EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

Ephesians 5:18-21

When people are grateful they will show it by their actions and attitudes. Your attitudes and actions will basically show others what kind of a Christian you are.

1.   Actions and Attitudes Toward Other People -

In Matthew 25, Jesus spoke of the coming judgment. This judgment will not be based on how religious we are but how we treat other people.  1 John 4:7 – Love is from God, show to others…

Jesus also spoke of two creditors in Matthew 18. The master expected the servant to forgive also.

Matthew 10:8 says, “…. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Much will be required of us and this calls us to compassion and forgiveness.

2.   Toward the Church -

I think you understand that to love Jesus is to love the church. Jesus loved the church…the church is the body of Christ.

Who would believe that a father, who came home only on Easter and Christmas, really loved his family?

Our attitude toward the church should willingly:

a.      Cause us to serve it.

b.      Cause us to give to it.

c.      Cause us to listen to it.

3.   Toward Life -

In Romans 1:21-23, Paul spoke of man’s problem. It is not the mystery of God’s existence, but man’s in gratitude to God.

                        The two signs of man’s ingratitude are:

a.      His rejection of Jesus as Savior

b.      His refusal to be reconciled to God.

Let us show how much we love Jesus by our grateful actions and attitudes….

2 Corinthians 2:14…..But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him….

THE QUIET HEART

A true Christian is one who never for a moment

forgets what God has done for him in Christ,

And whose whole comportment and whole activity have

their root in the sentiment of gratitude.

(John Baillie)