Give Thanks

Give Thanks

Text: Ephesians 5:15-20KJV

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

V 15-16 – Walk carefully, as wise people not foolishly, Make the most of your time (don’t waste any) the days are evil!

 V 17 – The way to achieve wisdom is through Gods’ will! Pray for it, study it listen for His will in your life. Don’t worry so much about what you want in your life but what God wants for you.

V 18 – Lets not be drunk with any alcohol but filled with Gods’ Holy Spirit!

V 19 – The noise of a sinful world is all around us. Let’s work to drown out that awful noise with the music of the Lord!

Verse 20 – Be Thankful!! – A Thankful heart sees God as the source of everything. When our hearts are filled with Thanksgiving we can see beyond the hard times of this world!

Message:

1.    When to be thankful

a.       Always, not just when we feel good but also when things are tough                           Acts 16:23-26KJV

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

b.     In everything!!  1 Thessalonians 5:18KJV

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

2.    What are we thankful for?

a.       For God’s forgiveness

 Romans 6:17-18NASB95

17     But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,      18     and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

b.     For all that God provides us.

3.    How can we be thankful?

a.       Openly to all around us

1 Chronicles 16:8KJV

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

b.      In the name of the Lord

c.       Because of who He is

4.    Who do we give thanks to?

a.       Unto God the Father

b.      For all His good gifts

James 1:17NASB95

17     Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Conclusion:

Thanksgiving from the heart not just the mouth is an expression of trust in Christ.