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An Overflowing Heart

An Overflowing Heart: Growing in Gratitude

 

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name” (Psalm 100:4, NASB). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NASB)

 

Introduction: The Power of Gratitude

Today marks an exciting new chapter for us as we kick off our 2025 theme, "Overflow." This year, we are focusing on growth—growth in our faith, our relationships, and our impact as a church. To launch this journey, we’re diving into what it means to live with an overflowing heart, specifically through the lens of gratitude.

Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good emotion; it’s a spiritual discipline. Psalm 100:4 reminds us to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Gratitude is the key that unlocks the door to God’s presence. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we already have in Christ. It’s a powerful force that not only changes our perspective but also aligns our hearts with God’s will.

 

Gratitude – The English word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word “Gratus” which means “thankful” or “pleasing”. The root word for gratus is linked to other English words like: grace, gratuity and gratis (without charge), all of which convey positive feelings, actions, and ideas. The Proto-Indo-European (PIE – the language from which English evolved) root of gratus is gwere, which means "to praise, to celebrate; to be in contact with the Divine". So let me make a few highlights here:

  • Gratitude is linked to grace
  • Gratitude is “without charge” – NO STRINGS ATTACHED
  • Gratitude is only conveyed through “Positivity”
  • Gratitude is seen through “personal” feelings, actions, and ideas (thoughts)
  • Gratitude is a “CONNECTION” with God

 

Point 1: The Power of Gratitude

Let’s start by understanding why gratitude is so powerful.

  1. Gratitude Changes Our Perspective:
    • When life gets tough, it’s easy to dwell on our struggles. But gratitude redirects our focus. It reminds us that God is good, even in the storm.
      1. This happens when we intentionally redirect our focus through gratitude. Life’s challenges often consume our thoughts, creating a cycle of anxiety and frustration. But when we choose to thank God, even in difficulty, it shifts our perspective. Gratitude helps us see beyond the immediate problem and recognize God’s unwavering goodness and faithfulness.

 

For example, consider Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25. Despite being beaten and imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns of praise to God. Their gratitude didn’t ignore their circumstances but acknowledged God’s power above them. Similarly, when we focus on God's character—His love, provision, and promises—we’re reminded that He is present and working, even when life feels uncertain. This redirection, empowered by thanksgiving, transforms how we experience the storm.

    • Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Gratitude transforms anxiety into peace by anchoring us in God’s faithfulness.

 

    • Illustration: Imagine you’re holding a glass of water filled halfway. One person might see it as half-full, and another as half-empty. Gratitude teaches us to not only see the glass as half-full but also to thank God for the water He has provided. When we fixate on what’s missing, we miss out on appreciating what’s already there. Gratitude shifts our focus to the abundance God has already placed in our lives.

 

 

  1. Gratitude Aligns Our Hearts with God:
    • Spiritual growth begins when we adopt an attitude of gratitude. When we focus on God’s blessings and provisions, our hearts become fertile ground for His work.
    • Gratitude is a declaration of trust in God’s sovereignty. It says, “Lord, I may not understand everything, but I trust You are in control.”

 

Point 2: Overflowing Gratitude Leads to Growth

As we embrace gratitude, it creates an overflow in our lives that leads to growth.

  1. Healthy Roots, Abundant Fruit:
    • Think of a tree. Its fruitfulness depends on its roots. In the same way, when our hearts are rooted in gratitude, the fruit of faith, joy, and peace will grow organically.
    • Gratitude strengthens our spiritual roots, enabling us to stand firm in any season.
  • Illustration: Consider the willow tree. It is known for its strength and ability to thrive even in harsh conditions. What’s its secret? Its roots grow deep and wide, seeking out water sources even during droughts. In the same way, a heart rooted in gratitude digs deep to find God’s goodness, even when life feels dry or difficult. The willow bends but doesn’t break because its foundation is strong. When our hearts are grounded in thankfulness, we too can withstand life’s storms and bear fruit in every season.
  1. Gratitude Fuels Growth in Community:
    • When we practice gratitude, we grow not only individually but also collectively as a church. Gratitude fosters unity, kindness, and generosity.
    • Tie this to our theme of "Overflow": As our hearts overflow with gratitude, we become a church that overflows with God’s love, reaching and impacting those around us, thus creating a network of roots intertwining, strengthening, and consistently connecting to “the water source” and then, like the willow tree will be severely hard and near impossible to uproot.

 

Point 3: Practical Gratitude – Daily Praise

Gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s a habit. How can we cultivate this in our daily lives?

  1. Make Gratitude a Daily Practice:
    • Start each day by thanking God for one specific blessing. It could be as simple as waking up or as profound as His unchanging love.
    • Keep a gratitude journal. Write down moments of God’s faithfulness throughout the day.
  2. Introducing the Overflow Jar:
    • Today, we’re introducing a tangible way to practice gratitude: the Overflow Jar.
    • Here’s how it works: Reflect on a moment of God’s goodness in your life. Write it on a piece of paper and place it in the jar as an act of worship.
    • As the year progresses, we’ll see the jar fill up, reminding us of God’s overflowing blessings.

 

Invitation to Participate

Let’s close with a challenge. I invite each of you to take a moment to reflect on God’s goodness in your life. Maybe it’s a prayer He answered, a relationship He restored, or His presence in a difficult time. Write it down and place it in the Overflow Jar.

This simple act is more than a ritual; it’s a declaration of gratitude. It’s a way of saying, “Lord, I see Your hand in my life, and I trust You to continue working.”

 

Conclusion: A Heart That Overflows

Lifeway Church, as we embark on this journey of growth in 2025, let’s commit to being a people with overflowing hearts. Gratitude isn’t just something we feel; it’s something we live. It’s the foundation for a life that reflects God’s love and power.

Let’s enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise, and His presence with hearts that overflow. Amen.