A Life of Thankfulness

1st Thessalonians 5:16-18

(MENTION FOOD DRIVE PRAY)

Introduction: (5 Minutes)

Introduction:

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, it's a fitting time to reflect on the authenticity of our thankfulness. Is it simply a requirement to be thankful as Christians?

Not exactly. While thankfulness is not a prerequisite to being a Christian, it is a hallmark of a transformed life.

In a small village during the 1940s, a mother lost everything during the war. Yet, she gathered her children daily to share a meal of just bread and water. With every bite, she expressed her gratitude for the simple food, teaching them that thankfulness is a choice amidst despair. Years later, those children, now adults, reflect not on the scarcity they faced but on the abundance of love and appreciation shared at that table, illustrating that gratitude can transform our perspective, no matter our circumstances.

Today, we'll explore three key characteristics of a life marked by thankfulness: continual rejoicing, constant prayer, and experiencing gratitude through the "court of thanksgiving."

These aspects deepen our spiritual journey and distinguish a life changed by Christ.

Continual Rejoicing

(vs 16)

(10 Minutes)

Rejoicing- to be delighted

A lot of people rejoice

What makes rejoicing a part of the Christian life

is it requirement

is it a check mark

no it is

Christ

Philippians 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

Rejoicing is far more than an outward appearance; there is a change that happens

Rejoicing involves our Theology

what do you believe concerning God

if what you believe about God leads to the opposite of rejocing in the work of Christ

it would do well for us to repent

(detail)

look at the world around us most would say there isn’t a lot to be rejoicing about; from the scriptures we can conclude becuase of Christ - there is

if you only knew what I am going through- yes you are right on a human to human realtionship but we are detailing a creation to creator.

What are some practical ways we rejoice

Preach the Gospel to yourself

Share in the good news of the gospel with others

Join with one another in fellowship

Be mindful when you aren't rejoiceful

complain- (i need to be honest) I believed I have complained far to much.

How about you?

When we complain- we loose sight of Jesus

I am here to tell you there will be a many opportunities to complain.

but where does that come from?

The Complaint Fast Challenge the congregation to a 7-day "complaint fast" where they intentionally catch themselves before complaining and instead verbalize one truth about God's character or provision.

Outcome of our faith

(Always)-at all times, forever

Matthew 5:12 “12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

All times

the proper practice of faith-

Times of the testing of our rejoicing will come

Are we alone in those times, when it comes to one another maybe but not so with the Lord

He is with you.

2. Constant Prayer

Prayer: common questions

Practice

James 5:16 “16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Confess to one another-

How detrimental it is that we don’t believe we have been redeemed.

Colossians 1:14 “14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Ephesians 1:7 “7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”

Who are the one another's- you know what I get from this, we need mature men and women in the faith-

No gossip

No tearing down

No bailing out

How will I find what to pray?

The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes Chapter 5

Prayer gives a channel to the pent-up sorrows of the soul; they flow away, and in their place streams of sacred delight pour into the heart.

Thankful prayer is honest.

You can be pent up- I would be worried if you weren’t (here is the kicker) You get to pray about those things.

Things that are pent up- pray about them

May i encourage us before we go to others what is causing us to be pent up- Go to the Lord- He can take it and He may need to correct you.

Picture a dam holding back massive water pressure. That's us with pent-up sorrows, frustrations, and complaints. Many Christians try to keep the dam wall higher and higher, thinking that's holiness. But God doesn't want us to build higher walls—He wants us to open the floodgates in prayer, letting it all flow to Him. When we do, something miraculous happens: the toxic floodwaters that flow out are replaced by streams of living water flowing in. The same channel that releases our complaints becomes the channel that receives His joy.

A- Adoration, C- Confession, T- Thankful,- S- Supplication

Delight (Dreams, desires, cares)

Repentance ( what do you need to repent from, where are you and I need to repent)

Do I believe in prayer?

Jeremiah 29:12 “12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

Encourage people to take a daily walk using the ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), praying through each category as they walk. This makes prayer both physical and spiritual, helping with the "constant" aspect.

Rejoicing and Prayer are continual

A circle of prayer and rejoicing (linked)

To do anything continually one must be

Humble

Disciplined

A life of thanksgiving is not justified by these things it is the results of a changed life

I know we all can come up with a list of why we can’t live like this.

You may be right that there are things that are in your life that are preventing you and I from doing so.

Pray , repent, and receive

What are our lives for?

To glorify the father and its painful for that glory to be taken away from us.

3. The Court of Thanksgiving

(vs 18)

Is Thankfulness for us, is it be given to others.

When we think about this deeply we could say yes, for our benefit it would be good that we were thankful, for others as well.

Recipient to enter his presence

Psalm 100:4 “4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”

Recipient in sacrifice

Psalm 116:17 “17 To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the Lord.”

When Joy and Prayer are united in ones life, the result is giving thanks to the one who is worthy of the praise

Yes those around us benefit from the joy and the prayer life, but the recipient of our thankfulness is God.

A couple key indicators

in everything- if thankfulness depended on people every situation would have to be perfect

if thankfulness depended on us we would have to be perfect.

God deserves the thankfulness becuase in every situtation He is perfecting us

Philippians 1:6 “6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

In our relationship with Him

Perfects us- How (Bible reading, prayer, faith) (Romans 12:1-2)

In our relationship with one another (1st John 1:7)

Perfects us- How (Discipleship, confessing sins, maturity, fellowship)

In our relationship with our spouse (Eph 5)

Perfects us- How (servanthood, sacrifice, unconditional love)

In our relationship with our kids (Lev 19:2)

Perfects us How ( How to discipline, and guide, and let go)

God’s will for us is to give him thanks as made possible through His mighty work of Christ

He is reconciling all things.

Application:

Cultivate Continual Rejoicing:

Practice preaching the Gospel to yourself daily to remind yourself of the joy found in Christ. Make it a habit to share the good news with others and engage in fellowship to uplift your spirit. When you find yourself prone to complaining, redirect that energy by consciously focusing on the joy and hope rooted in your faith.

Engage in Constant Prayer:

Make prayer a regular practice, using the ACTS model: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Before turning to others with your burdens, bring your concerns and joys to God, seeking His guidance and correction. Recognize that prayer provides a channel for your deepest emotions, transforming your heart through sacred delight.

Embrace the Court of Thanksgiving:

Regularly express gratitude to God for His continuous work in your life. Understand that thankfulness is not contingent upon perfect circumstances but rather recognizes God's work in perfecting you. Strengthen your relationships by applying biblical principles such as servanthood, confession, and unconditional love, thereby glorifying God and reflecting His grace to others.

In closing, we've examined how joy, prayer, and thankfulness are integral to a life transformed by faith. Remember, thankfulness does not rest upon the perfection of our circumstances or ourselves, but rather on God's perfecting work within us.

As we continue to cultivate a life of thanksgiving, let us glorify God, knowing He is reconciling all things through Christ.

Our relationships, whether with God, one another, or family, are perfected as we embrace discipleship, confession, and unconditional love.

May this Thanksgiving season remind us to live in gratitude, continually rejoicing and praying, to honor the one who is forever worthy of our praise.

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 “23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”