8-9).

Philippians 4:8–9 NLT

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

A. An attitude of gratitude is maintained by fixing your focus on the right things.(Philippians 4:8)

Philippians 4:8 NLT

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

8 Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε·

1. Things that encourage right thinking, right attitudes, and right actions.

B. An attitude of gratitude is maintained and encouraged by living out the transformed life that Christ gives. (Philippians 4:9)

Philippians 4:9 NLT

9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

9 ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε· καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

1. When we focus our thinking on the types of things Paul instructs, a grateful, transformed lifestyle becomes more natural.

(Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:2 NLT

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

14,000 Things

Barbara Ann Kipfer began keeping a list of her favorite things as a shy teenager. Soon the list became second nature; she found herself making additions while riding the bus, eating breakfast, and even in the middle of the night. Twenty years and dozens of spiral notebooks later, her list was published as a book titled 14,000 Things To Be Happy About. Why not write your own book?

CONCLUSION:

So What? (What does that mean to us today?)

1. The believer is to make a conscious choice to have an attitude of gratitude.

2. The believer must choose to have a mindset of consideration for other people.

3. The believer must recognize the true source of his supply for all of life’s needs.

4. The believer must maintain a conscious focus on good, positive things.

The result:

Development of an attitude of gratitude.

Now What? (Now what will I do about it?)

What will I do…

1. Will I make a conscious choice to have an attitude of gratitude?

2. What will I do in a practical way to help me be others focused, rather than self-focused?

3. What will I do to redirect my energies from worry to trust in God for meeting my needs?

4. What will I do to change the focus of my thinking to things that are good, praiseworthy, and pleasing to God?