Key Points
Those who fail to honor God or give thanks will end up with darkened hearts.
A heart of ingratitude stems from “never enough” and “I deserve more.”
A heart of gratitude stems from “I don’t deserve anything” and “I expect nothing.”
If one expects nothing, anything more will produce a heartfelt thanks.
God doesn’t need a thank you, but He knows we need to.
A grateful heart carries over to others with kindness and patience.
Grateful hearts are not natural; these hearts have been sanctified by the Spirit. We are asked to put these hearts on by being filled with the Spirit.
The biblical command to be thankful includes being thankful in all circumstances.
When we thank Him amid pain or misfortune, we are reminded that He is present, and we can trust He is good.
Discussion
Do you consider yourself a thankful person or a person who tends to complain?
Why do you think the Lord wants us to have a grateful heart?
What can you thank Him for amid pain or misfortune?
How can you develop a grateful heart?
David's Medley of Thanks
"I will GIVE THANKS to the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High… I will GIVE THANKS to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders… Therefore, I will GIVE THANKS to Thee among the nations, O LORD, And I will sing praises to Thy name… The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall THANK Him… Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And GIVE THANKS to His holy name… I will GIVE THANKS to Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Thy name forever… With my mouth I will GIVE THANKS abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him… I will GIVE THANKS to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well."
(Psalms 7:17, 9:1, 18:49, 28:7, 30:4, 86:12, 109:30, 139:4)
Paul's Medley of Thanks
Romans 1:8 – First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
1 Corinthians 1:4 – I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
Ephesians 1:16 – do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
Philippians 1:3 – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
Colossians 1:3 – We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Philemon 1:4 – I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers
