The Art Of Thank You Hezekiah Series

Opening video from sermon spice: Thank You!

Series: The Art of “Thank You”

Thesis: We must cultivate a grateful heart with the Lord and learn to say “Thank You” to Him and to others. Thank You has the power to change our heart and others hearts! It can even transform our outlook on life and death.

Introduction to series:

The art of “Thank you” is created and birthed from a grateful heart and for the most part it is a learned behavior. Did you hear that- You can learn to be grateful and thankful!

Think about our early years for a moment and parenting. Saying “Please” and “Thank You” are one of the first lessons we learn as children! Emerson cannot talk but Vernon and Ashley have taught him sign language so he says please by rubbing his belly with both hands. I also know it’s a behavior and a manner stressed in Kindergarten. Saying Thank You is a learned behavior!

So why do we need to say “Thank You?”

Answer because it is important to recognize the time it took for the nice thing someone did for you, especially when we live in a time deprived society. When we do we acknowledge our relationship with the person we say "Thank You" to. It's a simple sign of respect. If we do not express gratitude, our relationship might change because we show we don't care about the other person’s gift or act of love.

It’s really about our attitude toward others and it’s about a communication form of artistic expression to others. Learning the art of gratefulness or thankfulness in our early years cultivates an appreciation for others and what they do for us! But for some children they grow up without being thankful, or grateful and they in turn take on a mindset of entitlement – selfishness - greediness.

Usually toddlers learn this valuable art form of speech and attitude through repetition and good parenting skills. They learn it also by example! Usually eager to please toddlers learn this art form of communication with others. But the teen years hit and all bets are off on the art of “Thank You” but most people will come back to some semblance of this art form as they grow into adults. Notice most but not all! As we grow into adulthood the amount of appreciation we express, and our ability to sincerely say “Thank You” has a dramatic impact on how we relate to others. It will have a powerful impact on our marriages, our families, our church, our communities, our places of work and school.

Researchers Adam Grant and Francesco Gino studied the impact of a sincere “Thank You” in the workplace. Their findings showed a 50% percent increase in the performance and help from their employees who were appreciated. In a related experiment by these same researchers they found that when a director of an organization personally thanked half the staff for their contribution to the company there was a 50% increase in sales by the 50% group who was thanked for their hard work. Do you see the power of “Thank You?”

There have been numerous other experiments showing the same result – there is power in the words of “Thank You” this simple phrase has the ability to improve relationships and even job performance.

So the first lesson on the art of “Thank You” is this if you want a more positive and healthy environment around you learn the art of “Thank You!”

• Do you want a better work environment say “Thank You!”

• Do you want a more eager work team say “Thank You!”

• Do you want a more successful business say “Thank You!”

• Do you want better relationships and friendship say “Thank You”

• Do you want a better marriage say “Thank You!”

• Do you want a better church say “Thank You” to those who serve you each week – the nursery workers, elders, deacons, kids church workers, Awana workers, bible teachers, youth workers, ushers – I am not talking just about us pastors – but Thank You for all your notes, lunches and gifts of appreciation to us as pastors in the month of October!

Maybe you have never developed the art of “Thank You” so here are few ways you can say and develop the art of “Thank You.”

Say things like the following:

• Words are powerless to express my gratitude!

• Please accept my best thanks!

• Thanks for taking the time for me!

• All my love and thanks!

• It was awesome of you!

• What would I do without you!

• I appreciate your time and effort!

I pray you get the idea of why we chose the theme this month of “The Art of “Thank You?”