“A Grateful Heart”

 Thanks And Giving

“A series on cultivating gratitude and thankfulness in every season of life.”

Introduction:

Good morning brothers and sisters. Welcome visitors. If you are watching online, I am glad that you have tuned in this morning to worship with us. My name is Stuart Davidson and I am the pastor here at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. 

Today we are starting a new series entitled “Thanks and Giving”. This is a short 4 week series. The hope is that this series will help all of us cultivate a heart of gratitude and thankfulness in each and every season of life. 

Well friends, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If you’re like me, you are happy to see Halloween go because it opens the door for the true holiday season. For me, the holidays truly start on November 1st. The season really starts to change. The air feels different. You begin to hear familiar Christmas tunes. Christmas trees are up in Lowe’s and Home Depot. You start seeing lights on people’s home. Families begin to make their plans. It is just a really exciting time of year. 

The other day, I started thinking about all the trappings of Thanksgiving. When you think about Thanksgiving and the food surrounding Thanksgiving, what do you think of? 

Turkey!

That’s right, most people say “turkey” others of you may say dressing. Still, when you think of Thanksgiving, you can’t help but think about turkey. I did something pretty strange the other day. I was thinking about Butterball Turkeys. Did you know that they have an online help page? Well they do. I went to the computer and found some of the most interesting problems that people have had while cooking turkeys. 

If you have ever felt that your Thanksgiving meal just never measured up, don’t worry, after hearing these problems you’ll think of yourself as a regular Gordan Ramsey. 

There was this one story where a fella was having trouble carving his turkey. So, like any man faced with a problem, he went and got his chainsaw. He called the help line wanting to know if the oil from the chainsaw would adversely affect the turkey. 

There was one lady who called the help line. She wanted to know how best to present her turkey that she had been cooking in her oven for the last 4 days. That’s right, she had cooked her turkey for 96 straight hours. You might be asking why in the world did this lady cook her turkey for 96 hours. Her kids liked the way the turkey made the house smell. The help line told her to immediately remove the bird and informed her that it would be inedible. 

After discovering a turkey from 1969 in his father’s freezer, a man called the help line at Butterball to ask about the best way to cook the 55 year old bird. The help line operator recommended to the man to go to his nearest grocery store and purchase a fresher fowl. 

Well friends, I hope that you are all looking forward to this season with grateful hearts. After all, we have so much to be thankful for this year. In fact, that is the title of my message this morning, “A Grateful Heart”. 

Today’s Message: 

“A Grateful Heart”

Are you a person who regularly expresses gratitude and thankfulness?

As it turns out, the answer to that question may vary with age and experience. I was recently looking a Pew Research Poll about gratitude, gratefulness, and thankfulness among Americans and the statistics were interesting. It found that the younger a person was, the less grateful they were. They found out that the older a person was, the more grateful they became. They also found out that young people felt like that had to have more things, money, and personal wealth in order to experience a sense of gratitude. Pew Research discovered that the current generation, the youngest among us, possesses a sense of entitlement. Meaning that they feel that they are owed certain privileges and advantages. Generation Z does not feel the need to be grateful because they, on a whole, feel that they are due certain distinctions. Conversely, older generations have discovered that they can live with less. The ability to live with less has increased older generations feelings of contentment, comfort, and happiness. 

All of this information reminded me of Paul’s words captured in Philippians 4:11-13. Listen to what Paul says here…

Philippians 4:11-13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul had seen the worst that life could offer. He has also been at the zenith of what the world could offer. He learned that his station in life should not determine his attitude. Paul knew that as long as he had Jesus, he had everything to be thankful for. 

Do me a favor this morning, fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. 

Thankfulness can transform your life’s trajectory!

Do you believe that this morning? If you are doubting this truth, you should try it. See if being thankful changes the way you see the world. See if being grateful rearranges how you live life. Start your day by being appreciative, satisfied, and content.  

Today’s Thought:

Thankfulness Can Transform Your Life’s Trajectory!

Many of you know and love David Jeremiah. Dr. Jeremiah is a prolific writer, preacher, teacher, and pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church. I have read several of Dr. Jeremiah’s books. The other day I did a search on everything that Dr. Jeremiah has ever said on being grateful. I came across a Turning Point Devotional on the subject. Listen to what he says about the subject of thankfulness. 

