Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24, 2024

Contentment grows where gratitude flows

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

 

Introduction

Please remember today’s sermon title: Contentment grows where gratitude flows.

·        Today is Thanksgiving, an old American tradition which also found its counterpart in many other traditions such as Chuseok.

·        It’s impossible to explain the influence Fanny Crosby’s hymns have had on me through the years. I grew up singing about the blessed assurance of knowing that Jesus is mine, how I’m safe in the arms of Jesus, and how my Savior leads me all the way. I can’t sing “To God be the Glory” or “Praise Him! Praise Him!” without it touching a place deep in my soul.

·        Fanny Crosby (Mrs. Frances Jan Van Alstyne) was born in New York in 1820. She lost her eyesight when she was just six weeks old. Her father passed away before she was one, leaving Fanny and her mother with limited resources. Fanny was a perfectly happy child. She climbed trees, rode horses bareback and got into mischief with her friends – despite her blindness. Not having her sight never seemed to bother her.

·        She penned this poem when she was eight years old, an honest statement about her outlook:

·        Oh! What a happy soul I am although I cannot see.
I am resolved that in this world contended I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t!
To weep and sigh because I’m blind I cannot nor I won’t.

·         Though Fanny Crosby always had a positive outlook on life and had a “religious” upbringing, she was thirty-one years old before she understood the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, then surrendered to Christ. It was the pivotal point in her life and work.

·        She collaborated with several well-known composers who focused on writing hymns. Her lyrics were primarily evangelistic, bringing the gospel message and expressing the joy of finding new life in Christ. She had a special burden for those who had not yet discovered the joy and freedom she knew in the Lord. Her hymns have been, and are still being, sung by soldiers in battle, evangelists inviting people to respond to Christ’s call, missions serving underserved communities, and Sunday-morning church-goers. Fanny Crosby continues speaking comfort, hope, and joy from generation to generation.

·        Fanny Crosby not only left behind a wealth of spiritual insights. She gave us a glimpse into her heart and soul; the exuberant life of a woman who loved her Lord immeasurably.

·        “I am resolved that in this world contented I will be.” That was the secret. And what was the result? Her contentment blessed the world with more than 8,000 uplifting hymns. They include the following favorite hymns: “All The Way, My Savior Leads Me” “Blessed Assurance,” “Praise Him, Praise Him!”, “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!”, “He Hideth My Soul (A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord)” “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” "Don't Forget the Sabbath," and “To God Be the Glory.”

Thanksgiving and gratitude are central themes of the Bible. 

 “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend” (Melody Beattie).

·        However, the key to gratitude is contentment. For, a contented heart is a grateful heart. And a heart full of gratitude is a fountain from which life’s richest blessings flow.

·       
Indeed, a contented heart is a grateful heart, and a heart of gratitude is a fountain from which life’s richest blessings flow. Do you want to develop a heart of gratitude, a heart that is at peace and which gives thanks to God “in EVERYTHING” (Philippians 4:6, 7), then learn to be content. The apostle Paul continued:

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

“I have learned … to be content.” Contentment is learned behavior. We learn to be content. We don’t just wish or pray our way into contentment. We exert effort to learn how to be content. We make a deliberate effort to cultivate or develop a heart of gratitude and contentment. How do we learn that? 

Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives. As I jump into the Bible, I find countless examples of how expressing thanks to God leads to joy, peace, and a closer relationship with Him.

Let’s explore what Scripture tells us about the importance of a thankful heart.

1.        What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is a profound appreciation for the blessings and favor we’ve received. It’s a foundational attitude that shapes our perspective and influences how we live out our faith.

·        Biblical Definition of Gratitude

In the Bible, gratitude is closely linked to giving thanks to God. It’s acknowledging His goodness, mercy, and love in our lives. The apostle Paul encourages us to have a thankful heart:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV).

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice to focus on God’s blessings rather than life’s challenges. It’s a spiritual discipline that transforms our outlook.

·        Importance of Gratitude in the Christian Life

Cultivating a grateful spirit is essential for every believer. It impacts our relationship with God and others. Here’s why gratitude matters:

1. It honors God as the source of all good things (James 1:17).
2. It shifts our focus from problems to God’s faithfulness (Psalm 103:2).
3. It guards against complaining and negativity (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
4. It fosters contentment and joy in Christ (Philippians 4:11-13).

