An Interesting Sermon Summary

On a recent Sunday I had the privilege to preach at Memorial Baptist Church. I was surprised to see that some good notes were created on a website called “pastors.ai.” Here is a portion from those notes:

“Understanding the heart of thanksgiving goes far beyond a polite “thank you” or a seasonal celebration. True thanksgiving is a deep, spiritual posture that recognizes the value and worth of the Giver—God Himself. When we express gratitude, we are not merely being courteous; we are acknowledging the profound reality that every good gift, every act of creativity, every blessing—whether seen or unseen—flows from the hand of our Creator. This recognition leads us to honor not just the gift, but the Giver, and to see the interconnectedness of God’s work in and through the people around us.” – pastors.ai

Link to the actual Sermon recording on YouTube: A Thankful Heart Speaks Volumes

Main Idea

We should consider who God is, what he has done, what he has given and what he has promised. Then we must consider who we are, what we have done and what we have received.  The result: we should overflow with thanksgiving.

Sermon Text: Psalm 111

Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.

    Holy and awesome is his name!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

What is Thankfulness?

Why is the Psalmist Thankful?

What does your Thankful Heart Speak?

The Key Takeaways From Pastors.ai

  1. Thanksgiving Honors the Giver, Not Just the Gift. True gratitude is not simply about acknowledging what we have received, but about recognizing the value and worth of the One who gives. When we thank God, we are expressing honor and respect for His character, His faithfulness, and His love. This kind of thanksgiving deepens our relationship with Him and shapes our view of others, seeing them as valuable instruments of His grace. 
  2. Thankfulness Is a Deliberate Spiritual Practice. Gratitude is not automatic; it is a conscious choice to see beyond our circumstances and rest in God’s salvation. Even in hardship, we can choose to rejoice in the Lord, trusting that He is sovereign and good. This practice of thankfulness transforms our hearts, aligns us with God’s will, and brings peace even when life is difficult. 
  3. A Thankful Heart Reveals Our View of God. Our level of thankfulness is a direct reflection of how we see God—His sovereignty, goodness, and fatherly care. When we are thankful, we declare that God is trustworthy, gracious, and sufficient for all our needs. Conversely, a lack of gratitude often signals a diminished view of God and leads to anxiety, discontent, and spiritual darkness. 
  4. Thanksgiving Is Central to Christian Community and Worship. The psalmist’s example shows that thanksgiving is both personal and communal. Giving thanks together in the congregation strengthens our faith, encourages others, and magnifies God’s glory. Our public gratitude becomes a testimony to the world of God’s worth and the reality of His work among His people. 
  5. Generosity Flows from a Thankful Heart. Those who are truly grateful for what God has given are moved to share with others. Thankfulness breaks the grip of selfishness and opens our hands to bless those around us, reflecting the generosity of our Heavenly Father. This generosity is a natural outflow of recognizing that all we have is a gift to be stewarded for God’s glory. 

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.