INTRODUCTION
„X SLIDE #1
„X It is the time of the year that we are called to focus in on things we are to be thankful about.
„X I know at times is can seem hard for us to have a thankful attitude because of things that seem to happen around us.
„X Things get tough and we seem to lose sight of the ability to be thankful or have an attitude of thanksgiving for what we DO have and for what God HAS done for us.
„X The Pilgrim who landed at Plymouth Rock knew nothing of the affluent times which you and I enjoy today in this great country of ours.
„X They had a custom of putting 5 kernels of corn upon each empty plate before a dinner of ¡§thanksgiving¡¨ was served. Each member of the family would pick up a kernel and tell what they were thankful for. It was to remind them that the first Pilgrims were in such dire straits that their allowance was only 5 kernels of corn per person each day. (Bruce Howell www.sermoncentral.com)
„X These people did not seem to have a lot to be thankful for, but they found it within themselves to have a thankful attitude for what they did have.
„X During that first long winter at Plymouth Colony, seven times as many graves were made for the dead as home for the living.
„X The ship which was to bring food and relief brought 35 more mouths to feed, but not an ounce of provisions.
„X If we are going to be able to have a true attitude of thankfulness toward God for who He is and what He has done, we will need to walk down a few paths to take us to the path to a thankful attitude.
„X I want us to look at 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 this morning as we look at the paths we need to walk in order to find the path to a thankful attitude!
„X As we look at this passage you will note that these statements are found at the end of the letter. These thoughts seem to be small thoughts that are given in passing, but as we examine these 3 short verses, we will see some great truths for us to grasp.
„X The first path we are called to walk down is the path of rejoicing!
„X SLIDE #2
SERMON
I. WALK THE PATH OF REJOICING. (16)
„X How many times have we let circumstances whether great or small ruin our attitude?
„X It seems like we allow our circumstances control our attitudes.
„X Let us look at the two short words in verse 16 for some advice.
„X SLIDE #3
„X 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NASB) 16Rejoice always;
„X That whole side for those two short words.
„X Two short words of advice for our lives. Rejoice ALWAYS.
„X I do not know if I can do that; do you?
„X SLIDE #4
1. What does it mean to rejoice?
„X The word means comes from the consequence of having received God¡¦s salvation and therefore an attitude unaffected by outward circumstances.
„X Rejoicing is knowing that no matter what happens, God is in control, He is in control of your situation and He is faithful to His promises to you.
„X The Bible tells us in MANY places that we are to rejoice even in the midst of our circumstances whether they are good or bad.
„X Even when the circumstances are bad, we can still rejoice. Rejoicing does not mean we will never feel sorrow or pain; however, believers must transcend their sorrows with a continual focus on true joy.
„X SLIDE #5
„X 2 Corinthians 6:10 (NASB) 10as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
„X This leads to the next question concerning rejoicing.
„X SLIDE #6
2. What does it take to be able to rejoice?
„X What will it take for you to be able to allow you attitude to be able to transcend your circumstances?
„X It will take a real strength of character along with a great faith in Jesus.
„X The ability to look beyond what is hurting you is not an easy thing to do, but if you can keep your focus on the big picture and if you can keep your focus on God, you will be able to experience joy beyond belief.
„X Who is to say there is not some great blessing waiting for you at the end of the circumstance you are dealing with? Maybe the trial will help you to better minister to other people?
„X There is a familiar formula you can make with the word JOY.
„X SLIDE #7
„X J-esus, O-thers, then Y-ou.
„X When the focus is on Jesus, then you know He is going to do what He says He will do, you will put your faith and trust in His power instead of your own.
„X When you put others next, you will realize that your current circumstances can put you in a position to be a blessing to others who are going through or have been through the same thing you are dealing with.
„X The third question concerning the path of rejoicing is:
„X SLIDE #8
3. How often do I need to walk down this path? ALWAYS
„X If we are going to get to the path of thankfulness, we MUST ALWAYS walk down the path of rejoicing.
„X The phrase translated rejoice always literally reads ¡§at all times be rejoicing¡¨ and emphasizes that truly joyful Christians will always have a deep-seated confidence in God¡¦s sovereign love and mighty power on behalf of His people, and that His plan will be carried out.
