Untitled Sermon (2)
Notes
Transcript
Thankfulness
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Today, I want to talk about Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the harvest, the blessings of the past year, and the close bonds of family and friends. It's a time to give thanks and express gratitude”..
A lot of people will travel miles and miles to share and enjoy what this time of the year brings.
I am reminded of what my family has done most of my life during the Thanksgiving Day Holidays. Yes, I am reminded of some good cooking and some good eating. Watching some good football. Just a time of relaxing with family.But I've come to a place now in my right old age. Where I also reflect on family who's no longer here, who was called on to be with the Lord.
I do not take Thanksgiving for granted. For I know that if it had not have been for Jesus Christ, none of these things would have been possible. God has made all these things possible. So, all praise and thanks go to God!
In our text today, Paul instructed believers to always Rejoice and Pray and to give thanks to God always no matter the circumstances. Reminding them that it is God's will for them in Christ Jesus.
I BELIEVE THAT EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD HAVE A POSTURE OF THANKFULNESS. It refers to a spiritual and attitudinal stance rather than a physical position. It emphasizes humility, reverence, and a proper mindset in approaching God.
A posture of Thankfulness should remind and also encourage the believer that our thanking God should not be based on our blessing only, but it should be a way of life, a choice that the believer has chosen, which reflects not only our lifestyle but as a choice that reflects our dependence and trust in God.
My prayer for this message is for all of us to continue to have an active role in thanking God despite what we go through. To also be steadfast through trials and tribulations that allow us to grow closer to God. I pray also that this message encourages us to be thankful for all things, the good things and the bad things, which show the fruit of our spiritual growth, that we as believers may be a witness to people to put their trust in God.
To be thankful means being conscious of and appreciative of the benefits received.
It involves expressing gratitude for what one has and acknowledging the positive aspects of one's life.
Thankfulness is considered a virtue and can be directed towards various aspects of life, from everyday conveniences
Such as:
like water from taps
and materials for housing,
to more profound elements like health, strength,
and relationships.
The concept of thankfulness is also found in religious contexts, where it is encouraged as a way of acknowledging divine provision.
Living with a sense of perpetual thankfulness is suggested to lead to a healthier perspective on life and can potentially contribute to personal growth and flourishing.
It is the will of God that we are thankful for all things.
1. Rejoice Always
The Bible encourages believers to rejoice always. Especially in the context of facing life challenges. And the persecution they were going through.
The persecution they were going through:
The persecution they were going through included opposition and hostility for their Christian beliefs, which made it challenging for them to maintain a spirit of gratitude. Despite facing persecution, they were encouraged to continue rejoicing and giving thanks to God.
The apostle Paul, while imprisoned, encouraged the Philippian believers to "rejoice in the Lord, always" (Philippians 4:4)[1].
This suggests that rejoicing is not dependent on circumstances but on one's relationship with God.
5:16. God wants His people to be joyful and He gives them every reason to be. But Paul knew human nature well enough to sense the need for a reminder to rejoice at all times.
( 4:4). 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
This is a command. A Christian’s joy does not spring from his circumstances, but from the blessings that are his because he is in Christ. “The Christian who remains in sadness and depression really breaks a commandment: in some direction or other he mistrusts God—His power, providence, forgiveness”
“Think of a family who hosts a reunion after years apart. The joy they experience in seeing one another is profound and heartfelt. In the same way, rejoicing is about relationship, especially with God. When we gather to worship, we celebrate not just our faith but the beautiful connection we have with our Heavenly Father and with each other, honoring the love that binds us”.
2 Pray Always
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Every believer should have a disposition of an attitude with gratitude.
Praying without ceasing, as described in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, is not necessarily about constant verbal prayer but rather maintaining a continuous connection with God throughout daily life1.
It involves developing a spirit of prayerfulness that fills one's entire existence.
This concept encompasses both dedicated prayer times and an ongoing awareness of God's presence2.
Some interpret it as a state of "continual, humble communion with God" that goes beyond words, reflecting an unbroken fellowship with God.
This practice can lead to profound spiritual shifts, helping individuals become more receptive to what they are seeking from God.
It means to, “Pray without intermission”; without allowing prayerless gaps to intervene between the times of prayer.
Consider the rhythm of a clock: it ticks consistently, marking each moment. Our prayers should mirror this constant rhythm. To pray always is to establish a pattern in our day where we pause to reflect, to express gratitude, and to seek wisdom. Like a clock reminding us of time’s passage, our prayers remind us of God’s presence in our lives, encouraging a deeper relationship with Him.
3 Be Thankful Always
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Giving thanks to God in every situation is not an option for the believer, but it is certainly a command because God knows what's best for the believer. Because we trust Him with our lives. We trust Him with the plans that he has for us.
For the believer in obedience to God’s revealed will, he enters into intimate union with a body of fellow believers, which he seeks to serve and benefit in every way that his abilities allow.
Our lives are transformed by thanking God for everything. By thanking God for everything, it gives us a perspective on the challenges that we must face every day. It encouraged our intimacy with God as we continue to grow on a spiritual basis.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you [1 Thess. 5:18].
This tells us to “give thanks” in all circumstances, not just once a year, but all the time.
This “is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” If you come to me and ask what is the will of God for you, I can tell you three specific things that are the will of God for you: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything. That is the will of God for you.
In a small village, an elderly man consistently praised God for his meals and surroundings. One day, a neighbor, struggling with gratitude, asked how he remained thankful despite life's challenges. The elderly man replied, 'Every day brings gifts, even if they are hidden.' His profound insight reflects 1 Chronicles 16:34: 'Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.' This teaches us that being thankful always begins with recognizing God’s constant goodness in our lives.
