Forgetfulness
Cultivate: To prepare and nurture land to grow crops; to nurture, foster, and develop something with ongoing care and patience.
Colossians 2:6-7
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
A distinguishing characteristic of a disciple of Jesus is thanksgiving.
Romans 1:18-21
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
The first weed we cultivate in the garden of gratitude is forgetting God and His gracious provision.
Deuteronomy 8:6-13
6 “So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful!
Deuteronomy 8:14-18
14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
The tool of cultivation for this weed of ingratitude is remembering the Giver is the true gift.
“In gracious affections, the soul is attracted and engagingly drawn by the sweetness and beauty of the divine object itself; but in natural affections, the soul is only drawn by the benefit…..In natural gratitude, the benefit is the first foundation of the love; in gracious gratitude, the love is the foundation of the gratitude.”
-A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections; Part 2, Section 2 ; J. Edwards (1746)
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:6-7
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
A distinguishing characteristic of a disciple of Jesus is thanksgiving.
Romans 1:18-21
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
The first weed we cultivate in the garden of gratitude is forgetting God and His gracious provision.
Deuteronomy 8:6-13
6 “So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful!
Deuteronomy 8:14-18
14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
The tool of cultivation for this weed of ingratitude is remembering the Giver is the true gift.
“In gracious affections, the soul is attracted and engagingly drawn by the sweetness and beauty of the divine object itself; but in natural affections, the soul is only drawn by the benefit…..In natural gratitude, the benefit is the first foundation of the love; in gracious gratitude, the love is the foundation of the gratitude.”
-A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections; Part 2, Section 2 ; J. Edwards (1746)
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Posted in Message Notes
Categories
Archive
2026
January
Blessed to Be a BlessingOur Heart & MotivationStudy Questions for January 11, 2026A Season of Record-Breaking GenerosityStudy Questions for January 18, 2025The Emptiness of Looking Full2025 Contribution Statement InfoWealth on FireStudy Questions for January 25, 2026No In-Person Services Jan 25 - Livestream onlyLadies, Help Us OutFilthy RichStudy Questions for February 1, 2026
February
March
Better TogetherThe Heart of the GospelStudy Questions for March 8, 2026Study Questions for March 15, 2026Grace Upon GraceCome and Prepare Your HeartPray for StudentsFreed from Sin Alive to GodStudy Questions for March 22, 2026You Should Join It's EasyStudy Questions for March 29, 2026Spiritual Security
April
Friday Is Here Sunday Is ComingThe Great ConfessionStudy Questions for April 5, 2026Fruit and AccountabilityStudy Questions for April 12, 2026Living the GospelConfessionsStudy Questions for April 19, 2026Two Core ValuesCFC Radio Station UpdateStudy Questions for April 26, 2026Keeper of the FlameStudy Questions for May 3, 2026Go and Do for OneRaised to Life
May
June
July
A Wise Child ListensStudy Questions for July 5, 2026Study Questions for July 12, 2026A Wise Child AsksNiednagel UpdatePray for Kids CampStudy Questions for July 19, 2026A Wise Child RemembersA Wise Child DevelopsMen's Ministry - Pursuing God, Growing TogetherStudy Questions for July 26, 2026Burdette Is This Sunday
August
Pastor David Niednagel 1944-2026Message - August 2, 2026Pastor David's ObituaryStudy Questions for August 9, 2026A Wise Child DiscernsA Wise Child DiscernsStudy Questions for August 9, 2026Study Questions for August 16, 2026A Wise Child Follows and LovesMore Info on Pastor David's Celebration of LifeStudy Questions for August 23, 2026Responding to the GospelThe Tale of Two Kingdoms