Oh Give Thanks (2)

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

This is your call to worship. Let us pray.

We’re so glad you could join us this morning, as you tune in please hit that share button, find and follow us on our YouTube channel at Love Christian Center, Douglasville.

Let us get into the message.

For most, we are about to enter a major holiday season. Thanksgiving tends to mark the start of the Christmas season.

Families make plans to gather, especially after coming off the period of COVID and the imposed travel restrictions, isolation and social distancing we experienced at this time last year and some things such as social distancing, we continue to observe.

With over 767,419 deaths in the US alone from COVID-19, many families will find themselves with one and for some more than one empty chair at the table, because their loved one did not make it through the pandemic. Perhaps it was some other ailment, accident or issue that resulted in them not being there.

But, as we get busy preparing for the season, because whether we realize it or not, and whether we accept it or not, for those who remain, life does continue and we must move forward. If you find yourself having difficulty moving forward, please reach out for help.

The other thing that happens, at this time of year especially, is people begin to spend money. They spend over and above what they have, going into debt for the rest of the year, to celebrate one day. A day that is supposed to be about the birth of Christ and the only gift he truly wants, is you.

So as we invade the stores, buying all the ingredients to make that wonderful meal, preparing the table for the friends and family that will come, and packing our bags for that trip, let us not forget one very important thing… Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians, I’m going to go through a few scriptures but the focal scripture and the only one I’ll read in your hearing is verse 18. Reading from the NLT and it reads as thus

1 Thes 5:18: 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Our title for today’s message is, Oh Give Thanks.

In this first letter of Paul’s to the Thessalonians, they being new converts, he is reminding and encouraging them to remain holy, he’s reminding them to stay the course.

There are times we all need to be reminded why we’re here and what the ultimate goal of our mission is. What is it we’re to do and how do we do it?

As Paul comes to the fifth chapter of this letter, his main concern is to prepare them for Christ’s return, to make sure their hearts and their actions, will cause them to be blameless in God’s sight. Now that’s not to say they’ll be perfect, no one is, but it is to say they will be striving, as we should be. Our ultimate goal should always be obedience to God.

Paul reminds them that they are children of light, to live like it everyday, and when Christ returns they won’t be caught off guard.

His conclusion of the letter begins in verse 12 when he says, “12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”

Honor your leaders doing the Lord’s work. If they are true leaders, they will work hard among you. True leaders lead from the front. They don’t sit back and wait to be served, they serve. To minister, literally means to serve. That is in all aspects.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying spiritual leaders will be all things to all people, but they should pray for spiritual wisdom that those things they do and say will be in your best interest, that what they say to you will be for your good and not said out of selfish motives. As you rely on them to pray for you, you should also pray for yourself. Christ died to give you that ability, that right and that privilege, don’t ignore it.

To honor your leaders is also not to wait on them hand and foot, buy them clothes and gifts, but you should pray for them. Sometimes they will need help, if you can help them, do that. Leaders are not supermen and wonder women, they are human beings with families and bodies that get tired and sick and, they are people who sometimes stretch themselves too thin.

You want them to be able to connect with God so they can hear from Him to give you the best spiritual advice and leadership you can get, you certainly don’t want them to wing it.

13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Respect your leaders, don’t slander them in the street and don’t allow others to do it either. Help them to protect their character and their witness. Love them wholeheartedly and do it, not because of who they are but because of the work they are called to do.

Live peacefully with each other, no one wants to constantly be at odds with others. Arguing over the color of the carpet and the curtains. Sometimes there are things you need to overlook and then there are times you have to speak out.

Paul says, “14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”

You need to let those who are lazy know, the Bible says if you don’t work, you don’t eat. You’re not working to get to saved, you work because you are saved. And do the work that needs to be done, not busy work.

Not everyone will be an extrovert, some are a little more timid about stepping out, encourage them, go with them, hold their hand if necessary, pray for and with them. Nothing helps a person more than to hear you pray for them. For those who may be weak, we won’t all be at the same level with the same drive, with the same knowledge, and the same zeal.

When you find that person who is a little weak in their faith, encourage them to move forward, gently challenge them to trust God, remind them that if He did it before, he can and will do it again.

Patience, it’s a virtue, unfortunately it’s not one that everyone has, but it’s one we all need; and we need patience for and with all God’s children. Always keep in mind, that common sense is not common to everyone. Don’t assume that just because you know it, your brother or sister in Christ will know it too. Not only are we to be patient with other believers, we are to be patient with nonbelievers too.

And because common sense is not common, make sure you, 15 “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.” Start with yourself and then help others. Put your oxygen mask on first, then you can help someone else with theirs. You may have to pray for yourself first, before you can pray for someone else. You can’t save your neighbor if you’re drowning yourself

Now Paul goes into a list

16 Always be joyful. - Understand, having joy is different than being happy. Happiness is determined by your situation, joy comes from within and radiates out. It’s never contingent on what others are doing or what’s going on in your life. Joy comes from God.

17 Never stop praying. Prayer is our connection to God. It’s how we communicate with God. True and effective communication only takes place when you talk and listen. It’s an exchange, not a one-way conversation where you do all the talking and God does all the listening and giving. Make sure you spend time listening for what the Holy Spirit has to say to you.

And our focal scripture… 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Be thankful in all circumstances, give thanks in everything, not for everything. We’re not thankful when a loved one dies, or we lose our house, or our marriage ends in divorce, or our children are unruly, or we lose our job. But even when we find ourselves in those less than perfect situations we are still to be thankful for the things we do have.

