God's will: Give Thanks
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Outlook of a thankful heart
Outlook of a thankful heart
Outlook matters doesn’t it? Tonight we are looking at God’s will to give thanks for all things. No better place to start than with looking at the power of having the right outlook, a thankful heart.
Changes our outlook from selves to God
Changes our outlook from our power to the power of God
Changes our outlook from little things to all things God provides
Changes our outlook, for no room for complaining, only offering thanksgiving
Changes our outlook, knowing that God’s light is in us, to shine through us and opens the door for more blessings, so can be a blessing to others.
So, having said those things, may we look back so we can look forward.
God’s will: rejoice always
God’s will: pray without ceasing
Text has been (1The5:16-18)
16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Interesting in looking at several versions of (v.18) it says
Give thanks in everything, for everything, in every circumstances
Be thankful in all circumstances
In the CEV version it says “Whatever happens, keep thanking God.”
Not only are we to be thankful in everything, we are to be thankful for everything (Eph3:20; Jm1:17)
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
and need to add this one now
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
By His power that is in work in us, giving us all things we need for life and godliness (2Pt1:3-4), inviting us to share in His divine nature, now who would not want to give thanks in that, for that?
This evening we are looking at
Our need to give thanks
Our ability and application of giving thanks
Our need to give thanks
Our need to give thanks
Point of this series is to know God’s will for us as laid out in the scripture, no assumptions, just facts with simple application. We are called to give thanks, so let’s look at why, together.
In end times people are filled with ingratitude and we are told to avoid them (2Tim3:1-5)
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Look how (v.5) ends- avoid people that are trading the truth for a form of godliness that lacks the power.
Avoid, because the wrath of God will be revealed against the unthankful (Rom1:18-21)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Lack the power because the deny the truth, they trade the truth and do not honor God, they are without excuse, so what it says back in (v.18) is the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. - - - so keep the right outlook, a grateful heart, a grateful attitude, why you may ask?
Be grateful for what the Father has done (Col1:12-14)
Father qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance
Transferring us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son
Redeeming us from our sins!
Remember what He has done (Ps103:1-5)
This one we need to look at
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
What are the benefits?
Why we need to be thankful, it is part of our garment we put on (Col3:12-15)
take a second, turn to Col3; let’s look, listen to the instructions given in Col3:12-15.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Putting on the garment will help us to be thankful.
It is a portion of our prayers of faith (Col4:2)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
In our prayers we are called to be alert with an attitude of thanksgiving! Need, why? Because we are commanded. Thankfulness, is a key in our Christian walk:
To overcome anxiety (Php4:6)
to paraphrase this verse, be anxious about nothing, give thanks for everything.
To obtain peace that surpasses all comprehension (Php4:6-7)
Know that when we do the first then this comes, peace, God’s peace, that we are thankful for.
When we have peace, we can even have joy that is inexpressible (1Pt1:8)
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
Now may we move on to our ability and application when it comes to giving thanks in and for all things.
Application of being thankful for all things and in all things (circumstances)
Application of being thankful for all things and in all things (circumstances)
How are we to be thankful in and for all things? There are many passages that can help us know and to apply.
Know all things work together for the good
If we love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom8:28)
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(God at work in you picture)
Expand on this, knowledge of God’s goodness, and God’s working all things together, even when we don’t see it.
I want to unpack this verse just for a couple of minutes about God, God’s will, and God working in our lives.
Look at that verse, who does the work: God does, God is working behind the scenes in your and my life daily. He has promised to never leave nor forsake and he is with us daily.
God is working for the good, not for our comfort and pleasure. He is not a Genie or the God of right now, He is the God of all eternity and He knows the big picture, even when we don’t see it or know it. God is good and only desires good
God is working for the good for those who love Him. Remember God is the author and perfecter of our faith through Jesus Christ, He gives us love so we can love and share our love with others.
If we love God we will obey God and do His will (1Jn5:3)
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
What is the proof of our love for God here? And is there a promise? (yes they are not burdensome)
If we obey God and do his will we can rejoice in all things
In persecution (Mt5:10-12)
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 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.
In tribulation, or trials (Jm1:2-3)
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Our tested faith brings about endurance, perfection, completeness, maturity in our faith.
Other ways to spur thankfulness application
Know His love endures forever (Ps118:29; Ps136:1-5)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; 5 To Him who made the heavens with skill, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
Look at those verses again,why give thanks?
Know He has given us an indescrible gift (2Cor9:15)
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
How do you describe the indescribable, how do you express the inexpressible? By giving thanks!
Know He has given us an unshakeable kingdom (Heb12:28)
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
Take time to give thanks, in all things, for all things, through all things and we are then doing God’s will for us, and not only that then we are reminded of this
(more than conquerors slide) - - - - - below not on screen leave it that way
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
encouragement (encouragement slide) prayer (exit slides)