“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

How exactly do we EXPRESS gratitude?

[John 12:1-3]

“Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

1. Humble Service

Gratitude overflows into action. It’s more than just saying “thank you” – real gratitude transforms how we live.

[Philippians 2:17]

“But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.”

[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]

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

[Romans 12:1]

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Serving isn’t a curse of the lowly, it’s the response of the Grateful.

[John 12:3-7]

”Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial.

2. Radical Generosity 

I want you to see that Gratitude is the ONE thing that can set us free from the control money has in our lives.

“We cannot be grateful and stingy at the same time. If we truly believe that everything we have comes from God, it should not surprise us that the most generous people are also the most grateful.” – Randy Alcorn

[Luke 21:1-4]

“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Giving isn’t a luxury of the rich, it’s the response of the Grateful.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – Anonymous

There are THREE PRINCIPLES that guide a GRATEFUL person’s life:

• EVERYTHING WE DO, WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE, MATTERS!
• WE WORSHIP GOD WITH OUR STUFF TO KEEP FROM LOVING OUR STUFF MORE THAN GOD!
• OUR SATISFACTION COMES FROM GOD NOT OUR THINGS!

Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?