Attitude of Gratitude

Ephesians 5:19,20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Introduction:

1. This Thursday is Thanksgiving.
2. Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always for all things
3. To be grateful we need the proper perspective.
4. See note from college girl – below
5. Attitudes that steal away our gratitude

1.        Pride

2.        Critical spirit and constant complaining

3.        Carelessness

6.        This morning I would like to share with you three things we learn about thanksgiving from the Bible.

THANKSGIVING SHOULD BE EXPRESSED

1. Psalm 100 – Enter his gates with thanksgiving
2. Luke 17 – Healing of 10 lepers – one was thankful
3. Jesus said, Your faith has made you well.
4. He was already healed of leprosy – What else needed healing?
5. More important – heal the spirit, heart, attitude
6. We are made whole by our gratitude.

You say thank you to God when you;

1. Spend time with Him (not just 1 hr a week)

2. When you forgive others

3. When you serve in His church

4. When you share His Plan of salvation

5. When you reach out to hurting people

6. When you give God the best of your TTT

7. When you praise Him enthusiastically from the heart

OUR THANKSGIVING SHOULD BE EXPANSIVE

1. The Blessings of Life
2. The Burdens of Life
3. The Benefits of Life
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in ALL circumstances."
5. Ephesians 5:20 says, "always giving thanks for all things"
6. Romans 8:18 – Present sufferings not worthy to be compared
7. 2 Corinthians 12:10 – When I am weak, then I am strong
8. Philippians 1:12 – What happened to me was for the advance of the gospel
9. See illustration of blind man with sign (see below)

OUR THANKSGIVING IS EXPECTED

1)       This is the mark of a Growing Christian.

2)       Our thanksgiving is also the mark of a Giving Christian.

3)       A Glowing Christian.

Conclusion:

1. Have you been going through some difficult times?
2. Have you prayed but they’re still there?
3. Have you told yourself to keep on going and it would some day disappear - but it got deeper?
4. Then why not try THANKSGIVING?

Young girl at college

"Dear Mom: Sorry I haven’t written sooner. My arm really has been broken. I broke it, and my left leg, when I jumped from he second floor of my dormitory...when we had the fire. We were lucky. A young service station attendant saw the blaze and called the Fire Department. They were there in minutes. I was in the hospital for a few days. Paul, the service station attendant, came to see me every day. And because it was taking so long to get our dormitory liveable again, I moved in with him. He has been so nice. I must admit that I am pregnant. Paul and I plan to get married just as soon as he can get a divorce. I hope things are fine at home. I’m doing fine, and will write more when I get the chance. Love, Your daughter, Susie

P.S. None of the above is true. But I did get a "C" in Sociology and flunked Chemistry. I just wanted you to receive this news in its "Proper Perspective!"

Blind man with sign

An experiment was done in New York’s Central Park where an advertizing firm dressed a man up as a blind man and gave him a cup to collect money. One day they put a sign around his neck that read, "I’m Blind." On that day he collected about $4.00. The next day they dressed him the same way, placed him in the same place but changed the sign to read, "It’s Spring and I’m Blind." That day he collected nearly $40.00. That day, those people realized how blessed they were by the beautiful flowers, birds, the sunrise and sunset.