I am Grateful

Today that we are going to talk about being grateful.

We are commanded in Scripture to GIVE THANKS, iow, to have a heart for gratitude.

Ephesians 5:20 “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What is Gratitude?

So let’s find out together.

Storybook Time: “Finding Grateful” by Dianne White & Faith Pray

Invited guest reader to come, read story illustrates key things about gratitude.

Called, “Finding Grateful”

Invite Uncle Roger, kids to stage for story.

<< Rogerson reads story >>

Not a particularly Christian book

High'ts couple of things about Gratitude I want U2 remember… + more imp. truth that book leaves out:

1. ‘Gratitude’ is a courageous attitude I can choose.

That little girl & her mom’s car broke down.

It would have been easy to sit down & mope & fume and even swear; to be disappointed

Easy to do! Default setting; to get mad & be really upset.

Worse, to let your actions be driven by your [BIG] feelings… hurt others.

Do you ever get really upset? It’s easy to let those emotions run our choices.

It’s brave, courageous, bold, to let Jesus show us a better way.

Without help from Jesus, we go to that default setting a lot & rage or hit or explode and lose control.

“With the Spirit’s help, I can choose gratitude.”

AP encourages his readers:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind… When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Sometimes the Spirit reminds us to stop and take a breath; pause before responding; remind ourselves that we are safe or loved.

S’times he shows us that it’s not as big of a problem as we thought.

He always shows us a moment, a heartbeat, to pause & choose our next actions.

And good news! When we mess up & fail, he helps us to ask others for forgiveness… if we’re listening to Him!

So in our prayers, we can ask for the HS to help me.

But what does Gratitude really mean?

2. Gratitude means seeing the value in even small things.

The little girl in the story came to know that even little things like dog tails and waves and smiles are valuable.

And she gave thanks for them.

More importantly, God tells Moses & Israel… >>

Deuteronomy 8:10 “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

“As you eat, thank God: that crops grew, animals lived, & milk given to enjoy your chee'burger!”

See, the GIRL gives thanks that puppies exist, but we should take our thanks right to the one who MADE puppies.

We give thanks to God first [for everything]! See: Colossians 3:17

Other things thanking God for in Bible: bread, fish, provision, new baby, victory [battle], advice/wisdom, correction/punish’t, healing, etc…

Small blessings are awesome; we can’t take them for granted!

In fact, AP says to his church in Colossae:

Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Let’s clap together right now and give God praise for his blessings!

So, if gratitude is seeing value in things/people, isn’t that easy to do? And how do we do it? Next Q we ask is: >>

Why is Gratitude Important?

The problem: We are selfish; focus only on problems… swimming in anxiety

So many things to worry about, right??

Younger kids, may not understand this one, but we adults — we know!

Both kids & adults… gonna’ make a list of things that worry us & stress us out.

Welcome Mrs. Hazen >>

White board stress list (MARIA H.)

“What are some things that stress you out? Make you worried?” Call it out!!

Here’s what’s amazing! Bc we can choose to be grateful, with HS help, we can choose it anytime!

3. I choose to be grateful even when times are tough…

Psalmist laments that things are NOT going well for him

He’s sick and stressed and worried and some people HATE him. But he says:

Psalm 69:29–30 “But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.”

He chooses to praise God and trust Him.

And that comes out in giving thanks; in a song; in shouting about how awesome He is.

Science proven that gratitude is good for your sleep, your heart, and gen. wellbeing.

Study: Cardio health & Gratitude: 2012

Design: Participants worked in pairs, assigned a high-stress task (prepare diff. presentation or pitch).

One group was instructed to express gratitude to their partner before the task

Key Findings: The participants who expressed gratitude showed a healthier "challenge response" to stress. Their bodies pumped blood more efficiently, and their blood vessels widened, suggesting a more optimal biological state for performance under pressure, rather than a less-healthy "threat response."

James says:

James 1:2–3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

James cmds us: be joyful when challenges come.

Reminds us that Christ Jesus can use that diff’ty to help us grow as a person.

Our whole life’s attitude can be different if we ask the HS to helps us be more grateful.

Even when we’re disappointed & things don’t work out way we wanted.

Go back to Psalm 69 for sec.

Psalm 69:29b “…May your [YESHUA], God, protect me.”

Cool word time. He asks for God’s, “YESHUA” to protect him.

Does anyone know Jesus’s Hebrew name when he was on earth? Yeshua/Yehoshua!

That reminds me of an important reason to be thankful even when times are tough >>

4. ...because Jesus saved me!

We know that…

JC is so great! He takes away all of our sin & dirt and he makes us clean.

JC brings healing to our bodies as well; when our own bodies fail us & keep us down.

JC knows what’s right even when others treat us unfairly.

Jesus’ act of dying on His cross was a sign of God’s amazing love

JESUS is the reason for so many blessings in our lives.

Let’s watch a quick Bible story about how Jesus set some people free & how they responded.

How many know: Our gratitude can change others’ lives also?!

P.Bethany is going to come up after to talk about our next point >>

Video Transition: Bible Story

How Do I Show Gratitude?

Bible Story Video

An incredible story. Encouraged by miracles.

Jesus healed 10 lepers! Transformed. Lives completely changed. Privately.

Often Jesus works in our lives privately.

But only ONE showed it to Jesus, their healer.

He understood where the gift of healing came from.

He understood who gave him a new lease on life.

He realized that he’d get to hold his kids again and go to temple again, and break bread on Shabbat with his wife again…

…his EVERYTHING changed BECAUSE OF JESUS!

What does this mean for us?

BECAUSE OF JESUS - we can look at EVERYTHING we have, are blessed with, the people around us and be just as grateful as this man.

Spiritual - salvation

Emotional things: grace, peace, hope

Tangible: Every dollar we earn or save; a special toy, rock, etc.

People: Even moments spent with family that are no longer with us -- such blessings!

But knowing gratitude is one thing… showing it is completely different!

Show [express] gratitude to Jesus and to those around you.

Leper went to the feet of Jesus. (physical person in his community.

Leper moved. He went back - physical step and verbal step - took action.

Challenge you to practice gratitude:

To Jesus.

Writing. Prayer . Worship. Entering church/sanctuary with a grateful mindset.

To community.

A note/gift to a friend or family. Quality time. Calling. In person. Lending a hand. Donating. Grateful for a body that can serve.

Gratitude takes practice. We can practice together.

Practice together as a church.

Gratitude Garland…

Write or draw something/one you’re thankful for.

Hang it on the Gratitude Garland!

AFTER THE GARLAND… >>

2 Corinthians 9:11-12 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

If I had to imagine how the leper continued his life….

Challenges us to take our gifts - our abundance, our talents - the very things we are grateful Jesus has provided to serve those around us we can fulfill this very picture.

It is BECAUSE OF JESUS we are grateful.

The ultimate sacrifice. Heavenly father wants our worship. Our praise. Our gratitude.

OMS: “Glad you’re my kid”.

Please stand, if you can, and let’s worship our savior together!

Closing song.

PA intros closing prayer

We have SO MUCH to be grateful for; Jesus at center of them all.

I pray you carry that same mindset, attitude into the Advent season as well…

WELL, we have had many different ppl from several fam’s on stage, call >>

Scott Williams to lead us in a closing prayer.

Amen. God bless you everyone!

Merry Christmas!