How Do We Show Gratitude?

How Do We Show Gratitude?

How do we show gratitude is reflected in several examples in the Bible.  This lesson will look at the examples and how we can learn from them.

Scripture: Matthew 18: 21-35   (32-33)  “Then the master called the first servant in. ‘You evil servant,’ he said. ‘I forgave all that you owed me because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on the other servant just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers. He would be punished until he paid back everything he owed.

 

  1. Real gratitude is reflected by how we treat others when we receive a gift.
    1. Matthew 22: 37-40 And he said to him, g“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And ha second is like it: iYou shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 jOn these two commandments depend kall the Law and the Prophets.
    2. Matthew 25: 35-37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
    3. True love goes forward not backward Matthew 18: 32-33
      1. Then the master called the first servant in. ‘You evil servant,’ he said. ‘I forgave all that you owed me because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on the other servant just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers. He would be punished until he paid back everything he owed.
      2. Proverbs 14;31, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”

 

  1. Be careful from whom we accept gifts for we may have to show gratitude
    1. Abram gives (and accepts)gifts to Melchizedek Genesis 14: 18-20
      1. Then Melchizedek(Hebrews 7) king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High Creator of heaven and earth.20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
    2. Abram refuses gifts from King of Sodom Genesis 14: 21-24
      1. The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Summary

  1. Always be grateful for what God has given each of us
  2. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
  3. Demonstrate our gratitude by what we do with what we have

Joe Summers - December 29, 2024

Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings" Lesson Objective: To encourage each of us to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude by reflecting on the many blessings God has given throughout the year and responding with thanksgiving and praise. Primary Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5 "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." ________________________________________ Introduction: 1. Opening Illustration: Discuss the age old question “Is the glass half full or half empty?”. 2. The other age old question is “ Do you see challenges or opportunities?” 3. The Importance of Gratitude: o Gratitude is not just an attitude but an act of worship. o Introduce the theme: recognizing God’s blessings as an essential practice for believers. ________________________________________ Main Points: 1. God’s Provision Throughout the Year o What has God provided?  Financial stability, health, relationships, opportunities, or daily bread. o Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:25-34  Jesus reminds us not to worry because God faithfully provides for our needs. o Encourage reflection on specific instances of provision in our lives this past year. s. 2. God’s Protection in Difficult Times o How has God protected us?  Acknowledge challenges faced this year—loss, illness, or fear—and how God carried His people through them. o Scripture Reference: Psalm 91:1-4  God is described as our refuge and fortress. o Share testimonies of God’s protection (anonymously if needed) to inspire faith. 3. God’s Presence as the Greatest Blessing o Beyond material and physical blessings, God’s abiding presence is the most valuable gift. o Scripture Reference: Hebrews 13:5-6  God’s promise: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." o Reflect on moments when the congregation felt God’s closeness during joys and trials. 4. Blessings in Disguise o How can challenges be blessings?  Discuss how difficulties may lead to spiritual growth, character building, and deeper faith. o Scripture Reference: Romans 8:28  All things work together for the good of those who love God. o Encourage the congregation to reframe hardships as opportunities for growth. ________________________________________ Application: 1. Take Inventory of Your Blessings: o Invite the congregation to list 5-10 specific blessings from this year, large or small. o Encourage reflection on areas where God’s hand was evident. 2. Turn Blessings into Praise: o Use the list of blessings as a prayer of thanksgiving. o Share testimonies in small groups or as part of a worship service. 3. Live a Grateful Life: o Make gratitude a daily habit through journaling or prayer. o Challenge the congregation to focus on what they have, not on what they lack. ________________________________________ Conclusion: • Summarize the year’s blessings and emphasize the power of gratitude in transforming lives. • Close with a prayer of thanksgiving, encouraging everyone to enter the new year with hearts full of praise.

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