Thankfulness: Our Conduct in the House of the Lord
Conduct in the House of the Lord – Week 1 | 3C South Coast
This past Sunday marked the beginning of a powerful new series at 3C South Coast titled Conduct in the House of the Lord, and from the very first moment, it was clear that God was setting a strong foundation for the weeks ahead.
Anchored in 1 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV) — “the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” — Ps Larry Elliott reminded us that the church is not just a building we attend, but a spiritual home that shapes how we live, speak, worship, and walk out our faith.
The focus for this first message was thankfulness — not as a feeling, but as a way of life.
The Unstoppable Power of God’s Word
One of the strongest themes throughout the message was the absolute authority of God’s Word. When God speaks, His Word cannot be reversed. Heaven’s declarations bring transformation when they meet the earth.
Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 55:11 that God’s Word does not return void. When we align our conduct — our words, attitudes, and responses — with what God has spoken, we position ourselves for lasting change.
Thankfulness flows naturally from this truth. When we trust God’s Word, even in uncertainty, gratitude becomes our response.
Worship Is Not a Moment — It’s a Lifestyle
The worship throughout the service was powerful, but the reminder was even more confronting: worship does not end when the music stops.
True worship is how we live. It is expressed through obedience, surrender, and daily gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. Romans 12:1 calls us to present our lives as a living sacrifice — this is our reasonable act of worship.
A thankful heart keeps us aware of our redemption. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what Christ has already accomplished.
“Conduct” — More Than Just Behaviour
Ps Larry unpacked the word conduct in a way that challenged many of us. Conduct is not limited to how we behave on a Sunday. It includes:
- Our words
- Our attitudes
- Our lifestyle
- Our daily decisions
- Our response to correction and repentance
True Christian conduct is lived out consistently, not selectively. Repentance is not a one-time event — it’s a posture of the heart that keeps us aligned with God.
As believers, our conduct in the House of the Lord reflects what we believe about God Himself.
The Transformative Power of Thankfulness
At the heart of the message was this truth: thankfulness has the power to unlock potential and change circumstances.
Throughout Scripture, thankfulness precedes breakthrough. It shifts atmospheres, realigns perspective, and glorifies God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances — not because everything is good, but because God is faithful.
Thankfulness is not passive. It is an active declaration of trust.
Jesus: Our Model of Thankfulness
The Lord, Jesus Himself, modelled a life of gratitude long before miracles took place.
- Before feeding the 5,000, He gave thanks (John 6:11)
- Before feeding the 4,000, He gave thanks (Matthew 15:36)
- Before raising Lazarus, He thanked the Father (John 11:41)
- At the Last Supper, knowing the cross awaited Him, He gave thanks (Luke 22:19)
Jesus didn’t wait for the miracle to give thanks — thankfulness came first.
The Ten Lepers: Thankfulness vs Entitlement
One of the most sobering moments of the message came from Luke 17:11–19, the account of the ten lepers who were healed.
All ten were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. Jesus’ response revealed something deeper: healing and wholeness are not always the same. Gratitude glorifies God — and it leads to fullness.
This story draws a clear line between thankfulness and entitlement. Entitlement expects; thankfulness honours. One leads to distance, the other to deeper relationship.
Offering, Prayer, and a Call to Respond
Ps Mandy Elliott led the offering and corporate prayer, reinforcing the heart of the message — giving and praying from a place of gratitude, not obligation.
As a church, we were encouraged to surrender fully to God, trusting His provision even when facing challenges that feel overwhelming.
For those sensing a nudge to take their first step of faith, the invitation was clear. Salvation begins with surrender, and if you’re ready to make that decision, you can pray the salvation prayer here.
Living Thankfulness Beyond Sunday
The call to action was simple but powerful: live thankful lives.
Thankfulness should shape our conduct in the House of the Lord and beyond it — in our homes, workplaces, and relationships. It keeps our hearts soft, our faith strong, and our focus on Jesus.
If you’re new to the church or want to learn more about who we are, you can visit our Rhema site or learn more on my3c.tv. And if you’d like to connect with us or join a service, our details and service times are available here.
As we step into this new series, may thankfulness be the mark of our conduct — a reflection of hearts fully surrendered to God.
Prayer
Father God,
We thank You for who You are and for all that You have done in our lives. Help us to live with thankful hearts, not just in moments of blessing, but in every season we walk through. Shape our conduct, our words, and our attitudes so that they honour You.
Teach us to trust You fully, to surrender daily, and to reflect Your love in all that we do. May our lives be a living expression of gratitude to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
