Gratitude: The Key to a Blessed Life | Buddy Owens

Hi everybody. Hi everybody. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving. What an awesome week it's been, right? What an awesome week it's been, right? What an awesome week it's been, right? So glad that you are here. If you want So glad that you are here. If you want So glad that you are here. If you want to um take out your message notes, to um take out your message notes, to um take out your message notes, uh this is probably no surprise to you, uh this is probably no surprise to you, uh this is probably no surprise to you, but we're talking about gratitude today. but we're talking about gratitude today. but we're talking about gratitude today. I can't I I I got the the sense that I I can't I I I got the the sense that I I can't I I I got the the sense that I was sitting down here and thinking, man, was sitting down here and thinking, man, was sitting down here and thinking, man, so the whole week's been about so the whole week's been about so the whole week's been about Thanksgiving and and I remembered, you Thanksgiving and and I remembered, you Thanksgiving and and I remembered, you know, Thursday know, Thursday know, Thursday around what 2:00, 3:00 when you push around what 2:00, 3:00 when you push around what 2:00, 3:00 when you push away from the table and you go, I will away from the table and you go, I will away from the table and you go, I will never eat another bite again as long as never eat another bite again as long as never eat another bite again as long as I live. And then around 7:00, I live. And then around 7:00, I live. And then around 7:00, you find yourself in the kitchen sort of you find yourself in the kitchen sort of you find yourself in the kitchen sort of nosing around to see what you missed the nosing around to see what you missed the nosing around to see what you missed the first time. Well, that's kind of where first time. Well, that's kind of where first time. Well, that's kind of where we're at today. Okay, we're we're we're at today. Okay, we're we're we're at today. Okay, we're we're talking about thanksgiving still talking talking about thanksgiving still talking talking about thanksgiving still talking about gratitude. So, I want you to take about gratitude. So, I want you to take about gratitude. So, I want you to take out your notes. We're in the final week out your notes. We're in the final week out your notes. We're in the final week of a three-part series called Closer, of a three-part series called Closer, of a three-part series called Closer, which is awakening your hunger for God. which is awakening your hunger for God. which is awakening your hunger for God. And in the first week, Andy brought a And in the first week, Andy brought a And in the first week, Andy brought a message about forgiveness. And the message about forgiveness. And the message about forgiveness. And the bottom line of that message was that I bottom line of that message was that I bottom line of that message was that I will not allow any person to get in the will not allow any person to get in the will not allow any person to get in the way between me and God. that I will not way between me and God. that I will not way between me and God. that I will not hold on to a hurt or a grievance because hold on to a hurt or a grievance because hold on to a hurt or a grievance because as long as my hands are filled with that as long as my hands are filled with that as long as my hands are filled with that hurt, hurt, hurt, then I'm I'm not available to what God then I'm I'm not available to what God then I'm I'm not available to what God wants to do in my life. So, I will not wants to do in my life. So, I will not wants to do in my life. So, I will not allow allow allow any person to stand between me and God.

any person to stand between me and God. any person to stand between me and God. That's forgiveness. And then last week, That's forgiveness. And then last week, That's forgiveness. And then last week, Stacy brought a message on surrender. Stacy brought a message on surrender. Stacy brought a message on surrender. And her message is, I will not allow And her message is, I will not allow And her message is, I will not allow anything anything anything to be in the way between me and God to be in the way between me and God to be in the way between me and God because as long as my hands are gripped because as long as my hands are gripped because as long as my hands are gripped on my possessions. Remember, she had her on my possessions. Remember, she had her on my possessions. Remember, she had her hand in that jar, the whole message. As hand in that jar, the whole message. As hand in that jar, the whole message. As long as my hands are gripped on my long as my hands are gripped on my long as my hands are gripped on my possessions, then my hands are not possessions, then my hands are not possessions, then my hands are not available to receive whatever it is that available to receive whatever it is that available to receive whatever it is that God wants to give me. So, forgiveness God wants to give me. So, forgiveness God wants to give me. So, forgiveness and surrender clear the way. But now and surrender clear the way. But now and surrender clear the way. But now that the way has been cleared, I want to that the way has been cleared, I want to that the way has been cleared, I want to talk about the first step in drawing talk about the first step in drawing talk about the first step in drawing closer to God. And the first step to get closer to God. And the first step to get closer to God. And the first step to get closer to him is gratitude. closer to him is gratitude. closer to him is gratitude. What I have to share with you today, I'm What I have to share with you today, I'm What I have to share with you today, I'm still a pilgrim. I'm still on a journey still a pilgrim. I'm still on a journey still a pilgrim. I'm still on a journey of following the Lord, but I've been of following the Lord, but I've been of following the Lord, but I've been walking with Jesus for 62 years. And I walking with Jesus for 62 years. And I walking with Jesus for 62 years. And I know there are some of you who are just know there are some of you who are just know there are some of you who are just getting started. So, for those of you getting started. So, for those of you getting started. So, for those of you who are just getting started, you're who are just getting started, you're who are just getting started, you're just listening to an old guy who's been just listening to an old guy who's been just listening to an old guy who's been there, done that, and I'm sharing with there, done that, and I'm sharing with there, done that, and I'm sharing with you what I've learned about the power of you what I've learned about the power of you what I've learned about the power of gratitude.

gratitude. gratitude. But before I talk about gratitude, But before I talk about gratitude, But before I talk about gratitude, I want to talk about the opposite of I want to talk about the opposite of I want to talk about the opposite of gratitude. gratitude. gratitude. And the opposite of gratitude is not And the opposite of gratitude is not And the opposite of gratitude is not ingratitude. ingratitude. ingratitude. Ingratitude is just a symptom of a Ingratitude is just a symptom of a Ingratitude is just a symptom of a bigger problem. The opposite of bigger problem. The opposite of bigger problem. The opposite of gratitude is actually entitlement. gratitude is actually entitlement. gratitude is actually entitlement. It's this attitude that I deserve better It's this attitude that I deserve better It's this attitude that I deserve better treatment and I deserve better things. treatment and I deserve better things. treatment and I deserve better things. That somehow it's as though the world That somehow it's as though the world That somehow it's as though the world owes me something just because I'm here. owes me something just because I'm here. owes me something just because I'm here. And and you you see this entitlement And and you you see this entitlement And and you you see this entitlement attitude everywhere. You see it all over attitude everywhere. You see it all over attitude everywhere. You see it all over advertising. You see it in social media. advertising. You see it in social media. advertising. You see it in social media. You know, get get the service you You know, get get the service you You know, get get the service you deserve. Get the respect you deserve. deserve. Get the respect you deserve. deserve. Get the respect you deserve. Get the happiness you deserve. Get the Get the happiness you deserve. Get the Get the happiness you deserve. Get the get the the luxury you deserve. You see get the the luxury you deserve. You see get the the luxury you deserve. You see this this entitlement everywhere and it this this entitlement everywhere and it this this entitlement everywhere and it crosses all ages, all races, all crosses all ages, all races, all crosses all ages, all races, all economic statuses, all political economic statuses, all political economic statuses, all political parties, you name it. Entitlement. parties, you name it. Entitlement. parties, you name it. Entitlement. Entitlement is an infection of the heart Entitlement is an infection of the heart Entitlement is an infection of the heart and it's highly contagious.

and it's highly contagious. and it's highly contagious. The attitude of entitlement then spills The attitude of entitlement then spills The attitude of entitlement then spills over into our attitude toward God of over into our attitude toward God of over into our attitude toward God of this feeling that well, you know, if he this feeling that well, you know, if he this feeling that well, you know, if he really loved me that he he'd take better really loved me that he he'd take better really loved me that he he'd take better care of me. If God really cared, then he care of me. If God really cared, then he care of me. If God really cared, then he would he'd give me what I'm asking for would he'd give me what I'm asking for would he'd give me what I'm asking for because I I deserve better than this. because I I deserve better than this. because I I deserve better than this. And it's this attitude that for some And it's this attitude that for some And it's this attitude that for some reason God owes me. reason God owes me. reason God owes me. My friend, this may be a hard thing to My friend, this may be a hard thing to My friend, this may be a hard thing to hear today, but you need to hear it from hear today, but you need to hear it from hear today, but you need to hear it from me. God loves you more than you will me. God loves you more than you will me. God loves you more than you will ever understand. ever understand. ever understand. But he doesn't owe you anything. But he doesn't owe you anything. But he doesn't owe you anything. Everything you have is a gift of his Everything you have is a gift of his Everything you have is a gift of his grace. And you are more important to him grace. And you are more important to him grace. And you are more important to him than you could possibly comprehend. You than you could possibly comprehend. You than you could possibly comprehend. You are so important to God that he was are so important to God that he was are so important to God that he was willing to give his only son to die for willing to give his only son to die for willing to give his only son to die for you to pay for your sins so that you you to pay for your sins so that you you to pay for your sins so that you could spend eternity in heaven with God. could spend eternity in heaven with God. could spend eternity in heaven with God. And if that doesn't tell you how And if that doesn't tell you how And if that doesn't tell you how important you are to God, I don't know important you are to God, I don't know important you are to God, I don't know what will. He loves you. He loves you.

what will. He loves you. He loves you. what will. He loves you. He loves you. He loves you. But he doesn't owe you He loves you. But he doesn't owe you He loves you. But he doesn't owe you anything. So don't ever complain to God anything. So don't ever complain to God anything. So don't ever complain to God that you aren't getting what you think that you aren't getting what you think that you aren't getting what you think you deserve. Because let's look at what you deserve. Because let's look at what you deserve. Because let's look at what the Bible says about what we really do the Bible says about what we really do the Bible says about what we really do deserve. Look here on the screen. The deserve. Look here on the screen. The deserve. Look here on the screen. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 that all of us Bible says in Romans 3:23 that all of us Bible says in Romans 3:23 that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory have sinned and fall short of the glory have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And Romans 6:23 says the wages of God. And Romans 6:23 says the wages of God. And Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death. So we don't deserve of sin is death. So we don't deserve of sin is death. So we don't deserve God's mercy. We don't deserve his grace. God's mercy. We don't deserve his grace. God's mercy. We don't deserve his grace. We don't deserve his kindness. What we We don't deserve his kindness. What we We don't deserve his kindness. What we really deserve is punishment. If you really deserve is punishment. If you really deserve is punishment. If you think about it, what that's what we think about it, what that's what we think about it, what that's what we really deserve is his judgment. really deserve is his judgment. really deserve is his judgment. But look at this verse from Psalm But look at this verse from Psalm But look at this verse from Psalm 103:10. 103:10. 103:10. It says, "He does not treat us as our It says, "He does not treat us as our It says, "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to sins deserve or repay us according to sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." Now, there's something our iniquities." Now, there's something our iniquities." Now, there's something to be thankful for. to be thankful for. to be thankful for. So, an entitled person can never say So, an entitled person can never say So, an entitled person can never say thank you.

