Taking Gratitude to the Max (Go with Grateful Series)

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The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

You are invited to watch and listen to the entire sermon here.

Go With Grateful - Grateful To The Max - December 16, 2018 (Message Only) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

  Taking Grateful to the Max

What does life lived in gratitude look like when it is lived to the max?

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the lord, or who has became His counselor?  Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again?  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen - Romans 11:33-36

*It looks like worship.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. - Romans 12:1

*Present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him.  Our lives spill out (like a bucket) with worship and sacrifice.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. - Matthew 1:18-25

Mary and Joseph were two of the very first Christ-followers.  

What kind of person is grateful to the Max?  

*A Just Person.  Joseph is a good example of a just man.  He was obedient, compassionate, and tender-hearted.  He did not want to put Mary to shame.

Let's look again at Matthew 1:19 and verse 24.  Then, look at Psalm 140:13.

And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. - Matthew 1:19

And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife. - Matthew 1:24

Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence. - Psalm 140:13

How does a person live grateful to the Max?

A person lives grateful to the Max when truth is lived out in obedience.  Joseph had to believe in the impossible and he was willing to risk everything for it.  It takes trust to live in obedience.

Courage was lived out under a death sentence.  Mary and Joseph had to "die" to their good names, to their families, and to their homelands.

John Bunyan was a non-conformist.  Because his beliefs differed from the Church of England, he was thrown into prison.  He wrote that the parting of his wife and children after visiting him in prison was like tearing the flesh from his bones.

A grateful life is lived out in sacrifice, in joyful self denial, like Joseph.

Joseph, the "foster-dad" to Jesus witnessed the greatest rescue mission this world has ever known - and it began in Joseph's home.

Are you grateful to the max?  Are you willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the gospel?  It is easy to SAY we are grateful, yet we refuse to (insert anything you believe God is telling you to do but you are not doing it.)  

Are you really grateful for what God has done for you if it is costing you nothing?

*Note:  Between the message above and New Year's Day, there was another message titled "The Best Christmas Ever" and it was preached by one of our associate pastors, Rick Hermann. 

The following are my Bible study notes based on the sermon titled "The Best Christmas Ever.

The Best Christmas Ever

And Mary said:

“My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
“For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
“And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
“He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
“He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
“He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
“He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. - Luke 1:46-56

 1.  Choose worship instead of worry.  Instead of worrying, Mary chooses to praise and trust God.

*Mary was a woman of submission.

Dealing with Worry, Ask Yourself Two Questions:

A.  Do you have a problem?
B.  Is God in control?  If your answer is yes, then why worry?

2.  Choose God over gifts.

The best gift is Jesus.  If you are not a Christian, the best gift you can receive is Jesus' gift of salvation.  Learn more about Jesus' gift of salvation here.

Watch and Listen to the sermon titled "The Best Christmas Ever" here.

>Go With Grateful - The Best Christmas Ever - December 23, 2018 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study series here.

Always Grateful (Go with Grateful Series)

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 The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. 

I invite you to watch and listen to the entire sermon here.

 

Go With Grateful - Grateful Always - December 9, 2018 (Message Only) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.


We love to complain.  It's human nature.  How do we change this?  Perspective through the power of God's Word.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing. - Philippians 2:14

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:4-9

Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. - Colossians 2:7

How to Change from Always Complaining to Always Grateful

1.  Our gratitude honors God.

When we are grateful, we are affirming the power of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. - Romans 8:28-29

This item is available here.

When we are not grateful, we dishonor the name of God.

2.  Our gratitude rescues us.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. - Philippians 4:8

This item is available here.

 When we complain, we should be quick to repent.  Turn complain back to praise to God.

 When the season in life is hard, find something to be thankful for.

When you stand before God, what will you say to him?

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16

You are the light of the world.  Your work matters because the people you work with matters.

This should change your perspective in the workplace and in the classroom.  Your work is no longer just a job - not just a place of business, but a mission field.

Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. - Matthew 5:41

But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. - Luke 6:27-31

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study series here.

The Power of Gratitude (Go with Grateful Series)

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The Power of Gratitude

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.

View my pastor's entire sermon here.

Go With Grateful - The Power Of Gratitude - December 2, 2018 (Message Only) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18-23

Gratitude is about perspective.  If we will stop and think about all the things we have to be thankful for, we will see how blessed we are.   When our perspective is right, gratitude will flow from our lives.

It is God's will for us to be grateful.

1.  Gratitude blesses our lives. 

A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22

This item is available here.

A broken spirit saps a person's strength.

9 Scientific Benefits of Gratitude

Gratitude:

1.  opens doors to relationships.
2.  improves physical health.
3.  improves psychological health.
4.  enhances empathy
5.  reduces aggression.
6.  improves self-esteem.
7.  reduces social comparisons.
8.  plays a major role in overcoming trauma.
9.  contributes to resilience.

Choose gratitude!

2.  Gratitude turns us to God.

I won't be prideful.

Every time we don't turn a blessing into praise to God, it will turn into pride.

I won't feel hopeless.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

This item is available here.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Romans 8:35


The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry. - Psalm 34:15


And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. - Romans 8:28-29

Gratitude attracts the presence of God and His power in our lives.  

When we are grateful, a gloomy situation will become glorious.

Read Acts, chapter 16 here.

When we choose grateful, handcuffs come off.

3.  Gratitude brings contentment.

Ingratitude robs us of all the blessings we've already received.  Gratitude turns whatever we have into enough.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

This item is available here.

