Thanksgiving is a verb - Let’s be thankful

I. Introduction: Thanksgiving is a verb – Let everyone give thanks

A. Scripture / comments

(ESV) 1 Thessalonians 5 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

B. Song: (General thanks)

II. Thanksgiving is a verb: Give thanks to God for Who He is

A. Scripture / comments

(ESV) Exodus 34 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

(ESV) Psalms 106 1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! …

B. Public sharing: What characteristic of God are you most thankful for?

C. Song: (Focused on the character of God)

III. Thanksgiving is a verb: Give thanks to God for What He has done

A. Scripture / comments

(ESV) Psalms 66 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you… . 5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. … 7 who rules by his might forever, … 9 who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. 10 For you, O God, have tested us; … yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

(ESV) Psalms 18 1 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

(ESV) Psalms 106 1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, … 2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?

B. Public sharing: What characteristic of God are you most thankful for?

C. Song: (Focused on the character of God)

D. Public sharing: What thing has God done that you are most thankful for?

E. Song: (Focused on what God has done for us)

IV. Thanksgiving is a verb: Give thanks for people

A. Scripture and Comments

(ESV) 1 Timothy 2 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

(ESV) 2 Thessalonians 1 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

B. Public sharing: Think of someone here in the service that is not part of your family that you are thankful for. Share who that person is and why you are thankful for them.

C. Song: (Focused on being thankful for others)

V. Thanksgiving is a verb: Trust Christ and so you can be truly thankful

A. Scripture / Comments

(ESV) Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

B. Song: Invitation