1. “Having a gratitude attitude”
1 Corinthians 1:4-9

2. In a letter, we normally start by thanking them
In a letter, we normally start by thanking them. Paul starts by thanking God for what He has given the Corinthians

3. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.5 For in him you have been enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge – 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

4. Greek: Eucharisteo = give freely in English
Definition: The Eucharist is another name for Holy Communion.
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
(1 Corinthians 10:16)

5. Thankfulness: important theme in the Bible
Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

6. Greek: Eu-charis-teo = grace is at the centre of our lives
Full Definition of GRACE (Merriam-Webster Dictionary
unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
a virtue coming from God
a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

7. “Do not lack any spiritual gift”
God equips his church in the present to produce long term fruit in the future.
On the speaking side he would have included such gifts as prophecy, teaching, preaching, evangelism, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues.

8. THE ETYMOLOGY -- The Hebrew root from which the words translated "faithful" and "faithfulness" in the Old Testament are derived means to prop or stay or support.
The intransitive use of the word signifies to stay oneself or be supported; hence, the word "faithful", as applied to a person, means someone a person can safely lean upon.

9. “Lean on me, when you're not strong And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on For it won't be long 'Til I'm gonna need Somebody to lean on.”

10. Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

11. Gratitude increases happiness!
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

12. SUMMARY
In this wonderful passage, Paul thanks God for the work of grace in the lives of the Christians at Corinth.
His confidence is based on God’s faithfulness. This is the reason why we can be thankful.
In every situation we find ourselves there is something to be thankful for.
Thanking God is the first sign that someone has truly become a Christian.

13. The atheist & the bear

14. “Having a gratitude attitude”
1 Corinthians 1:4-9