Part 5: How to Give Thanks
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Introduction:
Introduction:
1. Gratitude is internal.
1. Gratitude is internal.
Colossians 3:15-17; Romans 7:25; Psalm 111:1
Gratitude starts in our hearts.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 And 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.
We can’t be thankful if we aren’t peaceful. We can’t be peaceful if Christ isn’t reigning in our hearts. When Christi is reigning in our hearts, thankfulness from our hearts permeates our actions. “Whatever you do . . . giving thanks.”
That is why Paul says:
25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
It is through Jesus. Are you looking at everything you do through the lens of Jesus involvement in it? If so, that leads us to fully embrace gratitude.
That is why they Psalmist says we are to be thankful with our whole hearts.
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Not half-hearted is a negative way of stating this.
Enthusiastically is a positive way of saying this.
To give thanks we first must get our hearts right.
2. Gratitude is external.
2. Gratitude is external.
Psalm 109:30
Are you thankful if you don’t say “thank you.”? Maybe if you think it to God but not toward anyone else.
30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
To give thanks we must express it.
3. Gratitude is focused.
3. Gratitude is focused.
Psalm 128:2; 1 Corinthians 1:4
2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
To give thanks we must focus on the benefit.
4. Gratitude is continuous.
4. Gratitude is continuous.
Daniel 6:10; Ephesians 1:16; Ephesians 5:20
Gratitude is a godly habit.
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Gratitude is part of every prayer.
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
To give thanks we must always be in an attitude of thanksgiving.
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions:
Describe a time when you experienced some adversity and your were surprised that God gave you the ability to be thankful.
How do you get in an attitude of thankfulness if you don’t feel thankful?
Do you think your gratitude toward God makes it easier to express gratitude to others? Why or why not.