The Basis of Gratitude: Grace
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Gratitude ought to be, and I believe it is, in the heart the most powerful force in human motive.
Resurrection For The Just And The Unjust, Volume 59, Sermon #3346 - Acts 24:15
Charles Spurgeon
Our favorite attitude should be gratitude.
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Quotes can be inspiring, but they can also be misleading: they do not provide enough context to give a clear picture. In this case, having an attitude of gratitude isn’t really enough. It’s good be grateful in general, because grateful in general will allow you to see the specific things for which you are, or should be, grateful. In the end, gratitude must be specific to be expressed or even known.
Transition
Transition
Even as we train ourselves to be more specific in experiencing and expressing gratitude, we need to know what the basis of gratitude is.
Illumination
Illumination
A Greek Lesson
A Greek Lesson
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Thanksgiving = εὐχαριστία
Grace
Grace
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Grace = χάρις
All Together Now
All Together Now
Thanksgiving = εὐχαριστία
Grace = χάρις
A Grace Lesson
A Grace Lesson
Grace Defined
Grace Defined
Grace is receiving what we do not deserve
Grace’s Twin is Mercy
Grace’s Twin is Mercy
Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve
All Together Now
All Together Now
Grace is receiving what we do not deserve
Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve
A Great Lesson
A Great Lesson
A quick search of the word “grace” reveals that it appears 128 times in the New Testament.
Crace is a foundation
Crace is a foundation
15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Receiving grace causes thanksgiving and ultimately brings glory to God.
Grace is a gift (not a trade)
Grace is a gift (not a trade)
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Grace is a motivator
Grace is a motivator
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Remember: Grace motivates effort, it does not require it. From the outside looking in, this may not be clear. But from the inside looking out, it must be.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The cool thing about the basis of gratitude is that it is not inherently Christian or spiritual. Yes, the lesson itself if and it certainly has a great many Christian and spiritual ramifications. But at its core: gratitude works for unbelievers the same way that it works for believers.
Application
Application
As we seek to celebrate Thanksgiving everyday, we remember that an attitude of gratitude, while a great platitude, is not enough.
We have to look for the specific things in our life that we received but didn’t deserve and express our thanks for them.