Thankful, Grateful, Praising

What makes Thanksgiving so special? Let’s take a vote: It wouldn’t be thanksgiving if I didn’t have:

According to Mammal Species of the World, 3rd Edition (Wilson and Reeder 2005), the most recent authoritative published checklist of modern mammal species, there are 5,416 different species of mammals.

Raise your hands: A day off. Football. Food. Family. Friends.

Cats, Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Leopards. There are 36 species of cats in this family. Species in this family are found in all areas of the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. They vary in size from the domestic cat to the lion.

This morning I want you to realize that just like it’s not Thanksgiving without __________ , it’s not prayer unless you include praise.

Scientific American, 2008, It is certainly curious how domestic dogs, which we know--because DNA bar coding has told us!--were raised by man from a wild gray wolf (Canis lupus) ancestor, can take on such a dramatic variety of forms. But among dogs, which are well known for their hybrid (or mongrel) varieties, different breeds can mate and have viable offspring, so they are all found under the umbrella of a single species, Canis familiaris. Therefore, there are not different species of dog but 340 breeds.

While dogs originated from one source - so did all of mankind. We all were descended from Adam and Eve. And what is interesting is that in the rebellion of Adam and Eve, in the aftermath of their fall from grace, Paul, the writer of Romans describes the sinfulness of humanity with this phrase in

Praise and giving thanks need to be at the top of every prayer list.

(1) Ingratitude is part of our heritage ()

An article on ScienceDaily.com in 2011 stated that there were, to date, a total of 1.3 million species have been identified and described, but the truth is that many more live on Earth. The most accurate census, conducted by the Hawaii's University, estimates that a total of 8.7 million species live on the planet.

According to Mammal Species of the World, 3rd Edition (Wilson and Reeder 2005), the most recent authoritative published checklist of modern mammal species, there are 5,416 different species of mammals.

Cats, Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Leopards. There are 36 species of cats in this family. Species in this family are found in all areas of the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. They vary in size from the domestic cat to the lion.

Scientific American, 2008, It is certainly curious how domestic dogs, which we know--because DNA bar coding has told us!--were raised by man from a wild gray wolf (Canis lupus) ancestor, can take on such a dramatic variety of forms. But among dogs, which are well known for their hybrid (or mongrel) varieties, different breeds can mate and have viable offspring, so they are all found under the umbrella of a single species, Canis familiaris. Therefore, there are not different species of dog but 340 breeds.

Dog theology, cat theology

While dogs originated from one source - so did all of mankind. We all were descended from Adam and Eve. And what is interesting is that in the rebellion of Adam and Eve, in the aftermath of their fall from grace, Paul, the writer of Romans describes the sinfulness of humanity with this phrase in

Only one species is capable of worshipping. And giving thanks to their creator.

Romans 1:21 ESV

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:29 ESV

29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

Romans 1:28–32 ESV

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Romans 1:27–32 ESV

27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

-33

They knew God - they did not honor God. They knew God - they did not give thanks to him. They became futile in their thinking AND their foolish hearts were darkened

It is not a knowledge of God

(2) Ingratitude and gratitude are a response to the same circumstances ()

Luke 17:11–19 ESV

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Notice verse 19. The emphasis throughout Luke is on placing your faith in Jesus Christ and on the evidence of true faith. The main point is not being thankful. The main point is that true faith produces thankfulness. Luke does not want us to simply be moral do gooders, he wants us to have a faith that is life transforming. But with that in mind, verse 18 is still worth looking at in the context of - Although they knew God, they did not give thanks to him. All ten were healed, all ten were in the same circumstance, but only one fell at the feet of Jesus.

If ingratitude and gratitude are a response to the same circumstances, what is the distinguishing factor? True faith - faith that trusts God, trusts his sovereignty, trusts his goodness, trusts his process of transforming us and conforming us more and more each day into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

(3) Gratitude is the Attitude

Philippians 4:6–8 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. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6-8 that sets the AltitudeIn everything give thanks.

Gratitude is the Attitude that sets the Altitude for Living

Gratitude is the Attitude which gives us the Fortitude to deal with Life’s Challenges

In everything give thanks - - we are commanded to give thanks

How can we create concentric circles of thankfulness? Notice where it begins:

The gaps create opportunities to look for thankfulness

We are commanded to be thankful

Overcome anxiety with thanksgiving… Find peace through praise...

Give thanks to the Lord

Philippians 4:6–8 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. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Overcome anxiety with thanksgiving… Find peace through praise...

We are commanded to be thankful

Give thanks to the Lord

I am thankful for

Four concentric circles of thankfulness that will help you increase your ability to be grateful

- A thankful heart - praise and prayer

- A thankful life - service

- A thankful wallet - giving. Think of it this way: You are saved by grace, living by grace, giving by grace

Saved by grace, living by grace, giving by grace

A thankful wallet

- A thankful heritage - one of the goals of every parent should be to have children who are grateful. Here’s a novel idea: never pray with your friends and family without saying thank you

How many things are you thankful for? Thankful to the Lord. Thankful to your friends. Thankful to your parents. Thankful to your family.

How many things are you thankful for?

Start a list and don’t stop: I am thankful for… If you don’t know what to do… Praise the alphabet: Be crazy, let it rip, freedom leads to liberty. Joy leads to Joy. apples, botox, cotton candy… Dawn and then I said oh yeah, C stands for Christ

Give thanks to the Lord

I am thankful for

Ingratitude can be changed to gratitude when we put praise and giving thanks at the top of our prayer list.

Just like the foreigner in , sometimes you get rebuked by someone who does a better job of praising God than you do.

There’s an old Rod Stewart song:

Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one else above you? Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness Ease my troubles, that's what you do

There's a love less defined And its yours and its mine Like the sun

And at the end of the day We should give thanks and pray To the one, to the one

And at the end of the day We should give thanks and pray To the one, to the one

Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one else above you? Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness Ease my troubles, that's what you do

Ingratitude can be changed to gratitude when we put praise and giving thanks at the top of our prayer list.