How to become a Thankful Person

—Col 3:16–17 & Eph 5:19–20

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Andrew Fountain – Oct 12, 2014

At the end of this talk my goal is that you will be

more thankful
as a result you will be happier
and less likely to be depressed
people will like you more
but much more than any of that
- God loves us to be thankful
- so you will increase his pleasure in you.

Thankfulness

What determines your happiness?
What are we thankful for this morning?
What did Jesus give thanks for?
How to become a thankful person

1. What determines your happiness?

What does your happiness depend on?
Are the people who have the most stuff the happiest?
- So what determines your happiness?
I’m going to show three very short videos to illustrate the point that your happiness is not dependent on what you have, but on your attitude.
The first two are a comedian
- Everything’s Amazing and Nobody’s Happy pt 1
- Everything’s Amazing and Nobody’s Happy pt 2 (animation)
One of the “Lost Boys” from Sudan who was kidnapped as a young boy from his village
- Escaped to the west. Made a life for himself, becoming part of our modern society
- Returns to visit his home after 22 years
- he is shocked at how happy they are, even though they are so poor, and says he plans to re-join them
- Lost boy returns home – New York Times feature

2. What are we thankful for this morning?

Can you suggest some things have we to be thankful for?

Basic necessities

Food
Shelter
clothing
Safety and Security
Freedom from physical pain
Access to healthcare
Hygiene
Stability of life

Added Blessings

Excellent food
Beautiful and comfortable homes (comparatively)
Wonderful freedom of choice of clothing
Free time—don’t have to work 24/7
Access to culture and entertainment
Education
Easy transport
Communication with friends and family
Opportunities to make a difference to the lives of others

Spiritual Blessings Now

Forgiveness of sin
Peace with God
Loved and adopted by God
God’s care over our lives now
The gift of his Spirit within us
An opportunity to significantly serve God
The community of Christ

In Eternity

Secure for eternity
A future inheritance which is unimaginably wonderful
To reach the potential God has for each of us
To experience the love of Christ in its full intensity

hand out cards and explain them

3. What did Jesus give thanks for?

There are 12 prayers of thanks recorded from Jesus
- 2 thanksgiving that God revealed the truth to the humble
- 1 for answering prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead
- 9 ...? (for food)
Some people regard it as legalistic to always say grace before eating
- it can be if it is a ritual
- but it’s very Jesus-like
Why do you think Jesus modeled it so strongly?
What about the followers of Jesus?
- the pattern continues in the N.T. with the early church giving thanks for food more than any other single thing

Colossians 2

Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

So we are to be overflowing with thankfulness
How is this to be when many of them lived terrible lives
- brutal slaveowners
- very little healthcare
- injustice
- inadequate diet
- most people would not have the opportunity of marrying for love
- low life expectancy
Paul warns Timothy to avoid unthankful people:

2 Timothy 3

For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have denied its power. Avoid such people.

4. How to become a thankful person

How do you become more thankful?
1. Think about what you have to be thankful for
2. Compare yourself with those who have less, not those who have more
3. Give thanks! (especially by singing)

When Christians meet together

Col 3:16–17 & Eph 5:19–20

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

both passages are pretty broad:
- Everything we do should be done with thankfulness Col 3:17
- Not just words, but in our hearts Col 3:16
- Always and for everything Eph 5:20

Encouragments to Thankfulness

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... And be thankful!” [Col 3:15]
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” [1Th 5:18]

We are going to put this into practice this morning
- Take a moment to finish marking your cards
- I would like people to come up to the microphone and share items of thanks

Psalm 100

continue

Psalm 107

continue

Newlife Church – How to become a Thankful Person

How to become a Thankful Person

—Col 3:16–17 & Eph 5:19–20

Click here to advance the slides.Then use the right → and left ← keys on your keyboard to go forwards or backwards.

Thankfulness

1. What determines your happiness?

2. What are we thankful for this morning?

Basic necessities

Added Blessings

Spiritual Blessings Now

In Eternity

3. What did Jesus give thanks for?

Colossians 2

2 Timothy 3

4. How to become a thankful person

When Christians meet together

Encouragments to Thankfulness

Psalm 100

Psalm 107

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Then use the right → and left ← keys on your keyboard to go forwards or backwards.