Psalm 63:3-4
“Because thy
lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I
bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”
I. THE NEED TO GIVE
THANKS
A. INGRATITUDE
DISPLEASES GOD...
1. It is included among
other sins that would be prevalent in
"perilous
times"
“1This
know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn
away.”
2. The wrath of God will
be revealed against those who are
unthankful
“For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that
which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto
them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal
power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they
knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain
in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
B. WE ARE TO HAVE THE
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE...
1. Thankful for what the
Father has done for us
“Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in
light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated
us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
2. Abounding in
thanksgiving
“Rooted
and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
3. A part of the
"garment" we are to put on
“Put on therefore, as the elect of
God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,
if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do
ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also
ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
4. A complement to our
prayers
“Continue in prayer, and watch in
the same with thanksgiving;”
C. THANKFULNESS IS
KEY...
1. To overcoming anxiety
“Be careful for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God.”
2. To obtaining the
peace of God which surpasses understanding
“And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.”
3. To pray without
ceasing, and to rejoicing always
“Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without
ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning you.”
a. When we give thanks
in everything, we will pray without
ceasing!
b. When we pray without
ceasing, we will rejoice always!
4. NB: thankfulness in everything -> praying
without ceasing ->
rejoicing always!
[If we desire to have
the peace which passes understanding, that joy
which is inexpressible
(1Peter 1:8)”
Whom
having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye
rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
, then we need to
develop the attitude
of gratitude, being
thankful in everything! Some thoughts
on...]
II. HOW TO BE
THANKFUL IN EVERYTHING
A. REMEMBER THAT ALL
THINGS WORK FOR GOOD...
1. If we love God and
have responded to His call
“And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose.”
a. Loving God presumes obedience to His will
“For this is the love of God, that
we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
b. Responding to His call presumes obeying the gospel
“But we are bound to give thanks
alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the
beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining
of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. We can therefore
glory in tribulation
“3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and
experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
a. Knowing that it
produces character
b. Which in turn
produces hope
3. We can therefore
rejoice in persecution
“Blessed are they which are
persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for
great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.”
a. Knowing that the
kingdom of heaven is ours
b. Knowing that our
reward in heaven will be great
4. We can therefore
rejoice in trials
“My brethren, count it all joy when
ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.”
a. Knowing that trials
produces patience
b. Knowing that patience
produces perfection and completeness
(maturity)
B. EXPRESS THANKS IN
EVERY PRAYER...
1. We are to include
thanksgiving with our prayer requests
“Be careful for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God.”
a. Every time you pray
for something, first thank God for
something
b. "Count your many
blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you
what the Lord hath done."
- Johnson Oatman, Jr.,
1856-1922
2. Even when we are
facing hard times
“Now when Daniel knew that the
writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his
chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and
prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11Then these men
assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”
a. Daniel made the
giving of thanks part of his daily prayers
b. Even when facing
life-threatening crisis, he gave thanks as
always
**If you would like to
give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words below:
'Dear Heavenly Father,i come to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a
sinner and wash me in your precious blood. Make this heart of stone to be made
flesh, so that your word may be sown in it. Any addictions that i may have,
remove them now in Jesus name! I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and
believe that He died and rose from the dead! And from this day forward, i
commit my life to you and seek for guidance and understanding in your word, as
i walk in your path of righteousness, In Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'
If you have recited
these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and if the Lord would
come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will keep you all in prayer,
to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST
in Him and you will overcome this wicked world! **
I have also provided a
link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where you will find sermons from
the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full truth to the Word of God!
You can also view our contact information to email us or call us for prayer.
May God bless you!
http://www.fghconline.com/