thank you. thank you. And therefore, an entitled heart cannot And therefore, an entitled heart cannot And therefore, an entitled heart cannot be a place of worship. And here's why. I be a place of worship. And here's why. I be a place of worship. And here's why. I want you to write something down in your want you to write something down in your want you to write something down in your notes. It's because worship begins with notes. It's because worship begins with notes. It's because worship begins with gratitude. gratitude. gratitude. Worship begins with gratitude. Let me Worship begins with gratitude. Let me Worship begins with gratitude. Let me show you this in scripture. Psalm 100 show you this in scripture. Psalm 100 show you this in scripture. Psalm 100 verse4. It's a verse that many of us verse4. It's a verse that many of us verse4. It's a verse that many of us know. It says, "Enter his gates with know. It says, "Enter his gates with know. It says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. thanksgiving and his courts with praise. thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name." Give thanks to him and praise his name." Give thanks to him and praise his name." I want you to circle the word enter. I want you to circle the word enter. I want you to circle the word enter. Enter his gates. It's the first step. Enter his gates. It's the first step. Enter his gates. It's the first step. You start by entering with thanksgiving. You start by entering with thanksgiving. You start by entering with thanksgiving. Then you cross the courts with praise. Then you cross the courts with praise. Then you cross the courts with praise. So gratitude is the first step. Hebrews So gratitude is the first step. Hebrews So gratitude is the first step. Hebrews 12:28 says, "Let us be thankful and so 12:28 says, "Let us be thankful and so 12:28 says, "Let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably." worship God acceptably." worship God acceptably." So worship starts with saying, "Thank So worship starts with saying, "Thank So worship starts with saying, "Thank you." Now, why is this even important? you." Now, why is this even important? you." Now, why is this even important? Well, I want to spend the rest of our Well, I want to spend the rest of our Well, I want to spend the rest of our time talking about the relationship time talking about the relationship time talking about the relationship between grace and gratitude.

between grace and gratitude. between grace and gratitude. We all have stories to tell of God's We all have stories to tell of God's We all have stories to tell of God's grace in our lives. Even those of us who grace in our lives. Even those of us who grace in our lives. Even those of us who are not even following Jesus yet, there are not even following Jesus yet, there are not even following Jesus yet, there have been signposts of God's grace in have been signposts of God's grace in have been signposts of God's grace in our lives. If we just stop and take the our lives. If we just stop and take the our lives. If we just stop and take the time to recognize it, how God has met time to recognize it, how God has met time to recognize it, how God has met us, how he's comforted us, saved us, us, how he's comforted us, saved us, us, how he's comforted us, saved us, protected us, provided for us, given us protected us, provided for us, given us protected us, provided for us, given us direction. And those stories are crucial direction. And those stories are crucial direction. And those stories are crucial to your faith. to your faith. to your faith. the the canon of scripture, the book, the the canon of scripture, the book, the the canon of scripture, the book, the Bible is closed. It's finished. the Bible is closed. It's finished. the Bible is closed. It's finished. But the story of Jesus is still being But the story of Jesus is still being But the story of Jesus is still being written in the hearts of men and women written in the hearts of men and women written in the hearts of men and women as God has met you and provided for you. as God has met you and provided for you. as God has met you and provided for you. Your encounters with God are chapters in Your encounters with God are chapters in Your encounters with God are chapters in the story of Jesus Christ and his love the story of Jesus Christ and his love the story of Jesus Christ and his love for the world and what God does in for the world and what God does in for the world and what God does in people's lives. You have a story to people's lives. You have a story to people's lives. You have a story to tell. You have a lot of stories to tell tell. You have a lot of stories to tell tell. You have a lot of stories to tell of how God has encountered you, how you of how God has encountered you, how you of how God has encountered you, how you have met him over the years. And a great have met him over the years. And a great have met him over the years. And a great way to tell your story is by sharing way to tell your story is by sharing way to tell your story is by sharing with people what you're thankful for.

with people what you're thankful for. with people what you're thankful for. There are There are There are 137 verses in the Bible about gratitude. 137 verses in the Bible about gratitude. 137 verses in the Bible about gratitude. I counted them. All right, I had a lot I counted them. All right, I had a lot I counted them. All right, I had a lot of time on my hands. of time on my hands. of time on my hands. 137 verses in the Bible about gratitude. 137 verses in the Bible about gratitude. 137 verses in the Bible about gratitude. Now, think about this. Apparently, Now, think about this. Apparently, Now, think about this. Apparently, gratitude is important to God because if gratitude is important to God because if gratitude is important to God because if if he actually if he actually if he actually repeated himself 137 times, he's trying repeated himself 137 times, he's trying repeated himself 137 times, he's trying to tell us something. And if it's to tell us something. And if it's to tell us something. And if it's important to God, then it should be important to God, then it should be important to God, then it should be important for us, too. So, let me ask important for us, too. So, let me ask important for us, too. So, let me ask you, what has God done for you? Think you, what has God done for you? Think you, what has God done for you? Think about it. What has he done for you? And about it. What has he done for you? And about it. What has he done for you? And and did you take the time to thank him? and did you take the time to thank him? and did you take the time to thank him? Even if you're facing a crisis right Even if you're facing a crisis right Even if you're facing a crisis right now, now, now, God has done something that you can be God has done something that you can be God has done something that you can be thankful for. thankful for. thankful for. What is it? What is it? What is it? Maybe you're thankful for your family or Maybe you're thankful for your family or Maybe you're thankful for your family or your spouse. You might be thankful for a your spouse. You might be thankful for a your spouse. You might be thankful for a friend. You might be thankful for your friend. You might be thankful for your friend. You might be thankful for your job. Maybe you're thankful for your job. Maybe you're thankful for your job. Maybe you're thankful for your health. You might be thankful that today health. You might be thankful that today health. You might be thankful that today isn't as bad as yesterday was. Maybe isn't as bad as yesterday was. Maybe isn't as bad as yesterday was. Maybe you're thankful that tomorrow isn't here you're thankful that tomorrow isn't here you're thankful that tomorrow isn't here yet. There's there's something that you yet. There's there's something that you yet. There's there's something that you can be thankful for. So, here's what I can be thankful for. So, here's what I can be thankful for. So, here's what I want us to do before I go any further. I want us to do before I go any further. I want us to do before I go any further. I want you to think of one thing.

want you to think of one thing. want you to think of one thing. One thing that you can say thank you to One thing that you can say thank you to One thing that you can say thank you to God for. One thing you're thankful for. God for. One thing you're thankful for. God for. One thing you're thankful for. I want you to put it in one sentence. I want you to put it in one sentence. I want you to put it in one sentence. Not a page, not a paragraph, one Not a page, not a paragraph, one Not a page, not a paragraph, one sentence. You got it? Just one thing sentence. You got it? Just one thing sentence. You got it? Just one thing you're thankful for. And I want you to you're thankful for. And I want you to you're thankful for. And I want you to turn to someone near you and just in one turn to someone near you and just in one turn to someone near you and just in one sentence just say, "This is what I'm sentence just say, "This is what I'm sentence just say, "This is what I'm thankful for." And tell them, "I'm thankful for." And tell them, "I'm thankful for." And tell them, "I'm thankful for." and fill in the blank. Go thankful for." and fill in the blank. Go thankful for." and fill in the blank. Go ahead. They won't hurt you. Tell them ahead. They won't hurt you. Tell them ahead. They won't hurt you. Tell them what are you thankful for. Listen to the room. Listen to the room. You hear people laughing. You hear people laughing. You hear people laughing. You see, there's something about You see, there's something about You see, there's something about gratitude. gratitude. gratitude. And it it it leads us to to four And it it it leads us to to four And it it it leads us to to four benefits of gratitude. And here's the benefits of gratitude. And here's the benefits of gratitude. And here's the first one I want you to write down first one I want you to write down first one I want you to write down because all of you are smiling right because all of you are smiling right because all of you are smiling right now. See, I can see you. Okay. And now. See, I can see you. Okay. And now. See, I can see you. Okay. And you're all smiling right now. So, here's you're all smiling right now. So, here's you're all smiling right now. So, here's what I want you to write down. Gratitude what I want you to write down. Gratitude what I want you to write down. Gratitude brings joy to my life. Gratitude brings brings joy to my life. Gratitude brings brings joy to my life. Gratitude brings joy to my life. You can't be grateful joy to my life. You can't be grateful joy to my life. You can't be grateful and sad at the same time. Here's what and sad at the same time. Here's what and sad at the same time. Here's what Psalm 30 says. You have turned my Psalm 30 says. You have turned my Psalm 30 says. You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have mourning into joyful dancing. You have mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and taken away my clothes of mourning and taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy so that I might sing clothed me with joy so that I might sing clothed me with joy so that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. Oh praises to you and not be silent. Oh praises to you and not be silent. Oh Lord my God, I will give you thanks Lord my God, I will give you thanks Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.

