THANKSGIVING
(An Attitude of Gratitude - November 21, 2021)
Series Big Idea: "Thanksgiving Sermon"
Sermon Big Idea: "God's will is for His children to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful"
Key Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Over four hundred years ago the first settlers to America gathered for the first Thanksgiving celebration. They expressed their thankfulness to God for meeting their needs during the previous year. Years later, America’s first president, George Washington formally recognized a day of Thanksgiving in our country. Then in 1863 our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln suggested all Americans set aside the last Thursday in November as an officially recognized day of thanksgiving.
In some ways todays Thanksgiving celebrations have become more of a self-indulgent and materialistic holiday. Contrary to our forefathers thanking God for their bounty, many people today do not give God a second thought. It seems that the gratitude in peoples hearts is long gone. If we are not careful we sometimes let our troubles, disappointments, and the pressures of life steal our gratitude. But the Bible always views ungratefulness as a trait of unbelievers (Romans 1:21) (2 Timothy 3:1-5). So, what are the steps to rekindling a grateful heart that is overflowing with thanksgiving?
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
16 Rejoice always! 17 Pray constantly. 18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul gives a summary of Christian virtues in this passage. Verses 16-22 give us several principles for a solid spiritual life. Although they may be short and to the point, they give believers the priorities for successful Christian living. What does Paul say about giving thanks?
Learn to Be Joyful in everything
The key word in this verse is "always." Did Paul mean for us to take this literally? Absolutely! Christian joy is not controlled by circumstances or suffering. On the contrary, but the NT often connects it with sorrow and suffering. Paul's readers had already experienced this in their lives (1 Thessalonians 1:6). If our sorrow and suffering comes from being identified with Jesus Christ, then the Holy Spirit creates in us a supernatural joy.
It is something deep inside of our soul that can't be destroyed by our circumstances (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). But we have a part in this joy. We are commanded to be joyful. It is a choice. We deliberately focus on the grace and goodness of God (Hebrews 12:2-3).
Pray Always
This means to pray continually. Paul knew Christians have daily responsibilities, after all he was busy doing the work of Christ himself. He is not commanding non-stop prayer here. He is encouraging an attitude of prayer and reverence before God. A believers relationships and responsibilities should be maintained with an attitude of being in God's presence. This means we will pray as often as we get the chance and pray about all different things such as requests, praise, and thanksgiving. We should never get into the attitude where we feel we don’t want or need to pray. Don’t stop!
CONCLUSION
Finally, Paul encourages his readers to "give thanks in everything." He wanted them to recognize the sovereignty of God in everything. Let's just be honest, thankfulness doesn’t come naturally for most people. It is often difficult to be thankful in our painful situations and when it seems like our life just fell apart.
This command Paul has given is only possible by God's grace. When we can agree with God that He works all things our for good to those who love Him and are committed to obedience (Romans 8:28), than we can thank Him. And as a sidenote, he tells us that being thankful in everything is God's will for us in Jesus Christ. We don’t have to look anywhere else. God's will is that Christians are to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful because we are His children.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Holmes, Michael. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.
Morris, Leon. 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 13. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.
Martin, D. Michael. 1, 2 Thessalonians. Vol. 33. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995. Print. The New American Commentary.
WORDsearch. Adult Questions for LESSONmaker. WORDsearch. Print.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.
Hoehner, Harold W., Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008. Print.
Howell, Mark et al. Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015. Print.
Larson, Knute. I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Vol. 9. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos, 2002. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible.Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Print.
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.
Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.
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