JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

Romans 1:18-21  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

THANKFULNESS CHANGES YOUR HEART

THANKFULNESS For those of us in America, this is the week where we will devour massive amounts of food in the name of thankfulness. It’s easy to get caught up and distracted by planning, house cleaning, stressful travel, football games, overeating, avoiding certain family members, and shopping. We’re going to explore EIGHT WAYS thankfulness and gratitude can transform our heart from the inside out.

1. THANKFULNESS RE-FOCUSES MY PERSPECTIVE It’s easy to complain and point out problems, no one ever grumbles their way into a better attitude. Thankfulness can shift our focus to the blessings we’ve received from God. It’s our responsibility to receive God’s gift and thank him. Philippians 4:6-7  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2. THANKFULNESS INCREASES MY HUMILITY Every blessing in our lives is a gift from God and not something we could have created or earned on our own. Thankfulness turns on the light and recognizes God as the provider for our needs. Deuteronomy 8:14-18  when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15  who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; 16  who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end-- 17  then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' 18  And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

3. THANKFULNESS BUILDS MY FAITH Thankfulness recognizes the past work of God in our lives. When we remember we trust him to provide for our future. God has given us everything we’ve needed, and he will continue to give us what we need. Developing the habit of being thankful creates the capacity to trust God during the lean times.

3. THANKFULNESS BUILDS MY FAITH Psalm 121:1-8  I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help? 2  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3  He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4  Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5  The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. 6  The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7  The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8  The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

4. THANKFULNESS CHANGES DESPAIR INTO JOY There’s a lot of pain in this world and sometimes the ugliness is overwhelming and overpowering. Thankfulness doesn’t deny the evil, but it does open the door for joy to enter. Psalm 30:2-5  O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. 3  O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4  Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5  For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

5. THANKFULNESS RE-ORDERS MY PRIORITIES A grateful heart is more open and aware of God’s work in our lives. Being thankful helps us understand what’s REALLY important in the grand scheme of things and moves us beyond the busyness of the moment. Matthew 6:31-34  Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

6. THANKFULNESS CHALLENGES OUR WANTS The closer we grow to Jesus, the more we realize many of our “needs” are really about our “wants.” Thankfulness can turn our hearts into a fertile soil for contentment to grow into full bloom. Learning to be content in every situation is a measure of spiritual maturity. The power of “I WANT” is weakened in the light of “I’M THANKFUL.”

6. THANKFULNESS CHALLENGES OUR WANTS Philippians 4:10-14  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14  Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

7. THANKFULNESS BREAKS THE SHACKLE OF ENVY When our desires run wild and unchecked (and aren’t satisfied), the result is envy. Envy happens when we lose our capacity to be excited for others. When we’re trapped by envy and jealousy, the only way out is thankfulness for what we do have, and for what others have, too. Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

8. THANKFULNESS ENHANCES OUR COMPASSION We have a lot, not just materially, but also spiritually. When we are thankful for the spiritual gifts we have in Christ, we can’t help but to have greater compassion for those who aren’t in God’s family. 1 John 3:17-18  But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18  My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

YOUR THANKFULNESS For us, it’s abundantly clear that thankfulness is an essential habit for becoming more like Jesus. John 11:41-44  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44  And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” What about you? What does thankfulness create in your own heart?

TONIGHT’S SERMON THE NEGLECTED COMMAND