Gratitude – A Focus On Christ (talk)
Gratitude – A Focus on Christ
Make them hungry
- Sisters and Brothers, I would like for you to think of a time, when you served someone (anyone), in a way they couldn’t serve themselves. (Temple, service project, household chores) How did it make you feel? Did it not brighten your day? Did it not lighten your mood? Did it not sweeten your life?
- Story of giving pizza to homeless man on Christmas eve. “you don’t eat this kind of food”. How could he have such a different opinion on pizza than me? It was the state of mind. It wasn’t about the pizza. It WAS about the nail. It was about the suffering of our Saviour hanging from nails on a cross. It was about our gratitude on Christmas eve to honor him. It was… A “Focus on Christ”.
Feed Them
Contrast with Matthew 15:29-39 – Miracle of feeding more than 4000
29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
32 ¶Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
Like the disciples here, do we find ourselves focused on what is lacking, rather than on the love of Christ? Do we sometimes have “the grass is always greener” mentality?
Sisters and Brethren, I am going to let you in on a little secret: Secret about Temple work – the grass is NEVER greener in the Temple. Why? Because it affords us an opportunity to REALLY “Focus on Christ”.
34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
I quote President Monson’s words on this very story:
“Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had—and a miracle followed: “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings”
Luke 17:12 – Story of the 10 lepers
11 ¶And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Again, President Monson put it perfectly:
“Through divine intervention those who were lepers were spared from a cruel, lingering death and given a new lease on life. The expressed gratitude by one merited the Master’s blessing; the ingratitude shown by the nine, His disappointment. My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.”
Quote (if time)
“There is a law of gratitude, and it is . . . the natural principle that action and reaction are always equal and in opposite directions. The grateful outreaching of your mind in thankful praise to supreme intelligence is a liberation or expenditure of force. It cannot fail to reach that to which it is addressed, and the reaction is an instantaneous movement toward you.” — Wally Wattles
Philippians 4:6-8 – Prayer (if time)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Poem – In Gratitude – Linda Gleason (if time)
Explain to them where to get more
Challenge – Call to action:
Think of some way that you show more gratitude to our Saviour for his Sacrifice.
My Gratitude List. By Jane McBride Choate
I challenge you to create a list of things you are grateful for. I challenge you to stand in holy places. I challenge you to show your gratitude by a “Focus on Christ”.
- Promise that due blessings will follow, if we but spend time pondering on Him.
- Promise that as we live with gratitude, and a Focus on Christ, our days will be brighter, our mood will be lightened, and we will experience that sweetness in life.
Testimony
Jesus Christ
- Know him
- Love him
- Loves you
Close
