SERMON: The Art of Thanksgiving — A Heart That Pleases God
Theme:
Thanksgiving — The Sacrifice That Touches God’s Heart and Blesses Others
Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude to God in All Circumstances
Real-Life Scenarios of Gratitude
I.
In the Storm (Hardship)
A
woman lost her job unexpectedly. Instead of sinking into despair, she began to
thank God daily for life, health, and the skills He had given her. Within
weeks, a better opportunity opened — one she never imagined possible. Her
gratitude kept her faith alive until the breakthrough came.
II.
In the Blessing (Success)
A
young man prayed for years to pass his exams and secure a good job. When he
finally succeeded, instead of moving on without acknowledgment, he returned to
church with a thanksgiving testimony and offered his first salary to God. That
act of gratitude not only honored God but inspired others — and God continued
to promote him in unexpected ways.
Lesson:
Whether in hardship or success, gratitude positions you for God’s best.
Main Scriptures
·
1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “In everything
give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
·
Psalm 50:14 — “Offer unto God
thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High.”
·
Psalm 51:16–17 — “You do not delight in
sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God,
You will not despise.”
·
Psalm 100:4–5 — “Enter His gates with
thanksgiving, and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His
name.”
·
Luke 17:11–19 — The story of the ten
lepers, and the one who returned to thank Jesus.
·
Numbers 14:1–4 — The Israelites complain
and rebel against God after being delivered from Egypt.
·
James 1:17 — “Every good and perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…”
·
Romans 1:21 — “Although they knew God,
they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him…”
1. Introduction
Opening
Illustration:
Most people
remember to ask God for blessings, but few come back to thank Him.
“We live in a
world full of requests but short of thanksgiving. People cry out for miracles
but forget the Miracle Worker once their prayers are answered.”
Transition:
Today, we will
learn the art of thanksgiving — not as a one-time act, but as a way of
life that pleases God, brings peace to the soul, and opens the door to more
blessings.
Thanksgiving is
not a small gesture — it is a divine principle that connects heaven and earth.
It moves the heart of God more than burnt offerings, long prayers, or
impressive sacrifices.
2. What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving
is acknowledging God as the source of everything good and responding with
heartfelt gratitude — in words, worship, and action.
“Thanksgiving
is not about the abundance you have, but the attitude you carry.”
Examples:
·
Noah built an altar after the flood (Genesis
8:20).
·
David gave thanks continually in psalms (Psalm
103:1–2).
·
Jesus gave thanks before multiplying the loaves
(John 6:11).
3. The Importance of Thanksgiving
a) Thanksgiving reminds us of
God’s faithfulness
It humbles us and
glorifies God, reminding us that blessings come by His grace — not our strength
(James 1:17).
b) Thanksgiving invites God’s
presence
Psalm 22:3 — “But You
are holy, You who inhabit the praises of Israel.”
Thanksgiving creates an atmosphere for His presence to dwell among us.
c) Thanksgiving releases more
blessings
The leper who
returned was not only healed but made whole (Luke 17:19).
Gratitude multiplies what you have; complaining diminishes it.
d) Thanksgiving builds faith
Recalling past blessings
strengthens us to trust God for the future.
4. Thanksgiving — The
Offering That Pleases God Most
Psalm
51:16–17 reminds us that what pleases God most is not ritual sacrifices, but a
heart that is humble, contrite, and full of gratitude. God looks beyond outward
acts and weighs the spirit behind them.
Thanksgiving
is therefore not just an act of courtesy — it is a sacred offering, more
precious to God than burnt offerings or elaborate rituals.
a) Thanksgiving brings true worship
Psalm 69:30–31 says:
> “I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with
thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull.”
·
True worship is not measured by the size of the
sacrifice, but by the sincerity of a thankful heart.
·
A heart of gratitude turns ordinary words,
songs, and prayers into a fragrant offering before God.
b) Thanksgiving glorifies God
Psalm 50:23 declares:
“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me, and prepares the way so that I
may show him the salvation of God.”
·
Every time we give thanks, we are honoring God
and acknowledging Him as the source of all good things.
·
Thanksgiving prepares the ground for more of
God’s blessings to flow into our lives — it opens the door to His salvation,
deliverance, and provision.
Key Truth:
Thanksgiving is more than
words — it is worship, honor, and spiritual fragrance rising directly to God’s
throne. When we live with gratitude, our lives themselves become an offering
that pleases Him.
5. The Dangers of
Complaining — The Lesson from Israel
The
Israelites had every reason to be grateful — God had delivered them from
slavery, parted the Red Sea, and fed them with manna from heaven. Yet, instead
of gratitude, they chose to complain.
