The Heart of Worship: Gratitude

The Bible talks a lot about worship—what it is, why it matters, and how to do it. The heart of worship is simple: giving thanks.

Romans 1 paints a sobering picture of what happens when people worship created things instead of the Creator. It describes idolatry like this: “they did not honor Him as God or give thanks.” That’s it. Ingratitude is a primary symptom of idolatry— a refusal to acknowledge God as the giver of every good gift. It’s a heart and a life that stops saying, “Thank you, God.”

If He is our maker and all things are from Him, then the only righteous response is gratitude for everything. Thankfulness says, “You are God. You are good. You’ve lavished grace on me even though I deserve the opposite. All that I have is from you.” Gratitude reorients our hearts around reality: God is God, we are not, and everything we have is from Him, through Him, and to Him (Romans 11:36). 

• Psalm 100 tells us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving.” Worship begins with gratitude. 

• 1 Thessalonians 5 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

• Ephesians 5 says believers should be “giving thanks always and for everything.” Why? Because God works all things for the good of His children. 

On the other hand, sin makes us ungrateful and grumbly. We blame God. We grumble to and against God. We boast about ourselves and take credit for the good things that we have and experience. 

The ugliness of sin is why the gospel is such good news. We deserve death, but on the cross Jesus died for our pride, ingratitude, and grumbling. He became our sin so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The gospel transforms idolaters into worshipers. 

How can you practice giving thanks this season?

1. Recount God’s generosity. Meditate on a list of all the spiritual blessings God gives us in Christ (Ephesians 1). Name other gifts of common grace out loud around your table. Put a spotlight on God’s goodness and generosity. Be intentional. 

2. Just say “Thank You”. Set aside time for prayer to just give thanks to God, not to ask Him for anything new. Do this privately and with family. After you name all the good gifts of God, stop and thank Him together. 

3. Go tell someone else about God’s gift of Jesus. Go tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how much He can do for them (Mark 5:19). 

Happy Thanksgiving,

Chad Kettler 

Lewisville Campus Pastor

The Door Church