The Gratitude Series
The Foundation of Gratitude

Sunday November 5, 2023 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Philippians 1

Series Overview

In this four-part sermon series, we will explore the theme of gratitude in the book of Philippians. We will discover how a heart filled with gratitude can lead to lasting joy and contentment.

The Foundation of Gratitude: Philippians 1

We'll begin by establishing the foundation of gratitude in our faith and how gratitude is deeply intertwined with a Christian's life and mission.

1. Gratitude for Fellowship in the Gospel (Philippians 1:3-5)

Verse 3-5 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. In these verses, Paul expresses his deep gratitude for the Philippians and their partnership in spreading the

gospel. He thanks God for them every time he remembers them and is filled with joy as he prays for them.

Verse 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Grace is the foundation of gratitude.
2. Gratitude is rooted in recognizing and appreciating the support and partnership of others in our spiritual journey.

Barrier: Resentment acts as a barrier to forming relationships and obstructs our ability to acknowledge and provide support to others.

Gratitude is recognizing and receiving the gifts of others.

1. We forget that the greater joy for other people is to realize that they have something to give to us.
2. We should be thankful for those who share in our mission and faith.
3. We have a desire to give things to people so that we can be on the giving side.

Remembrance
This spiritual journey toward genuine gratitude is not always easy. It requires prayer and a deep trust in the divine plan. As long as we compartmentalize our lives, clinging to the memories and people we cherish while shunning those we would rather forget, we cannot fully embrace the richness of our existence as a divine gift.

Moving Towards Gratitude

The opposite of resentment is gratitude

1. Gratitude is more than an occasional ? "Thank you"
2. Gratitude is the attitude that enables us to let go of anger, receive the hidden gifts of those we want to serve, and make these gifts visible to the community as a source of celebration. (Nouwen)

Gratitude is at the heart of celebration and ministry.

1. Our ministry is to allow people to show us the Lord in their own way, and gratefully to acknowledge what we are receiving.

How Can We Move From Resentment to Gratitude

1. Move toward something more life giving
2. Have an attitude of gratitude.

How can we break through the chains of resentment ?

1. Confess our resentments within a safe and supportive faith community
2. Confession create space for forgiveness and freedom.
3. God's liberating grace is able to make all things new.
4. A new song and develop a new spirit of thanksgiving will birth

Spiritual formation through spiritual practice

1. Spiritual formation as a means of personal growth and transformation
2. Transformation of resentment into gratitude through spiritual practice
3. Letting go of jealousy and bitterness as part of the spiritual journey
4. Forgiving and affirming others as a way to build positive relationships
5. Turning rivals into friends and competitors into companions through spiritual development

II. Confidence in God's Work (Philippians 1:6)

Verse 6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

1. Gratitude is built on trust in God's faithfulness and His ongoing work in our lives and the lives of others.
2. Paul's confidence in God's work is a source of gratitude. He believes that God, who started a good work in the Philippians, will continue to work in and through them until the day of Christ.
3. Gratitude is built on trust in God's faithfulness and His ongoing work in our lives and the lives of others.
4. Do not to fear the comprehensive review of our life's experiences. Examine everything and be confident that we will discover the guiding hand of a loving God at work.

III. Rejoicing in All Circumstances (Philippians 1:18-21)

Verse 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

1. Gratitude is not dependent on favorable circumstances but can be found in the recognition of God's purposes and the glory of Christ in all situations.
2. Paul's attitude of rejoicing, even in difficult circumstances, highlights the foundation of gratitude. He rejoices because Christ is preached, regardless of the motives of those preaching.
3. Rejoicing happens when we move from resentment to gratitude. The spiritual life is one of gratitude.

Can you be grateful for everything that has happened in your life --- not just for the good things but for all that has brought you to this day?

1. God's Son's suffering brought forth Christians
2. Your own suffering led you to where you are today
3. Find inspiration amid life's challenges
4. True test: Gratitude in both good and bad times
5. Embrace joy, sorrow, success, failure, rewards, and rejections

IV. Suffering with Purpose (Philippians 1:29-30)

Verse 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

Gratitude is rooted in the understanding that even in suffering, God's purposes are being fulfilled.

1. Suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege granted to believers.
2. Gratitude is not limited to blessings but can also be found in the midst of challenges when we know we are sharing in Christ's sufferings.

Servanthood might sound like a pious idea, but it really asks for the humble recognition that

1. Servanthood requires humility
2. Life is a gift to be shared
3. All we have is given to us
4. Gratitude and giving thanks are our responsibilities

SUMMARY

The foundation of gratitude in this passage from Philippians 1 is based on

1. Fellowship in the gospel
2. Confidence in God's work
3. Rejoicing in all circumstances
4. The recognition of purpose in suffering for Christ's sake.

APPLICATION

I. Help people and let them help us gradually to let go of resentment and to discover that right in the middle of the pain there is a blessing for which we can be grateful.

1. Right in the middle of tears, the dance of joy can be felt.
2. Seen from below, from a human perspective, there is an enormous difference between good times and bad, between sorrow and joy.
3. But from above, in the eyes of God, sorrow and joy are never separated. Where there is pain, there is also healing. Where there is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the kingdom.

II. Be a simple joy and grateful presence. A simple joy and grateful presence can help people become more grateful for life even with pain.

1. Ministers, disciples of Jesus, go where there is pain, not because we are masochists, but because God is hidden in the pain and suffering of the world.

III. Be Grateful: Gratitude can chip away the many layers of resentments. We can turn our dancing into mourning.