No Audio download available.
Sermon Outline - Gratitude is Good (very, very good)
Outline
- God loves Gratitude
- Gratitude is Good for you (very good)
- A Practical Plan
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.
- We are just finishing a series on Philippians, and here are a couple of examples of gratitude:
Philippians 1 & 4
- I thank my God every time I remember you.
- Be anxious about nothing, but in everything
- by prayer [worshiping]
- and petition [expressing need]
- with thanksgiving [gratitude]
let your requests be made known to God.
- And the peace of God [his own peace]
which surpasses all understanding
will stand guard over your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus
- All Paul’s writings, and in fact all of the Bible is full of encouragements to be thankful
Colossians 3:15–17
- And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
for which purpose you were chosen in one body;
and be thankful [to God].
- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly:
in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thanks in your hearts to the Lord.
- And whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Occurs three times in these verses
- Our hearts (a continual spirit of thankfulness)
- The way we talk to each other
- Doing whatever we do in a spirit of thankfulness
2. Gratitude is Good for you (very good)
- Thankfulness makes us happier
- One of the single most effective ways of being happy is to increase your level of thankfulness
- Here are some of the advantages that science has discovered:
A. Thankfulness makes us happier
Image source: Shawn Achor
B. Thankfulness makes us healthier.
- 16% fewer physical symptoms
- 10% less physical pain
- 8% more sleep, with improved quality
- Depressive symptoms reduced 30%
- Blood pressure reduction
- Even studies that suggested an increase in lifespan
C. Thankfulness helps us socially
- Studies have shown that increasing thankfulness has the results:
- More Friendly
- Better Marriage
- More Respect
- More Friends
- Deeper Relationships
D. Numerous other benefits
- Personality
- More Optimistic
- More Self-Esteem
- Emotional
- More Resilience
- More Good Feeling
- Less Depression
- Career success
3. A Practical Plan
- God gave us a plan in Ephesians 5:20
- “…giving thanks at all times and for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
- Here is a suggestion from Shaw Achor:
- Studies have shown that three months or more can give you 10% across the board increase.
- Same as doubling your salary
- One study showed 26% increase!
- Try to make it a “ritual” (example of the family who did it before dinner and the kids wouldn’t eat until...)
Thankfulness for basic necessities?
- Food
- Shelter
- clothing
- Safety and Security
- Freedom from physical pain
- Access to healthcare
- Hygiene
- Stability of life
Thankfulness for 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
2 Corinthians 9:15
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
- Thanks for salvation (It is a gift that you can receive!)
Video taken from Louie Schwartzberg’s TED talk Creative Commons
- Useful resource for finding out more:
Updated on 2018-05-31 by Andrew Fountain
