The sermon this Sunday will be on the topic of showing gratitude to God. The sermon text will be Colossians 3:14-17. Here are some questions to help you prepare for this sermon.
1. Notice that thankfulness is stated three times in these four verses. Contemplate what Paul is saying with each of these three statements. What does this tell you about being thankful?
2. List at least a dozen reasons for giving thanks to God. See Ps 7:17; 28:7; 35:18; 52:9; 106:47; Neh 12:27; Jer 30:19; Jonah 2:9; Isa 12:1; Matt 11:25; Luke 2:38; Mark 8:6; John 11:41; Acts 28:15; Rom 1:8; 1 Cor 1:4ff; 2 Cor 4:15; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 1:3; Heb 12:28; etc.
3. What insight does Romans 1:21 provide into our consideration of showing gratitude to God? See also Psalm 50:14,22-23; Hosea 2:8ff and 1 Thess 5:18.
4. Read Luke 17:15-18. What’s the difference between possessing gratitude and demonstrating gratitude?
5. Read Psalm 92:1. What is the correlation between giving thanks and praising God? What implication does this have on the way you worship God? (Eph 5:19-20)