Sermon Big Idea:

The way we worship God in life will determine how grateful we are in life.

Sermon Summary:

As we begin 2026, we are invited to pause and intentionally count our blessings. Even popular culture recognizes the value of gratitude — from the song “Blessings” by Florida Georgia Line to modern psychology — because gratitude is a deeply human and deeply healthy practice. Yet our culture, built on dissatisfaction and consumerism, is steadily losing this virtue.

Gratitude and thankfulness are closely connected:
thankfulness is a response to specific moments and gifts,
while gratitude is the broader, ongoing posture of the heart.

The ancient Roman philosopher, Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” This gets at the idea that all other virtues-- compassion, kindness, patience, hope, justice, respect, beauty, etc., they are less virtuous unless the master virtue of gratitude is evident.

We then turn to Scripture to understand how it seeks to develop the virtue of gratitude in us. We find the access point through the word and practice of  “thanks.”  Psalm 100 is a glimpse into how God reveals His strategy for forming gratitude in His people:

1) Worship Begins With Joyful Obedience (vv. 1–2)

Psalm 100 opens with commands: Shout, Serve, Come.
Worship is not driven by emotion but by obedience.
True worship requires intentionality, especially when life is stressful and joy feels distant.
We do not wait until we feel joyful to worship — we worship so that joy may follow.

2) Worship Is Anchored in God’s Covenant Relationship (v. 3)

We worship because we belong to Him:
He made us, redeemed us, and shepherds us.
Through Christ, we now live as His covenant people — His flock — and this identity anchors us when life is overwhelming.
As worship deepens, it becomes the thermostat that regulates the temperature of gratitude in our hearts.

3) Worship Leads to Gratitude (vv. 4–5)

As Israel approached God’s temple, they entered first with thanksgiving, then with praise.
Thanksgiving prepares the heart to experience God’s presence.
As we regularly practice giving thanks, it slowly forms the deeper virtue of gratitude.

Modern research confirms what Scripture has always taught: gratitude brings emotional, relational, and physical health. Science never conflicts with the truth of Scripture.
But Christian gratitude goes further — it is rooted in the character of God Himself:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17)

Therefore, a difference between a Christian and a non-Christian offering gratitude is a difference of motivation. While many are motivated to become more grateful for the health benefits, the Christian would have another motivation: to give praise to God, the perfect Giver.

Closing Challenge

Ingratitude is not a small problem — Romans 1 teaches that a thankless heart is a mark of spiritual drift. It’s a marker of the ungodly. Therefore, we can reject God by our ingratitude.But worship and gratitude form a beautiful cycle:
Worship leads to gratitude. Gratitude leads to more worship.

As we enter 2026, we are called to recover the lost art of gratitude — personally, in our families, in our small groups, and as a church.

Because the way we worship God in life will determine how grateful we are in life.