Their Complaints:
·
“Why did you bring us out here to die?” (Exodus
14:11–12)
·
“We miss the food in Egypt.” (Numbers 11:4–6)
·
“There are giants in the land; we can’t go
forward.” (Numbers 13–14)
God’s Response:
Numbers 14:27–29 — Their persistent
grumbling offended God and cost them the Promised Land.
The Dangers of Complaining
·
It blinds us to God’s goodness — We focus
on what we lack instead of what God has done.
·
It blocks blessings — A complaining
spirit shuts the door to God’s favor.
·
It brings delay and destruction — The
wilderness generation never saw the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Even the prophet Jeremiah
struggled with complaint. In Jeremiah 15:18–19, he lamented bitterly before
God, and the Lord rebuked him:
> “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve Me…”
God made it clear: persistent
complaint can lead to spiritual weakness, bitterness, and even sickness of the
soul until repentance restores us.
The Power of Thanksgiving
·
Opens doors — Gratitude positions us for
new opportunities.
·
Multiplies blessings — What you thank God
for increases in value.
·
Draws God’s presence — Thanksgiving
invites heaven to intervene.
Key Principle:
Gratitude accelerates you.
Complaining delays you. Thanksgiving moves you forward; murmuring keeps you
stuck.
6. Thanksgiving — The Language
of Faith
Faith
is not only seen in our prayers or declarations — it is also revealed in our
thanksgiving. A thankful heart speaks the language of faith by giving glory to
God before the answer comes.
Biblical Examples
·
At Lazarus’ tomb — Jesus lifted His eyes
and prayed, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me” (John 11:41).
He gave thanks before Lazarus walked out alive.
·
At the feeding of the 5,000 — With only
five loaves and two fish, Jesus gave thanks (John 6:11), and it multiplied to
feed thousands.
·
Paul and Silas in prison — They sang
hymns of thanksgiving at midnight (Acts 16:25–26), and God opened the prison
doors.
Lesson
Thanksgiving before manifestation is not wishful
thinking — it is the highest expression of faith. It says:
·
“Lord, I trust You even before I see the
answer.”
·
“I believe You are faithful, even while I am
waiting.”
·
“My gratitude is not based on what I see, but
on who You are.”
Key Truth:
Thanksgiving is not the end of faith — it is the voice
of faith. When you give thanks ahead of the miracle, you invite God’s power
into your situation.
7. The Art of Thanksgiving
Toward People
Thanksgiving
is not only directed to God — it must also be expressed to people. God often
uses people as vessels of His blessing, and appreciating them shows that we
recognize His hand at work through them.
a) Gratitude strengthens
relationships
Romans 13:7 reminds
us to “give to everyone what you owe them… if respect, then respect; if honor,
then honor.”
- Saying “thank you” honors people and builds stronger bonds of love.
- In families, marriages, friendships, and workplaces, gratitude keeps
relationships healthy and flourishing.
b) Express thanks in words
Proverbs 25:11 — “A word fitly
spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
- A grateful heart must be voiced. Don’t assume people know you appreciate them
— say it.
- Jesus Himself commended the woman who anointed His feet with oil (Luke
7:44–46), showing us that acknowledgment matters.
c) Show gratitude through actions
and tokens
Deuteronomy 16:10
commanded Israel to bring a freewill offering of thanks. Gratitude often
overflows into tangible acts.
- Write a note, give a gift, offer help, or serve someone as a way of saying
“thank you.”
- Hebrews 6:10 assures us that God does not forget acts of love — and neither
should we.
“A token of
thanks is not about the price of the gift, but the posture of the heart that
gives.”
d) Gratitude toward people
reflects gratitude toward God
·
When we honor those who bless us, we are
ultimately honoring the God who worked through them.
·
Failing to appreciate others reveals pride, as
though we deserved everything we received.
Key Principle:
A grateful
Christian is a humble Christian; an ungrateful Christian is a proud one.
Gratitude toward people is a reflection of your gratitude toward God.
8. How to Practice the Art
of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
is not just a reaction to blessings — it is a spiritual discipline and a daily
habit. Here are ways to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude:
I) Give thanks in all circumstances
1 Thessalonians 5:18 —
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you.”
·
True thanksgiving is not based on circumstances
but on God’s unchanging character.
·
Even in trials, declare: “Lord, I don’t
understand, but I thank You because You are in control.”
II) Express thanksgiving through
words
Psalm 107:1–2 —
“Give thanks to the Lord… Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”
·
Speak it. Sing it. Pray it. Testify about it.
·
Silent gratitude is good, but spoken
thanksgiving glorifies God and encourages others.
III) Show thanksgiving through giving
Deuteronomy 16:10
commanded God’s people to bring an offering as an act of thanks.
