SO MUCH MORE: The Heart of Gratitude
2020-01-19
Key Verse: Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power
at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
“Whatever you don’t turn into praise turns into pride.”
– Mark Batterson
The Struggle to be Grateful:
1. We live entitled lives. “I DESERVE THIS AND MORE”
2. We live discontented lives. “IF I ONLY HAD MORE…”
3. We live jealous lives. “THEY DON’T DESERVE THAT”
Living with Gratitude
Luke 17:11-19 (NLT) As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between
Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance,
13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show
yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them,
when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the
ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus
asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to
God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has
healed you.”
“It’s not happy people who are grateful; it’s grateful people who are happy”
– Craig Groeschel
Turn every blessing into praise
1. Praise God for your NEW POSITION
Vs 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting,
“Praise God!”
Vs 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
– Recognize the MASSIVE DIFFERENCE GOD HAS MADE IN YOUR LIFE
– Recognize WHERE YOU WOULD BE IF IT WERE NOT FOR HIM
2. Praise God for HIS PROVISIONS
Vs 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man
was a Samaritan.
– Our joy in life is never based on our CIRCUMSTANCES
3. Praise God for THE POSSIBILITY FOR IMPACT
Vs 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
– Be a blessing in SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE
– We show our thanks to God by WORSHIPPING HIM AND SERVING OTHERS
God wants to fulfill his plan through you and that is always dependent on our Gratitude. God’s
will is to use His children to reach the world through the Gospel. His will can be easily thwarted
by the ingratitude of those same children.
So, our response?
2 Chronicles 16:9-13 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
10 Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. 11 Search for the LORD and for his
strength; continually seek him. 12 Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the
rulings he has given, 13 you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen
ones.
Thank God Always.
1. For what GOD HAS DONE
Vs 9b …Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds…
2. For God IS OUR REWARD
Vs 10 Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD
3. For GOD IS OUR GOD AND HE WILL NEVER CHANGE
vs 11 Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him…
4. For GOD SAVED US FOREVER
Vs12a Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles
“The beginning of a man’s rebellion against God was, and is, the lack of a thankful heart.”
– Francis Schaeffer