Thanksgiving 2010

THE 3 INGREDIENTS
OF
THANKSGIVING
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
1Thessalonians 5: 16-18
• V16-Rejoice evermore
• V17-Pray without ceasing
• V18-In every thing give thanks, for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
Introduction

1. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated by every American
and Canadian citizen. (including most Europeans)
2. Traditionally, this is a time to give thanks for the harvest and

express gratitude in general.
3. That’s world’s perspective of thanksgiving. It is limited to an annual

holiday and prosperity is central.
4. Do you know that true thanksgiving is identified/verified by a life of

daily thanks-living?
5. Then lets find out from the bible “how to lead a life of thanksgiving?”
6. Context: Christians of Thessalonica were going through a period of severe

persecution when this epistle was written.
1. Rejoice always, (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

A. Understanding happiness

I. Happiness is just a feeling. It comes from the word
“happenstance” from which we get the word “circumstance”. It
depends on happenings.– Ex: If I am not sick I am happy.
II. It’s temporary. The moment you have a hold on happiness, it

slips away, and you need another fix. Ex: “You have a happy
time at Disneyland, you leave and you lose it.”
III. The prosperity Gospel: Makes God useful. Introduces him as

the dispenser of happiness fixes.
B. Understanding joy

I. People are naturally happy on some occasions. Joy is not
natural. It’s source is rather supernatural. I can be joyful only if I
know Jesus. Because Jesus is the author of Joy.
II. In him I can decide to be joyful despite my problems

III. Illustration: “I am trading my sorrows…” by Delirious.
IV. Christian’s joy is not dependent on circumstances. It comes

from what Christ has done.
V. It’s constant – doesn’t fade away. It’s the strength of his

children, (Nehemiah 8:10).
C. Lesson for the church
I. Be joyful – The Psalmist knew how to?, (Psalms 13:1-4;5-6).
II. Decide: He says “but I…”
III. Then: Trust in God’s unfailing love (salvation): God has

proved his love for us. Sooner or later he will provide a way
of escape.
IV. Through Continual prayer - Which takes me to the next

point…..
2. Pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians
5:17)

A. Why is it important?
I. It’s the only way to cultivate a joyful attitude in times of trial.
II. Uninterrupted prayer keeps temporal and spiritual values in

balance.
III. Doesn’t mean we should be in a posture of prayer 24/7!!!
B. Then What is praying without ceasing?

I. Constantly recurring prayer, growing out of a settled attitude of
dependence on God.
II. Lifting the heart to God while you are occupied with
miscellaneous duties whether words are uttered or not.
III. Jesus also stressed the importance of praying without ceasing.

C. Praying in the Spirit

I. Means praying according to the Spirit’s leading.
II. A weapon used in Spiritual warfare, (Ephesians 6:18).
III. The Thessalonians were under constant attack from Satan that
came in the disguise of persecution. They were fighting the spiritual
warfare.
D. Lesson for the church

I. Prayer is our most powerful but the most unused resource.
II. We use prayer as a weapon to manipulate God and easily give up
when God doesn’t answer in the expected manner.
III. Thessalonians found strength to face the persecution through in
prayer.
IV. The primary purpose of prayer is to change ourselves. Not
situations.
V. Now joy and continual prayer paves the way for giving thanks…
3. Give thanks… (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

A. Great men of God thanked him in their worse situations

I. Ex. 1: "Christ, thou Son of the living God, have mercy upon
me." John Hus, while being burnt at the stake!!!
II. Ex. 2: "May I become agreeable bread to the Lord." St.

Ignatius of Antioch, while being devoured by two Lions!!!
B. Why should I give thanks?

I. God is aware of everything. Therefore no happening can be
labeled as “bad”(Romans 8:28)
II. Problems are a temporary part God’s larger plan for our
spiritual well being.
III. Failure to do this is a symptom of unbelief, (Romans 1:21).
IV. Ex: The Israelites were not thankful.
C. Lesson for the Church

I. Ask God to forgive you for maligning Him so bad.
II. Make thanksgiving a habit.
III. Don't wait-for a special day.
IV. Make it a daily practice.

19 Profound Reasons to give
thanks to the Lord
• 1. Because He’s given us the greatest
gift(John 3:16)
• 2. For the undeserved gift of
salvation(Romans 5:8)
• 3. For His precious word(Jeremiah 15:16)
• 4. For His mercy, love and
faithfulness(Lamentations 3:21-23)
• 5. That nothing will separate us from
Him(Romans 8:35-39)
• 6. That someday we’ll see Him face to face(1
John 3:2)
• 7. For making us like Christ(2 Corinthians
3:18)
• 8. That He’ll fulfill His plans for us(Jeremiah
29:11)
• 9. For His abundant goodness(Psalms
31:19)
• 10. For His daily provision(Matthew 6:11)
• 11. For His constant protection(Psalms 34:7-
8)
• 12. For His constant guidance(Psalms
32:8)
• 13. That He hears our prayers(Matthew
7:7)
• 14. For our family and friends(Proverbs
17:17)
• 15. For every good gift(James 1:7)
• 16. For health and strength(3 John 1:2)
• 17. That He cause all things to work for
our good(Romans 8:28)
• 18. For His promises to our
children(Psalms 102:28)
• 19. We should give thanks to the Lord
because It honors Him(Psalms 50:23)
4. Conclusion, (1 Thessalonians 5:18b)

A. For this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus

I. These don’t exhaust God’s will.
II. But they are vital parts of it.
III. “…In Christ Jesus…” – It’s no longer you and I that live, but
Christ within us. He gives us strength to continue with this
attitude.

B. Therefore thanksgiving,

I. Is appropriate for every circumstance of daily life — so trust.
II. Can abound in any aspect of human life — so pray!
III. Will activate the joy of the Christian life — so praise!

Thanksgiving 2010

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THE 3 INGREDIENTS

2. Traditionally, this is a time to give thanks for the harvest and

3. That’s world’s perspective of thanksgiving. It is limited to an annual

4. Do you know that true thanksgiving is identified/verified by a life of

6. Context: Christians of Thessalonica were going through a period of severe

II. It’s temporary. The moment you have a hold on happiness, it

III. The prosperity Gospel: Makes God useful. Introduces him as

II. In him I can decide to be joyful despite my problems

IV. Christian’s joy is not dependent on circumstances. It comes

V. It’s constant – doesn’t fade away. It’s the strength of his

I. Be joyful – The Psalmist knew how to?, (Psalms 13:1-4;5-6).

II. Decide: He says “but I…”

III. Then: Trust in God’s unfailing love (salvation): God has

IV. Through Continual prayer - Which takes me to the next

II. Uninterrupted prayer keeps temporal and spiritual values in

III. Doesn’t mean we should be in a posture of prayer 24/7!!!

B. Then What is praying without ceasing?

III. Jesus also stressed the importance of praying without ceasing.

II. A weapon used in Spiritual warfare, (Ephesians 6:18).

D. Lesson for the church

II. Ex. 2: "May I become agreeable bread to the Lord." St.

B. Why should I give thanks?

II. Make thanksgiving a habit.

III. Don't wait-for a special day.

IV. Make it a daily practice.

II. But they are vital parts of it.

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