As we enter this season leading up to Thanksgiving, Pastor Bart invites us into a journey of intentional gratitude—25 days of cultivating a thankful heart. Gratitude is not something that comes naturally to us; it’s a spiritual discipline, a choice we make daily, especially when life is hard. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians remind us to “be thankful in all circumstances,” not for all circumstances, but in them. This is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Over these next weeks, we invite you to memorize this truth together, practice daily thanksgiving, and share our gratitude with others, both in our homes and as a church family.

But gratitude is not just a seasonal exercise; it’s a way of living that transforms how we walk through suffering. We live in a world that is groaning—creation itself is frustrated, our bodies break down, and pain is a reality for all of us. Paul, writing to the suffering believers in Rome, uses the metaphor of childbirth: pain and groaning are real, but they point to a coming joy. The gospel doesn’t promise a pain-free life; in fact, following Jesus often brings its own cost. Yet, the gospel gives us a new perspective on pain. We are not just waiting for heaven as disembodied spirits; we are promised a future of resurrection, new bodies, and a restored creation. This hope is not just for someday, but it shapes how we endure today.

In the meantime, we are not left alone. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, intercedes for us when we don’t have words, and walks with us through every groan and sigh. God is at work, even in the mess, redeeming and orchestrating all things for our good—not just for our comfort, but to conform us to the image of Jesus. We have a choice in our suffering: to become bitter or to be transformed into grateful, hope-filled people. Communion is our reminder that even Jesus, facing betrayal and suffering, gave thanks. So, whatever you’re facing, choose gratitude. Trust that God is with you, that your pain is not wasted, and that a day is coming when all things will be made new.

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

[01:57] - The Call to Gratitude: 1 Thessalonians

[03:56] - Memorizing Scripture Together

[05:25] - Practicing Intentional Gratitude

[07:29] - Sharing Gratitude with Others

[09:05] - The Gospel and Transformation

[10:11] - Childbirth as a Metaphor for Suffering

[14:45] - Suffering in the Early Church

[19:18] - The Gospel’s Impact on Everyday Life

[21:45] - Heirs with Christ: Suffering and Glory

[24:18] - Wrestling with Pain as God’s Children

[37:08] - Creation’s Groaning and Future Hope

[42:21] - The Promise of New Bodies

[52:11] - The Holy Spirit’s Help in Weakness

[56:20] - God’s Good Purposes in Our Pain

[59:01] - Communion: Giving Thanks in Suffering

[62:52] - Closing Prayer and Worship