In all things give thanks
November 14, 2010
Eph 5:20
Introduction
- The Pilgrim Fathers left Plymouth New England for the New World. It was a hard and perilous journey, that lasted 2 months, and they arrived in Massachusetts in late November 1620.
- They disembarked on December 11. They hastily put up shelters, but half of them died of starvation and sickness before spring
- That spring and summer, praying hard, and assisted by helpful Native Amereicans, they reaped a bountiful harvest
- They then declared a 3-day feast starting December 13, 1621, to thank God and to celebrate with their Native American friends.
- This was the first Thanksgiving Festival, though an earlier thanksgiving service was held in Virginia.
- But why is thanksgiving such an important aspect of the Christian life?
- They gave thanks for a good year. But how about when other years surned sour?
- What about in our lives? Do we thank God when things go well, but ignore him when things go bad?
- This evening we are taking a brief look at the subject of thanksgiving
Reading
- Ephesians 5:18-20 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
- Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
- Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Background
- Paul here was imprisoned, probably in Rome, around 60-62ad
- Paul describes himself as an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel
- Being chained up is never something you would choose, whether you are imprisoned under house arrest, or in some foulsmelling dungeon somewhere.
- Paul was in difficult circumstances
- Some churches supplied for his needs part of the time, but there were times when Paul felt alone and without resources, and he may well have been placed in a prison cell during these times
The passage
- In this passage, Paul is spreaking of the victorious Christian life in the Spirit
- he says instead of seeking human shortcuts to our situation, such as getting drunk, we need to be following through on our walk in the Spirit
- This involves worship from our lips and worship in our hearts
- Be playing worship CD's and make these songs a part of your life
- Music helps set the tone for our attitude, and worship songs point us to God
- And then he says – ALWAYS giving thanks to God the father, for EVERYTHING, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
How can we do this?
- How was Paul able to stay upbeat while he was in prison?
- Paul went through all kinds of trials – shipwrecked, stoned, bitten by a snake, imprisoned, beaten, hungry
- Yet he stayed thankful, through it all.
- During this same period, he tells us in Philippians that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances
- This was only possible because he saw the bigger picture
- Jesus promised us that he would never leave nor forsake us
- Jesus said that with God, all things are possible - Matt 19:26
- Paul said in Phil 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength
- Rom 8:31 – If God be for us who can be against us
- We can remain thankful to God even in adverse circumstances, if we believe that God is in control, that he is on our side, and that he will make all trhings work out for our ultimate good
- Even though I may be going through financial storms, if I recognise that God is in control, and that if I trust him he will take care of me, I can stay thankful
- Though I may be losing my home, and my kids don't care, God does. He has promised he will supply my basic needs if I place Him at the center of my life. I give thanks that God is in control and wont let anything too big for us, overwhelm us
- Maybe we have been rejected by those dear to us, and we wonder where God is in all this. Jesus tells us that He becomes family when we accept him into our life, and our church family becomes closer than even blood ties. I can be thankful that I am part of that new family
Conclusion
- Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Invitation
- For the person who has not found Jesus, it is impossible to be thankful in hard times
- It just does not make sense in the natural world
- It only makes sense when we know we serve a God who will make it all work out right
- If you would like to surrender your life to Jesus today, I want to give you an opportunity
- If we would all bow our heads I will lead us in a prayer, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior
- “Lord Jesus, I come to you as a sinner, needing grace
- “I now ask you to forgive me
- “I thank you that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins
- “I surrender my self to you and ask you to come dwell in my life. Please send me your Holy Spirit to empower me to live a life that pleases you. In Jesus name, amen”
- If you just prayed this prayer for the first time, congratulations. Your sins are now forgiven and you have a fresh start in your life!
- Your next step is to find a Bible-believing church, where you will learn more about this new life you have chosen.