„X Let us now look at the second path we must follow en route to a attitude of thanksgiving.
„X SLIDE #9
II. WALK THE PATH OF PRAYER. (17)
„X Here is the second of three short commands given to us.
„X Let us look at verse 17
„X SLIDE #10
„X 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NASB) 17pray without ceasing;
„X Don¡¦t you love the simplicity of the Word of God?
„X Let us look at a couple of questions concerning this verse.
„X SLIDE #11
1. Why must we pray?
„X Joyful believers will also be prayerful believers. Those who live their Christian lives in joyful dependency on God will continually recognize their own insufficiency and therefore constantly be in an attitude of prayer. (John MacArthur Jr.)
„X The word translated prayer in this verse is the general word for prayer that would cover all varieties of prayer from prayer of; submission, confession, petition, intercession, praise, and thanksgiving.
„X WE MUST pray because it reminds us who is in control, it reminds of who takes care of us, it reminds us who we are to depend on, and it reminds us who we are to trust each and every day!
„X SLIDE #12
„X Philippians 4:13 (NASB) 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
„X Prayer lets us know we can do it THROUGH Jesus who gives us the strength to make it through!
„X Let us look at the second question concerning prayer.
„X SLIDE #13
2. How often are we to pray? NON-STOP
„X This verse tells us we are to pray without ceasing!
„X We are called to offer up prayers to God non-stop.
„X Constant prayer is likewise a feature of Christian life as it expresses confident dependence on God¡¦s provision
„X Paul did not expect believers to spend all their time on their knees or with their eyes closed when he said they should pray without ceasing.
„X It is possible, however, for believers to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging dependence on God, realizing his presence within, and determining to obey him fully. Then it will be natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. Prayer is not to be done by the church leader only, nor is it meant to be carried out only in worship services. Instead, prayer can be a part of every believer¡¦s daily walk. (Life Application Bible)
„X Prayer is a path we will need to walk at all times if we want to walk down the path of thanksgiving.
„X SLIDE #14
III. WALK THE PATH OF APPRECIATION. (18)
„X Have you ever been around a person who thinks the world owes them something? No matter what they receive, it is not good enough or it is not enough.
„X Let us look at what verse 18 shares with us.
„X SLIDE #15
„X 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB) 18in everything give thanks; for this is God¡¦s will for you in Christ Jesus.
„X What does this tell us?
„X SLIDE #16
1. We are called to give thanks!
„X Notice that Paul did not say ¡§for¡¨ everything give thanks, but in everything.
„X Evil will happen to believers, and it does not come from God, so they should not thank him for it. But when evil strikes, they can still be thankful for God¡¦s presence and for the good he will accomplish through the distress. (LAB)
„X God can use difficult times to help us grow and develop the character we need to better serve Him with our lives.
„X SLIDE #17
„X Romans 8:28 (NASB) 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
„X It is so easy to thank God for what we see as blessings, but we must also that God when the difficult times come because He can use them as a blessing.
„X SLIDE #18
2. Who are we to thank?
„X This is an easy one; we are to thank God from whom all blessings flow!
„X If someone gives you something, you usually thank the giver because you are acknowledging their gift.
„X When you realize that all you have is from God, then you will thank Him as you should because He is the gift giver.
„X Learning to give thanks in everything means learning to trust God completely, knowing that he is in charge, and understanding that all that happens is part of a larger picture that believers may not see.
„X When a believer can give thanks so willingly, he or she has trusted that God is completely in control of all situations and is working out his will. (LAB)
„X SLIDE #19
3. Why are we to walk down these three paths?
„X Look at the end of verse 18.
„X For this is God¡¦s will for you.
„X It is God¡¦s will that we rejoice, pray and are thankful.
CONCLUSION
„X IF you are having a hard time finding the path to a thankful attitude, make sure you go down the paths of rejoicing, prayer and appreciation!
„X When the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, there was not a whole lot that went right for them. It was a terrible place to land, the weather was terrible, they lost many of the people who came over with them, yet they were thankful.
„X WE all have a lot to be thankful for.
„X It is God¡¦s will for us to be thankful, if you will work on developing a thankful attitude, you will find that life is much better!
