The Gratitude Command

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB95

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

The church was under persecution

He wanted to strengthen their faith.

Its hard to be thankful when times are hard. It feels like the world is against you. Like God has left you and you have no hope.

Thanksgiving time suicide and depression spike.

I remember my mom would teach me to say thank you. She would teach me to say prayers of thanks for my food.

There were times in my life when I didn’t feel too thankful. It was in times when things were hard that I remembered my moms voice reminding me to be thankful.

when my mom passed away … journal…

I. No matter the situation be thankful.

…in everything give thanks….

A. Gratitude is an attitude of the heart.

When you take inventory of what God has done, you become grateful.

The more you are grateful the more it transforms you.

Your heart changes

Your attitude changes

Your focus changes.

“Where gratitude exposes God’s will. Ingratitude reveals what’s blocking it.”

B. Ingratitude reveals a hearts condition

Ingratitude comes from a distorted view of God. When a person stops being grateful its because they have lost site of God. It reveals that we’re seeing life through our wounds instead of His Word.

Ingratitude is a symptom of Spiritual Blindness. Romans 1:21 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” NOTICE THE PROGRESSION >>> No Thanks >> No Clarity >> No discernment

Ingratitude is a sign of pride. Gratitude says, “God I need you.” Ingratitude says, “I can handle this myself.” Anything we don’t turn into praise turns into pride. Satan fell… not because he wouldn’t sing, but because he stopped giving thanks.

C. There is always a reason to give thanks.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

My mothers gratitude Journal…

II. Gratitude reveals God’s will.

Philippians 4:11–13 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul was ship wrecked on a an island

Paul was whipped

Paul at times was broke

Paul learned that contentment was the key to God’s will. Gratitude doesn’t just help you endure hard seasons, it helps you to embrace God’s purpose in each season.

1. Gratitude aligns your heart with heaven.

Matthew 6:21 “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Your heart is shifted off the problem and onto the God who is present in the problem.

God wants your heart aligned with his truth not with your circumstances.

2. Gratitude positions you to hear God clearly.

A thankful heart is a quiet heart. Fear talks loudly, Worry talks loudly, anxiety talks loudly.

Gratitude calms the soul and tunes your spirit with the Holy Spirit’s frequency.

When you are thankful, even when you are confused, your heart becomes still and God’s voice becomes more clear.

3. Gratitude guards you from deception.

God wants you protected from the enemies deception and gratitude is one of God’s protections.

Gratitude is spiritual warfare. It dismantles lies, disarms the enemies accusations, It reminds you of God’s faithfulness.

4. Gratitude keeps you sensitive to God’s presence.

God is always working. Gratitude keeps aware of it.

When you thank God before the blessing arrives, you train your spirit to recognize God’s hand moving.

III. How Gratitude transforms

Gratitude softens the heart. A grateful heart cannot stay bitter, resentful or cold. - Every time you thank God - even in pain you’re letting the Holy Spirit warm areas that were disappointed.

Gratitude heals the heart from wounds. “Look what happened to me” to Look What God has done for me! Instead of focusing on trauma you start to focus on God.

Gratitude strengthens your faith. Your faith grows when you start to recognize God’s fingerprint. God is at work in each of us…its up to you to recognize God in the midst of your situation. When you start seeing God working and even when you don’t your faith begins to grow.

Gratitude restores joy.

It is impossible to have JOY without gratitude.

If gratitude is the spark then joy is the flame.

Joy is resurrection power for the soul.

CONCLUSION