Sermon Central
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Enduring Gratitude
Contributed by Mark Opperman on Sep 30, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Giving thanks to God must become the ongoing lifestyle of a Christ follower. Giving thanks is a major part of worship. It is a command with many rewards promised to those who have a heart to worship the only true God!
Enduring Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Intro: We speak of the Thanksgiving season, but as our text indicates, it must become the ongoing lifestyle of a Christ follower. Giving thanks is a major part of worship. If we only worship when we feel like it or if things are going well, then we might not be that regular in our faith walk.
-Let’s look at a few thoughts on being grateful from 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
I. The Expression of Gratitude
-Give thanks! Just do it! Imperative.
- For Thanksgiving to be real Thanksgiving, There must be "Thanks" and there must be "Giving."
We can show our gratitude through Prayer
We can show our gratitude through Praise & Worship
We can show our gratitude through Serving
We can show our gratitude through Giving
We can show our gratitude by shifting our focus on what we have, not what we don’t have.
II. The Occasion for Gratitude
-In all circumstances, the good times and the bad times.
26 Reasons to Give Thanks to God
1. Because God is good!
-1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
-What a great remedy for all of the negativity of these thinking errors! I don’t have to exaggerate or assume the worst, or minimize because God is good! And if God is for us, then who can be against us?
2. Because His love never stops!
-1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
3. Because He is our source!
-1 Chronicles 29:12-14 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
4. Because of God’s righteousness!
-Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
5. Because He helps us!
-Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
6. Because He turns our sorrows into joy!
-Psalm 30:11-12 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
7. Because He has delivered us!
-Psalm 56:12-13 12 I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
8. Because He is near!
-Psalm 75:1 We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.
9. Because He is great!
-Psalm 95:2-3 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
10. Because He provides nourishment!
-Psalm 107:8-9 8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 9 for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
11. Because He has freed us!
-Psalm 116:16-17 you have freed me from my chains. 17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
12. Because He responds to us!
-Psalm 118:21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
13. Because He heals us!
-Luke 17:14-16 14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him-- and he was a Samaritan.
14. Because He gives us the victory!
-1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
-2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
15. Because He shares His life with us!
-2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
