God's Will For You - In Everything Give Thanks

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                          "GOD’S WILL FOR YOU"

                       In Everything Give Thanks

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous two lessons, we saw that it is God’s will...
   a. That you rejoice always
   b. That you pray without ceasing

2. As we return to our beginning text (1Th 5:16-18), we learn that it
   also God’s will...
   a. That we give thanks in everything - 1Th 5:18
   b. "give thanks in all circumstances" - ESV
   c. "be thankful in all circumstances" - NLT

[Not only are we to be thankful in everything, but for everything (Ep
5:20)!  To understand why this is God's will for you, let's consider...]

I. THE NEED TO GIVE THANKS

   A. INGRATITUDE DISPLEASES GOD...
      1. It is included among other sins that would be prevalent in
         "perilous times" - 2Ti 3:1-5
      2. The wrath of God will be revealed against those who are
         unthankful - Ro 1:18-21

   B. WE ARE TO HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE...
      1. Thankful for what the Father has done for us - Col 1:12-14
      2. Abounding in thanksgiving - Col 2:7
      3. A part of the "garment" we are to put on - Col 3:12-15
      4. A complement to our prayers - Col 4:2; 1Ti 2:1

   C. THANKFULNESS IS KEY...
      1. To overcoming anxiety - Php 4:6
      2. To obtaining the peace of God which surpasses understanding
         - Php 4:6-7
      3. To pray without ceasing, and to rejoicing always - 1Th 5:16-18
         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 (1Pe 1:8), 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 - Ro 8:28
         a. Loving God presumes obedience to His will - 1Jn 5:3
         b. Responding to His call presumes obeying the gospel - cf. 2Th
            2:13-14
      2. We can therefore glory in tribulation - Ro 5:3-5
         a. Knowing that it produces character
         b. Which in turn produces hope
      3. We can therefore rejoice in persecution - Mt 5:10-12
         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 - Jm 1:2-3
         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 - Php
         4:6
         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 - e.g., Dan 6:10-11
         a. Daniel made the giving of thanks part of his daily prayers
         b. Even when facing life-threatening crisis, he gave thanks as
            always

CONCLUSION

1. William Hendriksen has beautifully expressed the importance of giving
   thanks:

   When a person prays without giving thanks, he has clipped
   the wings of prayer, so that it cannot rise.

2. Do you want...
   a. The full benefit of prayer in your life?
   b. The ability to rejoice always, in every circumstance?

Then take the time to thank God in everything, indeed, for everything
(Ep 5:20), knowing that God can use it for your good (Ro 8:28).

Do this, and you will not only do what is God’s will for you, but you
will become "more than conquerors" through the love of Christ and the
love of God...! - cf. Ro 8:35-39
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