“Peace reigns where gratitude is practiced.” “Gratitude is more than an expression, it’s a posture.”
“Praise is the outward expression of an inward posture of gratitude.”
Colossians 3:15–16 (NIV) 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Acts 16:16–26 (NIV) 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment, the spirit left her. 19 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once, all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.
“Praise is stronger than protest.”
“A Christian may find more true joy in a prison than the monarch on his throne.” -Albert Barnes
The Spirit of Praise 1. Praise brings us in- Praise Engages us. Psalm 100:4(NIV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
“Praise is not hype — it is holy engagement.”
2. Praise brings Him in-Praise engages Him. Psalm 22:3 (NKJV)You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
“When we set our Attention, Affection, and our Appreciation on Jesus, it sets us at an Advantage.”
“Enthroning Jesus engages dominion.” Psalm 24:3-8 (NIV) 3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
“When the gates are lifted, our King doesn’t come quietly; He comes mightily.”
“Praise Proceeds Victory”
3. We put praise on Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Wearing the Garment of Praise: “Heaviness breaks when we put praise on.”
1. Show up Psalm 122:1 (NLT) I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2. Lift up
3. Open up Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
“If you want peace in your heart, put praise on your lips.”
“Gratitude is more than an expression, it’s a posture.”
Luke 7:36–50 (NIV) 36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Postures that stifle Gratitude: 1. Pride “The proud analyze Jesus; the grateful adore Him.” 2. Greed 3. Negativity “Negativity comes out of those who have not nurtured an internal culture of gratitude.”
Practicing the posture of Gratitude. “Our posture of gratitude reveals the economy of our heart.”
Colossians 3:15–17 (NIV) 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1. Allow Peace to Rule Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... “Peace comes by yielding to the will of Jesus, rather than imposing your own will.”
2. Absorb the Word of Christ Colossians 3:16 (NIV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom...
3. Adore the Lord Colossians 3:16 (NIV) as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Psalm 103:2–5 (NIV) 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
“In the practice of gratitude, we learn to find the melody in the moment.”
4. Apply the attitude of Gratitude. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Romans 12:9-21 (NIV) 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. 17 Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. A. Sincere love B. Honor C. Fervency D. Generosity E. Grow with others F. Humility
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Luke 7:50(NIV) Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
“Peace reigns where gratitude is practiced.”
Practicing gratitude rewires your brain.
Romans 8:6 (NIV) The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
“God, who wants the best for us, wills us to function with a grateful spirit!” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Luke 17:11–19 (NIV) 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Learning from Lepers 1. Gratitude crosses the threshold between Healing and Wholeness.
“Don't just settle for the miracle, pursue the man!”
2. Entitlement Numbs Gratitude
“Gratitude reveals how deeply we understand grace.”
3. Choose grace, not just mercy.
“Be the one! Don’t get over what Jesus has done for you!”
Practicing Gratitude: Philippians 4:4–9 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
1. Remember it Luke 10:17–20 (NIV) 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
2. Rejoice in it Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
3. Request with it Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
4. Rehearse it. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
5. Record it Philippians 4:9 (NIV) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
