Gratitude: A Heartfelt response to God’s Goodness

Introduction

Have you ever been so overwhelmed with someone’s kindness and generosity that you didn’t have the words to say thank you? You knew there was no way you could ever repay them and “thank you” just wasn’t enough.

Gratitude is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the kindness and generosity we receive, particularly as we celebrate Thanksgiving. At the core of this season is the central theme of our relationship with Jesus Christ, who profoundly transforms our lives through the gospel. His teachings and sacrifice inspire us to reflect on our blessings and the grace we experience daily. As we express gratitude, we recognize the deep impact of Christ’s love and guidance, which not only enriches our spiritual journeys but also fosters a sense of community among believers. This Thanksgiving, embracing gratitude invites us to celebrate the transformative power of Jesus in our lives and encourages us to share that love with others.

So, how do we express our gratitude to God for all he’s done in our lives? What is our heartfelt response to God’s goodness?

Exposition

Praise and Worship

Acknowledge the greatness of God through Praise

Psalm 100:1–5 ESV

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 150:1–6 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Acknowledge the grace of God through Worship.

Psalm 29:1–2 ESV

1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The Problem: Graditude demands more than praise and worship

Matthew 15:7–9 ESV

7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Luke 6:46 ESV

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

Prayer and Partnership

Approach the Lord in Thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Approach the Lord in Partnership.

John 14:12–13 ESV

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Approach the Lord in holiness. (Communion)

1 Peter 1:13–19 (ESV)

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Preparing our minds for action as obedient children we conduct ourselves in holiness to the Lord.

We know better, therefore we should be better.

Acts of Service and Generosity

Serve from a heart of thanksgiving

2 Corinthians 9:8–9 ESV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

Your generosity produces thanksgiving in others.

2 Corinthians 9:10–12 ESV

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

2 Corinthians 9:13–15 ESV

13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Next Steps

Spend a few moments each day in praise, focusing on God's magnificent attributes and grace, to strengthen your sense of gratitude.

Make prayer a daily habit, approaching God with thanksgiving and seeking ways to partner with Him in your life's purpose.

Identify a specific way you can serve or give generously this week, allowing your gratitude to inspire others to give thanks.

Call to Action

RGroup Questions