Sermons

Gratitude is the appreciation and thankfulness we feel when someone does something kind to us or for us. There are two key factors that influence the intensity of gratitude. First, there is the deservedness factor. Say you do a favor for your neighbor, picking up his mail when he is out of town. A month later he does a favor for you, giving you a ride to the airport. You are grateful for his help, but not overwhelmingly so. You feel by doing a favor for him, you deserved his help to some degree. Second, there is the generosity factor. Say you do that favor for your neighbor, picking up his mail when he is out of town. When he gets back, he gives you a hundred-dollar bill. You’re stunned. “I can’t accept. This is too generous.” Apply this to God. Consider the deservedness factor. What does God owe us? How deserving are we of his blessing? Consider the generosity factor. What has he done for us? What blessings has he given us now? What blessings has he promised us in eternity? As Jesus increases our faith, so that we accurately answer all those questions, we become more than grateful. We overflow with gratitude.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Related Topics: Pentecost | Sermons by Aaron Goetzinger

From Series: "Productive Faith"

We sometimes use the word faith very casually. “You got to have faith.” “Keep the faith.” “Make a leap of faith.” As Jesus' journey to Jerusalem nears its conclusion, he begins to talk about faith in ways that are anything but casual. He says profound things about the power of faith: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:6). Or “Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). In thinking about his second coming, Christ wonders, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Jesus’ words are serious and compelling. They force us to consider what true, saving faith is. They make us ask if we have such faith. But most of all, Jesus’ words move us to run to our God and beg him for more of it. Lord, increase our faith!