When Giving Thanks Is Hard: A Thanksgiving Message of Hope

Welcome

Welcome to Innovate Church! We are excited for you to be with us today.

Say Hi in the comments so we can “see you.”

What is the most comforting verse in Scripture for you?

Need prayer? Share it in the comments or email [e-mail]

Join the Innovate Life Community: https://discord.gg/eZv88xE2C4

Create your free RightNow Media account, and start browsing more than 20,000 inspiring videos.https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/innovateccc or text the code: INNOVATE to 49775

DOWNLOAD YOUR PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ya15tKJmu7DNKp922gjRKLfZdlVq7wPSY7fKqWOUXt4/edit?usp=sharing

Announcements

• Discord

• Study Guide

• RightNow Media

Prayer requests

Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Kids Time

Oliver, Charlotte, and Elliot.

Hey kids!

Thanksgiving!

Sermon

When Giving Thanks Is Hard: A Thanksgiving Message of Hope

Many of us have suffered a hardship in our lives. If you haven’t, you will.

Jobs, financial, health, loss, new limitations.

Growing up I went through a lot…

Today, I have a wife I see suffer many things she shouldn’t…

I am also thankful, grateful even, for these hardships in my own life…

They brought me to where I am today…

Not perfect, but living better than I could be…

I may not thank God for the pain — but I can thank Him for what He has done through the pain.

How about you? When you think of all you’ve been through or are going through today, are you thankful, grateful, able to worship God with sincere thanksgiving?

Series Review

Faith Over Finances - the heart matters

God’s provision, generosity, debt, and savings last week.

Just like in finances, the heart determines our response to hardship.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Part of his closing encouragement in the letter. It includes the encouragement to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and then give thanks in all circumstances.”

In everything, even what seems adverse.

Paul didn’t say ‘for’ all circumstances, but ‘in’ all circumstances.

I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon 3. Inner Attitudes (5:16–18)

A thankful spirit does not come naturally to most of us. Certainly it pushes us beyond our natural capacities when difficult or painful situations invade our life. This command to be thankful, no matter what happens, is possible only by God’s grace. When we can agree with God that he works all things out for good to those who love him and are committed to obedience (

Joseph was wrongly imprisoned multiple times. Did God not do good from it?

Paul was imprisoned multiple times. Did God not produce good from it?

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

This verse does not promise that everything is good — but that God is actively working good from everything.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 5

The Christian who walks with the Lord and keeps in constant communion with Him will see many reasons for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.

"God, who is the source, sustainer, and goal of all things, will not allow His purposes to be defeated by anything that would truly harm us. Instead, He works through everything—both the difficulties and the blessings, both the confusing and the clear—to accomplish and complete His good design for our lives."

Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Be grateful.

For this is the will of God.

JI Packer - Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is not a personality trait — it’s a mark of spiritual maturity.

The same man who wrote this Psalm struggled mightily with dare I say, at times depression.

Psalm 13 (David)

Questions God:“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?” (vv.1–2)

Feels overwhelmed:“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?”

Ends in trust + praise:“But I trust in your unfailing love;my heart rejoices in your salvation.I will sing to the LORD,for He has been good to me.” (vv.5–6)

Psalm 77

Questions God directly: “Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious?”

Ends with remembrance + worship: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD…You are the God who works wonders.”

Psalm 116

Deep trouble: “The cords of death entangled me.”

Cries out to God: “I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.”

Ends in thanksgiving: “I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving.”

Even in the midst of struggle, He is deserving of our praise and thanks giving.

When we agree with God that he works all things out for good to those who love him, then we can thank him.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Closing

If you find it difficult to offer thanks…

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

Let the weak say, “I am strong"

Let the poor say, “I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us; Give thanks.

Closing Prayer

Closing Song - Give Thanks

DOWNLOAD YOUR PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ya15tKJmu7DNKp922gjRKLfZdlVq7wPSY7fKqWOUXt4/edit?usp=sharing