forever. forever. You know, it's so easy to become focused You know, it's so easy to become focused You know, it's so easy to become focused on all of the bad things that happen. on all of the bad things that happen. on all of the bad things that happen. And we often face our troubles as though And we often face our troubles as though And we often face our troubles as though God was absent. God was absent. God was absent. And we do that because we've forgotten And we do that because we've forgotten And we do that because we've forgotten to take notice of how he has been to take notice of how he has been to take notice of how he has been present in our troubles in the past. And present in our troubles in the past. And present in our troubles in the past. And that's why it's important to pay that's why it's important to pay that's why it's important to pay attention to what God is doing. But the attention to what God is doing. But the attention to what God is doing. But the way it happens for for me often and for way it happens for for me often and for way it happens for for me often and for most of us is you have a problem and so most of us is you have a problem and so most of us is you have a problem and so you ask God for help and you pray you ask God for help and you pray you ask God for help and you pray fervently and repeatedly and fervently and repeatedly and fervently and repeatedly and passionately just, "Oh God, oh God, oh passionately just, "Oh God, oh God, oh passionately just, "Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God." And then he does God, oh God, oh God." And then he does God, oh God, oh God." And then he does something and he responds and he answers something and he responds and he answers something and he responds and he answers and you go, "Well, I'm glad that's over and you go, "Well, I'm glad that's over and you go, "Well, I'm glad that's over with. I sure got lucky on that one. I'm with. I sure got lucky on that one. I'm with. I sure got lucky on that one. I'm just going to thank my lucky stars." And just going to thank my lucky stars." And just going to thank my lucky stars." And we just move on. we just move on. we just move on. without giving God the credit for what without giving God the credit for what without giving God the credit for what he's already done. he's already done. he's already done. If you don't stop to say thank you, if If you don't stop to say thank you, if If you don't stop to say thank you, if you don't pay attention to what God did, you don't pay attention to what God did, you don't pay attention to what God did, maybe even write down a record of that maybe even write down a record of that maybe even write down a record of that story, of that encounter with God, two story, of that encounter with God, two story, of that encounter with God, two things will happen. First, you're going things will happen. First, you're going things will happen. First, you're going to miss out on the joy of gratitude. And to miss out on the joy of gratitude. And to miss out on the joy of gratitude. And the second thing is that your faith will the second thing is that your faith will the second thing is that your faith will not be strengthened for your next not be strengthened for your next not be strengthened for your next challenge because you're not even challenge because you're not even challenge because you're not even thinking about where that answer came thinking about where that answer came thinking about where that answer came from. So I want you to write this down.

from. So I want you to write this down. from. So I want you to write this down. Here's the second benefit of gratitude. Here's the second benefit of gratitude. Here's the second benefit of gratitude. Gratitude strengthens my faith. Gratitude strengthens my faith. Gratitude strengthens my faith. Gratitude strengthens my faith. Giving Gratitude strengthens my faith. Giving Gratitude strengthens my faith. Giving thanks causes me to stop and to look thanks causes me to stop and to look thanks causes me to stop and to look back at what God has already done. And back at what God has already done. And back at what God has already done. And when I do that, when I remember what he when I do that, when I remember what he when I do that, when I remember what he has done, I discover something about who has done, I discover something about who has done, I discover something about who God is, because everything God does is a God is, because everything God does is a God is, because everything God does is a reflection, a demonstration of his reflection, a demonstration of his reflection, a demonstration of his character. character. character. He saves because he's the savior. He He saves because he's the savior. He He saves because he's the savior. He heals because he's the healer. He heals because he's the healer. He heals because he's the healer. He provides because he is the provider. He provides because he is the provider. He provides because he is the provider. He gives us wisdom because he is the gives us wisdom because he is the gives us wisdom because he is the counselor. He is our comforter. He is counselor. He is our comforter. He is counselor. He is our comforter. He is our friend. And when we thank him for our friend. And when we thank him for our friend. And when we thank him for what he has done, we recognize who he what he has done, we recognize who he what he has done, we recognize who he is. And then we begin to worship God. is. And then we begin to worship God. is. And then we begin to worship God. That's why worship begins with That's why worship begins with That's why worship begins with gratitude. Not only that, but when I gratitude. Not only that, but when I gratitude. Not only that, but when I thank him for what he's done, it thank him for what he's done, it thank him for what he's done, it strengthens my faith for what I'm facing strengthens my faith for what I'm facing strengthens my faith for what I'm facing today.

today. today. When I remember how God healed one of my When I remember how God healed one of my When I remember how God healed one of my kids when she was a baby and the doctor kids when she was a baby and the doctor kids when she was a baby and the doctor said it was hopeless, said it was hopeless, said it was hopeless, it strengthens my faith that yes, God is it strengthens my faith that yes, God is it strengthens my faith that yes, God is a healer and he can heal. Once again, a healer and he can heal. Once again, a healer and he can heal. Once again, when I remember how God has provided for when I remember how God has provided for when I remember how God has provided for our family so many times, it strengthens our family so many times, it strengthens our family so many times, it strengthens my faith to say yes, he is the provider my faith to say yes, he is the provider my faith to say yes, he is the provider and I can look to him and believe and and I can look to him and believe and and I can look to him and believe and have faith for him to do it. Once again, have faith for him to do it. Once again, have faith for him to do it. Once again, when I remember how God has come to my when I remember how God has come to my when I remember how God has come to my rescue, it strengthens my faith that God rescue, it strengthens my faith that God rescue, it strengthens my faith that God can come to my rescue once again. can come to my rescue once again. can come to my rescue once again. In the Old Testament, the Bible says In the Old Testament, the Bible says In the Old Testament, the Bible says that when King David was greatly that when King David was greatly that when King David was greatly distressed, distressed, distressed, look here on the screen. It says David look here on the screen. It says David look here on the screen. It says David strengthened himself in the Lord. He strengthened himself in the Lord. He strengthened himself in the Lord. He strengthened himself in the Lord. How do strengthened himself in the Lord. How do strengthened himself in the Lord. How do you do that? How do you strengthen you do that? How do you strengthen you do that? How do you strengthen yourself in the Lord? You do it by yourself in the Lord? You do it by yourself in the Lord? You do it by remembering what God has done for you. remembering what God has done for you. remembering what God has done for you. Because when you remember what he's done Because when you remember what he's done Because when you remember what he's done in the past, it encourages you to trust in the past, it encourages you to trust in the past, it encourages you to trust him again with what you are facing right him again with what you are facing right him again with what you are facing right now. Gratitude strengthens your faith.

now. Gratitude strengthens your faith. now. Gratitude strengthens your faith. So worship starts with saying thank you. So worship starts with saying thank you. So worship starts with saying thank you. In other words, gratitude is the key to In other words, gratitude is the key to In other words, gratitude is the key to worship. And worship is the door to a worship. And worship is the door to a worship. And worship is the door to a blessed life. And I'm going to show you blessed life. And I'm going to show you blessed life. And I'm going to show you that in just a moment in scripture. that in just a moment in scripture. that in just a moment in scripture. You see, God wants us to be worshippers. You see, God wants us to be worshippers. You see, God wants us to be worshippers. Not for his sake, for our sake. Worship Not for his sake, for our sake. Worship Not for his sake, for our sake. Worship is not for God's benefit. is not for God's benefit. is not for God's benefit. It's for our benefit. It's for our benefit. It's for our benefit. We don't worship God to make him feel We don't worship God to make him feel We don't worship God to make him feel better about himself. God is not better about himself. God is not better about himself. God is not insecure. He's not just sitting on his insecure. He's not just sitting on his insecure. He's not just sitting on his throne hoping somebody notices him. throne hoping somebody notices him. throne hoping somebody notices him. Worship is for our benefit. When we Worship is for our benefit. When we Worship is for our benefit. When we worship God, we're not just singing worship God, we're not just singing worship God, we're not just singing songs. The the songs of worship that songs. The the songs of worship that songs. The the songs of worship that we've sung today, they're not just the we've sung today, they're not just the we've sung today, they're not just the warm-up act for my sermon. warm-up act for my sermon. warm-up act for my sermon. Worship songs are not they're not a rain Worship songs are not they're not a rain Worship songs are not they're not a rain dance that makes God do something. dance that makes God do something. dance that makes God do something. There is a spiritual transaction that There is a spiritual transaction that There is a spiritual transaction that takes place when we worship God. There takes place when we worship God. There takes place when we worship God. There is a realignment of our lives under the is a realignment of our lives under the is a realignment of our lives under the covering of God himself. So I want you covering of God himself. So I want you covering of God himself. So I want you to write this down. Here's the third to write this down. Here's the third to write this down. Here's the third benefit. Gratitude aligns me with the benefit. Gratitude aligns me with the benefit. Gratitude aligns me with the throne of God.

throne of God. throne of God. It aligns me with the throne of God. I It aligns me with the throne of God. I It aligns me with the throne of God. I want to show you this in scripture. This want to show you this in scripture. This want to show you this in scripture. This verse, Psalm 22:3 says this. verse, Psalm 22:3 says this. verse, Psalm 22:3 says this. You are holy enthroned on the praises of You are holy enthroned on the praises of You are holy enthroned on the praises of Israel. There's a picture here. You're Israel. There's a picture here. You're Israel. There's a picture here. You're holy, enthroned on the praises of holy, enthroned on the praises of holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. So, what does that mean to be Israel. So, what does that mean to be Israel. So, what does that mean to be enthroned? enthroned? enthroned? Well, every kingdom has a king and every Well, every kingdom has a king and every Well, every kingdom has a king and every king has a throne. And what this verse king has a throne. And what this verse king has a throne. And what this verse says is that the Lord is enthroned on says is that the Lord is enthroned on says is that the Lord is enthroned on the praises of his people. To put it the praises of his people. To put it the praises of his people. To put it another way, the throne of God rests on another way, the throne of God rests on another way, the throne of God rests on the praises of his people. Let me show the praises of his people. Let me show the praises of his people. Let me show you another passage that teaches this. you another passage that teaches this. you another passage that teaches this. This is from Isaiah 6 verse one. This is from Isaiah 6 verse one. This is from Isaiah 6 verse one. Isaiah says he's having he has a vision. Isaiah says he's having he has a vision. Isaiah says he's having he has a vision. He says, 'In the year that King Uzziah He says, 'In the year that King Uzziah He says, 'In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. died, I saw the Lord. died, I saw the Lord. He was seated on a throne high and He was seated on a throne high and He was seated on a throne high and exalted and the train or the hem of his exalted and the train or the hem of his exalted and the train or the hem of his robe filled the temple. So, think about robe filled the temple. So, think about robe filled the temple. So, think about this picture. What's going on? The this picture. What's going on? The this picture. What's going on? The temple is the place of worship. And the temple is the place of worship. And the temple is the place of worship. And the hem of God's robe hem of God's robe hem of God's robe filled the temple. He's seated on his filled the temple. He's seated on his filled the temple. He's seated on his throne. and the hem filled the temple.

