1. “Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace” 10/08/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles

2. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace Introduction 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. (1 Cor 15:9- 10)

3. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace The problem of ingratitude is often addressed in the Scriptures. There is no worse sin than to take for granted the great blessings that have been received from God (Lk. 17:11-19). If the “what” is God’s grace, what is the “so what”? What grows out of a true appreciation of the fact that God is willing to forgive us?

4. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace  HUMILITY The Prodigal Son exhibited the profound lowliness that is produced by an understanding of grace. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. (Luke 15:19-20)

5. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace What do we have that we “did not receive”? 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Cor 4:7)

6. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace God “has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities” (Psa. 103:10). 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. (Gen. 32:10)

7. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace A recognition of our unworthiness + an awareness of God’s grace = a love that is humbly thankful. (John 4:9,10) God wants us to understand: 9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)

8. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace  DEVOTION Diligent discipleship and service grow out of a recognition of the unmerited favor God has shown toward us. –Personal gratitude is the primary motive for personal evangelism.

9. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20)

10. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace The greatest labor in the world is the labor of love. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 1:3)

11. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace  GENTLENESS Patience toward others results from an understanding of how patient God has been with us. The unmerciful person is almost always the unthankful person (Matt 18:21-35).

12. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:1-2)

13. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace Forbearance and eagerness to forgive are the natural results of our having been forgiven by God. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph 4:32)

14. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace We should deal with others in just the same way we want God to deal with us. 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:13)

15. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace  Conclusion We need to be truly thankful for God’s grace, not only in word, but in deed. 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18) Humility, devotion, and gentleness are the products of deeply appreciating what God has done for us in our unworthy condition.

16. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace Consecration and godly character grow out of gratitude. We will want to be like Christ (1 John 3:1-3). We will want to become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:2-4). We will want to be with Him where He is (John 14:1-3. Cf. John 12:26; 13:36).

17. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace We will want Christ to live in us and through us (Gal. 2:20,21. Cf. Eph. 2:4- 10). The love of Christ will compel us (Cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-11; Eph. 5:2). 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. (2 Cor 5:14)

18. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Is it any wonder that we have been given the Lord’s Supper to remind us every week of our debt of gratitude to God? Nothing is more vital to our relationship to God than gratitude.

19. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace Nothing is more productive of gratitude than meditation on the Lord’s sacrifice for us. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

20. Showing Gratitude for God’s Grace 10/08/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles