Christian Joy and Thankfulness

In Previous Weeks we have discussed:

Repentance (July 13, 2025)

Our Need for repentance.

Our Need for continuing in repentance.

Humility and Brokenness

Our posture coming to God. (July 20, 2025)

How we must approach God in humility.

Our need to be broken over our sin.

Reviving Reconciliation (July 27, 2025)

Our need to forgive others.

To walk in reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration in the Church.

Today

We will again be discussing the heart posture of a Christian.

That of being Truly THANKFUL, walking in true spiritual gratitude toward the Lord.

And that of being Truly JOYFUL, walking in true spiritual joy because of Christ.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

And thankfulness is the response of the believer to the saving and sovereign hand of Grace in our lives.

What do the Scriptures say?

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Rejoice Evermore (KJV), Rejoice Always (ESV)

In Greek - chairo pontote =

Chairo = a primary verb: to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, be glad.

Pontote = every when, at all times, always, evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In everything give thanks.

Eucharisteo = to be grateful, actively to express gratitude (towards), give thanks.

Here is where the term Eucharist comes from.

Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24, Colossians 3:17.

Summary: Christians are to be Joyful, Prayerful and Thankful!

For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you!!!

Philippians 4:4–6 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Again “Rejoice” in the Lord Always!

This means I cannot choose when to be joyful.

Nor can I make excuses for not being joyful!

Don’t be anxious, (be careful for nothing), do act or react out of anxiety.

But pray, supplicate (beseech), seek the Lord earnestly in everything.

Your prayer and supplication is to be done with “Thanksgiving”.

Why? Because Thankfulness is also the correct heart posture in seeking the Lord, in coming to him, in prayer.

Look at what follows in verses 7-9.

Colossians 1:11–12 “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

Here is Paul’s prayer for the Colossians starting in verse 9 that they

Might be filled with knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.

Being fruitful in every good work.

And increasing in the knowledge of God.

Strengthened with all might, by God’s power.

Unto all patience and longsuffering.

With Joyfulness.

Giving Thanks unto the Father which made them partakers of the inheritance of the saints. (This is the why)!

This final point is the reason, the why we should be all these other things!!!

Let’s ask some questions?

Are you as joyful as you ought to be?

Are you as joyful as you could be?

Has your joy waned or been tempered by life, by struggle, by hardship?

Are you as thankful as you ought to be?

Are you as thankful as you could be?

Has your thankfulness waned or has it been tempered by life, by struggle or by hardship?

What’s The Answer?

Remember that it is God’s will for us to be thankful and joyful.

This comes first by repentance, humility, brokenness and remembering who Christ is.

Yet, 1 Thessalonians also tells us not to quench the Spirit, not to despise prophesying and to abstain from the very appearance of evil.

Refocus our attention of things that are better, more positive and not on what we think is going wrong.

Philippians 4:8–9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Remember also the Love of God for you and all that he has done for you.

Colossians 1:12–14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Respond in prayer, in worship, in living, in preaching, in telling others with joy and thankfulness.