4/4 - Always Thankful

Tithe & Ofering

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NIV): "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Why This Verse Resonates:

Gratitude in Giving: This passage emphasizes giving with a cheerful heart, which ties back to our theme of gratitude. It encourages us to view our offerings as an expression of thankfulness for the blessings we've received.

Grace and Abundance: The verse reminds us of God's grace and abundant provision, reinforcing the idea that our giving is not just an obligation but a response to the grace we've experienced.

Empowerment for Good Works: It highlights that our offerings enable us to abound in every good work, aligning with the idea of transforming our community through acts of grace.

Reflection:

As you prepare to give, reflect on how your offering can be a tangible expression of gratitude and a means to extend grace to others. Consider how your contributions help cultivate a community where love and light flourish, empowering us to be a beacon of hope to those around us.

Visitors

A Community of Grace and Gratitude: A Radical Transformation

Theme: Building a Church Culture of Thankfulness Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Introduction: A Transformative Journey

Good morning, beloved community!

Today, as we gather in fellowship, I invite you to embark on a journey—a journey that promises to transform not just our individual lives, but the very fabric of our community.

Illustration: Imagine standing at the edge of a vast forest, a place of both beauty and mystery.

Each tree represents a life experience, some are towering and strong, others are young and fragile.

As you step into this forest, you realize that the path you choose will determine the landscape around you.

This forest is our community, and the path we choose is one of gratitude and grace. Just as a forest thrives when each tree is nurtured, our church flourishes when gratitude and grace are at its roots.

Relevance:

In a world often overshadowed by negativity and division, cultivating a culture of gratitude and grace is not just important—it's revolutionary.

It’s about creating a church where peace, love, and unity prevail.

This transformation matters because it enables us to reflect Christ's love more brightly to those around us, making our church a beacon of hope and light.

Personal Anecdote: Let me share a personal story. A few years ago, I found myself overwhelmed by the demands of life. One day, I met a woman who radiated joy despite facing immense challenges. Curious, I asked her secret. She simply said, "Every morning, I choose gratitude."

Her words struck me deeply, and I began to see how gratitude could transform my perspective and, by extension, my interactions with others.

Thought-Provoking Statement:

What if gratitude and grace were not just ideals we strive for, but the very essence of who we are as a community?

What if they could redefine how we see ourselves and each other?

Today, we explore how these virtues can become the heartbeat of our church, inspiring us to live out our faith in profound and meaningful ways.

Join me as we look into scripture, uncovering how gratitude and grace can revolutionize our community, making it a place where love and light flourish.

1. Gratitude as a Radical Act:

Scripture: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." — Colossians 3:15

In Colossians 3:15, we are urged to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

The Greek word for "rule" is βραβεύω (brabeuō), which means to act as an umpire or to arbitrate.

This suggests that the peace of Christ should govern our decisions and interactions.

Gratitude, then, becomes a radical choice that aligns us with this peace, acting as a counter-cultural force against the chaos of the world.

Consider Luke 17:11-19, the story of the ten lepers.

Only one returns to thank Jesus, demonstrating that gratitude is not just a response, but a transformative act of faith.

This Samaritan leper's gratitude sets him apart, illustrating how thankfulness can redefine our relationship with God and others.

Illustration: Central Park - NY »

Imagine you're in a bustling city, surrounded by noise and chaos like New York. Yet, in the midst of it, you find a serene park, a place of peace.

This is what gratitude does for our souls—it creates a sanctuary amidst life's turmoil.

Real-Life Story: Consider the story of Corrie ten Boom, who found reasons to be thankful even in a concentration camp during WWII.

She thanked God for the fleas in her barracks because they kept the guards away, allowing her to hold Bible studies.

Questions to Ponder:

Where in my life do I need to let peace rule over chaos?

How can I find gratitude in my current circumstances?

Quote: "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." — Anonymous

Catchphrase: "Peace in the chaos, gratitude in the heart." #GratitudeRevolution

2. The Word Alive in Us:

Scripture: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." — Colossians 3:16

Colossians 3:16 tells us to let the word of Christ dwell richly among us.

The Greek word for "dwell" is ἐνοικέω (enoikeō), meaning to inhabit or to live within.

This implies a deep, abiding presence of Christ's teachings.

We see this living word in action in Acts 2:42-47, where the early church devotes themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, and prayer, embodying the word in their communal life.

The challenge is to let these teachings permeate every aspect of our lives, transforming us into living testimonies of grace and gratitude.

Illustration: Think of a garden. For it to flourish, the soil must be rich and well-tended.

Similarly, our hearts must be rich with the word of Christ to bear the fruits of gratitude and grace.

Real-Life Story:

In Acts 2:42-47, the early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship.

Their lives were so intertwined with Christ's message that they became a living testament to His grace.

Questions to Ponder:

How can I let the word of Christ dwell more richly in my life?

What practices can I adopt to embody His teachings daily?

Quote: "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." — St. Francis of Assisi

Catchphrase: "Live the word, spread the grace." #LivingTestament

3. Singing as a Revolutionary Act:

Scripture: … through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." — Colossians 3:16

In Colossians 3:16, Paul encourages singing with gratitude in our hearts.

The Greek word for gratitude is χάρις (charis), which also means grace.

This duality suggests that our songs are expressions of both thankfulness and grace, acts of worship that transcend mere words.

Consider Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25, who sing hymns in prison.

Their singing is a revolutionary act of faith and gratitude, shaking the very foundations of their confinement and leading to an unexpected liberation.

Illustration:

Picture a choir singing in perfect harmony. Each voice contributes to a beautiful, unified sound.

Our gratitude and grace should be like that choir, harmonizing our actions and words.

Questions to Ponder:

How can my expressions of gratitude be acts of faith and rebellion against negativity?

What songs of gratitude can I sing in my own 'prisons'?

Quote: "Music is the shorthand of emotion." — Leo Tolstoy

Catchphrase: "Sing your gratitude, shake the world." #HarmonyOfHope

4. Unleashing Collective Power:

Scripture: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." — Hebrews 10:24-25

To build a culture of gratitude and grace, we must support one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.

The Greek word for "spur" is παροξυσμός (paroxysmos), meaning to provoke or incite. This suggests an active, intentional effort to encourage and uplift each other.

By fostering intentional connections, we create a ripple effect of grace and gratitude that extends beyond our church walls.

Illustration: Think of a single match versus a bonfire.

One match can light a small flame, but together, they create a powerful blaze.

Our collective gratitude and grace have the power to ignite change.

Real-Life Story:

The early Christians, through their shared lives and mutual support, transformed their communities, demonstrating the power of collective grace in Acts 4:32-35.

Questions to Ponder:

How can I contribute to our community's collective power of grace?

In what ways can we, as a church, become a beacon of hope and love?

Quote: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller

Catchphrase: "Together in grace, unstoppable in gratitude." #CollectiveGrace

Conclusion:

As we conclude this series, let us commit to embodying a culture of gratitude and grace that transforms our church and community.

Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let His word dwell richly among us, and let our actions be revolutionary acts of worship.

May we be inspired to live out these truths, transforming not just ourselves but our entire community.

Together, let us be catalysts for change, reflecting the radical love and grace of Christ in every aspect of our lives.

May this week be filled with opportunities to practice gratitude, share grace, and inspire others with the love of Christ.

Go, empowered to be the change-makers God has called us to be. Amen.

Let’s Pray...

Apostolic Blessing:

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.