Give Thanks

Eph 5:20

1. Give Thanks Always

a. What does It Mean to Give Thanks Always?

Louw-Nida– “always, at all times, on every occasion”

Always means something that is regular or habitual

b. We Are Commanded to Pray Always

Rom. 1:9

Luke 18:1

1 Cor. 1:4

c. Thanksgiving Should Be a Regular Aspect of Our Life

We Are Commanded To, “Give Thanks In All Circumstances” - 1 Thess. 5:16-18

When things are going good

not as easy as it seems. he better things are the less we think about god

We just get wrapped up in self - Luke 17:16-19

When times are hard

Daniel – Daniel 6:10

Paul – 2 Cor. 12:10

2. Give Thanks For Everything

a. We must give thanks for our…

Physical Blessings

Food (1 Tim 4:3-4; Mark 8:6-7; Acts 27:35)

Jobs and ability to create wealth (Deut8:18)

The Weather (Rain and Sunshine) (Matt.5:45)

The Day (Psalm 118:24)

Spiritual Blessings

For Jesus Christ - 2 Cor 9:15

For victory through Jesus Christ - 1 Cor 15:57

That God has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints - Col 1:12

For our union/fellowship with Christ - Col 2:6-7

The grace and mercy of God - 2 Cor 4:15; 1 Chron 16:34; Psalm 107:8,15

All of God’s wonderous works - Psalm 26:7; Psalm 75:1

Because of God’s righteous judgments - Psalm 119:62

Our Brethren - Romans 16:4; 2 Cor 8:16; Eph 1:16

That God will never leave us or forsake us - Heb 13:5-6

God has given us all things that we need to serve Him - 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3

3. Give Thanks To God The Father

We are commanded to make thanksgiving toward all people– 1 Tim. 2:1

Ingratitude is sinful and leads to other sins – Luke 17:17-18; Rom. 1:20-21

Why should we give thanks to God?

Every good and every perfect gift comes from the Lord - James 1:17

God gives us “richly all things to enjoy” - 1 Tim 6:17

There is a danger that we can forget where our blessings come from - Deut8:11-20

Prayer of Agur- Prov 30:7-8

Everything Belongs to God and We Are Simply Stewards

Haggai 2:8

The earth and all its fullness is the Lord’s - Psalm 24:1

Psalm 50:7-14

God is praised when we give thanks - Psalm 100:4; Psalm 69:30

Giving thanks to god benefits us

It reminds us of the source of our blessings so we don’t forget - Matt 6:11; 1 Timothy 4:3-5

It reminds us how blessed we really are - Psalm 103:1-2

It reminds us of God’s goodness - Psalm 118:1

4. Give Thanks In The Name Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

It is through the mediation and intercession of Jesus that we give thanks

John 14:13,14

John 16:23,24

1 Tim. 2:5-6