Thanksgiving Address 2025

Ephesians 1:15–18 ESV

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Opening (1–2 minutes)

Family, I want to take a few minutes today—not as your pastor, but as your brother—to tell you how deeply thankful I am for you.

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday for us. It is part of our DNA as the people of God. And the Apostle Paul gives us the perfect language for moments like this. When Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, he said:

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Paul was saying, “Every time I talk to God, I thank Him for you.”

That is exactly how I feel today. I thank God for Reliant—I thank God for you.

Body: Three Reasons I Thank God for You (10 minutes)

1. I Thank God for Your Faith in the Lord Jesus (3 minutes)

Paul begins by saying, “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus.”

Reliant, I see your faith every week.

Yesterday, when Lou and I were meeting for discipleship, we talked about what it really means to walk in faith. I told him that walking in faith means doing everything we do in the confidence of the Lord. It’s asking a simple but powerful question:

“Can I do what I’m doing with Christ—and therefore in faith?”

And church, that’s exactly the kind of faith I see here.

I see it in the way you pray for one another.

I see it in the way you show up—early, late, tired, busy—and still give God your best.

I see it in the sacrifices you have made this year as we step forward in the Outpost vision.

Some of you have walked through hard seasons and kept trusting God.

Some of you have stepped into new ministries, new responsibilities, new obedience—and you did it with Christ, leaning on His strength.

Some of you have given and served in ways no one else sees—but God sees, and I see.

Your faith is not passive. It is lived.

It shows up in your choices, your service, your generosity, and your perseverance.

And like Paul, I can truly say:

“I thank my God for your faith.”

2. I Thank God for Your Love for One Another (3–4 minutes)

Paul also says he has heard of their “love toward all the saints.”

This is one of the most beautiful things about Reliant.

I have watched you…

bring meals to families in need,

gather around the grieving,

give generously when someone is hurting,

welcome new families with open arms,

serve on teams with joy and humility,

and surround people with prayer when they need strength.

Reliant is a church where people actually love one another—and that is not common anymore.

Paul understood that love is the visible evidence of spiritual maturity.

Your love testifies to anyone who walks through our doors that Jesus is alive in this place.

Your love has strengthened me.

It has strengthened this body.

It has been a living, breathing sermon every single week.

So today, like Paul, I can say:

“I do not cease to give thanks for the love I see among you.”

3. I Thank God for Your Faithfulness to the Mission (3 minutes)

Paul’s words weren’t just warm sentiments; they were tied to the mission of God.

And Reliant, you are a people who do not just attend church—you build God’s Kingdom.

This year, you have…

Invested deeply in discipleship through The Potter’s Clay.

Supported missions and church planting.

Poured your energy into R-groups, kids, students, worship, outreach, and community ministry.

Loved our city with boldness.

And you have done it with joy and commitment.

Your faithfulness has prepared us for a future where Reliant is not just a church in Dallas—

but a church that launches outposts, raises up leaders, multiplies disciples, and impacts generations.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank God for your faithfulness.

Your obedience is building something eternal.

Conclusion: A Pastoral Prayer of Thanksgiving (2 minutes)

As Paul prayed for the Ephesians, I want to pray the same over you:

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

Reliant family, may God deepen your faith, expand your love, and strengthen your faithfulness.

May He unite us with one heart and one mission—to produce Jesus followers of faith who expand God’s Kingdom.

And may we always be able to say with Paul:

“I thank my God for you.”

Final Word

Church… I love you.

I am grateful for you.

And I thank God daily for the privilege of being your pastor.

Let’s celebrate today with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving to the Lord who has brought us together.

Amen.