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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 2:13}. Gratitude Is a Basic Attitude.
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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 2:13}
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.”
Three Things About Gratitude • We ought to have gratitudetoward God. • We oughtalwaysto have gratitude. • We ought to be gratefulfor one another.
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 things…for 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 17:25,28}
We Need to Be Grateful to God • What has God done for me? • All physical blessings“Every 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 1:17}
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 1:7} • “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 1:3}
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 2:4}“The 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 3:9}
We Need to Be Grateful to God • We express our gratitude: • In our prayer lives“Now 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 3:20}“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” {Philippians 4:6}
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 5:20} • “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and bethankful…And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to Godthe Father through Him.” {Colossians 3:15,17}
We Need Always to Be Grateful • We need to have constant regard for God’s blessings: • “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” {Philippians 4:4} • “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” {Philippians 4:13}
We Need Always to Be Grateful • Consider the lepers(Luke 17:11-19) • They regarded JesusONLY 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 2:13} • Will God hear our prayers?
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 2:44-46}
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 3:12,13}
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 5:14,15}
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 6:1,2}
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 6:18} • “For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” {Philippians 1:8}
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 }
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 1:3,4}
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 1:27}
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 12:9-13}
Concluding Thoughts • Are You Grateful for the blessings you receive from God? • How do you express your gratitude?