·
Gratitude that never moves your hands or heart
is incomplete.
·
Give your time, service, resources, and love as
tokens of appreciation to God and to people.
IV) Live a thankful lifestyle
·
Replace a “complaint list” with a “gratitude
list.”
·
Thank God not only for big miracles but also for
daily mercies — breath, health, food, family, opportunities.
·
Make gratitude your language, not just an
occasional act.
V) Practical habits of thanksgiving
·
Start your day with thanksgiving — Psalm
92:1: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord…”
·
Keep a gratitude journal — record
blessings daily, both small and great.
·
Replace complaining with praise — turn
every negative thought into a reason to honor God.
·
Thank people intentionally — never let
kindness go unnoticed.
·
Offer thanksgiving through service and
generosity — let your life itself be an offering of gratitude.
Key Truth:
Thanksgiving is not
only what we do in church, but how we live every day. A grateful life is the
clearest evidence of a heart that pleases God.
9. The Dangers of Ingratitude
Romans
1:21 warns us:
> “Although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks
to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were
darkened.”
What Ingratitude Does:
·
It darkens the heart — when we stop
thanking God, our spiritual vision becomes clouded, and we lose sight of His
goodness.
·
It leads to pride — ingratitude makes us
believe we earned or deserved our blessings, forgetting that every good gift
comes from God (James 1:17).
·
It blocks blessings — a thankless spirit
closes the door to God’s favor and future provision.
Biblical Example: Israel in the
Wilderness
The Israelites
had manna from heaven, water from the rock, and God’s daily presence in the
pillar of cloud and fire — yet they murmured.
·
They complained about food (Numbers 11:4–6).
·
They doubted God’s promises (Numbers 13–14).
·
They longed to go back to Egypt instead of
moving forward to the Promised Land.
Result: An
entire generation missed God’s promise — not because of lack of provision, but
because of lack of gratitude.
Key Principle:
Ingratitude turns
blessings into burdens, miracles into “not enough,” and opportunities into
obstacles. Gratitude sees God’s hand; ingratitude blinds us to it.
10. The Rewards of a Thankful Heart
A
lifestyle of thanksgiving is not just pleasing to God — it also brings powerful
rewards into our lives.
a) Peace and joy
Philippians 4:6–7 — “Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God…
will guard your hearts and minds.”
·
Gratitude replaces anxiety with peace.
· A thankful heart cannot be heavy with worry —
joy flows where thanksgiving lives.
b) Divine presence
Psalm 100:4 — “Enter His gates with
thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.”
·
Thanksgiving is the doorway into God’s presence.
·
Grumbling pushes God away; gratitude draws Him
near.
c) Favor with God and man
Luke 2:52 — “And Jesus grew in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
·
Grateful people are attractive — they carry
humility, honor, and respect.
·
Thanksgiving opens doors of opportunity and
connection.
d) Victory in spiritual battles
Acts 16:25–26 — Paul and
Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison, and suddenly the doors opened.
·
Gratitude in the darkest hour becomes a weapon
of victory.
·
Praise invites divine intervention where human
strength fails.
e) Wholeness and promotion
Luke 17:19 — The one leper who
returned to give thanks was not only healed but made whole.
·
Healing touches the body, but thanksgiving
brings restoration to the soul, spirit, and destiny.
·
Gratitude doesn’t just preserve blessings — it multiplies
and elevates them.
Key Principle:
Thanksgiving is the key that
unlocks peace, presence, favor, victory, and wholeness. A thankful heart
attracts what a complaining spirit repels.
11. Conclusion — Be the One Who
Returns
In
Luke 17:11–19, ten lepers were healed, but only one returned to give thanks.
Jesus asked, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”
- Gratitude is rare — but it is precious in heaven.
- God notices not only the prayers of request but also the prayers of
thanksgiving.
Main Message Recap
·
Thanksgiving is God’s will (1 Thess.
5:18).
·
It is more than a ritual — it is a lifestyle.
·
It unlocks divine presence, favor, victory,
and blessing.
Call to Action
Today, choose to be the one who returns.
·
Thank Him in the morning.
·
Thank Him in the storm.
·
Thank Him in the victory.
·
Thank Him in the waiting.
Gratitude is the mark of faith, the
fragrance of worship, and the pathway to wholeness.
Closing Verse
Psalm 92:1 — “It is a good thing to give
thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.”
Closing Prayer
Father, we
thank You for teaching us the art of thanksgiving. Forgive us for the times we
have complained or taken Your blessings for granted. Teach us to thank You in
every situation and to appreciate the people You send into our lives. Fill our
hearts with humility and gratitude, that we may please You and reflect Your
love to others. Help us to be the one who always returns to say, “Thank You,
Lord.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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