“Being Thankful in a Thankless Culture” - Pastor John D. Putnam

November 23, 2025

Pastor John D. Putnam

In this week’s POSC Podcast, Pastor Putnam brings a timely and convicting word on a theme our world desperately needs to rediscover: gratitude. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he reminds us that giving thanks in everything isn’t a suggestion—it’s the will of God for every believer. In a generation overflowing with convenience yet starving for contentment, Pastor Putnam exposes how easily entitlement, complaint, and cultural negativity seep into our spirits. Through humor, real-world examples, and a clear challenge from Scripture, he calls the church to rise above the noise and reclaim the posture of a thankful heart. Walking through the stories of the ten lepers, Job, Paul and Silas, and the Psalms of David, he paints a vivid picture of what gratitude looks like—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a spiritual discipline that transforms us. Gratitude is more than good manners; it’s spiritual warfare. It steadies the mind, guards the heart, shifts atmospheres, and invites the peace of God into our lives. If you’ve felt the weight of negativity, discouragement, or the constant pressure of “what’s next,” this message will reset your heart. It will remind you that we are a profoundly blessed people—with every reason to return, like the one leper, to fall at Jesus’ feet and simply say, thank You. Choose the path of gratitude. It will change how you see everything. To hear more about what God is doing in Sheboygan County and beyond, visit us at posc.church!

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Episode Notes

Main Point: Gratitude is not a cultural trend—it’s a kingdom trait. True thankfulness transforms our hearts and realigns our focus on God’s goodness.

We live in one of the most blessed generations, yet one of the most ungrateful. Modern convenience and comfort often breed entitlement instead of appreciation.
God calls His people to be thankful in all things—not because everything is easy, but because He is faithful in every circumstance.
Gratitude shifts our perspective from what we lack to what God has already done. It strengthens the mind, heals the heart, and invites peace into our lives.
Being thankful is not weakness—it’s spiritual warfare. Gratitude shakes chains, silences complaint, and opens the door for miracles.

Key Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Philippians 4:6–7 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Luke 17:15–19 – The one leper who returned to thank Jesus was not only healed, but made whole.
Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Acts 16:25–26 – Paul and Silas sang praises in prison, and their gratitude broke chains.

Major Themes:

Blessed but Unthankful: Modern life has given us much comfort but little contentment.
Gratitude Changes Everything: Science confirms what Scripture already declared—thankfulness transforms our minds and emotions.
Wholeness Through Gratitude: The thankful leper found complete restoration—thankfulness leads to spiritual completeness.
Worship in the Storm: Paul and Silas praised in chains; Job blessed God in loss. Gratitude in hard times releases God’s power.
Gratitude Is Warfare: Thankfulness breaks entitlement, disarms bitterness, and invites the peace of God.

Reflection Questions:

Have I allowed comfort to replace gratitude in my daily life?
Do I thank God only for blessings—or also in trials?
What would change in me if I made gratitude my first response instead of complaint?