To Give Thanks
Introduction:
The
Thanksgiving holiday is just days away. It’s a time when family and
friends gather together to express gratitude for life’s many
blessings. We should have the attitude of the psalmist in
Psalms 66:1-5.
Body:
I.
A Word Study
-
I Thessalonians 5:18
”Giving thanks” comes from a compound word in the Greek
language. This word conveys the thought of returning thanks to
God; a response to God’s grace.
I John 4:19
-
We
must have a thankful heart as seen in singing hymns.
Ephesians 5:19-20,
Colossians 3:15-16
-
We
need a thankful heart as seen in prayer.
Colossians 4:2
-
Some are ungrateful.
Romans 1:21
II.
What to Give Thanks For
-
God’s goodness
I Chronicles 16:34
Background: They were rejoicing at the ark of the covenant’s
arrival in Jerusalem.
I Chronicles 16:7-12
Wondrous works: creation of the world, creation of life,
creation of man’s eternal soul
-
Christ and His sacrifice
II Corinthians 9:15,
Ephesians 2:8
-
Answered prayer
John 11:41
Example: Resurrection of Lazarus
-
Christians
I Thessalonians 1:2
New converts
-
Changed lives
I Thessalonians 2:13
-
Christian heritage
II Timothy 3:14-15
Also faithful preachers and teachers
III.
Thankfulness Described
-
Constant
Philippians 1:3-4
-
An
offering
Psalms 116:17
“I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving . . .”
-
Present in even difficult times
We work for the Lord because we are confident that He is in
control. That was the attitude of a man who lived during days of
great turmoil in England. In a chapel at Stanton Harold, outside of
London, these words are engraved on a plague:
“In the year 1653, when all things sacred throughout the nation were
either demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley Baronet founded
this church whose singular praise it is to have done the best things
in the worst times and hoped then in the most calamitous.”
Invitation:
Read
I Thessalonians 5:18.
Again our giving of thanks pours out from a grateful heart.
John 3:16
Bobby
Stafford
November 20, 2011
What Must One Do to become a
Christian and be saved?
