Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:4-7
I. Examples of Genuine Thanksgiving
ILL: Ten Lepers (Lk 17:12-19).
ILL: Mary anointing the Lord for raising Lazarus (Jn 12:1-8).
ILL: Woman taken in adultery (Jn 8:1.11) with ILL: Woman anointing the Lord's Head (Lk 7:36-50).
II. What God Expects
A. Give thanks for those who have received salvation. I Thess 2:13 - And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
B. Give thanks especially for the Christian growth you observe in one another.
1. Col 1:3-5 - We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel.
2. I Thess 1:2.3 - We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
C. Give thanks for the privilege of representing Him in your life. Col. 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
D. Give thanks in anticipation of His answering your prayers.
1. Phil 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
2. You can always thank God knowing that His answers will always be in accord with His perfect will for your life (Rom 8;28-29).
E. Give thanks in all circumstances. I Thess 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1. How can you genuinely thank God for adverse things?
a. The emphatic answer - Rom 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
b. Again - Eph. 5:20 - Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
c. What's the test of faith? Do you really trust that God does that?
2. Thanksgiving should spring from a grateful heart (like the tenth leper); but it is commanded of all of us regardless of our attitude.
III. How to Show Thankfulness
A. By faithfully witnessing. I Chron 16:8 - Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
B. By joyfully singing. Ps 92:1 - It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, 0 Most High.
C. By praising Lord Jesus through prayer. I Tim 4:4 - For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is not "Turkey Day”! Its the day to focus on your blessings from Almighty God!
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