throne. and the hem filled the temple. throne. and the hem filled the temple. So where then is the throne in So where then is the throne in So where then is the throne in relationship to the temple? It's above relationship to the temple? It's above relationship to the temple? It's above it. The train of his robe filled the it. The train of his robe filled the it. The train of his robe filled the temple. In other words, Isaiah saw what temple. In other words, Isaiah saw what temple. In other words, Isaiah saw what David said that the Lord was enthroned David said that the Lord was enthroned David said that the Lord was enthroned on the praises of his people. on the praises of his people. on the praises of his people. Now, why does this matter? It's because Now, why does this matter? It's because Now, why does this matter? It's because there's a grace principle here that we there's a grace principle here that we there's a grace principle here that we can miss if we just rush on through can miss if we just rush on through can miss if we just rush on through scripture. that when you enter his gates scripture. that when you enter his gates scripture. that when you enter his gates with thanksgiving, when you worship God with thanksgiving, when you worship God with thanksgiving, when you worship God and declare his authority over your life and declare his authority over your life and declare his authority over your life and align yourself with his rulership, and align yourself with his rulership, and align yourself with his rulership, with his throne, you are coming under with his throne, you are coming under with his throne, you are coming under his sovereignty. his sovereignty. his sovereignty. You are surrendering your life to his You are surrendering your life to his You are surrendering your life to his control. You're bringing yourself under control. You're bringing yourself under control. You're bringing yourself under his protection and provision. And his his protection and provision. And his his protection and provision. And his throne now rests on your praises. And throne now rests on your praises. And throne now rests on your praises. And his throne is a throne of grace. And his throne is a throne of grace. And his throne is a throne of grace. And everything you need in life everything you need in life everything you need in life is a gift of God's grace. Wisdom, is a gift of God's grace. Wisdom, is a gift of God's grace. Wisdom, provision, health, provision, health, provision, health, peace, patience, love, everything is a peace, patience, love, everything is a peace, patience, love, everything is a gift of his grace. God's grace gift of his grace. God's grace gift of his grace. God's grace is always available to us. It's just is always available to us. It's just is always available to us. It's just that we're not always available to God's that we're not always available to God's that we're not always available to God's grace.

grace. grace. You make yourself available to his grace You make yourself available to his grace You make yourself available to his grace when you worship him and align yourself when you worship him and align yourself when you worship him and align yourself so that his throne rests on your praises so that his throne rests on your praises so that his throne rests on your praises too. So how do you make yourself available to So how do you make yourself available to him? him? him? You worship him. You worship him. You worship him. You're more likely to feast at the You're more likely to feast at the You're more likely to feast at the king's table if you sit at the king's king's table if you sit at the king's king's table if you sit at the king's feet. feet. feet. You're more likely to get wet if you You're more likely to get wet if you You're more likely to get wet if you stand in the river than if you wait out stand in the river than if you wait out stand in the river than if you wait out in the desert someplace. And worship, in the desert someplace. And worship, in the desert someplace. And worship, gratitude brings you into the flow, the gratitude brings you into the flow, the gratitude brings you into the flow, the river of God's grace. It aligns you with river of God's grace. It aligns you with river of God's grace. It aligns you with his throne. And God pours out his grace his throne. And God pours out his grace his throne. And God pours out his grace on people who worship him and thank him. on people who worship him and thank him. on people who worship him and thank him. It's not that he's withholding it until It's not that he's withholding it until It's not that he's withholding it until you say something nice. It's that you say something nice. It's that you say something nice. It's that there's this constant flow of God's there's this constant flow of God's there's this constant flow of God's grace and provision and you're just grace and provision and you're just grace and provision and you're just coming underneath it and making yourself coming underneath it and making yourself coming underneath it and making yourself available to him. available to him. available to him. When you worship, you're simply saying, When you worship, you're simply saying, When you worship, you're simply saying, "I'm coming to you. I'm aligning my life "I'm coming to you. I'm aligning my life "I'm coming to you. I'm aligning my life with you. You want the grace of God in with you. You want the grace of God in with you. You want the grace of God in your life.

your life. your life. You want an outpouring of his grace. You want an outpouring of his grace. You want an outpouring of his grace. Then worship him. Then worship him. Then worship him. Learn to be a worshshiper." And it Learn to be a worshshiper." And it Learn to be a worshshiper." And it starts with saying thank you. So worship starts with saying thank you. So worship starts with saying thank you. So worship brings joy to my life. Gratitude brings joy to my life. Gratitude brings joy to my life. Gratitude strengthens my faith. Gratitude aligns strengthens my faith. Gratitude aligns strengthens my faith. Gratitude aligns me with God's throne. And here's the me with God's throne. And here's the me with God's throne. And here's the fourth thing. The fourth benefit is it. fourth thing. The fourth benefit is it. fourth thing. The fourth benefit is it. Gratitude releases the flow of God's Gratitude releases the flow of God's Gratitude releases the flow of God's grace and power in my life. It releases grace and power in my life. It releases grace and power in my life. It releases the flow of God's grace and power in my the flow of God's grace and power in my the flow of God's grace and power in my life. life. life. There's a verse in Psalm 89. It's Psalm There's a verse in Psalm 89. It's Psalm There's a verse in Psalm 89. It's Psalm 89 verse1 15. 89 verse1 15. 89 verse1 15. I want to kind of take it apart a little I want to kind of take it apart a little I want to kind of take it apart a little bit here. Here's what it says. Are you bit here. Here's what it says. Are you bit here. Here's what it says. Are you Are you with me? Am I going too fast? Are you with me? Am I going too fast? Are you with me? Am I going too fast? No. We good? No. We good? No. We good? Because I want this to make sense. I Because I want this to make sense. I Because I want this to make sense. I want gratitude and worship to make sense want gratitude and worship to make sense want gratitude and worship to make sense that you can say, "Oh, this is why God that you can say, "Oh, this is why God that you can say, "Oh, this is why God wants me to do this." So, here's what it wants me to do this." So, here's what it wants me to do this." So, here's what it says. Psalm 89:15 says, "Blessed are says. Psalm 89:15 says, "Blessed are says. Psalm 89:15 says, "Blessed are those." So, here's how your life gets those." So, here's how your life gets those." So, here's how your life gets blessed. Blessed are those who have blessed. Blessed are those who have blessed. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the learned to acclaim you, who walk in the learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence. Now, there's a light of your presence. Now, there's a light of your presence. Now, there's a problem with Psalm 89:15.

problem with Psalm 89:15. problem with Psalm 89:15. The problem with Psalm 89:15 is that The problem with Psalm 89:15 is that The problem with Psalm 89:15 is that it's in Psalm 89. And Psalm 89 is one of it's in Psalm 89. And Psalm 89 is one of it's in Psalm 89. And Psalm 89 is one of those page and a halfers. You know what those page and a halfers. You know what those page and a halfers. You know what I mean by page and a halfers? Covers a I mean by page and a halfers? Covers a I mean by page and a halfers? Covers a page and a half. So, if you're doing page and a half. So, if you're doing page and a half. So, if you're doing your one-year guilt trip Bible reading your one-year guilt trip Bible reading your one-year guilt trip Bible reading plan and you're behind and you're racing plan and you're behind and you're racing plan and you're behind and you're racing your way through the Psalms and you get your way through the Psalms and you get your way through the Psalms and you get to Psalm 89, you go, "Oh, no. This one's to Psalm 89, you go, "Oh, no. This one's to Psalm 89, you go, "Oh, no. This one's a page and a half." You're going to miss a page and a half." You're going to miss a page and a half." You're going to miss something if you don't slow down and something if you don't slow down and something if you don't slow down and stop at verse 15. There is another one stop at verse 15. There is another one stop at verse 15. There is another one of those grace principles in this verse. of those grace principles in this verse. of those grace principles in this verse. It's a it's a profound principle. It It's a it's a profound principle. It It's a it's a profound principle. It says, "Those who learn to acclaim you says, "Those who learn to acclaim you says, "Those who learn to acclaim you walk in the light of your presence." walk in the light of your presence." walk in the light of your presence." Now, what does it mean to acclaim Now, what does it mean to acclaim Now, what does it mean to acclaim something? because that's not a word something? because that's not a word something? because that's not a word that we use very often, but it is a word that we use very often, but it is a word that we use very often, but it is a word of something we do all the time. of something we do all the time. of something we do all the time. Let me give you an idea what a claim Let me give you an idea what a claim Let me give you an idea what a claim means. A claim actually means to welcome means. A claim actually means to welcome means. A claim actually means to welcome with a loud shout. with a loud shout. with a loud shout. That's what it means. To welcome with a That's what it means. To welcome with a That's what it means. To welcome with a loud shout. Let me give you a picture of loud shout. Let me give you a picture of loud shout. Let me give you a picture of what that looks like. And if you think what that looks like. And if you think what that looks like. And if you think of any Sunday morning here in the United of any Sunday morning here in the United of any Sunday morning here in the United States in the fall in football stadiums States in the fall in football stadiums States in the fall in football stadiums all across America, what do people do all across America, what do people do all across America, what do people do when the home team takes the field? They when the home team takes the field? They when the home team takes the field? They leap out of their chairs and they leap out of their chairs and they leap out of their chairs and they welcome them with a loud shout and then welcome them with a loud shout and then welcome them with a loud shout and then they start talking to each other about they start talking to each other about they start talking to each other about all the great things all the players do all the great things all the players do all the great things all the players do on that team. Oh, he's the greatest on that team. Oh, he's the greatest on that team. Oh, he's the greatest quarterback you've ever seen. Oh, did quarterback you've ever seen. Oh, did quarterback you've ever seen. Oh, did you see the catch that guy made last you see the catch that guy made last you see the catch that guy made last week? And did you know how many tackles week? And did you know how many tackles week? And did you know how many tackles so and so? and we start praising them.