“Thankfulness is that rare soil in which joy thrives. It enriches the soul and nourishes the spirit. A heart that is thankful sees each day, each moment, as a gift from God. Gratitude lifts our eyes off ourselves and helps us to focus on the grace, mercy, and goodness of our Creator. When we cultivate thankfulness, joy springs up like a fountain, refreshing us and overflowing to others.”

Today’s Quote:

“Thankfulness is that rare soil in which joy thrives. It enriches the soul and nourishes the spirit. A heart that is thankful sees each day, each moment, as a gift from God. Gratitude lifts our eyes off ourselves and helps us to focus on the grace, mercy, and goodness of our Creator. When we cultivate thankfulness, joy springs up like a fountain, refreshing us and overflowing to others.”

— David Jeremiah, Turning Point Devotional

Background and Context:

This morning we are going to be reaching I Thessalonians 5:16-18. Before we jump into that passage of Scripture, I want to reveal to you the background and context of the passage. 

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, written around 50 A.D. from Corinth, was sent to a young church facing pressure, persecution, and confusion. Thessalonica was a busy, influential city in northern Greece, and the new believers there had embraced the gospel with enthusiasm, even in the midst of hardship. Paul, knowing their struggles, writes to encourage and strengthen their faith, giving them practical instructions for how to live out their faith confidently and joyfully. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, he lays out a strategy for spiritual resilience and growth: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” Paul’s approach wasn’t just to survive tough times but to thrive in them through joy, prayer, and gratitude.

These instructions form a plan we can follow, what we’ll call “Paul’s Plan to Cultivate a Grateful Heart.” Paul knew from experience that a grateful heart isn’t rooted in circumstances but in a relationship with God. He calls us to Rejoice Perpetually by finding joy in God’s presence, Request Persistently through constant prayer that draws us closer to Him, and Recognize Purposefully by giving thanks, even in tough times, acknowledging God’s hand in every situation. Following this plan allows us to tap into God’s strength and peace, developing a heart that is resilient, joyful, and grateful — just as Paul intended for the Thessalonians and for us.

Today’s Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His name! Praise His Holy name.”

Follow Paul’s Plan And Cultivate A Grateful Heart!

First, Rejoice Perpetually vs. 16

This morning, I want us to really examine Paul’s words in I Thessalonians 5. In these 3 short verses, I think that Paul provides us a plan to cultivate a grateful heart. 

As I was writing this message, I started to ask myself, am I really a grateful person? Am I really living a lifestyle of thankfulness?

Have you ever wondered that? So, I started thinking about creating a test. So, here is what I did. I came up with 10 questions. 10 questions that assess whether or not I am living a lifestyle of thankfulness. Let’s take that test this morning. Be honest. Answer honestly. 

Ok. Ready?

1 Do I start my day by acknowledging something I am thankful for, no matter how small?

2 When faced with challenges, do I intentionally look for reasons to be grateful in the situation?

3 Do I express my gratitude regularly to others and to God, or do I tend to keep it to myself?

4 Am I more focused on what I have or what I lack?

5 Do I take time to pause and thank God throughout the day for His blessings?

6 When things don’t go as planned, do I still find reasons to praise God?

7 Do I see worship as an opportunity to express my thankfulness and joy, or is it just a routine?

8 Am I quick to complain, or do I catch myself and redirect my thoughts to gratitude?

9 Do I recognize and appreciate the efforts of those around me, expressing gratitude to them?

10 Is my heart content and at peace, knowing that God is in control and working for my good?

You know, I just love being around people that live life in a thankful manner. People that just show appreciation. Folks that say “thank you”. People that love lifting others up. I think of people like my brother Bill Browning. I think of people like Debbie Sherman. I think of Ed Counselman, Gary Whittle, Donna Johnson, Susan Blackledge, Don and Beth Lee. The list goes on and on. Do you know what I have noticed? The more that I am around people like that, the more their personality rubs off on me. However, the more that I am around negative people, people that major in the minor, people that seem to always focus on themselves, they rub off on me too. 

Have you ever met someone who’s just always chipper, even on a Monday morning? You know, the kind of person who’s whistling before they’ve even had their first cup of coffee? Now, some of us look at people like that and wonder if they’re living on the same planet we are. But here’s the thing—Paul was calling us all to be a little more like that in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 when he said, “Rejoice always.”

