The Habit of Gratitude

Psalm 100.1 – 4; 1 Thessalonians 5.16 – 18

QUESTION:
What is your habit?
What is gratitude? A feeling? An attitude? An activity? A habit?
We want to talk about how we can be people who give thanks in all things, but before we do,
let’s explore some of the benefits of gratitude.
What is one thing you are grateful for today?
Why are people not showing appreciation to God?
Is it that God has not done anything?

What application do you find in this Psalm?

The book of Psalms is bursting with praise and adoration for God, but only one psalm is singled
out as a psalm of thanksgiving. Psalm 100 is a beautiful example of how to thank our Lord. We
are to shout with joy, worship Him with gladness, sing for joy, acknowledge His greatness, and
enter His presence with thanksgiving. Why? Because He is good, His love never fails, and He is
faithful.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV) “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” How is this even
“Give thanks in all circumstances”? Is that even possible, or was the apostle Paul trying to make
some ironic point to the Thessalonians? People can’t really give thanks when they’ve just lost
their jobs, can they? Or when they’ve just been told they have cancer? Or when they are being
bullied at school? There is nothing to be thankful for in any of those circumstances, is there?
What does “all circumstances” include?
Real gratitude doesn’t allow picking and choosing what we’re thankful for. Instead, we’re told to
give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Note, all circumstances encompass
everything—not just the good stuff! Gratitude is easy when you’re told the cancer is gone, but
what if it comes back?
INTRODUCTION
Thanksgiving is the art of giving thanks, or a show of gratitude and appreciation for something
done to you.
Jesus Christ appreciates thanksgiving. He was surprised that only one of the ten lepers
came back to express appreciation. All of them were in need, all cried for mercy, all persevered,
all believed and obeyed but only one returned to express appreciation after the healing- Luke
17:17-18

BIBLE PASSAGE: LUKE 17:11-19 KJV

11: And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria
and Galilee.
12: And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which
stood afar off:
13: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14: And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it
came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15: And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice
glorified God,
16: And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17: And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18: There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19: And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
LESSON OUTLINE 1: ONLY ONE CAME BACK
Why do many people not see reason[s] to thank God like the remaining nine [9] lepers?
i. Because of the difficulties, dicouragements and tribulations being encountered
ii. Because of lack of God’s word. Col 4:2
iii. Because some people take God for granted[ they believe God is too generous to be angry
with them] Luke 18:9-14
iv. Because the places where some people worship do not give priority to giving thanks to God
v. Because some people are so forgetful of the goodness of God to them[Luke 17:18}
vi. Fix and study: Daniel 2:23; Luke 18:9-14; Eph 5:1-5
LESSON OUTLINE 2: CHRISTIAN APPROACH
Real Christians should find time to thank God for the following reasons, among others:
i. Thanksgiving is a command. 1Thess 5:18; Eph 5:20; Col 3:17. We are to come to His
presence with thanksgiving- Ps 100:4
ii. For the salvation of our souls and the hope of eternal life with God. Luke 10:17-21
iii. It is a show of appreciation for what the Lord has done- Ex 15:1-21; Luke 17:11-19; 1:46
iv. It is a means of praying by faith. E.g in the case of Lazarus. John 11:41
v. It is a potent weapon of warfare. 2Chronicles 20:20-27
vi. It is an evangelistic tool. Ps 57:4-11; 2Sam 22:1-2
vii. It sustains selflessness and humility. Daniel 2:23-24; Luke 18:9-14; 1Tim 1:12-13
viii. It puts a seal of perfection on our testimonies. The man who came back to express
appreciation was made whole. Luke 17:19
ix. We are called to show forth the praise of Him who has called us out of darkness into His
marvelous light. 1Pet 2:9

SUMMARY- Believers should do better than the Samaritan leper who gave thanks to God with a
loud voice.
CLOSING PRAYERS
i. My father, teach me to be grateful to you always.
ii. My father, please do not let me ever forget that you are the secret behind my
success.
iii. Father, do not let me ever stop praising and giving thanks to you for the rest of my
life.