so and so? and we start praising them. so and so? and we start praising them. That's what acclaiming is. It's That's what acclaiming is. It's That's what acclaiming is. It's welcoming that team onto the field and welcoming that team onto the field and welcoming that team onto the field and declaring how great they they are. declaring how great they they are. declaring how great they they are. That's what it means. That's what it That's what it means. That's what it That's what it means. That's what it looks like to acclaim the Lord. You are looks like to acclaim the Lord. You are looks like to acclaim the Lord. You are welcoming him into your circumstance, welcoming him into your circumstance, welcoming him into your circumstance, into the arena of the challenge that you into the arena of the challenge that you into the arena of the challenge that you face right now. And now you begin to face right now. And now you begin to face right now. And now you begin to declare the greatness and the power of declare the greatness and the power of declare the greatness and the power of God and begin to remind yourself of all God and begin to remind yourself of all God and begin to remind yourself of all of the great things that God has done in of the great things that God has done in of the great things that God has done in the past, knowing that your champion has the past, knowing that your champion has the past, knowing that your champion has now arrived. And when he takes the now arrived. And when he takes the now arrived. And when he takes the field, he will be victorious. field, he will be victorious. field, he will be victorious. [snorts] And here's the payoff. He says [snorts] And here's the payoff. He says [snorts] And here's the payoff. He says the people who do that, the people who the people who do that, the people who the people who do that, the people who learn to acclaim the Lord and welcome learn to acclaim the Lord and welcome learn to acclaim the Lord and welcome him that way, they walk in the light of him that way, they walk in the light of him that way, they walk in the light of his presence. So throughout scripture, his presence. So throughout scripture, his presence. So throughout scripture, when you read about walking, it's when you read about walking, it's when you read about walking, it's talking about a lifestyle. That's what talking about a lifestyle. That's what talking about a lifestyle. That's what it means. it means. it means. And this verse is saying that you will And this verse is saying that you will And this verse is saying that you will live your life, your entire existence, live your life, your entire existence, live your life, your entire existence, your daybyday, moment by moment your daybyday, moment by moment your daybyday, moment by moment experience with a deeper and more experience with a deeper and more experience with a deeper and more profound awareness of the presence of profound awareness of the presence of profound awareness of the presence of God himself in your life. When you It's God himself in your life. When you It's God himself in your life. When you It's not just a once-in- ah experience.

not just a once-in- ah experience. not just a once-in- ah experience. It's an everyday a heightened awareness It's an everyday a heightened awareness It's an everyday a heightened awareness of God's presence and power. And those of God's presence and power. And those of God's presence and power. And those who learn to be worshippers who learn to be worshippers who learn to be worshippers live their lives in the light of God's live their lives in the light of God's live their lives in the light of God's presence. And isn't that what we really presence. And isn't that what we really presence. And isn't that what we really want? To live life in the presence of want? To live life in the presence of want? To live life in the presence of the counselor, to live your life in the the counselor, to live your life in the the counselor, to live your life in the presence of the savior, to live your presence of the savior, to live your presence of the savior, to live your life in the presence of the provider, of life in the presence of the provider, of life in the presence of the provider, of the healer, of your friend. What do we find in God's presence? We What do we find in God's presence? We find life. We find light. We find hope. find life. We find light. We find hope. find life. We find light. We find hope. We find forgiveness. We find love. We We find forgiveness. We find love. We We find forgiveness. We find love. We find freedom. We find provision. find freedom. We find provision. find freedom. We find provision. All of these things All of these things All of these things and more. and more. and more. Are you longing for God's presence? Are you longing for God's presence? Are you longing for God's presence? Then worship him. Then worship him. Then worship him. But notice that it says it's a learned But notice that it says it's a learned But notice that it says it's a learned behavior. Blessed are those who have behavior. Blessed are those who have behavior. Blessed are those who have learned to do that. So, it's something learned to do that. So, it's something learned to do that. So, it's something you have to discipline yourself to do.

you have to discipline yourself to do. you have to discipline yourself to do. Something you learn to do over time. Something you learn to do over time. Something you learn to do over time. And it starts with saying thank you And it starts with saying thank you And it starts with saying thank you because you enter the gates with because you enter the gates with because you enter the gates with thanksgiving. thanksgiving. thanksgiving. So So So how do you thank God how do you thank God how do you thank God when you get bad news from your doctor? when you get bad news from your doctor? when you get bad news from your doctor? How do you thank God when your finances How do you thank God when your finances How do you thank God when your finances are upside down? How do you thank God are upside down? How do you thank God are upside down? How do you thank God when your kids go off the deep end? How when your kids go off the deep end? How when your kids go off the deep end? How do you thank God when life is not do you thank God when life is not do you thank God when life is not turning out the way you wanted it to? turning out the way you wanted it to? turning out the way you wanted it to? In the dark times of life, how do you In the dark times of life, how do you In the dark times of life, how do you give him thanks? give him thanks? give him thanks? You do what Jesus did. You thank him You do what Jesus did. You thank him You do what Jesus did. You thank him ahead of time. ahead of time. ahead of time. In John 11 is the account of Jesus In John 11 is the account of Jesus In John 11 is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. raising Lazarus from the dead. raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus has been dead and buried for Lazarus has been dead and buried for Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days. So, he's ripe. All right. I four days. So, he's ripe. All right. I four days. So, he's ripe. All right. I love it in the King James. Martha says, love it in the King James. Martha says, love it in the King James. Martha says, "By now he stinkketh." I love that word, "By now he stinkketh." I love that word, "By now he stinkketh." I love that word, stinkketh. But do you ever have a time stinkketh. But do you ever have a time stinkketh. But do you ever have a time when your life stinkketh?

when your life stinkketh? when your life stinkketh? How do you thank God in a time like How do you thank God in a time like How do you thank God in a time like this? Here's what the Bible says. Look this? Here's what the Bible says. Look this? Here's what the Bible says. Look here on the screen. John 11, Jesus says, here on the screen. John 11, Jesus says, here on the screen. John 11, Jesus says, he's standing in front of this tomb. He he's standing in front of this tomb. He he's standing in front of this tomb. He says, "Father, I thank you that you have says, "Father, I thank you that you have says, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me." And when he had said this, heard me." And when he had said this, heard me." And when he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." And the dead man came out. come out." And the dead man came out. come out." And the dead man came out. What you notice when you read that that What you notice when you read that that What you notice when you read that that story is that Jesus thanked God before story is that Jesus thanked God before story is that Jesus thanked God before he raised Lazarus from the dead, not he raised Lazarus from the dead, not he raised Lazarus from the dead, not after. He thanked him before. after. He thanked him before. after. He thanked him before. You see, if you wait until after God has You see, if you wait until after God has You see, if you wait until after God has answered, well, that's gratitude and answered, well, that's gratitude and answered, well, that's gratitude and that's good. But if you thank him ahead that's good. But if you thank him ahead that's good. But if you thank him ahead of time for what you're believing that of time for what you're believing that of time for what you're believing that he will do, that's faith. he will do, that's faith. he will do, that's faith. The Bible says without faith, it's The Bible says without faith, it's The Bible says without faith, it's impossible to please God. You thank God impossible to please God. You thank God impossible to please God. You thank God ahead of time. You thank him for what ahead of time. You thank him for what ahead of time. You thank him for what you believe he will do. So here's the you believe he will do. So here's the you believe he will do. So here's the last thing you can write in your notes. last thing you can write in your notes. last thing you can write in your notes. Learn to see God's hand in everything Learn to see God's hand in everything Learn to see God's hand in everything and everything in God's hand.

and everything in God's hand. and everything in God's hand. It's something you learn. Learn to see It's something you learn. Learn to see It's something you learn. Learn to see God's hand in everything God's hand in everything God's hand in everything and everything in God's hand. This is and everything in God's hand. This is and everything in God's hand. This is not the power of positive thinking. This not the power of positive thinking. This not the power of positive thinking. This is the power of living by faith. It is is the power of living by faith. It is is the power of living by faith. It is the power of offering a sacrifice of the power of offering a sacrifice of the power of offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. So in your weakness, you thanksgiving. So in your weakness, you thanksgiving. So in your weakness, you say, "Lord, I thank you that you are my say, "Lord, I thank you that you are my say, "Lord, I thank you that you are my strength. My life is in your hands." In strength. My life is in your hands." In strength. My life is in your hands." In your poverty, you say, "Lord, I thank your poverty, you say, "Lord, I thank your poverty, you say, "Lord, I thank you that you are my provider." In your you that you are my provider." In your you that you are my provider." In your confusion, you say, "Lord, I thank you confusion, you say, "Lord, I thank you confusion, you say, "Lord, I thank you that you are my counselor." In your that you are my counselor." In your that you are my counselor." In your loneliness, you say, "Lord, I thank you loneliness, you say, "Lord, I thank you loneliness, you say, "Lord, I thank you that you are my friend." In your that you are my friend." In your that you are my friend." In your weariness, Lord, I thank you that you weariness, Lord, I thank you that you weariness, Lord, I thank you that you are my sustainer. In your hour of need, are my sustainer. In your hour of need, are my sustainer. In your hour of need, Lord, I thank you that you have Lord, I thank you that you have Lord, I thank you that you have everything I need and that you care more everything I need and that you care more everything I need and that you care more about my life than even I do. See, about my life than even I do. See, about my life than even I do. See, you're now thanking God ahead of time by you're now thanking God ahead of time by you're now thanking God ahead of time by faith, reminding yourself and reminding faith, reminding yourself and reminding faith, reminding yourself and reminding God of who he is. and what he has done. God of who he is. and what he has done. God of who he is. and what he has done. You just begin to thank him for what you You just begin to thank him for what you You just begin to thank him for what you believe that God will do.

believe that God will do. believe that God will do. Now, I'm not saying that worship is some Now, I'm not saying that worship is some Now, I'm not saying that worship is some kind of a magic key to worldly wealth. kind of a magic key to worldly wealth. kind of a magic key to worldly wealth. I'm not standing here saying that God I'm not standing here saying that God I'm not standing here saying that God wants all of us to be millionaires. wants all of us to be millionaires. wants all of us to be millionaires. That's not what I'm saying. Not at all. That's not what I'm saying. Not at all. That's not what I'm saying. Not at all. Certainly, he meets our needs, but Certainly, he meets our needs, but Certainly, he meets our needs, but there's so much more to it that God has there's so much more to it that God has there's so much more to it that God has in mind. Worship unlocks the door to the in mind. Worship unlocks the door to the in mind. Worship unlocks the door to the treasures of heaven. treasures of heaven. treasures of heaven. And those are treasures that cannot be And those are treasures that cannot be And those are treasures that cannot be measured. measured. measured. It unlocks the door to his unfailing It unlocks the door to his unfailing It unlocks the door to his unfailing love. It unlocks the door to peace that love. It unlocks the door to peace that love. It unlocks the door to peace that transcends all understanding. It unlocks transcends all understanding. It unlocks transcends all understanding. It unlocks the door to wisdom that is so far beyond the door to wisdom that is so far beyond the door to wisdom that is so far beyond our abilities. our abilities. our abilities. Strength for today, hope for tomorrow, Strength for today, hope for tomorrow, Strength for today, hope for tomorrow, daily bread, forgiveness of sins. All of daily bread, forgiveness of sins. All of daily bread, forgiveness of sins. All of these things these things these things await us at the throne of God. They are await us at the throne of God. They are await us at the throne of God. They are always available to us. We just have to always available to us. We just have to always available to us. We just have to come and get them. And we come by come and get them. And we come by come and get them. And we come by bringing ourself into alignment with God bringing ourself into alignment with God bringing ourself into alignment with God and saying, "You're God and I'm not. And and saying, "You're God and I'm not. And and saying, "You're God and I'm not. And I worship you and I remember who you are I worship you and I remember who you are I worship you and I remember who you are and what you've done, and I am bringing and what you've done, and I am bringing and what you've done, and I am bringing my life underneath your throne and your my life underneath your throne and your my life underneath your throne and your authority." [clears throat] authority." [clears throat] authority." [clears throat] Those are the untold riches of God's Those are the untold riches of God's Those are the untold riches of God's grace.