Now, let’s break down verse 16 and explore what Paul meant by this seemingly simple but profoundly challenging command. The Greek word for “rejoice” is χαίρω (chairo), which means more than just a fleeting moment of happiness; it’s a deep, abiding joy rooted in the knowledge and presence of God. This kind of joy doesn’t come from external circumstances—it’s not the kind that shows up only when life is going our way. It’s an ongoing state of being, a choice to remain joyful because we know God is with us, guiding us, and working all things for our good.

Psalm 16:11 (ESV) supports this beautifully: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When we realize that our joy comes from being in God’s presence, we understand that joy is not just a response—it’s a posture. Worship becomes a visible sign of our thankfulness and gratefulness, an outward expression of the joy that wells up from within us.

When Paul says “rejoice always,” he isn’t asking us to ignore our challenges or fake happiness. Instead, he’s pointing us to the deeper joy found in knowing that our God is unchanging and faithful. This joy propels us to worship—not just on Sunday mornings, but in the everyday moments of our lives. Let your worship be an authentic reflection of a heart that is truly grateful. When we choose to rejoice perpetually, we cultivate a spirit of thankfulness that can weather any storm. And remember, this isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a part of Paul’s plan for living a life that reflects God’s goodness.

Psalm 16:11, ESV — “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Follow Paul’s Plan And Cultivate A Grateful Heart!

First, Rejoice Perpetually vs. 16

Next, Request Persistently vs. 17

So, rejoice perpetually. Our second point on Paul’s plan to cultivate a grateful heart is to request persistently. That’s right, we must make are requests known to God, daily, consistently, persistently. “Pray without ceasing.” At first glance, this might sound impossible—after all, who can pray all the time? But Paul’s command here is not about being on our knees 24/7; it’s about maintaining a lifestyle of persistent prayer, one that stays connected to God throughout our day.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Greek word for “ceasing” carries the meaning of something that is unceasing, without intermission, or continual. It doesn’t imply an unbroken, nonstop activity but rather a consistent, recurring practice that is a habitual part of one’s life.

When Paul tells us to pray without ceasing, what he is really saying is to pray consistently. Schedule it if you have to. It means that Paul is placing a high priority on prayer and we should as well. 

Now, let’s answer the question that often comes up: If God is a good Father, why do we have to come to Him over and over and over again in prayer? The answer points to the purpose behind persistent prayer. First, asking persistently helps slow us down and prepares our hearts. It creates space for reflection, growth, and trust in God’s timing. Imagine a child who asks for a privilege or a gift—a good parent doesn’t always say yes right away because they know that part of the process is teaching patience, readiness, and trust.

Persistent prayer also helps us clarify what we really want. How many times have we prayed for something, only to later realize it’s not what we truly needed? When we bring our requests to God repeatedly, we are given the opportunity to see if our desires align with His will. It’s a refining process—a way for us to discern between fleeting wishes and deep, genuine needs.

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) emphasizes this: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” God doesn’t delay answers to frustrate us; He may be preparing us for what He’s going to give or showing us that what we’re asking for isn’t right for us at this time. Additionally, He might be working behind the scenes in other people’s lives, orchestrating a greater plan where our blessing intersects with their growth or breakthrough.

Finally, God’s timing and wisdom are perfect. Sometimes, He makes us wait because we aren’t ready for what we’re asking. He sees the bigger picture, and as our loving Father, He knows what’s best for us—even when that means saying “not yet” or even “no.” Praying persistently isn’t about changing God’s mind; it’s about changing our hearts and aligning us more closely with His will. So, let’s commit to asking persistently, trusting that our Father is good, wise, and always working for our best.

Philippians 4:6, ESV — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Follow Paul’s Plan And Cultivate A Grateful Heart!

First, Rejoice Perpetually vs. 16

Next, Request Persistently vs. 17

Lastly, Recognize Purposefully vs. 18

Have you ever noticed how quickly some people can find something to complain about? Give them a free meal, and they’ll grumble about the lack of dessert. Or take them on a sunny vacation, and they’ll complain about the heat. Some folks will even receive a thoughtful gift and say, “I wish it was in a different color.” It’s almost as if we’re wired to find what’s missing instead of appreciating what’s there. But Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, flips that script and tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Now, that’s not always easy, is it? But it’s powerful.

