Let Us Give Thanks

"Let Us Give Thanks" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Giving thanks to God should be the ingrained emotion (putting down roots, foundation) of Christianity. We should be able to "give thanks" to the Lord at all times, in all circumstances, and "in all things," as long as we do not excuse sin by doing so.

I. (Colossians 3:17) Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

A. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

1. It is the perpetual duty of those who "have been saved" by grace and "destined for the heavenly courts."

2. It is an inclusive rule by which to judge our conduct as Christians.

3. Young people today find it especially difficult to decide "whether some things are good or bad."

4. This verse, learned by heart, may turn out to be the key to unraveling (pulling out, tearing out) many of these problems (when you don't know what's good or bad).

5. The great test should be this: Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus?

6. Will it be for His glory?

7. Can you expect His blessing to rest upon it?

8. Would I want to be doing this when He returns?

9. Let's see that this test should be applied to the words "we speak" and to the things "we do."

10. Obedience to this commandment ennobles (loyal, kind) the whole of life.

11. It is a precious secret when the Christian learns to do everything as for the Lord and for His glory.

12. The apostle adds the word "giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

13. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

14. It is a perpetual duty of those who have been saved by grace and destined for the heavenly courts.

15. (Colossians 3:15) Be thankful.

16. God's peace should act as an arbiter "in" our "hearts."

17. If we have doubts about anything, we should ask ourselves: Does it lead to peace? Will I have peace in my heart if I act and I do it?

18. This verse is especially helpful as we seek guidance from the Lord.

19. If the Lord really wants us to take a certain course of action, He will certainly give us "peace" about it.

20. If you don't have this peace, you shouldn't go ahead.

21. Since as members of one body you were called to peace.

22. God intends for us is to gather in the church.

23. "And be thankful."

24. Paul repeats it over and over again in the writings.

25. There must be a good reason.

26. The Spirit of God must consider the "spirit of thankfulness" very important.

27. And so we believe!

28. It is important not only for a person's spiritual life but also for their physical well-being.

29. Doctors have discovered what Scripture has been teaching for years: that a "cheerful" and "grateful" attitude of mind is beneficial to the body and that anxiety, depression, and a whining spirit are decidedly harmful to health.

30. We usually think of thankfulness as determined by our immediate circumstances, but Paul shows here that it is a grace to cultivate (care).

31. We are responsible to be "grateful."

32. Of all the people in the world, we have the most reason to be grateful.

33. The problem is not that there is a lack of reason, but in our selfish hearts.

34. (Colossians 4:2) Continue in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving (attitude, what to do).

35. Paul never tires of exhorting God's people to be diligent in their prayer life.

36. When we get to heaven, we will not give more time to prayer, especially when we realize how much our prayers were answered, because here on earth very little is understood, but in heaven we will see everything as clearly as it is.

37. The best approach is to continue to pray in simple faith, setting aside any intellectual doubts that arise.

38. Not only must we persevere in prayer, but we must also do so by "watching in it."

39. This immediately reminds us of the Lord Jesus' request to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation."

40. They were not vigilant and fell asleep soundly.

41. It will be what happens very commonly.

42. (Ephesians 6:18) Pray in the Spirit at all times and let go of the complaints you have throughout your being.

43. And we must see to it that we are not robbed of the time for prayer.

44. In addition, our prayers are to be with thanksgiving. Amen