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Faded Virtues: Gratitude
November 23, 2025
Is gratitude a "faded virtue" in our entitled world? In this final message of our "Faded Virtues" series, Pastor Ken Curtis challenges us to look beyond Thanksgiving as a single holiday and reclaim the transformative power of a grateful heart. Drawing on the biblical command to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), Pastor Ken explores the difference between mere thankfulness and a life-changing posture of gratitude. Together, we learn three key ways to reclaim our gratitude: by slowing down, remembering God's blessings, and practicing generosity.
Sermon Reflections:
- Moses warns the Israelites not to forget God when they are prosperous and satisfied (Deuteronomy 8:17). Where in your life are you most at risk of forgetting God's hand in your success and attributing it solely to your own strength?
- Pastor Ken contrasts an attitude of entitlement with the virtue of gratitude. Can you identify an area in your current life where a sense of entitlement (e.g., toward a job, a relationship, or even God) might be overshadowing your ability to be truly grateful?
- Is there a difficult or annoying circumstance in your life right now for which you can sincerely try to find one thing to be grateful for?
- Pastor Ken gives us three strategies for reclaiming gratitude: by slowing down, remembering God's faithfulness, and being generous. Which of these three is the most difficult for you to implement daily, and why?
- In the story of the 10 lepers, the nine were healed, but only the one who returned to give thanks was told his "faith has made [him] well." What is the spiritual difference between being merely healed by God's blessings and being made whole through a posture of gratitude?
- Pastor Ken challenges us to write down 1-3 things we are grateful for every day [53:22]. If you were to start this practice today, what would be your first entry, and how do you plan to hold yourself accountable for the next week?
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