- Why does the Bible have such an emphasis on being thankful?
- Remarkable studies have shown that gratitude makes us happier, less likely to be depressed and even live longer.
- But much more than any of that, God loves us to be thankful and takes great pleasure in our expression of it.
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Video cover image by Priscilla Du Preez Unsplash
- Here are a couple of examples of gratitude in Philippians:
- All Paul’s writings, and in fact all of the Bible is full of encouragements to be thankful
- Here it is thanks for saving us (v.12–14)
- And here is my main passage for today:
- Occurs three times in these verses
- Our hearts (a continual spirit of thankfulness)
- The way we talk to each other
- Doing whatever we do in a spirit of thankfulness
2. Gratitude is Good for you (very good)
- Thankfulness makes us happier
- One of the single most effective ways of being happy is to increase your level of thankfulness
- Here are some of the advantages that science has discovered:
Image source: Shawn Achor
- If you want to read more, here is the link: happierhuman.com/…of-gratitude
3. A Practical Plan
What did Jesus give thanks for?
- There are 12 prayers of thanks recorded from Jesus
- 2 thanksgiving that God revealed the truth to the humble
- 1 for answering prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead
- 9 ...? (for food)
- Some people regard it as legalistic to always say grace before eating
- it can be if it is a ritual
- but it’s very Jesus-like
- Why do you think Jesus modeled it so strongly?
- What about the followers of Jesus?
- the pattern continues in the N.T. with the early church giving thanks for food more than any other single thing
- What did Jesus do?
Jesus’s Thankfullness
| Matt 14:19 | Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and gave thanks. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. |
|---|---|
| Matt 15:36 | he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. |
| Matt 26:26 & 27 | Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing (God for it) broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, |
| Mark 6:41 | He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. |
| Mark 8:7 | And they had a few small fish. And having blessed (God for them), he said that these also should be set before them. |
| Mark 14:22 & 23 | And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing (God for it) broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. |
| Luke 22:17 & 19 | And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” |
| Luke 24:30 | When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed (God for it) and broke it and gave it to them. |
| John 6:11 | Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. |
| John 6:23 | Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. |
- Here is a suggestion from Shaw Achor:
Image source: Shawn Achor
- This fits in with what Paul tells us to do:
- Every part of your life is involved, wherever you are!
Image source: Shawn Achor
- Studies have shown that three months or more can give an amazing increase in overall happiness.
- Thanks for salvation (It is a gift that you can receive!)
- I invite you all to stand as we give thanks
If you want, you can stretch out your hands in gratefulness.
Useful resources:
- www.spring.org.uk/…ncrease.php Practising Gratitude Can Increase Happiness by 25%
- Useful resource for finding out more:
- The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
- happierhuman.com/…of-gratitude 31 Benefits of Gratitude
- www.spring.org.uk/…ncrease.php Practising Gratitude Can Increase Happiness by 25%