Sermon for Nov. 23, 2008 “Let Us Give Thanks”
Gratitude is a way of thinking about life. It is an attitude toward what passes into and out of our hands. God wants abundance for your life, and gratitude is a gateway to abundance. Jesus said, “I have come so that you may have life abundantly.” (John 10:10)
This is not about the abundance of things or accumulated wealth. For “a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Being rich with things isn’t what life is about. God wants us to be “rich with life;” that is, with joy, and peace and contentment. (1 Timothy 6:6)
The following are 5 principles for a life of gratitude:
1. We are all part of the generous, always-being-created Universe! God’s creative energy flows throughout the universe drawing, urging and inviting everything to its fullest and most fruitful existence.
The principle is set down in Genesis 1 (God invites the creation to be fruitful and multiply.)
2. God is on your side! God’s creative energy is good and God’s creative energy is positively intended toward us. “My thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace… to give you a desired end.” (Jeremiah 29:1); “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
3. Find the good! Not everything that happens is good and you can’t change many of the things that happen, but remember God is active for good in everything that happens. Don’t waste energy fighting against what happens, instead look for the good in it. “In all things God works for good, for those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
4. Focus, give thanks and grow! What we focus our energy on grows – for good or ill. Focus your thoughts on the good of the here and now by giving thanks for it. This opens you up the growth of the good.
(Dt. 30:19-20); (Galatians 6:7-8)
5. Get in the flow of God’s goodness! When you are grateful it means that you welcome whatever comes to you as a gift. Every gift is meant to be given. You let the good keep flowing through you by passing it on. Give it away and it will come back to you … multiplied! (Ecclesiastes 11:1 “Cast your bread upon the waters, and after many days it will return to you.”) (Luke 6:38) “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