4.  Gratitude is a spiritual weapon.  

If God is attracted to gratitude, then Satan is repelled by it.

Read Guard Yourself with Gratitude by John Piper here.

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:7-8

What brings us closer to God?  Gratitude

Gratitude is spiritual muscle.

5.  Gratitude strengthens our prayers.

We need to remind ourselves to go to God with a spirit of gratitude instead of a list of complaints.  

Never stop praying!

Pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name. - Psalm 100:4

When we pray, let's enter into His courts with Thanksgiving.

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study series here.

Are You Grateful? (Go with Grateful Bible Study Series)

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Are You Grateful?

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Are You Grateful?"  "Are You Grateful is is part of our "Go with Grateful" series.

Ten Lepers Cleansed

While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.  As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” - Luke 17:11-19

Only one healed leper out of ten returned to give thanks to God for healing.  When we are not grateful, it is sinful and shameful.

View Pastor Jeff Crook's entire sermon here.

Go With Grateful - Are You Grateful? - November 25, 2018 from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.


1.  Gratitude is a choice.  We either choose gratitude or ingratitude.

2.  Gratitude is an expression.

3.  Gratitude is a distinguishing mark of a Christ-Follower.

No gratitude in your life means you are not saved or not walking with the Lord.

Read Romans, chapter 1 here.

When we feel like we are not getting "what we deserve," sin enters our lives.  

Don't let Satan plant a spirit of ingratitude in your life.  

Satan will use:

unrealistic expectations.

forgetfulness. (Do not forget all God has done for you.  Avoid spiritual amnesia.)

entitlement.  Entitlement is believing something - anything - is owed to us.

comparison.  (Don't compare yourselves with others.)

blindness to God's grace.  (Let us not forget the grace of God in our lives.)

Consider the following progression from guilt to gratitude.

Guilt - Grace - Gratitude

Sinner -  Forgiveness - Gratitude

Difficult Times Will Come

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. - 2 Timothy 3:1-4

BUT Read Colossians 2:6-7

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

 Get involved!  You can't rock the boat if you are not rowing it!

There are thousands of things going on in our lives and around us that we don't see.  Be grateful.  We have nothing to do with any of it.

Are you choosing grateful?

Are you aware of God's presence in your life?  God walks with us and talks with us.

Do you have a humble heart, an inner peace of a child of Christ?   God gives His children an inner peace.

Do you have a generous spirit?   God has given so much to us that we want to share.  Gratefulness = Generosity.

Are you others-centered?  Are you always finding ways to serve others, always looking for someone to help?

Are you friendly and cheerful?  If we are ungrateful, we are always nursing a grudge.

Are you faith-filled?  A faith-filled Christ-Follower has seen God work time and time again.  A faith-filled Christ-Follower knows God is faithful.

Are you joy-filled?  A person filled with gratitude is filled with joy.

Remember the lepers.  Ten were healed, but only one came back and expressed gratitude.

My pastor's last statement might sting but it is for your own good.  Consider his statement carefully because it is true.

If you don't go to Jesus, you go to Hell. 

Do you want to learn more about what it means to know Jesus?  Click here.

Bible Fellowship

Communication is vital to any relationship.  Prayer is communication.  Why is communication through prayer important?

 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. - Colossians 4:2

How do we get devoted to prayer?   We must be intentional.  

This item is available here.

Types of Prayer

Freestyle or Formed

Alone or Assembled with Others

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:6

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” - Matthew 18:20

Corporate Prayer

We must take care that we don't use prayer as a public show.  

Desperate Prayers or Prayers of Praise

Explosive (short and straight to the point) or Extended

Spontaneous or Scheduled

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study series here. 

 

Grateful Praise - Go with Grateful Bible Study Series

Our pastor's latest sermon series is titled "Go with Grateful."  Gratitude is so important that it affects every hour of our lives.  Gratitude is not based on circumstances and it is not seasonal.  It is continual.  When we are grateful, we are blessed.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon. 

 

Image Credit:  Azgan Mjeshtri - Public Domain Image - via Freely Photos

Gratitude rescues us from resentment and bitterness.

Joy doesn't make you grateful, but gratitude makes you joyful.

I must ask myself:

Am I choosing grateful?

Am I expressing gratefulness?

The Theology of Gratitude

Grateful Praise

View Pastor Jeff Crook's entire sermon here.

Go With Grateful - Grateful Praise - November 18, 2018 (Message Only) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 

Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations. - Psalm 100

God is more glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. -John Piper

When we are thanking God, we are praising God.  We should be thankful for who God is before thanking Him for what He has done.  

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth. - Psalm 34:1

Gratitude starts with God.  Gratitude to God keeps us from idolatry.   Idolatry is misplaced gratitude.  Whatever we give our constant thankfulness to eventually becomes our idol source of worship.

Challenge:  For the next 7 days, go with grateful for a characteristic of God. For the next 7 days, post the following on your social media accounts.

I am grateful that God is __________________________.  Use the hashtag #Grateful.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. - Colossians 3:15

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Real gratitude does not make sports or any other things an idol because real gratitude is gratefulness for God.

Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. - Matthew 14:19

Looking up to Heaven, Jesus gave thanks.

We need to keep our eyes off the source and on the Provider.

We need to keep our eyes off the problem and on the Savior.

Grateful Praise:

keeps us from idolatry so we will not trust on wrong things.

resets our worship to the God of all things.

instantly brings us into the presence of God.

God takes our spirit of brokenness and puts on a garment of praise.

You'll find all my posts about this Bible study series here.