The Way of Gratitude (Week 4)
THE WAY OF GRATITUDE: WEEK 4
What is the opposite of gratitude: complaining, criticism, entitlement, greed.
Romans 1: 28-32 NLT: 28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
Romans 1: 21-23 NASB: 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.
A culture of gratitude means that humility, awareness, and unity become shared gospel values to which we all willingly (not begrudgingly or scoffingly) ascribe.
The gospel is not merely a means to personal salvation. It is intended to bring individuals into a body together, inseparable in a higher household and obedient not just to God’s commands, but also His mindset and attitudes.
Colossians 3:10-18 NIV: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Renounce and Deny the Complaining & Critical Culture of this World
"If you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself." - Thomas À Kempis (c. 1380-1471 A.D.)
Ephesians 4:29 NIV: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Be Grateful for One Another
The greatest gratitude culture builder is noticing and being thankful for one another. If gratitude removes our negative, entitled attitude, then gratitude about each other removes our negative, complaining attitude about each other.
Philippians 1:2-4 NIV: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.
Colossians 3:17 NIV: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
