1Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 105:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Psalm 106:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 107:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
How many of you really enjoy being around a person that has something to complain about most of the time?
-complains about how people treat him.
-complains about his job.
-complains about his aches and pains.
-complains about his wife.
-complains about his financial situation.
-complains about the weather.
-complains, complains, and complains some more.
In your own view of yourself, would you say that you are a thankful person?
If you are a thankful person, what is it that makes you that way?
If I would ask those that know you well, would they say that your life is a demonstration of thankfulness?
You see, it doesn’t matter so much what we say we are as it does who we are.
It is easy to say, I am a thankful person, but in reality show no or very little fruits of thankfulness.
True gratefulness springs from an awareness of my total unworthiness and inadequacy before a holy and just God.
Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Do our expectations affect how thankful we really are?
Expectations of others, based on a false assumption of our personal importance destroy a spirit of gratefulness and instead produce presumption and complaining.
Quote by G. K. Chesterton
“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
What would you say are some things that produce or are at the root of unthankfulness?
-A false assumption of my own importance.
-Taking things for granted.
-Wrong expectations.
-Pride
-Selfishness
-Our carnal nature in need of repentance.
-A lack of communion with God.
-An unwillingness to take up my cross and follow Jesus.
Is thankfulness important?….and why or why not?
Thankfulness is foundational in a believers walk with God.
1Thesalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Should I be thankful when God takes me through trials?….or should I only be thankful when things are going well?
What does in everything give thanks really mean?
How I respond in times of trial will show my character and who I really am.
Blaming others for my trials or troubles will never get me anywhere and is something that needs to be repented of.
To be thankful for trials and tribulations requires two things:
1. Faith
2. Obedience
-Faith that God is in control and has a greater purpose.
-And Obedience in aligning and surrendering my will with God’s will.
How did Job respond when he lost almost everything he had including his children?
Job 1:20 ¶ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Paul also faced many trials and temptations.
2Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul understood something here that most people never get a hold of.
-Paul could of spent the rest of his life as a bitter man complaining and arguing with God but he did not.
-He chose to accept God’s will for him so that the Power of Christ would rest upon him.
-He understood that he could not live above sin on his own strength but he recognized his own weakness and allowed God to fill him with His power so that he could live in harmony with God.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28 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.
James 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
When we are thankful in times of trials, we open the door to the power of the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.
Romans 5:1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Unthankfulness will be prevalent in the last days.
2Timothy 3:1 ¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Should circumstances affect how thankful we are?
Do circumstances affect our thankfulness?
It may be easier to be thankful when things are going well but we tend to forget our need for God until we are put into a situation that is beyond our control.
Giving thanks should not be something foreign to us but should be a part of our daily walk with the Lord.
Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Gratefulness is defined by God as a sacrifice because it means surrendering our natural tendency to murmur.
Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
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.
Ephesians 5:3 ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Philippians 4:6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Do I have a heart of thankfulness towards God……..or do I think within myself that I deserve more than what God has blessed me with?
Am I thankful for what others have done for me……..or am I so consumed within myself that I take things for granted and do not see anything to be thankful for?
If I am not a thankful person……. am I willing to change?
If I think that I am a thankful person………am I willing to become more thankful?
Will I allow God to continue His work within me?