grace. grace. Now, I want to finish by telling you a Now, I want to finish by telling you a Now, I want to finish by telling you a story from my own life of how the story from my own life of how the story from my own life of how the principles that I've been talking with principles that I've been talking with principles that I've been talking with you about, how they actually came into you about, how they actually came into you about, how they actually came into being in my life. The story I'm telling being in my life. The story I'm telling being in my life. The story I'm telling you about, it was 23 years ago. I can't you about, it was 23 years ago. I can't you about, it was 23 years ago. I can't believe it's been 23 years. It's 23 believe it's been 23 years. It's 23 believe it's been 23 years. It's 23 years ago. I was not a pastor. years ago. I was not a pastor. years ago. I was not a pastor. And this is part of what led me to And this is part of what led me to And this is part of what led me to becoming a pastor, what I'm about to becoming a pastor, what I'm about to becoming a pastor, what I'm about to share with you. But I wasn't a pastor. I share with you. But I wasn't a pastor. I share with you. But I wasn't a pastor. I was just a guy that loved Jesus. But I was um working in a kind of a But I was um working in a kind of a ministry. I was the vice president of ministry. I was the vice president of ministry. I was the vice president of the largest worship music publishing and the largest worship music publishing and the largest worship music publishing and recording company in the world. recording company in the world. recording company in the world. So I was doing things for God. So I was doing things for God. So I was doing things for God. But But But along came along came along came a young college student a young college student a young college student with an idea of something called with an idea of something called with an idea of something called Napster. Napster. Napster. Anybody here remember Napster? Anybody here remember Napster? Anybody here remember Napster? Napster was the first free online music Napster was the first free online music Napster was the first free online music file sharing program where people no file sharing program where people no file sharing program where people no longer had to buy music. They could just longer had to buy music. They could just longer had to buy music. They could just get it for free off of Napster by get it for free off of Napster by get it for free off of Napster by trading it with their friends. It was trading it with their friends. It was trading it with their friends. It was brilliant.

brilliant. brilliant. It was also illegal It was also illegal It was also illegal and it was devastating to the record and it was devastating to the record and it was devastating to the record industry. In 2002 alone, in the first industry. In 2002 alone, in the first industry. In 2002 alone, in the first six months of that year, the entire six months of that year, the entire six months of that year, the entire industry lost 30% of its revenue. Well, industry lost 30% of its revenue. Well, industry lost 30% of its revenue. Well, any of you in business know it's pretty any of you in business know it's pretty any of you in business know it's pretty hard to stay in business if you lose 30% hard to stay in business if you lose 30% hard to stay in business if you lose 30% of your revenue in six months. So, I of your revenue in six months. So, I of your revenue in six months. So, I lost my job and our company sold. It was lost my job and our company sold. It was lost my job and our company sold. It was devastating. Now, I could have said to devastating. Now, I could have said to devastating. Now, I could have said to God, "Well, thanks a lot, God. Is this God, "Well, thanks a lot, God. Is this God, "Well, thanks a lot, God. Is this what I get after all of these years of what I get after all of these years of what I get after all of these years of serving you and producing worship music? serving you and producing worship music? serving you and producing worship music? Is this your way of saying add a boy Is this your way of saying add a boy Is this your way of saying add a boy buddy? buddy? buddy? Don't you owe me something for what I've Don't you owe me something for what I've Don't you owe me something for what I've done for you? Don't I deserve better? I done for you? Don't I deserve better? I done for you? Don't I deserve better? I could have acted entitled, could have acted entitled, could have acted entitled, but God didn't owe me anything. but God didn't owe me anything. but God didn't owe me anything. So, I had to make a choice. And I So, I had to make a choice. And I So, I had to make a choice. And I decided decided decided that I was going to trust God. I decided that I was going to trust God. I decided that I was going to trust God. I decided that I was going to put these principles that I was going to put these principles that I was going to put these principles that I've been sharing with you. I knew that I've been sharing with you. I knew that I've been sharing with you. I knew these things. I knew them in my head.

these things. I knew them in my head. these things. I knew them in my head. I wanted to know them in my heart. I I wanted to know them in my heart. I I wanted to know them in my heart. I wanted to know them through life wanted to know them through life wanted to know them through life experience. And God was certainly giving experience. And God was certainly giving experience. And God was certainly giving me an opportunity to learn these things me an opportunity to learn these things me an opportunity to learn these things through life experience. So I decided to through life experience. So I decided to through life experience. So I decided to go that way. And rather than grumble and go that way. And rather than grumble and go that way. And rather than grumble and complain, I decided that I was going to complain, I decided that I was going to complain, I decided that I was going to thank him. thank him. thank him. And I made a decision. And it was some And I made a decision. And it was some And I made a decision. And it was some people might say that was a weird people might say that was a weird people might say that was a weird decision. Well, I'm a weird person. But decision. Well, I'm a weird person. But decision. Well, I'm a weird person. But the decision I made was that I was not the decision I made was that I was not the decision I made was that I was not going to ask God for anything. going to ask God for anything. going to ask God for anything. Now, yes, the Bible says ask and keep on Now, yes, the Bible says ask and keep on Now, yes, the Bible says ask and keep on asking. The Bible is filled with asking. The Bible is filled with asking. The Bible is filled with commands and verses about travailing in commands and verses about travailing in commands and verses about travailing in prayer and asking God. But I wanted to prayer and asking God. But I wanted to prayer and asking God. But I wanted to put my faith to the test in what I put my faith to the test in what I put my faith to the test in what I believed was true about worship and believed was true about worship and believed was true about worship and bringing my life under the bringing my life under the bringing my life under the accountability, underneath the accountability, underneath the accountability, underneath the authority, underneath the provision of authority, underneath the provision of authority, underneath the provision of God's throne by being a worshshiper. So God's throne by being a worshshiper. So God's throne by being a worshshiper. So I decided not to ask him for anything, I decided not to ask him for anything, I decided not to ask him for anything, but instead I was just going to thank but instead I was just going to thank but instead I was just going to thank him and worship him every day because I him and worship him every day because I him and worship him every day because I knew that he knew and I knew that he knew that he knew and I knew that he knew that he knew and I knew that he cared more about my family than even I cared more about my family than even I cared more about my family than even I did.

So every day as I drove in my car, So every day as I drove in my car, I used my car like a sanctuary. I turned I used my car like a sanctuary. I turned I used my car like a sanctuary. I turned off the radio and I just worshiped the off the radio and I just worshiped the off the radio and I just worshiped the Lord. I sang to him in my car. Doesn't Lord. I sang to him in my car. Doesn't Lord. I sang to him in my car. Doesn't matter if you don't have a good voice. matter if you don't have a good voice. matter if you don't have a good voice. God gave it to you. If you didn't like God gave it to you. If you didn't like God gave it to you. If you didn't like it, he'll give you another one. it, he'll give you another one. it, he'll give you another one. But I sang to the Lord and I worshiped But I sang to the Lord and I worshiped But I sang to the Lord and I worshiped him. I thanked him for everything he had him. I thanked him for everything he had him. I thanked him for everything he had done. I worshiped him as my counselor. I done. I worshiped him as my counselor. I done. I worshiped him as my counselor. I never asked him for wisdom. I said, ' never asked him for wisdom. I said, ' never asked him for wisdom. I said, ' God, I worship you as my counselor. You God, I worship you as my counselor. You God, I worship you as my counselor. You have more wisdom than anyone in the have more wisdom than anyone in the have more wisdom than anyone in the universe. You know more than I could universe. You know more than I could universe. You know more than I could ever know, and I know that you are a ever know, and I know that you are a ever know, and I know that you are a continual source of wisdom to people who continual source of wisdom to people who continual source of wisdom to people who worship you. I worship you today. I worship you. I worship you today. I worship you. I worship you today. I didn't ask God to to provide for my didn't ask God to to provide for my didn't ask God to to provide for my family. family. family. I just said, "Lord, you are my provider. I just said, "Lord, you are my provider. I just said, "Lord, you are my provider. You have met every need we've ever had. You have met every need we've ever had. You have met every need we've ever had. There is no end no end to your There is no end no end to your There is no end no end to your abundance. and I worship you today as my abundance. and I worship you today as my abundance. and I worship you today as my provider. I didn't ask God for provider. I didn't ask God for provider. I didn't ask God for direction. I just said, "Lord, I know direction. I just said, "Lord, I know direction. I just said, "Lord, I know that you are my guide. You said in your that you are my guide. You said in your that you are my guide. You said in your word that if I commit my way to you, word that if I commit my way to you, word that if I commit my way to you, you'll direct my path." And so, Lord, I you'll direct my path." And so, Lord, I you'll direct my path." And so, Lord, I worship you today as my guide, trusting worship you today as my guide, trusting worship you today as my guide, trusting that you will lead me because that's who that you will lead me because that's who that you will lead me because that's who you are. And I did this over and over you are. And I did this over and over you are. And I did this over and over and over. Whenever there was fear, and over. Whenever there was fear, and over. Whenever there was fear, whenever there was worry, whenever I was whenever there was worry, whenever I was whenever there was worry, whenever I was feeling sorry for myself, I would just feeling sorry for myself, I would just feeling sorry for myself, I would just stop and worship God and turn my heart stop and worship God and turn my heart stop and worship God and turn my heart to him. And I didn't ask him for to him. And I didn't ask him for to him. And I didn't ask him for anything.

