The Power Of Thankfulness: A Thanksgiving Sermon

Have you hung out with an ungrateful person? It almost repels you from their complaining, thankless attitude. It is not fun to spend time around them. It can drain your energy!

A thankful attitude is attractive and powerful. Moreover, gratitude welcomes God into your life and brings inner peace and hope.

Thankfulness Is God’s Will

Paul told the Thessalonian Christians to “Rejoice always and pray without ceasing; in all things give thanks; this is the will God in Christ Jesus for you. This Bible verse says it all: God wants us to be thankful constantly.

Paul isn’t telling believers to be grateful for all (like bad events that happen to us) but rather to be thankful in everything. While in prison, Paul experienced this and wrote most of the New Testament. This meant that regardless of our circumstances, there is always something to be grateful for. If we choose gratitude, we can still win even in the most difficult times.

Paul also said that covetousness and filthiness, foolish speaking, fornication, and all uncleanness, covetousness, and filthiness are not things Christians should do but rather give thanks (Ephesians 5, 3-4). We need to express gratitude when we are tempted to say or do something we shouldn’t.

Paul’s instruction in Colossians was clear: “And whatever you do in word and deed, do it all in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God, the Father, through Him.” We can serve God even when we do dishes, work at our jobs, or change diapers.

Thankfulness Promotes Hope, Faith, And Peace

God’s peace surrounds those who choose to be grateful instead of worrying. Ephesians says: “Don’t be anxious about anything, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let God hear your requests; and the peace and joy of God, which is beyond all understanding, will guard you and your minds through Christ Jesus. “

God knows our needs. When we thank Him for them, He promises to keep His promise. This is what parents know. You are more likely to grant your child’s request if you have a grateful heart. God likes grateful attitudes.

Our faith grows when we are grateful for what we have and remind ourselves of the blessings and help God has given us. We believe God’s plans for us are good, and we know that “He always leads in triumph in Christ” (Colossians 2:15).

Thankfulness is Connected to Praise

Psalm 100 is a well-known scripture on thankfulness.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Bless His name and be thankful to Him. “

To be able to experience the presence of God, we must start by being grateful. Praise and thanksgiving unlock the presence of God in our lives.

Hebrews explains that thankfulness must be expressed in grateful words. We can verbally praise and thank God. Satan, however, won’t be bothered if we silently express our gratitude.

Satan can’t deceive or discourage us if we “proclaim in the voice of thanksgiving” and tell about all [God’s] wondrous works (Psalm 26.7). Thanksgiving is a powerful weapon against our enemy. We are strengthened when praises and thanksgivings are praised and magnified by the Lord (Psalm 69:30). Keep our eyes on God’s goodness and not our circumstances.

Being Thankful Prevents Self-Pity And Self-Centeredness.

A grateful attitude makes it less likely that we feel sorry for our shortcomings and look inward. Paul wrote in Ephesians that he also, having heard of your faith and love for the saints, did not cease to give thanks, mentioning you during his prayers. “

Prayer is linked to Thanksgiving. Paul was encouraged by the Ephesus believers’ report and prayed to God, thanking Him for their help. Paul was often in prison when he wrote these letters to churches. Instead of feeling sorry for himself or getting depressed, Paul chose to be grateful. Paul repeatedly thanked God throughout the New Testament for the special group of believers he had given his life.

When we lose sight of the bigger picture and feel like victims, it is time to choose thankfulness. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 states, “We give thanks always to God for you all, making reference to you in our prayers. Instead of feeling sorry for our shortcomings, we should praise God for those in our lives and pray for them.

Thanksgiving is in Heaven

Heaven is full of praises and thanksgiving for God. Many examples are given in the book of Revelation of God receiving praise and worship. “The living creatures gave glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits upon the throne and lives forever and ever. “

Even the angels expressed gratitude to God, declaring, “Amen!” Forever and ever, God’s blessings, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be ours. Amen.” (Revelation 7:12).

All of the heavens proclaim gratitude.

“And all the elders who sat down before God on their thrones fell upon their faces and worshipped God, saying: We give You thanks O Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17).

Heaven, which includes living creatures, angels, and elders, continually thanks and praises God. How much more can we praise God in heaven than we should?

There are Many Things to Be Grateful for

You don’t need to look far for many things to be thankful for. We may take many things for granted, like the air we breathe or life itself. It is natural to be thankful for family and friends, but how visible is your gratitude?

Paul exhorts Christians in Colossians to “be earnest in prayer [and] vigilant with thanksgiving.” He reminds us that we should thank the Father for allowing us to share in the inheritance of saints in the light. He has taken us out of the darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His Son. This is something to be thankful for.

Thankfulness can be powerful. Be grateful for God’s goodness, faithfulness, and mercy.

“Praise God! Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 106:1)

Thanks for reading my thanksgiving sermon.