Give Thanks
Give Thanks
Pastor Keith Hassell
1. We are to give God thanks continually
a. Hebrews 13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
2. We are to enter into His presence with thanksgiving
a. Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
3. We are to give God thanks for all things
a. Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
4. We are to give God thanks in all things
a. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
5. We are to give God thanks for His deliverance in our life
a. 2 Samuel 22:48-50 “It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me; He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord , among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name.”
b. Psalm 107
6. We are to give God thanks in public
a. Psalm 35:18 “I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.”
7. We are to give thanks as a form of testimony to God
a. Psalm 105:1 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!”
8. God can multiply the little we have when we give Him thanks
a. John 6:11 “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.”
b. John 6:23 “however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—”
9. I am thankful
a. For Jesus, my Savior and Lord
b. For God the Father who I love getting to know more each day
c. For my salvation, God’s mercy extended to me a sinner
d. For God’s word, which is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
e. For the Holy Spirit, who is my constant companion and guide
f. For my parents who love me and gave me a godly heritage
g. For my family, where I experience God’s unconditional love and support
h. For my wife, who is my lifetime love, friend, companion, and partner
i. For my children, who are my most valuable treasures in this life
j. For the tools God has given me to accomplish His work
k. For my home, which is a refuge from the outside world
l. For health, which we often take for granted until its gone
m. For my brothers and sisters in Christ who show me the love of Christ
n. For my friends, who stick closer than a brother
o. For those core individuals who God has brought alongside Sheila and I to share in vision and work
p. For encouragement, that keeps me going when I want to quit
q. For godly criticism, which shows me possible blind spots in my life
r. For my critics, who remind me that I can never please everyone so I might as well please God
s. For my enemies, who force me to trust in God
t. For the unexpected, which reminds me that I am not in control
u. For disappointments, which reminds me that I am trusting in things other than God to make me happy
v. For problems, which make me look to God who will deliver me
w. For times of lack, which remind me who is My Source
x. For times of need, which reminds me where my help comes from
y. For questions, which remind me to turn to God for the answers
z. For tests, which give me the opportunity to build a testimony
aa. For trials, which give me opportunity to be a witness for God to everyone who is watching
bb. For suffering, which tests my willingness to obey God even when it hurts
cc. For death, which cannot hurt me but only usher me into the presence of God
dd. For failure, which reminds me what true success is
ee. For success, which fills my heart with joy and praise to God
ff. For my country, which is still the greatest country in the world
gg. For those who lay down their lives each day in public service and in the military to keep our lives safe and free