Text:  2 Thess. 2:13

INTRODUCTION:

A.      GRATITUDE IS A BASIC ATTITUDE.

          1.       In this small verse much is said about gratitude.

          2.       From time to time we need to examine the "small verses."

B.      THREE THINGS ABOUT GRATITUDE:

          l.        We ought to have it towards God.

          2.       We ought to have it always.

          3.       We ought to be grateful for one another.

I.     WE NEED TO BE GRATEFUL TO GOD.

A.      WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR ME?

          1.       Our being ( Acts 17:25-28 ).

          2.       All physical blessings ( James 1:17 ).

          3.       Jesus and forgiveness ( John 3:16;  Eph. 1:3;  2 Pet. 1:3 ).

B.      OUR GRATITUDE IS EXPRESSED

          1.       In repentance  ( Rom. 2:4 ).

          2.       In prayer ( Eph. 5:20 ).

II.    WE NEED TO BE GRATEFUL ALWAYS ( Eph. 5:20 ).

A.      Col. 3:15;  17.

B.      CONSTANT REGARD FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS IS NEEDED

          ( Phil. 4:4 ).

C.      CONSIDER THE LEPERS ( Luke 17:11-l9 ).

          1.       Regarded Jesus only when in need.

          2.       The problem of Israel ( Isa. 5:1-7;  Jer. 2:4-13 ).

          3.       Will God hear our prayer? ( 1 Pet. 3:12;  Isa. 59:l-2 ).

III.   WE NEED TO BE GRATEFUL FOR EACH OTHER

                   FELLOWSHIP.  A GREAT BLESSING.

A.      THE EARLY CHURCH ( Acts. 2:44-47 )

B.      WE WATCH FOR ONE ANOTHER

          ( Heb. 3:12-13;  1 Thess. 5:14-15;  Gal. 6:1 ).

C.      WRITINGS OF PAUL AS TESTIMONY

          ( Philem. 7;  Eph. 6:17-20;  Phil. 1:3-8 ).

D.      THE WORDS OF JOHN ( 3 John ).

E.      WHAT TIES US TOGETHER? ( 1 John 1:3-4 ).

          1.       Fellowship in the light ( 1 John 1:6-7 ).

          2.       Working together( Phil. 1:27 ).

          3.       Preferring one another's company ( Rom. 12:9-16 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      SOMETIMES THE LITTLE VERSES HAVE A GREAT IMPACT.

B.      ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS GOD GIVES YOU?

C.      HOW DO YOU EXPRESS THAT GRATITUDE?