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Nov 16, 2014

1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 2:6-7

The Need for Gratitude . . .

 

Where godlessness abounds, gratefulness is absent.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

·         A heart that lacks gratitude is indicative of a heart that is full of self.

·         At the core of ungratefulness is the belief that we don’t need God.

 

Thankful IN All Things . . .

 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

Give thanks in all things, not for all things.

·         Give thanks to God when things are good.

·         Give thanks to God when things are difficult.  (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

 

The Source of My Gratitude . . .

 

“Therefore, as you received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”  Colossians 2:6-7

 

The extent of my gratitude to God is a reflection of the depth of my grounding in Christ.

·         When we are grateful, it is a reflection of something much deeper than the words we speak or the actions we do.  It speaks of whom our life is rooted in.

o   Gratitude comes from being rooted in Christ.

o   Gratitude increases as I grow in Christ.

o   Gratitude is expressed in all circumstances as my faith is established in Christ.

 

Truth Statement: 

When I daily acknowledge God’s grace toward me, it will dramatically affect the level of my gratitude to Him. 

 

Living a Life of Gratitude . . .

·         Make a list of what you have to be grateful for, and thank God every day this week for each. 

·         Ask God to help you express gratitude more than complaining this week.

·         Make time to show gratitude to someone to whom you need to express gratefulness.