Living with an Attitude of Gratitude

Psalm 100; Luke 17:11-19

Make a joyful noise to the Lord…For the Lord is good. Psalm 100, 1,5

Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? Luke 17:17

Happy Thanksgiving Sunday! I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for joining us in church this morning. I truly appreciate your dedication, commitment, and presence today, as well as every Sunday when you come to meet God and fellowship with your brothers and sisters.

How did you feel when I greeted you and thanked you this morning? Did you feel good, blessed, or relieved?

Our message this morning focuses on the importance of having an attitude of gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for—more than we can even comprehend. Sometimes, our abundance can make it challenging to recognize the great value of all that God has provided us.

Francis Schaeffer once stated, "The beginning of man's rebellion against God was, and is, the lack of a thankful heart." This sentiment powerfully summarizes the attitudes prevalent in our time. It promotes the idea that one’s strength, happiness, and prosperity stem solely from one’s own efforts. This mindset often leads some of us to believe that our achievements and blessings are purely the result of our own actions. Such an attitude contradicts scriptural teachings, which state that ^“Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17).

I have titled this sermon “Living With an Attitude of Gratitude” because this concept is essential for our relationships with God and others. Gratitude is fundamentally God's idea. It is woven into the narrative of God’s people from the very beginning. It goes beyond mere good manners or a positive outlook; it is a posture of faith.

Abraham built altars of thanksgiving before seeing God’s promises fulfilled. Ruth exemplified gratitude through her loyalty and faithfulness, trusting in God’s provision even amid loss and uncertainty. Paul, writing from a prison cell, urged believers to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… and always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). Jesus also checked with the Apostles: “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? Luke 17:17

Gratitude is a spiritual discipline rooted in trust that helps us acknowledge that all good things come from God. When we embody gratitude, we reflect God’s heart, draw people closer to Christ, deepen our community, and inspire generosity as an expression of discipleship.

Psychologists agree that sincere gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. Hans Selye, the father of stress studies, noted that gratitude generates more positive energy than any other attitude. In workplace studies, researchers found that employees feel balanced when the ratio of praise to criticism is at least 4:1. This suggests that, for strong families and effective workplaces, we must express appreciation, praise, and thanksgiving far more than we do criticism. Praise and thanksgiving are vital—not only for our relationships with family and colleagues but also for our individual well-being before God.

It's easy to feel discouraged due to life's challenges, such as chronic pain, sudden health changes, job loss, or feeling undervalued. While these feelings are normal, we must shift back to our faith. During tough times, gratitude is essential. Turning to God and remembering who God is and all God has done for us brings immense comfort.

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Psalm 100 encourages us to develop an attitude of gratitude by thanking the Lord for who God is and what He has done. It emphasizes that God is worthy of our praise and that we should approach His temple with thanksgiving, expressing our gratitude publicly by making a joyful noise. This “noise” reflects an overflowing of emotion, similar to the excitement seen in sports.

We are reminded that God deserves our service and that we are called to serve Him with joy. However, many people lose this joy by focusing on the wrong things. Some serve out of greed for personal gain, while others out of grudge, believing they have already done enough for God. As John Maxwell points out, "The instant we are born, we already owe someone for nine months of room and board... and we never really pay that back." We can never fully repay our Lord. Moreover,  some view service as a burden and miss the joy of salvation. Instead of serving out of greed, resentment, or obligation, we should serve with genuine gladness.

Finally, we should recognize that God alone is God and continually bless His name. God is the only one worthy of our service, and God should always come first in our lives—before our careers, families, and desires. This priority motivates us to serve God with gladness and gratitude, as God is the source of all blessings.

The recognition of God as the source of our blessings is highlighted in President Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation on April 30, 1863, which called for a National Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer. He stated, “We have been blessed with incredible gifts from heaven, enjoying years of peace and prosperity. Yet, we have forgotten God and the gracious hand that has preserved and enriched us. Instead, we have foolishly believed that our success is solely due to our own wisdom and virtue. In our confidence, we have become too self-sufficient to recognize our need for grace and too proud to pray. It is vital for us to humble ourselves, confess our sins, and seek forgiveness.”

As we depart this morning, let us maintain an attitude of gratitude toward God, focusing on our blessings rather than our challenges. We should also express our appreciation to our benefactors—families, friends, neighbors, and others. Finally, when we gather around the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day, let us remember the history of this holiday and give thanks to God for His countless blessings, even in the face of difficulties we may be experiencing. Happy Thanksgiving!