How’s Your Gratitude?

*NOTE: The podcast links can be found at the bottom.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18

If you opened your mouth today and nothing came out but complaints, your heart just preached a louder sermon than any pastor ever could.

Thanksgiving season is upon us. Before the turkey hits the table, let’s talk about the thermometer of the soul: thankfulness. A declining gratitude is the first red light that a believer’s heart is slipping from the grace position God saved us to walk in.

The Biblical Mandate for Gratitude

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” —Colossians 3:15–17

• Verse 15 — Let the “peace of God rule” like an umpire. Ingratitude disqualifies the peace.
• Verse 16 — When the Word of Christ dwells richly, the overflow is psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—with grace, not gripe.
• Verse 17 — Every word, every deed, done in the name of the Lord Jesus, must end with giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” —Psalm 100:4–5

We give thanks for the finished work and our heavenly position:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” —Ephesians 1:3

* If you can’t thank God for the cross, you’ll never thank Him for the cranberry sauce.

The Slippery Slope of Ingratitude

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” —Romans 1:21–22

1. Step 1 — “neither were thankful” → heart darkens.
2. Step 2 — “became vain in their imaginations” → self-worship.
3. Step 3 — “God gave them over” (repeated in vv. 24, 26, 28).

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” —2 Timothy 3:2

“Unthankful” sits right beside “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (v. 4).

Gratitude Toward Others

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. … In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, 18

Paul is writing to a local church—pastors, deacons, members. The command is threefold:

1. Esteem them very highly in love.
2. Be at peace among yourselves.
3. In every thing give thanks.

Practical steps:

• Thank your pastor — write the note, shake the hand.
• Thank the nursery worker — they’re keeping the gospel pipeline full.
• Thank your spouse —“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” —Ephesians 5:20 …yes, even for the burnt toast.

* A grateful church is a growing church; a griping church is a dying church.

3-Day Gratitude Reset Challenge

Start any day—finish strong before turkey day!

• Day 1 (Eph. 5:20): List & read aloud 10 specific spiritual blessings in Christ.
• Day 2 (Phil. 4:6): Swap every complaint for one thanksgiving prayer.
• Day 3 (Col. 3:17): Perform one act of service; thank God by name for that person.

Closing Charge

Thankfulness isn’t a season—it’s a standing order for the grace believer. Let the peace of God rule, let the word of Christ dwell, and let thanksgiving be the soundtrack of your life.

Prayer Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the unspeakable gift of Thy Son:

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” —2 Corinthians 9:15

…for the manifold grace wherein we stand:

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” —1 Peter 4:10

…and for every saint Thou hast placed in our path. Keep our hearts from the leaven of ingratitude. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.