Becoming a “Thanksgiver” at Thanksgiving

Becoming a “Thanksgiver” at Thanksgiving*

Introduction

• “Don’t Forget to say Thank You.”
• Why do we Forget to say Thank You?
  • We are too Busy.
  • We have a sense of Entitlement.
  • We have not been properly Trained.
• Our Text this AM Regards a Group of People who did Not say Thank You to Jesus.

I. Jesus’ Kindness

• Read: Luke 17:11-19

II. The Leper’s Thankfulness

• Why Did Only One Leper Return? Were they not Grateful?
• Being Grateful is an Emotion, Being Thankful is an Action.
• Moral: Turn Your Grateful into Thankful.

III. Becoming a Better Thanksgiver.

• Be Specific
• Be Honest
• Make it Public
• Make it Tangible

Application

• Turn Your Grateful into Thankful this Week
  • Tell Someone Here Today how thankful you are for them.
  • Tell those at your Workplace how thankful you are for them.
  • Take a moment before you leave on you holiday trips to thank God for the Family, Funds, and Fun.
  • Let everyone around your thanksgiving table Give Thanks.
• Express Your Thanksgiving to God Today by Responding to Him.

*Outline courtesy of Chris Rappazini

Becoming a Thanksgiver

I ran across this sermon outline online and I thought I would share it with you.  We celebrate Thanksgiving with family gatherings, great meals, and of course, football; however, do we take time to be actual “thanksgivers” on this day?

I have tried to be a thanksgiver, but I know I often fail.  It is not that I am not grateful, I am.  However, there is a difference between being grateful and being thankful.  Gratitude is an emotion.  Thanksgiving takes gratitude to the next level by moving into the realm of action.  Thanksgiving expresses gratitude in tangible ways. Luke 17:11-19 recalls the 10 lepers Jesus healed. I’m sure all ten were grateful, but only one was thankful.  I can think of no other reason to include this story in the Bible except to emphasize taking gratitude to the level of active thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:15   Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Have a Great Week!  Joey