Thanksgiving not only expresses our gratitude to God but also identifies him as our ultimate blessing.
Sermon Title: THE LIFE OF GRATITUDE
Sermon Text: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 (NIV)
Sermon Series: SNAPSHOT SCRIPTURES: TIMELESS TRUTHS IN A FEW WORDS
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 ESV
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
GRATITUDE IS CONVEYED
(What we need to do)
Thanksgiving isn’t thanksgiving until thanks is given.
PSALMS 34:1 ESV
[Psalm] Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
“David knows to whom the praise is due, and what is due, and for what and when.”
Charles Spurgeon
Abundance + Comfort = Thanksgiving
Abundance + Comfort = Discontent, Complaining, Entitlement
GRATITUDE IS COMMANDED
(Why we need to do it)
Even though you may not feel thankful, you can be thankful.
God’s will for you is good for you.
PSALMS 23:4 ESV
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
ISAIAH 53:10 ESV
10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Even though you may not feel thankful, you can be thankful.
GRATITUDE IS CHRIST-CENTERED (How to give thanks)
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
People can just be “thankful,” but believers are thankful to God.
Thanksgiving not only expresses our gratitude to God but also identifies him as our ultimate blessing.
“Lord, command what you will, but give what you command.”
St. Augustine
God never commands us to do something that he does not enable us to do.