A Double Helping Of ThanksgivingA Double Helping Of Thanksgiving

Thankfulness Of God’s PeopleThankfulness Of God’s People• God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people– As our culture becomes more and more unthankful, we

have a great chance to let our lights shine (Rom. 1:21)• Many have an attitude that says that goodness is owed to them

or that its their due… Is it negative? It’s not my fault!

• Many act like it’s everyone else’s responsibility to serve them• Such a failure in thankfulness was a leading factor in the moral

and spiritual decline of the Gentiles… still true today!

• Look at our culture we see things to avoid: Pride, complaining, materialism, forgetfulness, bitterness, busyness, etc.

Thankfulness Of God’s PeopleThankfulness Of God’s People• God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people

– Thankfulness should become “Second Nature” – A characteristic of who we are as saved (1 Thess 5:16-18)• Not just something we do or say, but a way of life. We walk in it

just like we walk in faith – Continually (Heb. 13:15)• Living with a daily awareness of our blessings… not taking them

for granted… being humble toward them• You cannot separate thanks from grace – “Charis” (Grace) is

part of the word for thankfulness. Being filled with grace without being filled with thanks is impossible!

• Seen in response to God: Pray, work hard toward holiness, tell others of His goodness, give self to His service,

worship • Seen in response to others: Express appreciation to them and

about them, serve others, treat opportunities and property with respect and honor, and praise others.

Thankfulness Of God’s PeopleThankfulness Of God’s People• God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people– The impact of thankfulness in our lives:

• It keeps pride down and humility alive (1 Tim 1:12-16)• It helps to keep us faithful to God (Col. 2:6-7)• It gives us strength to endure difficult times (Phil. 4:6)• It increases our impact on the lost (Acts 27:35-36)• It simply gets us farther in life (1 Tim 2:1-2)

– It’s not simply a holiday but a discipline we practice. Not a formality in prayer or a courteous word, but a condition of heart. We must commit to it! (Ps. 9:1-2)

Thankfulness Of God’s PeopleThankfulness Of God’s People• A personal note of my thankfulness for you:

– Preaching isn’t just about telling what we must do or showing what is wrong… It’s also about rejoicing together and showing what is going on that’s right

– Paul often did this in letters to Christians & churches:• Rom 1:8-10; 1 Cor 1:4-8; Eph 1:13-16; Phil 1:3-5; Col 1:3-5; 1

Thess 1:2-3; 2 Thess 1:3; 2 Tim 1:3-5; Phm 1:4-6

• He’s not just being strategic or courteous – He did thanked God for them and did it daily! Paul is sincere about this

• Thankful for the faith they showed, their acceptance of the gospel, their salvation, their spiritual growth, their love, their service, their support of him, & their steadfastness

• This encouraged and comforted them, but it also motivated and strengthened Paul. Do we thank God for each other?

Thankfulness Of God’s PeopleThankfulness Of God’s People• A personal note of my thankfulness for you:

– I am thankful for you because of your genuine love for one another and the unity you share (I Pet. 3:8)

– I am thankful for you because of your interest in God’s word and participation in Bible study (Acts 17:11)

– I am thankful for you because of the personal spiritual growth many of you have shown (1 Thess 2:19-20)

– I am thankful for you because of the balance you show in your faith. In your attitude toward others, your stand for the truth, and the decisions that are made (Ephesians 4:15)

– I am thankful for you because we have elders who love God, His word, and lead like shepherds. For you because we have

deacons who willingly serve. For all who take a part in services, teach classes, prepare materials, & serve behind the scenes (Rm 12:4-8)

Thankfulness Of God’s PeopleThankfulness Of God’s People• A personal note of my thankfulness for you:

– I am thankful for you because of the encouragement and love you offer me in preaching the gospel and to one another as we

seek to grow in grace & faith in the knowledge of Jesus (Rom 1:11-12)

– I am thankful for you because others have come in, have seen the grace of God, & were glad (Acts 11:23)