Gratitude

1
Gratitude

• But we are bound to give thanks to God always
  for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because
  God from the beginning chose you for salvation
  through sanctification by the Spirit and belief
  in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 213

2
Gratitude Is a Basic Attitude

• This short verse says much about gratitude.
• From time to time, we need to examine the short
  verses.
• Defining gratitude
• the state of being grateful and thankful
  appreciative of benefits received.

3
Three Things About Gratitude

• We ought to have gratitude toward God.
• We ought always to have gratitude.
• We ought to be grateful for one another.

4
We Need to Be Grateful to God

• What has God done for me?
• My being (my life)
• Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though
  He needed anything, since He gives to all life,
  breath, and all thingsfor in Him we live and
  move and have our being, as also some of your own
  poets have said, For we are also His
  offspring.Acts 1725,28

5
We Need to Be Grateful to God

• What has God done for me?
• All physical blessingsEvery good gift and
  every perfect gift is from above, and comes down
  from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
  variation or shadow of turning. James 117

6
We Need to Be Grateful to God

• What has God done for me?
• Jesus and forgiveness
• In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
  forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of
  His grace. Ephesians 17
• As His divine power has given to us all things
  that pertain to life and godliness, through the
  knowledge of Him who called us by glory and
  virtue. 2 Peter 13

7
We Need to Be Grateful to God

• We express our gratitude
• In repentance.Or do you despise the riches of
  His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not
  knowing that the goodness of God leads you to
  repentance? Romans 24The Lord is not
  slack concerning His promise, as some count
  slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not
  willing that any should perish but that all
  should come to repentance. 2 Peter 39

8
We Need to Be Grateful to God

• We express our gratitude
• In our prayer livesNow to Him who is able to do
  exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or
  think, according to the power that works in us.
  Ephesians 320Be anxious for nothing, but in
  everything by prayer and supplication, with
  thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
  God. Philippians 46

9
We Need Always to Be Grateful

• Giving thanks always for all things to God the
  Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  Ephesians 520
• And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to
  which also you were called in one body and be
  thankfulAnd whatever you do in word or deed, do
  all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
  to God the Father through Him. Colossians
  315,17

10
We Need Always to Be Grateful

• We need to have constant regard for Gods
  blessings
• Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say,
  rejoice! Philippians 44
• I can do all things through Christ who
  strengthens me. Philippians 413

11
We Need Always to Be Grateful

• Consider the lepers (Luke 1711-19)
• They regarded Jesus ONLY WHEN IN NEED.
• Lack of gratitude was a constant problem with
  Israel.
• For My people have committed two evils They
  have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
  And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that
  can hold no water. Jeremiah 213
• Will God hear our prayers?

12
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• Fellowship is a great blessing!
• It existed in the early church.
• Now all who believed were together, and had all
  things in common, and sold their possessions and
  goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had
  need. So continuing daily with one accord in the
  temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
  they ate their food with gladness and simplicity
  of heart. Acts 244-46

13
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• Fellowship is a great blessing!
• We watch for one another.
• Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an
  evil heart of unbelief in departing from the
  living God but exhort one another daily, while
  it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened
  through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews
  312,13

14
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• Fellowship is a great blessing!
• We watch for one another.
• Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are
  unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the
  weak, be patient with all. See that no one
  renders evil for evil to anyone, but always
  pursue what is good both for yourselves and for
  all. 1 Thessalonians 514,15

15
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• Fellowship is a great blessing!
• We watch for one another.
• Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,
  you who are spiritual restore such a one in a
  spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest
  you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens,
  and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians
  61,2

16
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• Writings of Paul as testimony.
• Praying always with all prayer and supplication
  in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with
  all perseverance and supplication for all the
  saints.
  Ephesians 618
• For God is my witness, how greatly I long for
  you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
  Philippians 18

17
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• Words of John the apostle
• For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and
  testified of the truth that is in you, just as
  you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than
  to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved,
  you do faithfully whatever you do for the
  brethren and for strangers, who have borne
  witness of your love before the church. If you
  send them forward on their journey in a manner
  worthy of God, you will do well. 3 John 3-6

18
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• What ties us together?
• That which we have seen and heard we declare to
  you, that you also may have fellowship with us
  and truly our fellowship is with the Father and
  with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we
  write to you that your joy may be full.
  
  1 John 13,4

19
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• What ties us together?
• Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of
  Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am
  absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you
  stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
  together for the faith of the gospel.
  Philippians 127

20
We Need to Be Grateful for One Another

• What ties us together?
• Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is
  evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly
  affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
  in honor giving preference to one another not
  lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving
  the Lord rejoicing in hope, patient in
  tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer
  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to
  hospitality. Romans 129-13

21
Concluding Thoughts

• Are You Grateful for the blessings you receive
  from God?
• How do you express your gratitude?