In All Things Give Thanks

IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

Colossians 2:6-7

INTRO: Thanksgiving is the time of year when we pause and give thanks for

the Blessings of that year. Some of us may have more to give thanks for than others have, but we all have some things in common to give thanks for.

I. THANKS TO OUR FOREFATHERS.

A. We need to pause a few moments and give thanks to our

forefathers.

1. Without their sacrifice, our freedom would not be what it is

today.

2. They put their lives on the line, that we might enjoy our

freedoms.

B. They paused in their busy lives to give thanks to God.

1. First Thanksgiving in 1621 (Plymouth Colony). It lasted

seven days.

a. First corn crop gathered.

b. Indians Provided turkeys.

2. In 1623, after drought, another thanksgiving was observed.

a. By 1630 day of observance was established.

b. In 1863 President Lincoln issued a proclamation setting it

on 4th. Thurs.

c. 1941, congress declared it a legal holiday.

d. We should need no legal reason to give thanks.

II. GIVING THANKS IN ALL THINGS.

A. Do you give thanks to God for each day that you live? (Psalm

50:14; 95:2; 136:2).

1. For each breath that you take?

2. For your good health?

B. Do you give thanks to God when He has to chastize you? Or just

when He blesses you?

III. ABOUNDING IT THANKSGIVING.

A. Moffat says: "Fixed and founded in Him, confirmed in the faith

as you have been taught it, and overflowing with thankfulness to

God".

B. Abounding means: In Abundance!

1. As we give thanks in abundance, God will bless us in even

greater abundance.

2. We can’t abound if we are not walking with Christ.

CONC: "Be rooted in Him; be built in Him, be consolidated in the faith you were taught; let your hearts overflow with thankfulness" Colossians 2:6-7, NEB.