Transcript THE 3 INGREDIENTS OF THANKSGIVING (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Introduction 1. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated by every American and Canadian citizen.

THE 3 INGREDIENTS
OF
THANKSGIVING
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
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.
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!
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