The Greek word for “thanks” in this verse is εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteo), which means to express gratitude or to show thankfulness. When Paul says to give thanks “in all circumstances,” he’s not suggesting we pretend everything is perfect. Instead, he’s encouraging us to recognize God’s presence and purpose in every part of our lives. This kind of gratitude doesn’t ignore pain or struggle; it acknowledges that God is working even through the difficulties.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) supports this truth: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” When we choose to recognize God’s hand in all circumstances, we’re not denying reality—we’re choosing to see beyond it. We are acknowledging that God’s plans are greater than our current understanding and that He is weaving all parts of our lives, the good and the tough, into something beautiful.

Let’s be honest, it is way easier to focus on the negative. It is normal and natural to put your eyes on the dispositive. That is the way of the world. But is that God’s way? Is that what Jesus modeled to us?

I really started praying about this point. Am I the sort of person that is easily distracted? Do I continually put my focus on my fears instead of trusting in my faith? Then I started thinking of Bible characters who seemed to always keep their eyes on the Lord. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: These three men faced a fiery furnace because they refused to worship an idol. Yet, they trusted God, saying, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…but if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:17-18). God delivered them, showing His power and presence.

Joseph: Sold into slavery by his own brothers and later imprisoned unfairly, Joseph chose to trust God through it all. He later declared to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). God used his suffering to save many lives.

Daniel: Thrown into the lion’s den for praying to God, Daniel did not waver in his faith. God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel emerged unscathed, showing God’s protection (Daniel 6).

Hannah: Longing for a child, Hannah poured out her heart in prayer. When God answered and gave her Samuel, she dedicated him to the Lord’s service (1 Samuel 1:27-28). Her trust turned her grief into joy.

David: Pursued by King Saul and facing numerous trials, David chose to praise God through the Psalms. His faith in God’s deliverance shaped his life, and he became a man after God’s own

Paul and Silas: Imprisoned in Philippi for casting out a spirit from a slave girl, Paul and Silas found themselves in chains and darkness. Instead of despairing, they prayed and sang hymns to God (Acts 16:25). Their worship led to an earthquake that freed them and brought the jailer and his family to faith in Christ.

Stephen: The first Christian martyr, Stephen was stoned for boldly proclaiming Jesus. In the face of death, he looked up and saw the glory of God, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and even prayed for his persecutors (Acts 7:59-60). His gratitude for God’s presence and his trust in Jesus never wavered.

The Apostle John: Exiled to the island of Patmos for his testimony about Jesus, John didn’t succumb to bitterness. Instead, he worshipped God and received the powerful vision that became the book of Revelation, a testament to hope and ultimate victory (Revelation 1:9-10).

The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Despite societal judgment and her own brokenness, she anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and tears, showing deep gratitude for His forgiveness and grace (Luke 7:37-38). Jesus honored her act of worship, saying her story would be told wherever the gospel is proclaimed.

I think that you are getting the picture. God never promised that our lives would be easy. But you know what they say, “tough times make tough people”. That is what some people say. If you are a Christian, you should say “tough times make thankful people”. 

Romans 8:28, ESV — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Do me a favor this morning…

Go The Jesus Way Today…And Be Grateful!

Would you pray with me this morning?

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, reflecting on Your call for us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Lord, help us to cultivate a spirit that rejoices perpetually, grounded in the deep joy of Your presence. Teach us to request persistently, trusting that Your timing is perfect and that You work all things for our good. Father, guide us to recognize purposefully, seeing Your hand at work in every part of our lives and choosing gratitude, even in the hardest moments.

Lord, I pray for those who feel Your call today. If there is anyone who has not accepted You as their Savior, touch their heart to come forward and find the life-transforming relationship with Christ. For those looking for a church home, may they feel led to join our family, grow, and serve in Your love. For those who have been moved to take the step of baptism, strengthen their resolve. And for everyone seeking You in prayer, may they know that You are near, listening, and ready to act.

We thank You for Your steadfast love, Lord. May our lives be a testimony of Your faithfulness as we follow Your plan. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.