Sometimes we may find it difficult to be thankful in all things. Sometimes it’s hard to find something to be thankful about when everything around us seems to be falling apart, but when you find yourself at that point look to God and all his wonders.

Look at the sun, moon, and stars and marvel at how each stays in its perfect orbit without any help from man.

Look at how the animals do what they do in their natural habitat.

Look at how the waters stay in their borders and the dry land stays dry.

Look at how the leaves on the trees change colors to beautiful shades of oranges and reds and yellows to fall to the ground only to come back in the spring with another magnificent display of color.

Give thanks for the family you do have.

Give thanks that you’re not on the street

Give thanks that you have enough and more than enough

Give thanks that you’re in your right mind.

Give thanks to the Lord for He his good, for his mercy endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord for his excellent greatness.

Give thanks to the Lord for his mighty acts.

Give thanks to the Lord for his loving kindness

Give thanks to the Lord for his tender mercies that are new every morning. He doesn’t make you go through your day with yesterday’s mercies, he gives you new mercies. New mercies for today, because what you dealt with yesterday was different and you need something else for today. Then, when you lay down tonight, you can do so with the excitement and joy of knowing there will be new mercy waiting for you when you wake up in the morning.

Give thanks to the Lord for his grace. Grace that he gives freely and liberally.

Give thanks just for who God is, not only for what he has done, is doing or will do. He’s worthy of thanks, because, he is.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving,

remember those who are not as well off as you

remember those who cannot celebrate with their family

remember those who wish they could be where you are

remember that Christ died so you could celebrate life.

Live it well

live in obedience to Him

live in expectation of his love

live knowing that at the end of this life here there is a mansion prepared for you in heaven

live knowing that when Christ returned to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. And not only to be with us, but to live in us.

That being said, verse 19 tells us, “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit dwells within you to guide you into all truth. The Holy Spirit is alive and desires to live in you, but he’s also a gentleman and He will not go or live, where he is not invited.

Don’t stifle the spirit by attempting to dictate to someone else how they should praise or worship God. We all have our way of praising God and it’s ok.

20 “Do not scoff at prophecies,” when the prophetic goes forth, listen. Does it align with God has shown you? Does it confirm something you’ve been asking God for? Is it dealing with the kingdom of God, or is a two cars and a house kind of word? Paul says instead of just believing what someone says under the umbrella of prophesy…

21 “test everything that is said.” Try the spirit by the Spirit and see if it be of God. Does what you’re being told line up with the Word of God? God will not go outside of or contrary to his character. That’s why it’s so important to know the character of God. That’s why you need to read your Bible, meditate on the Word of God, establish a relationship with God so you won’t be fooled by what you see and hear on whatever platform you may be watching or listening to. Sit with God so you won’t be duped out of your money trying to buy a miracle. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. He’s not going to give you a car or house you can’t afford. He’s not going to give you a man or a woman that is already married to someone else.

And when that prophecy is spoken over your life, after confirming it is from God, the Scripture says to, “Hold on to what is good”.

Hold on to the truth of God’s Word, if God makes you a promise, you hold on to that promise for dear life, you hold on until you see it come to pass. Don’t let anyone turn you away from what God has said you can have, from what He has called you to do.

It doesn’t matter who you are right now

It doesn’t matter what your gender is

It doesn’t matter how much education you don’t have

It doesn’t matter where you live

It doesn’t matter how you came to be

It doesn’t matter what your family lineage is

It doesn’t matter what it looks like right now

If God said it, it’s settled in heaven and all you have to do is believe and receive that promise.

The promises of God are yea and amen and Jesus said whatever you ask in his name God will give it to you. So when you pray, when you communicate with God, know and understand the God you are talking to and pray accordingly. He’s a God that can do anything but fail, and he’s also a God of character. He’s a God of mercy, of love, of forgiveness, of kindness, of righteousness, and so much more. But oh you knew there was a but coming, but, he’s a God that demands obedience.

Yes demands, I know that’s a strong word but it’s appropriate and God said obedience is better than sacrifice.

The scripture also says, “He [God] has told you, O mortal [mankind], what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

And finally, Paul warns them to 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. Evil or the evil one, will come to steal the prophetic word spoken over your life. Don’t allow him to do that. You decide what you will allow into your spirit man, you decide who to allow to speak into your life. Not everyone who comes to you is for you. Watch and pray so you’re not fooled by the enemy who in the end wants to steal you away from God, you wants to destroy your dreams and goals and who wants to ultimately kill you.

Wake up everyday with a praise on your lips and thanksgiving in your heart and you’ll discover what true love and joy are.

If you’d like to have that love and joy pray with me, Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner, I need you in my life. Jesus please be Lord of my life, I surrender to You, in your name I pray amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first welcome to the family of Christ contact us by replying on whatever platform you may be watching or send us an email to [e-mail] so we can connect with you.

If you’d like to bless this ministry financially our CashApp is $LoveChristianCenter, Givelify is Love Christian Center and you can give through PayPal at our email address. Perhaps you still write checks, you can mail your donation to 3500 Hwy 5, Ste 101, Douglasville, GA 30135 where we will be having in person worship very soon. Please stay tuned for updates and announcements. If you are in the Douglasville vicinity, please make plans to come visit with us, then join us in the work of building the Kingdom of God one soul at a time.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, I pray safe travel for all those who will be traveling may you arrive safely to your destination and back home...

And now may the peace of God, the sweet communion of His Holy Spirit dwell with now and forever more amen.