Title: Attitude of Gratitude
Bible Book: Hebrews 13 : 10-16
Author: David Cook
Subject: Thanksgiving; Gratitude
Objective:
Introduction
We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Hebrews 13:15-16 NKJV
Attitude can have an incredible impact on our lives. Chuck Swindoll says that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% of how we respond.
I. Gratitude is Centered in Full Allegiance to Jesus Christ
"We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach." Hebrews 13:10-13
The readers of Hebrews were in the same condition as many church goers today...they wanted the best of both worlds...they wanted the name of Christians without the devotion of a true follower of Christ.
In light of this a decision had to be made; these people had to either stay stuck in the past, stuck in their comfort zones, their traditions, or identify fully with the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him completely no matter what the cost!
Warren Wiersbe says, "The readers of this epistle were looking for a way to continue as Christians while escaping the persecution that would come from unbelieving Jews...Jews who rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah. "It cannot be done...Jerusalem is doomed. Get out of the Jewish religious system and identify with the Savior who died for you."
Do you want to be full of gratitude this Thanksgiving? Give your full allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ...He has done for you...what no one or nothing else could ever do...fully forgiving your sins...fully bringing you into the presence of God...fully taking away your guilt and shame through His death on the cross.
Unfortunately...far too many Christians have grown so comfortable here on earth...Instead of Jesus Christ being number one...our jobs...homes...hobbies are often the most important things we give our time and attention to.
I want to remind you...this world is not our home...The reason we identify fully with Jesus Christ now... is because, "here we have not continuing city, but we seek the one to come."
Our time on earth is short in comparison with eternity...don't become so attached to the things of this world that you lose sight of God's call on your life...rather...serve the Lord Jesus Christ fully and understand the best is yet to come!!!
II. Gratitude is Ignited By Choice
You choose your attitude...it's your choice whether your are thankful and grateful...A preacher was once robbed by thieves who took all of his money. Opening his journal later that evening, he wrote, 'Let me be thankful, first because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my wallet, they didn't take my life; third, because although they took everything I had, it wasn't much. And fourth because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.'"
That's the attitude of gratitude! Don't wait until you "feel" grateful to choose an attitude of gratitude. Begin to be grateful to God today in obedience to God...1 Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Gratitude is your choice...even in the midst of difficult times...you choose your attitude...What circumstances are hindering your attitude this morning? Are you letting your circumstances choose your attitude...or are you controlling your attitude? You must make the "Choice to Rejoice."
III. Gratitude Grows Through Sharing
Hebrews 13:16 says, "...do not forget to do good and to share for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
A godly Christian man had a tremendous problem with anxiety and depression...no medicine the doctor prescribed made him better... He confided with a friend about his problem...the friend shared with him that he try the "Thank You" Cure.
This discouraged man was told to write a letter to expressing his thanks to all who had done contributed something positive to his life and ministry...So, he sat down and wrote 500 letters to people who had helped him over the years...As he realized how blessed he was...that depression and anxiety lifted...
The "Thank You" cure caused him to take the focus off himself...realizing so many had shared so faithfully with him...that it caused him to turn upward toward heaven in praise and thanksgiving to God!
Sharing with others...giving to others will increase your joy and ignite your faith...Believe is mentioned 272 times in the Bible...Pray - 371 - Love - 714 - Give is mentioned 2,162 times in the Word of God...because God knows how important it is to share and give.
Someone told you about Jesus Christ...so you can share Him with others...Someone encouraged you...you should share encouragement with others. Someone gave to help meet your needs...you should share to help meet others needs...
Is there someone God wants you to express your gratitude towards? Share...Do good...This pleases the heart of God!
IV. Gratitude Climaxes With Praise
Hebrews 13:15 says, "...by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."
It is so easy to get into the sinful habit of complaining...Georgia's is in one of the worst droughts ever...our whole state continually talks about the need for rain...Wednesday, Gov. Sonny Perdue's prays for rain in public...it rained Thursday...all we've heard the rest of the week are people complaining about his prayer.
How different would it be in our world if we spent the majority of our time praising and thanking God for every blessing...rather than moaning about what is not just right in our lives.
If you continually offered to God praise through Jesus Christ...how would that impact the way you talk about others...the church service...your neighbors...co-workers.
Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."
Sadly, Christians are sometimes more vocal in their complaints...then they are with their praise! Let's never forget how great God is to us daily...
Conclusion
On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed, by Act of Congress, an annual National Day of Thanksgiving "on the last Thursday of November, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." In this Thanksgiving proclamation, our 16th President says that it is,"...announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord... But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, by the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own... It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people."
Take a stock of your spiritual and material blessings today...try to go one who day without complaining one time...instead...live out one 24 hour day in gratitude to the Lord...When a negative thought comes into your mind...replace it with a positive truth.
Start every morning with praise...end your day with praise...I love the scripture in Malachi 1:11, "For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles..."
In light of all Jesus Christ has done for you...the most wonderful thing you can do in response to His love is to live with an attitude of gratitude...sharing and doing good to others...that kind of lifestyle...touches the heart of your King...That kind of lifestyle is what the true spirit of Thanksgiving is all about.
