An Attitude of Gratitude

Colossians 3:15–16 KJV 1900

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:15–16 ESV

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Importance of Thanksgiving

Romans 1:21 KJV 1900

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2 Timothy 3:2 KJV 1900

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

God Loves and extends His grace to everyone!

Matthew 5:45 KJV 1900

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

God’s Benefits to Us

In America: We have never had better health care, more financial prosperity, more freedom from cotton picking and with child labor, opportunities to travel to distant places.

For God’s People: we have greater access to better teachers and theological training.

We are free to drive past good churches, to get to fellowship with people with whom we have many more things in common

We have abundant translations of Scripture, more study tools, and unlimited good books to help us understand God’s Word.

But instead of an attitude of Gratitude, we have an attitude of entitlement. — which destroys gratitude.

Thanksgiving is happening in heaven right now!

Revelation 4:9 ESV

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

It is a fruit of the Spirit

Ephesians 5:18–20 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

It is a sign of being committed to His Word

Colossians 3:16–17 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Giving Thanks Is evidence of maturity

Colossians 1:10–12 ESV

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Colossians 2:7 ESV

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

It calms us when we are anxious

Philippians 4:6 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.

Everything we say or do should be bathed in Thanksgiving

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

But it seems that we always resort to an attitude of ingratitude!

What can we do?

1. Repent, and stop complaining, grumbling and sighing!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

2. When things are tough, first lament, but move to thanksgiving!

Psalm 119:71 ESV

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Paul was thankful for even the troublesome Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:4–5 ESV

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—

3. Make sure we train and raise thankful children.

It is the sin nature that causes us to complain with ingratitude.

So we must put it off and put on Thankfulness

“Please” and “Thank You” must become spontaneous.