Commitmet To Share Thanks

Title: Having a Commitment to Share Thanks

Text: I Thessalonians 5:18

Introduction:

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Okay, the bible says we are to be thankful in all circumstances of life. “Rejoice in the Lord always again I say rejoice.” (Philippians 4) However, as we know through experience, the truth of the matter is, circumstances are not always the best. In fact, they may be downright disastrous. Still there are reasons to be thankful. .

Illustration

One morning there was a terrible snowstorm and so here was this mother of three small children outside shoveling snow out of the driveway. A neighbor also shoveling snow at the same time yells out to her, “Why isn’t your husband outside helping you with this chore?” Well, she said, “Someone needed to stay inside with the kids and so we drew straws to see who would go outside and shovel snow.” So the neighbor said, “Well, I’m sorry about your bad luck.” She replied, “Don’t feel sorry for me, I won.” Give thanks to God in all situations of life.

One elderly gentleman finally figured it out after so many years. He said, “I used to think people complained because they had so many problems, but now I’ve come to realize they have problems because they complain.” Psalm 77:3 says, “I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed.” David found himself complaining and arguing with God about his sin, his affliction, his distress, and it didn’t do him a bit of good. Complaining doesn’t change anything, it only amplifies frustration, spreads discord and discontent, and can invoke and invitation for the devil to come and cause havoc within our lives.” Philippians 2:13 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Well, I guess this is my objective for us tonight. To some how shed some light upon what might have been a very gloomy day for us today. If we are not perfect individuals and we are commanded to “give thanks in all circumstances of life,” I don’t know about you, but I need some help, so I hope I can guide us to the scriptures tonight so as to become those shining stars in God’s universe by comparison.

Transition:

I have three thoughts to share with you tonight and I realize I have to give it to you in the abbreviated form. I have people here today that know we pretty well. Matter of fact they said, “Don’t be talking for over 30 minutes like you do on Sunday morning.” So, let’s get into it. WE HAVE IT SO GOOD! WE ENJOY IT SO MUCH! WE EXPRESS IT SO LITTLE! There are my three thoughts….

WE HAVE IT SO GOOD

Interpretation

I Tim. 6:17 says, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” We have so much that God has given to us.

Illustration

Someone says, “Your mama is so poor, she goes to Kentucky Fried Chicken to lick other people’s fingers.” Or, ”Your mama is so poor, I walked into her house, asked to use the bathroom, and she said “3rd tree to your right.”

Insight

You see, where did you come from? Where we not created by and almighty God? Let me ask you, “How poor were you when you were a child?” I can remember mom and dad, John & Goldie Shepherd didn’t have a lot of money when they lived among you raising their family, but they made due with what they had. Many of us grew up with a whole less than you have now, but that’s no reason to horde those possessions that God has given you. I say as a Christian, “What do you now have that you didn’t have then?”

I Tim. 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant.” You know, I can remember starting out in the full time ministry making 12,000 dollars a year.

I look back upon that time and I say, “Now in the world did my family ever manage to survive? In the 1980’s, 12000, wasn’t a lot of money. However, for some farmers in Kansas in the area that I was serving, those farmers would of loved to have traded places with me. Christian families had lost their family farm, yet they would smile and say, “ God is so good.” Folks, in spite of the hardships we journey through in life, we truly have it so good.

Transition:

He’s thought number two.

WE ENJOY IT SO MUCH