anything. anything. But God was faithful to his word. But God was faithful to his word. But God was faithful to his word. He provided miraculously for my family He provided miraculously for my family He provided miraculously for my family and brought us through what we were and brought us through what we were and brought us through what we were going through. He took care of every going through. He took care of every going through. He took care of every need that we had. need that we had. need that we had. He was there. He was engaged. And it was He was there. He was engaged. And it was He was there. He was engaged. And it was because I had brought myself into because I had brought myself into because I had brought myself into alignment with God's throne. So I have a alignment with God's throne. So I have a alignment with God's throne. So I have a story to tell today of God's story to tell today of God's story to tell today of God's faithfulness. He will not let you fall. faithfulness. He will not let you fall. faithfulness. He will not let you fall. You come to him. You worship him with You come to him. You worship him with You come to him. You worship him with your words, with your thoughts, with your words, with your thoughts, with your words, with your thoughts, with your life. you trust him to say, "God, I your life. you trust him to say, "God, I your life. you trust him to say, "God, I don't understand this situation, but I don't understand this situation, but I don't understand this situation, but I do think I understand something about do think I understand something about do think I understand something about you that this is who you are because you that this is who you are because you that this is who you are because I've seen it in your word. And Lord, I'm I've seen it in your word. And Lord, I'm I've seen it in your word. And Lord, I'm taking you at your word, and I worship taking you at your word, and I worship taking you at your word, and I worship you today as my God and my King and my you today as my God and my King and my you today as my God and my King and my Savior." And I worship him that way. I Savior." And I worship him that way. I Savior." And I worship him that way. I stood in the river of God's grace.

stood in the river of God's grace. stood in the river of God's grace. I surrendered my life to him. And he was I surrendered my life to him. And he was I surrendered my life to him. And he was faithful. He met every need. And it faithful. He met every need. And it faithful. He met every need. And it taught my kids a lesson about faith. taught my kids a lesson about faith. taught my kids a lesson about faith. It taught my kids a lesson about how to It taught my kids a lesson about how to It taught my kids a lesson about how to trust God because they were watching dad trust God because they were watching dad trust God because they were watching dad and mom trust God. and mom trust God. and mom trust God. And I can now tell you from personal And I can now tell you from personal And I can now tell you from personal experience experience experience that what I'm sharing with you today, that what I'm sharing with you today, that what I'm sharing with you today, what I'm teaching you, these principles, what I'm teaching you, these principles, what I'm teaching you, these principles, it's true. it's true. it's true. It's true. It's true. It's true. It's effective. It's effective. It's effective. And God will move on your behalf when And God will move on your behalf when And God will move on your behalf when you move toward him in worship. His you move toward him in worship. His you move toward him in worship. His grace is always available to you. You grace is always available to you. You grace is always available to you. You just need to make yourself available to just need to make yourself available to just need to make yourself available to his grace. And you do it by worshiping his grace. And you do it by worshiping his grace. And you do it by worshiping him and giving him thanks. So I want to him and giving him thanks. So I want to him and giving him thanks. So I want to ask you today, what are you thankful ask you today, what are you thankful ask you today, what are you thankful for? for? for? What has God done for you? And have you What has God done for you? And have you What has God done for you? And have you stopped to say thank you to him? stopped to say thank you to him? stopped to say thank you to him? Thanksgiving matters to God. Thanksgiving matters to God. Thanksgiving matters to God. It should matter to us, too. It's for It should matter to us, too. It's for It should matter to us, too. It's for our benefit, not for his. And it's not our benefit, not for his. And it's not our benefit, not for his. And it's not just something you do once a year with a just something you do once a year with a just something you do once a year with a belly full of turkey.

belly full of turkey. belly full of turkey. It should become a habit, a lifestyle of It should become a habit, a lifestyle of It should become a habit, a lifestyle of gratitude. I've made it a habit. Anybody gratitude. I've made it a habit. Anybody gratitude. I've made it a habit. Anybody who's ever prayed any prayer with me any who's ever prayed any prayer with me any who's ever prayed any prayer with me any place, any time knows I've made it a place, any time knows I've made it a place, any time knows I've made it a habit. I always start prayer with thank habit. I always start prayer with thank habit. I always start prayer with thank you. Always. you. Always. you. Always. Because you enter his gates with Because you enter his gates with Because you enter his gates with thanksgiving. thanksgiving. thanksgiving. and you can make it a habit. and you can make it a habit. and you can make it a habit. The great 17th century theologian The great 17th century theologian The great 17th century theologian Matthew Henry, he says, "Thanksgiving is Matthew Henry, he says, "Thanksgiving is Matthew Henry, he says, "Thanksgiving is good, but Thanksgiving is better." good, but Thanksgiving is better." good, but Thanksgiving is better." So, I want to challenge us as a So, I want to challenge us as a So, I want to challenge us as a congregation, as a church, all of our congregation, as a church, all of our congregation, as a church, all of our campuses all over the world. campuses all over the world. campuses all over the world. Let's make these next what 30 days, how Let's make these next what 30 days, how Let's make these next what 30 days, how many days is it till Christmas? 25. many days is it till Christmas? 25. many days is it till Christmas? 25. Let's make the next See how it made it I Let's make the next See how it made it I Let's make the next See how it made it I just made it easier. It's only 25. Make just made it easier. It's only 25. Make just made it easier. It's only 25. Make the next 25 days a month of gratitude. the next 25 days a month of gratitude. the next 25 days a month of gratitude. Not just one day that we did on Not just one day that we did on Not just one day that we did on Thursday, but every single day. Here's Thursday, but every single day. Here's Thursday, but every single day. Here's my challenge. When you wake up in the my challenge. When you wake up in the my challenge. When you wake up in the morning and when you go to bed at night, morning and when you go to bed at night, morning and when you go to bed at night, take an inventory and make a list of 10 take an inventory and make a list of 10 take an inventory and make a list of 10 things you're thankful for and thank the things you're thankful for and thank the things you're thankful for and thank the Lord for them. Just tell him 10 things Lord for them. Just tell him 10 things Lord for them. Just tell him 10 things you're thankful for. Make this a month you're thankful for. Make this a month you're thankful for. Make this a month of gratitude to God. No matter what of gratitude to God. No matter what of gratitude to God. No matter what you're facing right now, no matter how you're facing right now, no matter how you're facing right now, no matter how hard things are right now, thank him hard things are right now, thank him hard things are right now, thank him ahead of time. It may be a problem ahead of time. It may be a problem ahead of time. It may be a problem you're facing, thank him for the answer you're facing, thank him for the answer you're facing, thank him for the answer that you believe is coming,

that you believe is coming, that you believe is coming, thank him for who he is and what he's thank him for who he is and what he's thank him for who he is and what he's done and offer your gratitude to God. done and offer your gratitude to God. done and offer your gratitude to God. Let it become a month of gratitude. And Let it become a month of gratitude. And Let it become a month of gratitude. And by thanking God, you will be making by thanking God, you will be making by thanking God, you will be making yourself more and more available to the yourself more and more available to the yourself more and more available to the flow of his grace and power in your flow of his grace and power in your flow of his grace and power in your life. You will be coming closer to God life. You will be coming closer to God life. You will be coming closer to God and you will be awakening a deeper and you will be awakening a deeper and you will be awakening a deeper hunger for God because wow, once you've hunger for God because wow, once you've hunger for God because wow, once you've tasted it, you just got to have more. tasted it, you just got to have more. tasted it, you just got to have more. I think it was Pascal that said that I think it was Pascal that said that I think it was Pascal that said that there's this there's this there's this God-shaped or this void in life, God-shaped or this void in life, God-shaped or this void in life, God-shaped void only God can fill. Is God-shaped void only God can fill. Is God-shaped void only God can fill. Is that how it goes, Tom? that how it goes, Tom? that how it goes, Tom? And I thought about that and I realized, And I thought about that and I realized, And I thought about that and I realized, you know what, Pascal is wrong. you know what, Pascal is wrong. you know what, Pascal is wrong. God can't even fill the God-shaped void God can't even fill the God-shaped void God can't even fill the God-shaped void because with every encounter, the desire because with every encounter, the desire because with every encounter, the desire gets bigger. gets bigger. gets bigger. You got to have more. Every encounter You got to have more. Every encounter You got to have more. Every encounter with God, you want more and more and with God, you want more and more and with God, you want more and more and more. Even God doesn't fill the desire more. Even God doesn't fill the desire more. Even God doesn't fill the desire for God because he always makes more for God because he always makes more for God because he always makes more room for himself. So just say thank you room for himself. So just say thank you room for himself. So just say thank you and see what God does with the attitude and see what God does with the attitude and see what God does with the attitude of your heart of your heart of your heart and see how he and see how he and see how he comes to your rescue comes to your rescue comes to your rescue and shows himself to be faithful to you.

and shows himself to be faithful to you. and shows himself to be faithful to you. I want us to pray together about these I want us to pray together about these I want us to pray together about these things. After we pray, we're going to things. After we pray, we're going to things. After we pray, we're going to share communion today. But let me just share communion today. But let me just share communion today. But let me just pray for us. Would you bow your heads? And as I pray, let let my prayer be your And as I pray, let let my prayer be your prayer. In fact, why don't you just prayer. In fact, why don't you just prayer. In fact, why don't you just start in your own in the quietness of start in your own in the quietness of start in your own in the quietness of your heart, just start and thank the your heart, just start and thank the your heart, just start and thank the Lord. Just tell him thank you. Thank him Lord. Just tell him thank you. Thank him Lord. Just tell him thank you. Thank him for something. Just tell him thank you. for something. Just tell him thank you. for something. Just tell him thank you. Go ahead. Lord, we thank you for the gift of Lord, we thank you for the gift of prayer. We thank you that you hear our prayer. We thank you that you hear our prayer. We thank you that you hear our voices. We thank you, Lord, for your voices. We thank you, Lord, for your voices. We thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness, your kindness, your mercy, faithfulness, your kindness, your mercy, faithfulness, your kindness, your mercy, your generosity, your generosity, your generosity, for your love for us. for your love for us. for your love for us. We thank you Lord. We worship you today We thank you Lord. We worship you today We thank you Lord. We worship you today as our provider, as our king, as our as our provider, as our king, as our as our provider, as our king, as our friend, our savior.

