LIVING IN A SPIRITOF GRATITUDE

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

As a Christian, we must grow spiritually year after

year and these are the signs of a growing Christian will be:

Confident in His Salvation

We will not be growing in our relationship with the

Lord until we are confident in that relationship.

Disciplined Toward the Bible

If we are not in the Word of God, then our spiritual growth will be stunted.

Loves his Local ChurchA believer who is growing spiritually is committed to

his local church.

Maintains Constant Joy A growing Christian

understands that our joy is not based upon our

circumstances, but is a fruit of the Holy Spirit who

dwells within.

Continues in PrayerBelievers who are growing spiritually are persistent in prayer knowing that God is

a loving, compassionate and gracious to His

children.

Living in the Spirit of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday for the growing believer; they understand

that gratitude is appropriate all year long.

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

We are to give thanks.We are to give thanks IN

all circumstances.We are to give thanks for this is God’s will for us.

We are toGive Thanks

This speaks of an attitude that remembers that we

owe all that we have to the grace of a loving and

caring God.

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Consider a few of thegood gifts

1. One of the greatest for

which we shouldbe thankful is eternal

life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Ephesians 2:8

2. Another wonderful gift is the indwelling of

the Holy Spirit.

38 …Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38b

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:45b

9 …Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:9b

3. The gifts of service in and through our local

church.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…

Romans 12:6a

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1 Cor 12:4

4. The physical blessings.

We can get out of bed every morning.

We have health for our bodies, air to breathe,

food to eat, warm clothes to wear and

houses to live in.

God has blessed us with families, friends, and our

jobs.

We are blessed to live in Philippines and enjoy

the freedom to worship in our local church.

How are we toGive Thanks?

1. Gratitude is to be expressed in our

relationship with one another.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

Ephesians 5:3-4

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:3-4

2. Gratitude is to be expressed in our

relationship with God.

This is to be evident in how we pray.

Instead of only coming to God to ask for

things…

Let's remember to give Him our thanks.

We are to worship Him for who He is and what

He has done.

We are to give thanks IN everything, not necessarily FOR

everything!

God is not instructing us to give thanks for

everything in the world,

"IN every thing give thanks."

Whatever we are going through at any time - we

should give thanks to God.

We may not always understand why certain

events occur in our lives...

We may not be able to see the good that God is

bringing out of our circumstances.

But we have God's infallible Word of

assurance that all things work together for good.

If we find ourselves in the midst of blessings ...

give thanks to God!

6. But if we find ourselves in the midst of

trials and difficulties-give thanks to God!

We can "in everything give thanks" because we "rejoice evermore", an

because we "pray without ceasing."

We are grateful because we rejoice and we

rejoice because we pray and because we pray we are grateful, we can give

thanks in everything.

Because we know that the world is filled with all sorts of wickedness

and sin.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:17

We are to Give ThanksIt is God's Will.

1. Because He commands us to do it.

Because He is sovereign and holy God who has chosen our pathway in

life.Because we owe

everything to Him!

Because without Christ we would be without hope in this present

world with nothing to look forward to but an

eternity separated from God in a place called

Hell.

This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning

you."

1. An unthankful person may not be saved!

21 Because 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.

Romans 1:21

21 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Timothy 3:2

2. An unthankful person may be filled with doubt.

Psalms 30:4 reminds us, "Sing unto the LORD, O ye

saints of his, and give thanks at the

remembrance of his holiness.”

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

28 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.

Romans 8:28

3. An unthankful person may simply be ignorant

of the Word of God.

4. An unthankful person may be filled with pride and self-centeredness.

5. An unthankful person may be angry or

disappointed with God or with their lives.

6. There are a multitude of reasons why a person may be unthankful…but

regardless of the reason…it is still in

opposition to God's plan and will for us.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18