Overflow - A Grateful Heart Is A Generous Life
Overflow - A Grateful Heart Is A Generous Life Part 2, Marcus Avalos
A grateful heart is a generous life. This series reminds us how our private devotion leads to public overflow through giving, loving, and sharing the Gospel.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
Title: Gratitude as Resistance
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Gratitude is how you stay awake in a world that’s fallen asleep.
The Problem: We’re surrounded by blessings… but we’ve gone numb to them.
• Overstimulated. Under-satisfied.
💔 “I’m doing all the right things—but I can’t feel anything anymore.”
Hedonic adaptation:
- when your blessings become background noise.
- We forget to feel what God has done.
“You don’t need another miracle — you need to remember the ones you already have.”
Why This Message Matters God never called you to sleepwalk through His blessings.
Gratitude is the alarm clock that wakes your heart up again.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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Paul wrote this from pressure, not comfort.
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Gratitude is how you survive without growing hard.
“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- I THESS 5:16-18
🟥 Point 1: Gratitude Reveals Grace “Give thanks…”
Eucharisteo → “to recognize grace.”
- Gratitude makes you aware of what’s already been given.
🧠Science: Gratitude rewires your brain — more joy, less anxiety.
💬 “Gratitude doesn’t change your situation first - it changes your sight.”
BINOCULAR PROP: “When you flip your focus with gratitude, you see God closer than you thought.”
🟥 Point 2: Gratitude Resists Fear “In all circumstances…”
You don’t thank God for everything but you thank Him in everything.
Gratitude interrupts fear.
Examples: • Mary sings through fear. • Paul & Silas worship through chains.
💬 “Every thank you is spiritual warfare.”
🟨 Cultural & Historical Insight
In ancient Rome, people credited Caesar for everything they had, believing he was their provider.
But early Christians flipped it: A Holy Rebellion “Caesar isn’t our provider — God is.”
🟥 Point 3: Gratitude Aligns You with God’s Will
“For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Gratitude tunes your heart to heaven’s rhythm. You want to stay in His will, Stay In Gratitude.
💬 “You’ll never miss God’s will while you’re thanking Him in it.”
🟦 ReaL Life Application: This Week, Fight Back with Gratitude
- Morning: Thank God before you scroll.
- Midday: Thank Him when pressure hits & kids come home from school.
- Night: Thank Him for something you overlooked.
🕯️ “Gratitude doesn’t wait for daylight; it lights a flame in the dark.”
🟨 QUOTE “Gratitude turns what we have into ENOUGH.”
- it’s how you stay awake in a world that’s fallen asleep.”
🟥 COMMUNION “While we receive communion, pray:
“God, I thank You.” Thank You for what I see and for what’s still a mystery.”
Because gratitude isn’t routine - it’s resistance — it pushes back the darkness that tried to creep in.