friend, our savior. friend, our savior. Lord, we worship you as our God, as our Lord, we worship you as our God, as our Lord, we worship you as our God, as our king. king. king. Lord, I pray for each person in this Lord, I pray for each person in this Lord, I pray for each person in this place. Whatever trial or hardship place. Whatever trial or hardship place. Whatever trial or hardship challenge that they might be facing, challenge that they might be facing, challenge that they might be facing, Lord, would you stir up in them a faith Lord, would you stir up in them a faith Lord, would you stir up in them a faith to believe that you are at work. You are to believe that you are at work. You are to believe that you are at work. You are active in their life. Lord, let them see active in their life. Lord, let them see active in their life. Lord, let them see signs of your hand. signs of your hand. signs of your hand. Lord, remind all of us of the things Lord, remind all of us of the things Lord, remind all of us of the things you've already done. bring them back to you've already done. bring them back to you've already done. bring them back to our memory so that we can say thank you our memory so that we can say thank you our memory so that we can say thank you and that we can bring ourselves into an and that we can bring ourselves into an and that we can bring ourselves into an alignment with the flow of your grace alignment with the flow of your grace alignment with the flow of your grace and power. and power. and power. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. We're going to spend a few minutes in We're going to spend a few minutes in We're going to spend a few minutes in communion. communion. communion. You know, in in some traditions they You know, in in some traditions they You know, in in some traditions they call it uh Eucharist. call it uh Eucharist. call it uh Eucharist. It's appropriate that we're celebrating It's appropriate that we're celebrating It's appropriate that we're celebrating Eucharist. You know what Eucharist Eucharist. You know what Eucharist Eucharist. You know what Eucharist means? The word means thanksgiving. means? The word means thanksgiving. means? The word means thanksgiving. That's what it means. Look here on the That's what it means. Look here on the That's what it means. Look here on the screen. Here's a verse about this. 1 screen. Here's a verse about this. 1 screen. Here's a verse about this. 1 Corinthians 10:16 says, "Is not the cup Corinthians 10:16 says, "Is not the cup Corinthians 10:16 says, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks of thanksgiving for which we give thanks of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?

a participation in the blood of Christ? a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a And is not the bread that we break a And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" participation in the body of Christ?" participation in the body of Christ?" See, in scripture, it's saying it's the See, in scripture, it's saying it's the See, in scripture, it's saying it's the cup of thanksgiving. cup of thanksgiving. cup of thanksgiving. And so, that's what we're sharing And so, that's what we're sharing And so, that's what we're sharing tonight. It's our opportunity together tonight. It's our opportunity together tonight. It's our opportunity together as a family, as a church family, to as a family, as a church family, to as a family, as a church family, to thank God, to thank Jesus for his thank God, to thank Jesus for his thank God, to thank Jesus for his sacrifice and what he's done for us. So, sacrifice and what he's done for us. So, sacrifice and what he's done for us. So, I want to ask you, if you take just the I want to ask you, if you take just the I want to ask you, if you take just the bread part out, you always have to open bread part out, you always have to open bread part out, you always have to open the bread part first because otherwise the bread part first because otherwise the bread part first because otherwise you're going to make a mess. So, take you're going to make a mess. So, take you're going to make a mess. So, take the bread part out first. The Bible says on the night Jesus was The Bible says on the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread and when he had betrayed, he took bread and when he had betrayed, he took bread and when he had given thanks, given thanks, given thanks, that's why we call it Eucharist. that's why we call it Eucharist. that's why we call it Eucharist. He broke it and said, "This is my body He broke it and said, "This is my body He broke it and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance which is for you. Do this in remembrance which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." of me." of me." Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love, Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love, Lord Jesus, we thank you for your love, your faithfulness, your courage your faithfulness, your courage your faithfulness, your courage that your body was broken so that we that your body was broken so that we that your body was broken so that we could be made whole and restored to God could be made whole and restored to God could be made whole and restored to God himself. Lord, we thank you for your himself. Lord, we thank you for your himself. Lord, we thank you for your sacrifice.

sacrifice. sacrifice. And so we take this bread today, And so we take this bread today, And so we take this bread today, remembering remembering remembering all you've done for us. We do this in all you've done for us. We do this in all you've done for us. We do this in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen. Let's eat your name, Lord Jesus. Amen. Let's eat your name, Lord Jesus. Amen. Let's eat together. I should have put this verse on the I should have put this verse on the screen, but I didn't think of it till screen, but I didn't think of it till screen, but I didn't think of it till just now. Psalm 116, I believe it's just now. Psalm 116, I believe it's just now. Psalm 116, I believe it's verse 5 says, "How can I say thanks for verse 5 says, "How can I say thanks for verse 5 says, "How can I say thanks for all your goodness to me? I will lift up all your goodness to me? I will lift up all your goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation the cup of salvation the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. and call on the name of the Lord. and call on the name of the Lord. I will lift up the cup of s. How can I I will lift up the cup of s. How can I I will lift up the cup of s. How can I say that? It's it's a Thanksgiving say that? It's it's a Thanksgiving say that? It's it's a Thanksgiving communion verse. And so that's what we communion verse. And so that's what we communion verse. And so that's what we do. In fact, I want to invite you lift do. In fact, I want to invite you lift do. In fact, I want to invite you lift your cup. your cup. your cup. My friends, I've said it before. This My friends, I've said it before. This My friends, I've said it before. This cup is not a memorial to a dead man. cup is not a memorial to a dead man. cup is not a memorial to a dead man. It's a toast to a risen savior, the King It's a toast to a risen savior, the King It's a toast to a risen savior, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. And we of Kings, the Lord of Lords. And we of Kings, the Lord of Lords. And we remember his sacrifice. We remember his remember his sacrifice. We remember his remember his sacrifice. We remember his death. And we remember his resurrection.

death. And we remember his resurrection. death. And we remember his resurrection. The Bible says after supper, Jesus took The Bible says after supper, Jesus took The Bible says after supper, Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new the cup and said, "This cup is the new the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. covenant in my blood. covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in Do this as often as you drink it in Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me." And so that's what remembrance of me." And so that's what remembrance of me." And so that's what we're doing today. Lord Jesus, we thank we're doing today. Lord Jesus, we thank we're doing today. Lord Jesus, we thank you. You are the captain of our you. You are the captain of our you. You are the captain of our salvation. You are our king, our savior, salvation. You are our king, our savior, salvation. You are our king, our savior, the friend of sinners. You did for us the friend of sinners. You did for us the friend of sinners. You did for us what only you could do. And so we what only you could do. And so we what only you could do. And so we remember today the sacrifice of your remember today the sacrifice of your remember today the sacrifice of your shed blood to cover our sins shed blood to cover our sins shed blood to cover our sins to bring us to buy us forgiveness and a to bring us to buy us forgiveness and a to bring us to buy us forgiveness and a right standing with our heavenly father. right standing with our heavenly father. right standing with our heavenly father. Lord Jesus, we lift these cups to you. Lord Jesus, we lift these cups to you. Lord Jesus, we lift these cups to you. And we look to the day when once again And we look to the day when once again And we look to the day when once again we will gather with believers through we will gather with believers through we will gather with believers through the centuries and across the globe at the centuries and across the globe at the centuries and across the globe at the marriage supper of the lamb. and we the marriage supper of the lamb. and we the marriage supper of the lamb. and we lift our glasses and remember once again lift our glasses and remember once again lift our glasses and remember once again how we got there and all that you've how we got there and all that you've how we got there and all that you've done for us. So Lord, we drink this now done for us. So Lord, we drink this now done for us. So Lord, we drink this now in your name. Amen. Let's drink in your name. Amen. Let's drink in your name. Amen. Let's drink together.

Well, let's continue to worship with one Well, let's continue to worship with one more song. For from you are all things and to you For from you are all things and to you are all [music] things. are all [music] things. are all [music] things. You deserve the glory. [singing] for [music and singing] from you are all for [music and singing] from you are all things and to you are all things. things and to you are all things. things and to you are all things. You deserve [music and singing] You deserve [music and singing] You deserve [music and singing] glory. [music] Day and night and [singing] day.

[music] Day and night and [singing] day. This is [music] the wor. [music] [music] You worthy of it all. [music and singing] [music and singing] You're worthy of you. [music] For you all [music] For you all [music] and to you are always and to you are always and to you are always you deserve [music] glory. you deserve [music] glory. you deserve [music] glory. Deserve it all. Deserve it all. Deserve it all. You're worthy [music] You're worthy [music] You're worthy [music] of all. [music] [music] You're worthy of your hand and to you are all hand and to you are all [music] from you.

[music] from you. [music] from you. And to you all things And to you all things And to you all things you all [music] you all [music] you all [music] to you. >> Well, thank you for joining us for >> Well, thank you for joining us for church today. [music] I'm so grateful church today. [music] I'm so grateful church today. [music] I'm so grateful that you were here, that we got to that you were here, that we got to that you were here, that we got to worship together and take communion. It worship together and take communion. It worship together and take communion. It was a great message from Pastor [music] was a great message from Pastor [music] was a great message from Pastor [music] Buddy and my prayer and my hope for you Buddy and my prayer and my hope for you Buddy and my prayer and my hope for you and for our online community is that we and for our online community is that we and for our online community is that we would be a people of gratitude that we would be a people of gratitude that we would be a people of gratitude that we would be giving [music] thanks not just would be giving [music] thanks not just would be giving [music] thanks not just through this past week of Thanksgiving through this past week of Thanksgiving through this past week of Thanksgiving and as we celebrated but every single and as we celebrated but every single and as we celebrated but every single day we would take a moment to pause and day we would take a moment to pause and day we would take a moment to pause and to remember God's [music] goodness and to remember God's [music] goodness and to remember God's [music] goodness and to remember his blessings upon our lives to remember his blessings upon our lives to remember his blessings upon our lives that all good things are from him and that all good things are from him and that all good things are from him and that we can worship him through our that we can worship him through our that we can worship him through our thanksgiving [music] and grow in our thanksgiving [music] and grow in our thanksgiving [music] and grow in our faith as well. church family, we love faith as well. church family, we love faith as well. church family, we love you so much. If there's anything that you so much. If there's anything that you so much. If there's anything that you need prayer for, we would love to be you need prayer for, we would love to be you need prayer for, we would love to be praying for you. So, you can let us know praying for you. So, you can let us know praying for you. So, you can let us know by clicking the link in the description by clicking the link in the description by clicking the link in the description or letting us know through the or letting us know through the or letting us know through the Saddleback [music] app as well. And I Saddleback [music] app as well. And I Saddleback [music] app as well. And I hope that you join us again next week as hope that you join us again next week as hope that you join us again next week as we start our Christmas series. So, we'll we start our Christmas series. So, we'll we start our Christmas series. So, we'll see you again next week.