Sermon 110997

1Co. 1:24a                           And When He Had Given Thanks                                    11/9/97

                                                                                                                            ABCC

I.     Introduction                                                                                                                      597

q      The times in which we live are characterized by ungratefulness (2Tim. 3:1-2)

q      It is utterly amazing that God is kind to the ungrateful & evil (Lk. 6:35)

q      The Christian is to characterized by a thankful attitude & actions

-         Irregardless of circumstances (Ps. 50:14-15; 1Th. 5:18)

-         Thanksgiving should be abundant (Col. 2:6-7)

II.    Christian Worship Services Should be Characterized by Giving of Thanks

A.     In the exercise of spiritual gifts (1Co. 14:16-17)

B.      Financial provisions should evoke giving of thanks (2Co. 9:10-15)

C.      Christian songs ought to evoke giving of thanks (Eph. 5:18-21)

D.     Remembrance of other saints (Phil. 1:3)

E.      Our salvation & deliverance (Col. 1:9)

F.      Prayers are to include thanksgiving (1Tim. 2:1-2)

III.   The Lord’s Supper Should be Character by Giving of Thanks

A.     Christ Himself modeled & established thanksgiving at His last supper (Mt. 26:26-28;    Mk. 14:22-24; Lk. 22:14-17)

B.      He gave thanks though He was facing great persecution leading to His death (Jn. 12:23-27; 13:1-3)

q      To give thanks means that He was look heavenward toward the Father – Thy will be done (Mt. 14:19)

q      His thanksgiving was not altered by the reality of His troubles in this life – focusing on God & heaven!

And When He Had Given Thanks, pg. 2

C.      We are to be particularly thankful at the Lord’s Supper

q      “given thanks” (1Co. 11:24) – eucharisteo = from which we get the term EUCHARIST

q      This is a reminder that we are blessed/saved through Christ’s redemptive work alone (1Co. 10:16)

q      Saved from the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9) – saved from Rom. 1:18; 2:5,8-9

q      We are among those who are the objects of God’s blessing (Rom. 8:31-32; Jas. 1:17-18)

q      We have been made one body in Christ through Christ’s death & resurrection (1Co. 10:17)

q      Heaven is our home through Christ redemptive work alone (Phil. 3:20-21)

q      Positionally we are already seated in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:4-7)

q      We have been blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3-14)

Why can we give thanks today regardless of our circumstances?  Because like Christ, we know where we came from & we know where we are going – Hallelujah, GIVE THANKS TODAY my beloved brother & sister!