Thankfulness Leads to Worship

Today, we delve into a powerful message about gratitude and worship, inspired by a recent sermon at The Bridge. As we approach Thanksgiving, it's a perfect time to reflect on the importance of thankfulness in our lives. This summary will guide you through the key points of the sermon, helping you understand how gratitude can transform your life and deepen your relationship with God.

Expressing gratitude is more than just good manners; it profoundly impacts how we live and interact with others. Teaching children to say "thank you" shifts their focus from what they received to who gave it to them. This principle applies to all of us, encouraging us to appreciate the giver rather than just the gift.

Gratitude isn't just a spiritual practice; it's backed by science. Research from the Greater Good Science Center shows that being grateful leads to higher levels of happiness, decreased depression and anxiety, and better social integration. It even releases dopamine and serotonin, the "happy hormones," improving our overall mood and well-being.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, consider which camp you fall into:

1. Always Thankful: You regularly express gratitude, though you might not show it as often as you should.
2. Thankful When Reminded: Life's busyness often distracts you, but reminders help you appreciate your blessings.
3. Struggling to Be Thankful: Life's challenges make it hard to find reasons for gratitude.

In John 12, we find a powerful example of gratitude leading to worship. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, worth a year's salary. This act of worship was a profound expression of her thankfulness for Jesus' miracles and teachings.

When we truly recognize who God is and what He has done, our natural response is worship. This gratitude should shift our focus from our circumstances to the One who controls all things. As James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."

Mary's act of anointing Jesus filled the house with a beautiful fragrance. Similarly, our lives should be filled with the aroma of thankfulness, leading others to notice and glorify God.

Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. As we approach Thanksgiving, let's make a conscious effort to express our thankfulness, not just in words but through our actions and worship. May our lives be filled with the aroma of gratitude, leading others to see and glorify God.
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Thank you for joining us today. We hope this message inspires you to live a life of gratitude and worship. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!