1 Thessalonians 5:18 Thanksgiving is a verb
Thanksgiving is a verb
Let’s be thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 107:1-9, 1 Timothy 2:1
Self centered world – You owe me. I deserve what I get. I don’t deserve anything bad. I take for granted all the blessings that come my way. I disguise my ingratitude with excuses. I don’t want them to get the big head. I am uncomfortable about telling someone good things.
We need to foster an attitude of thanksgiving.
No longer feeling we have a right to the blessings we have.
Then expressing our thanks. To God and people.
We need to reflect on the blessings we have
We need to thank God specifically for His daily care.
We need to get use to thanking people
(NKJV) 1 Thessalonians 5 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I. God desires us to give thanks
(NKJV) 1 Thessalonians 5 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
A. The will of God for us
1. Every wonder what God desires from you? – give thanks
2. Specific to you
B. In good times – God delights to give good things
C. In hard times – God uses hard things for our benefit / His glory
II. Personally Give thanks to God
A. For who He is
(NKJV) Psalm 107 1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
1. His goodness
2. His mercy
3. His steadfastness
B. For what He has done
1. His redemption – paid the price to get us out of slavery
Psalm 107 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
2. Gave us a place of belonging out of the wilderness
Psalm 107 3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in.
3. Satisfies
Psalm 107 5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
4. Hears our cries
C. An expectation
Psalm 107 8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
D. Lift personal prayers to God Prayer to God publically – popcorn style – simple prayers for who He is / what He has done
III. Give thanks to people
A. A command to give thanks for others
(NKJV) 1 Timothy 2 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
1. All men
2. Rulers (Obama in what way can we be thankful?)
3. Everyone has value for our lives
B. People who are a blessing
(NKJV) 2 Thessalonians 1 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting,
C. Appreciating growth in others
(NKJV) 2 Thessalonians 1 3 … because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
1. An appropriate obligation
2. Appreciation for the growth of others
3. Appreciation for the impact of others
D. Think of someone here in the service that is not part of your family that you are thankful for:
a) Someone that has been a help spiritually to you or your family (prefer that you chose someone other than your pastor)
b) Maybe someone that you have valued through the years
c) Maybe someone who you have noticed their faithfulness
d) Maybe someone you have seen grow in Christ
e) Maybe a small thing
2. Pray privately and thank God for them – be as specific as you can
3. A time of silent prayer
4. Go to that person and tell them you are thankful for them – be as specific as you can (p
Instruction: If someone comes to you just say: Do not feel like you need to say something humble or return the comment. Just say, ‘I appreciate you telling me that very much.’
E. Think of someone in your family in the service that you are thankful for:
1. Pray and thank God for them – be as specific as you can
2. A time of silent prayer
3. Go to that person and tell them you are thankful for them – be as specific as you can
IV. A lifestyle of public thanks
(NKJV) Ephesians 5 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.