Thankfulness in Difficulty // Abundant Gratitude in Lack
Three Fruits of Thankfulness
1. Protected from Impurity
But among you, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
[Ephesians 5:3-4]
a) Gratitude and Greed cannot coexist
b) “Gratitude looks to the past, and love to the present; fear, greed, lust, and ambition look ahead.” - C.S. Lewis
2. An Uplifted Heart
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13:1-6
3. A more Enjoyable Person to be Around
Pastor:
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31
ALL:
Lord God, our hearts overflow with gratitude! Thank you for life, it is such a beautiful gift! Father, it's clear to us that when we choose to go our own way, we end up in darkness and despair. Mature us, Lord! Teach us to stay close to you.
Pastor:
God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your Word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your Word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your Word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Psalms 23:1-6 (MSG)
ALL:
Yes, Lord, we agree with your Word. You are our good shepherd, leading us and having everything we need each day.
Pastor:
In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
ALL:
You, God, were not content to leave us in our sin and filth, so You came and made your home with us! You are the one who was and is and is to come. Your light shines brightly in the darkness and the darkness will never overcome it, Let your light shine in and through us!
Pastor:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
ALL:
The Lord is our strength and shield; our hearts trust in him, and we are helped. Our hearts leap for joy and we will give thanks to him in song. (Psalm 28:7)
We will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness, and we will sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 17:7)
Pastor:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
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.
Colossians 3:17
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
ALL:
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name, not forgetting to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.
(Hebrews 13:15-16)
Pastor:
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57
ALL:
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
(Revelation 7:12b)
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
Pastor:
Thank you, God, for your everlasting kindness toward us. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your life on the cross. You opened the way back into a relationship with you. Holy Spirit, teach us to walk humbly and to love the things you love, modeling the father's heart to everyone we meet and declaring your gospel everywhere in everything we do and say.
ALL:
Amen!
