Loving Your Neighbor By Being Thankful

Introduction:

Fact: At the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth in 1621, they had 53 pilgrims and native Indians celebrating together.

Question: How is Thanksgiving different today than in 1621?

Thee Main Points

I. The Standard of Thanksgiving

Ephesians 5:20; Romans 1:21

A. Believers should be God-Exalting. - Acts 17:24,25

B. Believers should be Christ-Revealing. - L- v.20; Hebrews 13:15

C. Believers should be Time-Investing. - L- v.20, 15, 16

"Redeeming the time" means to wisely invest your time.

D. Believers should be All-Embracing. - L- v.20a; Romans 8:28

II. The Substance of Thanksgiving.

A. Speaking the truth of God. - L- v. 18b-19, Ephesians 4:29

B. Showing the joy of God. - L- v.19-20, Psalms 40:3, Psalms 34:1

C. Sharing the love of God. - v.20-21

"Submitting" means placing yourself under the authority of someone.

III. The Secret of Thanksgiving.

A. The incoming of the Holy Spirit. - L- v16-26, Acts 2:38

B. The infilling of the Holy Spirit. - L- v.18b-20

"Be filed with the Spirit" means to be being kept filled. - Romans 8:9

Question: How do believers stay filled?

Answer:

1) Confess your sins.

2) Praise God's name.

3) Thank God for your blessings.

4) Ask God to Fill you.

5) Obey Gods word. - Ephesians 4:30

C. The inspiring Holy Spirit. - L- v.18-20, Romans 3:10, Galatians 5:22-23

CONCLUSION: Three Points Of Interest:

1) Invest time to help others. - v.16

2) Share God's truth with others. - v.17

3) Let God's Spirit fill your mind.- v. 18

4) Be thankful for all things. - v.20

5) Submit to one another. - v.21