Sermon Tone Analysis

Research: https://ministry127.com/christian-living/8-barriers-to-gratitude; https://www.njlifehacks.com/gratitude-obstacles/

http://oakridgechurch.com/riggs/bar-tha.htm

https://gratefulness.org/resource/obstacles-to-gratitude/

Introduction

There are plenty of times when we don’t do the right thing.

We know what is right but we don’t do it.

Why aren’t we thankful?

There is nothing to be thankful about!

Doubt

1. Negativity bias

Because of our sinful condition we naturally look at the bad side of things.

Romans

Romans 3:10-12

We have a built in negativity bias, some more than others, but we all have it.

This is helpful when we are on guard and looking for potential dangers to avoid.

We aren’t usually on guard looking for good.

We don’t have an inclination to look for the positive in life.

We have a built in negativity bias, some more than others, but we all have it.

This is helpful when we are on guard and looking for potential dangers to avoid.

We aren’t usually on guard looking for good.

We don’t have an inclination to look for the positive in life.

We can live our lives filled with negativity.

It’s called carnality, living according to the flesh.

As a new creation in God’s eyes, since we have believed in Jesus as our Savior, we have the ability to live according to the Spirit and have a joyful, thankful attitude toward life.

2. Habituation

Continued exposure to something leads to a decreased response.

Drink a lot of caffeine and you get used to it.

Take a lot of pain meds and your body gets used to it and you need stronger does.

We get used to things being good and lose the perspective that we should be thankful.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

We get used to things being good and lose the perspective that we should be thankful.

Sometimes we don’t appreciate things or people until we lose them.

That is what happened to the prodigal son.

He was comfortable, living in the wealth of his father’s home and he was so used to it that he didn’t realize how good he had it.

What happened when he lost it all and was feeding pigs and wanted to eat the pigs food?

3. Envy

Luke 15:17

The grass is greener on the other side.

This is one of one of the desires of our sinful nature.

This is the result of habituation.

The grass is greener on the other side - this is the result of habituation.

We aren’t thankful for what we have and want what others have.

Who would you rather be right now?

You or (think of someone you admire in music, sports, business, movies, writing?)

We want something “new.”

How long does the new car smell last?

We have a short-lived physical reaction to new things, dopamine, a chemical jolt of joy.

4. Pride

This is a lack of humility.

Some people don’t like to say “thank you” because it acknowledges our inability or dependency upon another.

"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants," said Isaac Newton.

The truth is that on the inside the Pharisee was like those he spurned.

Have you ever stolen anything, even the smallest item, a grape at the grocery store?

You’re a robber or a thief!

Have you ever sinned?

You’re an evil doer?

Have you ever had an improper sexual desire?

We all have.

Jesus said that is as bad as adultery!

Pride prevents us from seeing ourselves as we really are and it prevents us from being grateful for even the small blessings of life.

Jesus showed us how to view our lives.

Philippians 2:5-

We are creatures.

We need air, food, water and when we were born someone to give us these things.

We need the sun and gravity, heat and yes, cold.

We have physical limitations.

We can not succeed in anything in life without the assistance of other people, and God.

We are mortal.

We are going to die.

In fact, we are dying.

5. Comparing Ourselves to Others

We think we are entitled to things and don’t need to say thanks.

When good thing happens to us, it’s because it’s our right to receive it, not a blessing.

Oscar Wilde said it best: “Everyone is worthy of love, except him who thinks that he is.

Love is a sacrament that should be taken kneeling.”

Entitlement leads to feelings of being wronged or cheated, which produces anger, frustration, resentment, and even more entitlement.

It cuts the very roots of gratitude.

If you feel you deserve everything, why should you be grateful for it?

It’s rightfully yours, after all!

How do you feel when you praise someone for doing a good job and instead of saying thank you they say, “I know I’m did good.”?

We don’t want to praise them anymore

“Studies reveal that the unassuming virtue of humility, rather than representing weakness or inferiority, as is commonly assumed, is a strength of character that produces positive, beneficial results for self and society,” explains Emmons in Gratitude Works! before showcasing some of the latest research findings, including:

Feeling humble when receiving praise makes people want to treat others more nicely, increase their efforts, and challenge themselves.Humble people tend to be admired and humility is viewed positively by most people.Humble lawyers are rated as more likable by jurors and humble teachers as more effective.

CEO's who possess a combination of humility and strong professional will act as catalysts from turning good companies into greater ones.Humility is positively associated with higher grades at school.

Comparison is probably part of human nature.

As far as social comparison goes, modern psychology differs between two types.

Upward comparison is when people compare themselves to people who are better than they are, while downward comparison is when people compare themselves to those who are worse than they are.

https://www.njlifehacks.com/gratitude-obstacles/

The world rarely displays regular people who are wrinkled, overweight, and average.

It highlights perfect bodies, perfect skin and hair and wildly successful people.

If you compare yourself with the images from the media, what’s to be grateful for?

None us drive a Ferrari, own a private jet or have maids cooking and cleaning for us.

Desiderata

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.