Download An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude
Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us
continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His
name.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Be anxious for
nothing, but
in everything
by prayer and
supplication
with
thanksgiving
let your
requests be
made known
to God.
Phil. 4:6
Examine Your Attitudes
“Attitude” - Φρονέω - phroneō
Thayer Definition:
1) to have understanding, be wise
2) to feel, to think
a) to have an opinion of one’s self, think of one’s
self, to be modest, not let one’s opinion (though
just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty
b) to think or judge what one’s opinion is
c) to be of the same mind, i.e. agreed together,
cherish the same views, be harmonious
 at·ti·tude, noun [Webster]
manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with
regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation,
especially of the mind: a negative attitude; group
attitudes.
 dis·po·si·tion - noun
1. the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's
spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or
mood; characteristic attitude: a girl with a pleasant
disposition.
2. state of mind regarding something; inclination: a
disposition to gamble.
An attitude of Gratitude
 ”A spiritual disposition to be thankful in all
circumstances.”
1 Thes. 5:16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without
ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
 Children must be taught to express gratitude
early in their lives.
It is much more difficult to instill an attitude of true
thankfulness
Indeed, this disposition must be developed
between the individual and God’s Holy Spirit within
The Sin of Ingratitude
So says Billy Graham:
“Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or
stealing or immorality or any other sin
condemned by the Bible.”
So says Paul:
Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God,
they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,
but they became futile in their speculations, and
their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to
be wise, they became fools…
The “Root Cause” of Ingratitude
2 Tim. 3:1 But understand this, that in the last
days difficult times will come.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,
boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to
parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2
unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without
self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,
3
The Development of Ingratitude
2
For men will be:
lovers of self,
lovers of money,
boastful, arrogant,
revilers,
disobedient to parents,
ungrateful,
unholy
(“I” trouble)
(power)
(pride)
(To revile is to criticize in an
abusive or hostile way, or to
spread negative information
about a person)
(Not rightly related to authority)
(“I deserve more!”)
(Not rightly related to God)
4
treacherous, (betrayal of trust)
reckless, (utterly unconcerned about the
consequences of one’s actions)
conceited, (self-absorbed)
loving pleasure rather than loving God.
They will maintain the outward appearance
of religion but will have repudiated its power.
So avoid people like these.
5
Growing a Grateful Heart
Do you need to repent of an ungrateful
attitude?
Confess this to Him & ask His forgiveness
1 John 1:9
Ask God to develop within you a grateful
heart:
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my
shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
therefore my heart exults, and with my song I
shall thank Him.
Open my eyes, Lord…
 Ask God to make you aware of His blessings in
every aspect of your life
Col. 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it
with an attitude of thanksgiving…
1 Thes. 5:18 …in everything give thanks; for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak from want, for I have
learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
 Ask Him to reveal to you those who have blessed
you in the past
 God Himself, Parents, Siblings, Teachers, Friends,
Employers, etc.
 Make contact with these individuals, if possible,
and express your personal gratitude for the
specific way(s) in which they benefitted you
Written communication is appropriate in this case!
 Every day ask God to make you increasingly
aware of the “little” blessings He pours out to
you
Begin each day by expressing gratitude to God
and to those nearest you.
Work your way outward!
Be alert to “sources of irritation”!
Why don’t we start now?
Are you grateful?
To whom?
For what?
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”
Psalm 107:2
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to
which indeed you were called in one body; and be
thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one
another with psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with thankfulness in your
hearts to God.
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through
Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3
15