Gratitude isn’t a one-time act but a lifestyle. As we make it a daily habit, it shapes our character and draws us closer to God’s heart. It’s a key to experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

2.        Examples of Gratitude in the Bible

·        Old Testament Figures Who Demonstrated Gratitude

In the Old Testament, we see many figures expressing gratitude to God:

• David, in the Psalms, continually praised God for His goodness and faithfulness. For example, in Psalm 9:1, he declared, “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” (NKJV)
• When God granted Hannah a son after years of barrenness, she offered a prayer of thanksgiving (1 Samuel 2:1-10).
• After being delivered from his enemies, King Jehoshaphat “appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness” (2 Chronicles 20:21, NKJV).
• Daniel maintained a habit of praying and giving thanks to God, even when it was outlawed (Daniel 6:10).
• Jonah, after being delivered from the belly of a great fish, declared, “But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving” (Jonah 2:9, NKJV).

These examples demonstrate that gratitude was a significant part of the lives of Old Testament believers.

·        New Testament Teachings on Gratitude

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles emphasized the importance of gratitude:

• Jesus often gave thanks to the Father (Matthew 11:25, John 11:41).
• Paul frequently expressed gratitude in his letters (Romans 1:8, Ephesians 1:16, Philippians 1:3).
• Paul exhorted believers to “give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20, NKJV).
• He also instructed the Thessalonians to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV).
• Colossians 3:15 states, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (NKJV)
• In Hebrews 12:28, we are encouraged to “have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (NKJV)

The New Testament makes it clear that gratitude should be a defining characteristic of a believer’s life.

3.        How to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

Cultivating a heart of gratitude is an essential part of the Christian life. By intentionally focusing on God’s blessings and expressing thanks in all circumstances, we can grow in our faith and experience the joy that comes from a thankful heart.

·        Recognizing God’s Blessings

One way to cultivate gratitude is by actively recognizing God’s blessings in our lives. This means taking time each day to reflect on the good things God has done for us, both big and small. Examples of God’s blessings include:

• Health and strength
• Family and friends
• Provision and protection
• Salvation and eternal life

As we acknowledge these blessings, our hearts will naturally overflow with gratitude towards God. The Psalmist writes, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2, NKJV).

·        Expressing Thanks in All Circumstances

Another key to cultivating gratitude is learning to express thanks in all circumstances, even when life is difficult. The Apostle Paul writes, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV). This doesn’t mean we have to be thankful for the trials themselves, but rather we can be grateful for God’s presence, provision, and purpose during them.

4.        Practical ways to express gratitude include:

1. Offering prayers of thanksgiving
2. Sharing testimonies of God’s goodness
3. Encouraging others with words of gratitude
4. Serving others as an expression of thanks

5.        Choosing Gratitude Over Complaining

By choosing to give thanks in all circumstances, we demonstrate our trust in God and allow gratitude to shape our perspective.

It’s natural to complain when things don’t go our way. But, the Bible encourages us to adopt a different approach:

“Do all things without complaining and disputing.” (Philippians 2:14, NKJV)

Complaining breeds negativity and blinds us to God’s blessings.

Conclusion

"Contentment grows where gratitude flows" is a central truth that suggests that practicing gratitude can lead to a deeper sense of contentment. Research has shown that gratitude can have many benefits, including: 

• Happiness: Gratitude can lead to a deeper level of happiness. 
• Neurotransmitters: Practicing gratitude releases neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are often called "feel-good" chemicals. 
• Brain activation: Gratitude can activate areas of the brain that are responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and empathy. 

Contentment is developed when we remember God's goodness and cultivate the habit of remembering to count our blessings day by day. A forgetful heart is discontented and ungrateful. This is why King David urges us to not forget all the blessings God has bestowed upon us:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities [not just your sins and transgressions, but your iniquities], Who heals all your diseases [not just sicknesses and illnesses, but diseases], Who redeems your life from destruction [redemption implies He exchanged His life for you to save you from destruction], Who crowns you with [that is, above all, He showers you with His] lovingkindness [grace] and tender mercies, [not just mercy, but "tender" mercy], Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5).

But despite her blindness, she refused to be bitter or feel sorry for herself: “If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.” Thankful for trials. There’s ALWAYS something to be thankful for (Philippians 4:6, 7; Psalm 103:1-5).

Amen

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