Count Your Blessings: The Power of Gratitude

Sermon Notes

Bible Reference:

• Psalm 103:1–2 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
• Psalm 100:4 – “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.”
• Luke 17:11–19 – The ten lepers and the one who returned to give thanks
• John 11:41–44 – Jesus gave thanks before raising Lazarus
• Psalm 126:1–3 – “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion…”
• Psalm 84:11 – “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

Introduction:

As the year draws to a close, God calls His people to pause, reflect, and intentionally cultivate a heart of gratitude. Gratitude is not a suggestion for believers; it is a command and a lifestyle. The ability to look back from January till now and still say “Thank You, Lord” is proof of God’s sustaining grace.

Only the living can praise the Lord. Every breath, every journey, every preservation, and every victory—seen and unseen—demands thanksgiving.

key points:

1.Gratitude Acknowledges God as the Source

Everything we have—life, health, provision, protection, salvation—comes from God alone.

• James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above.
  Thanksgiving is our way of acknowledging God’s lordship and faithfulness.

‎2.Gratitude Glorifies God

When we give thanks, we return glory to God without sharing it with anyone else.

• Jesus gave thanks before raising Lazarus, and the miracle brought glory to God (John 11:41–42).
  Gratitude shifts attention from the gift to the Giver.

‎3.Gratitude Opens the Door for More

Thanksgiving positions believers for increase.

• God is pleased with gratitude and delights in doing more for a thankful heart.
• The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was not just healed—he was made whole (Luke 17:19).

4.Gratitude Helps Us See God More Clearly

The more we thank God, the more we recognize His hand at work.

• Gratitude sharpens spiritual vision.
• Complaining blinds us; thanksgiving enlightens us.

5.Gratitude Defeats Satan’s Lies

Satan thrives on lack-focus and dissatisfaction.

• Adam and Eve lost Eden by focusing on what they didn’t have.
• Thanksgiving keeps believers grounded in God’s goodness and promises.
  

6.Gratitude Aligns Us with the Will of God

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Giving thanks in all things is God’s will.
  Gratitude keeps believers spiritually aligned and protected.

7.Gratitude Produces Joy and Restoration

• Psalm 126 shows that thanksgiving restores joy after captivity.
  Gratitude turns pain into praise and mourning into dancing.

CONCLUSION.

Gratitude is not seasonal—it is a way of life. As believers, we must move from constant asking to intentional thanking. God has done too much for us to remain silent. When we count our blessings one by one, we will be surprised at what the Lord has done.

A grateful heart attracts God’s presence, multiplies blessings, silences the enemy, and secures our future.

PRAYER POINTS:

1. 1. Prayer of Thanksgiving
      Father, thank You for life, preservation, salvation, and every unseen battle You fought for me.
   2. Grace to Live a Thankful Life
      Lord, give me the grace to cultivate a heart of gratitude in all circumstances.
   3. Restoration and Wholeness
      Every dead or broken area of my life, receive restoration as I give thanks in Jesus’ name.
   4. Protection and Preservation
      Lord, as You have kept me from January till now, keep me and my household till the end and beyond.
   5. Alignment with God’s Will
      Father, let my thanksgiving keep me in Your perfect will and purpose.
   Overflowing Joy
   My joy shall not be stolen; my mouth shall be filled with praise continually.

“Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
— Psalm 103:2

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