The Church That Gives Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB95)

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Church at Thessalonica is a model church in many ways. This congregation was founded during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey and in his letter he praises the spiritual growth of this consecrated, devoted church—giving thanks to God for what He was doing in these believers.

1:2-3; 2:13-14, 19-20; 3:9; 4:9-10; 5:11.

In 1 Thess 5:16-18 (1 sentence), Paul gives 3 commands that are interwoven in the fabric of a believer's life (joy, prayer, thankfulness). These three form the very basic character of the child of God-the last of these "in everything ... "

Define Thankfulness biblically: The word lit "to be under obligation." It comes from root chara "to rejoice" or to show favor. It developed into the duty/obligation to show favor-so the idea of thankfulness or the appreciation of blessings and benefits that come to you by another.

Thankfulness is the character of God's people. When a person comes to the Lord, he is under the greatest obligation to show his heart of gratitude for everything God has done.

Thankfulness is an attitude/expression of the redeemed heart while thanklessness is a trait of an unbelieving heart.

Rom 1:21; 2 Tim 3:1-3

Being ungrateful is the mark of an unbeliever and contrary to the nature of those born-again.

I would like to point out 4 features of thanksgiving to encourage you to cultivate an attitude of continuing gratitude even when you face difficult times.

I. The Object of Thanksgiving

Our thanksgiving can't be a vague "thanks" that is just thrown out into space hoping someone catches it. There ought to be a definite object to our thanksgiving-directed toward someone.

A. One Another

Often times our thanksgivings are direct at other people. Society in general prizes gratitude. Even unbelievers teach their children to say "please and thank you" (even if for selfish reasons-look good). Teaching good manners flow out of what is considered proper in life.

Grk held thankfulness is high esteem. Terms were used in both the public and religious arenas. The Romans even had "votive games" as a means of giving thank offerings to their gods for military victory. Terms were also widely used in documents of diplomacy where the recipient of a favor reciprocates with the assurance of good will. Common virtue even among the pagans.

If unbelievers prize it for temporal favors—how much more should Xns toward one another with whom we have rich fellowship.

B. God

God is (rightfully so) most often the object of thankfulness in Bible. In relation to our appreciation for God for the countless benefits and blessings that God bestows on us-we are to render thanks to God. Do you have difficulty thinking what you ought to be thankful for?

Let’s take a cue from Paul who knew the value of a heart of gratitude. Thankful for many things:

1) for believers in general who shared with him the grace of God in salvation (Rom 1:8; 1 Cor 1:4; 2 Th 1:3; Eph 1:16)

2) for deliverance from body of sin--Rom 7:24-25; 1 Cor 15:57

3) Preserving him from pride and flattery (puffed Up)

4) God gives us victory (leads us in triumph) 2 Cor 2:14

5) Grace of God is spreading 2 Cor 4: 15

6) God was providing for the needs of the saints (2 Cor 9:12)

7) Indescribable gift of Christ (2 Cor 9:15)

8) all things (Eph 5 :20)

9) for a share in the inheritance of the saints (Col 1:12)

10) for the joy of Xian fellowship (1 Th 3:9)

11) strength of the Lord (1 Tim 1: 12)

Not an exhaustive list but gives us an idea of how important it is for us to cultivate grateful hearts and the priority that is placed on it in Scripture.

Thanksgiving is an attitude (disposition of the heart) recognizing the benefits and blessings that come to us by a merciful and gracious God.

II. The Circumstances of Thanksgiving

"in everything" absolute statement-not the thankful in good times. That is where natural thanksgiving finds its limitation. It is easy to be thankful when everything is going well but Xians are called to an unfailing gratitude when adverse of undesirable circumstance enter the picture.

That's the difference b/t worldly gratitude and godly gratitude. There were plenty of adverse circumstances in Thess. Paul left these believers a heritage of suffering (3:4). They experienced the hatred of jealous Jews, the bitter attacks, cruel persecution, including loss of employment (livelihood), friends, family ...

Matt 5:10-12 these things are God designed/appointed and have a specific purpose. Life was not easy for a 1st century Xian. In that Paul says, rejoice ... give thanks.

It isn't just persecution we face with joy, prayer and thankfulness but all trials should be met with same response.

In all circumstance we should give thanks:

When you've lost your job

Diagnosed with a cancer/terminal illness

Untimely death of friends of family

Difficult decisions that must be made

Any of the 1000s of burdens that we might face in life

One thing we should never be thankful for is sinful behavior. ''In everything” sets you apart from the world which naturally gives thanks for the good things but never the bad/less than desirable. It requires the grace of God and a firm understanding & belief in

Rom 8:28

Paul understood that and brought him and Silas to praise God

Acts 16:25;

Divine providence and sovereignty-if you doubt that God is good and is working His perfect plan and purpose in your life thru His sovereign control over your circumstances (even in bad ones), you won’t be thankful.

But if God is God, if He is in total control of everything that happens in the universe, then we can understand that anything we experience in our lives has a purpose to conform us into the image of God's precious Son (2 Cor 3:18).

III. The Motive of Thanksgiving

"For this is ... " Some people have a hard time understanding God's will. They think there is some aura of mystery that surrounds God's purpose and design for us. Paul simplifies things for us-rejoice, pray, give thanks ... this is God's will (some narrow it to give thanks only). The commands and prohibitions of Scripture reveal God's perfect will for us. 3 aspects of that will are rejoice ...

This answers the question "why?" b/c it is God's will. God wants us to be thankful people so in joyful obedience, we should give thanks in everything.

D. Edmond Hiebert "he who can say 'amen' to the will of God in his heart will be able to say 'hallelujah' also." That requires the transformation of the heart which takes place thru our union "in Christ." That relationship with the Lord makes it possible to live out God's will in your life.

God never asks us to do something that is beyond our ability to carry out. Knowing that it is God's will and b/c of our union with J.C. it is possible for us to give thanks in everything.

IV. The Outcome of Thanksgiving

What happens when you are thankful?

1) God is glorified- Phil 2:12-13 God is working His purpose in you so that when you are thankful for the accomplishments of that purpose in your life, God is pleased, glorified.

2) You will be blessed as you see the circumstances in your life from God's heavenly perspective.

3) The church is built up. Thankfulness can be contagious. If you see someone who is thankful to what God is doing in and thru them (whatever the situation), follow their example and the church will reap the blessing of obedience.

4) The lost will be reached- John 11:41-42

This was not a petition but a thanksgiving that God had already heard and answered His prayer and Lazarus would be raised. As Jesus offered up His thankfulness to God, it served as an affirmation of Jesus' mission and purpose to everyone who was around. The miracle would only strengthen their understanding of who Jesus really is.

When you are thankful, especially during the difficult times of your life, the world will take notice and be drawn toward the savior.

"In everything ... God's will."