2009 Year End Sermon: Gratitude as the Measurement of Grace in Our Lives

Luke 7:36-50 (Msg)

     One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."

 ⁴⁰Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

   "Oh? Tell me."

 ^41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"

 ^43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

   "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

 ⁴⁸Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."

 ⁴⁹That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"

 ⁵⁰He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

1. Genuine gratefulness comes as a result of humbly considering the size of God’s continual gifts of generous grace in our lives    

A blessing becomes complete when we express our gratitude and gratefulness in thanksgiving

Gratefulness lifts up our higher nature and restrains our lower nature while complaining lifts up our lower nature and restrains our higher nature

1 Thess. 5:18 (NIV)

     …give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

James 4:6 (NIV)

     But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God. - Helen Keller

Eph. 5:20 (NLT)

     And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. We must come to see and realize in our daily lives that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy

Col. 2:6 (Msg)

     …And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

1 Thess. 5:18 (NIV)

     …give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

3. Gratitude leads to faith and opens our eyes to blessings and opportunities in front of us that we were previously blind to, even in the midst of suffering

Hebrews 11:6 (Msg)

     It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Gratitude as a habit turns a hardened heart and face into a softened one, making a person attractive and beautiful

Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)

     A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 27:19 (Msg)

     Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.

Gratefulness and thanksgiving pleases God!