9 Reasons Not To Give Thanks

Application Point
Thanksgiving leads us into the presence of God, but ungratefulness always leads us away from God.

Scripture Text
Luke 17:11-19

Last Sunday, we read the story of the 10 lepers.  Only 1 returned to give thanks to Jesus.  What happened to the other 9?  We may never really know.  However, perhaps these 9 reasons not to give thanks influenced them:

• Taking Blessings For Granted
• Busyness
• Self-Sufficiency
• Bitterness & Hardship
• Comparing With Others
• Forgetfulness
• Feeling Entitled
• Lack Of Intentional Practice
• Not Recognizing God As The Source

I don't know about you, but I can relate to nearly all of these "excuses."  Unfortunately, these things lead us away from Jesus.  Thanksgiving will lead us to Him.  And that's where I want to be.

On the continuum of thanks, only giving thanks will suffice.  We can be ungrateful and we can even be grateful without giving thanks, but that does not help our relationship with Jesus.

<------------ Ungratefulness --------------- Gratefulness --------------- Thanksgiving ------------>

Only thanksgiving leads us to Him.  Give thanks.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message?
2. What are some practical ways you can be intentionally thankful to God?
3. What are some possible ways you can incorporate spontaneous thanksgiving in your life?
4. How has a grateful person affected your life? How does someone with an ungrateful attitude influence your life?
5. Pray out loud by completing this single sentence, “Father, I thank you because… ”