Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-9

Character Building: Be Thankful (Part 11)

Intro.

1. Ingratitude is an ugly sin. It invariably exhibits a heart that is darkened by human pride, human wisdom and indulgence, Rom 1:21; 2 Tim 3:2.

2. “Count your many blessings” acknowledges God as the Giver and that we are the recipients, Psa 103:1-5.

a. Thank God for His goodness with joy, service, praise, Psa 100.

b. Thanksgiving is to be found in Zion, Isa 51:1-3.

c. Citizens of the kingdom of heaven thank the Lord! Col 3:15

3. Giving thanks should be the natural result of life in Christ (Col 3:3, 10).

4. It is the opposite of self-centeredness, arrogance and rebellion; it springs out of love, joy and praise. Where there is thankfulness we find contentment. Without it, anxiety and lusts abound. Ephesians 5:20

I. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THANKFUL. [“giving thanks”]

A. “The Grateful Acknowledgment of Benefits Received.”

B. Giving Thanks Presupposes:

1. A review of blessings received. We must count blessings in order to be thankful for them (cf. Phil 1:3).

2. Knowing our blessings come from God. We cannot credit ourselves, cf. Jas 1:17 vs. Dan 4:30.

3. That we are not worthy of the blessing (do not deserve it), 1 Tim 1:12-13.

II. WHEN WE MUST BE THANKFUL. [“always”]

A. Before the Blessing (mindset toward blessings to come), 2 Chrn 20:20-21. Honor for and faith in God’s character and promises (Heb 13:5-6).

B. During the Blessing (reliance), Acts 28:15.

-Aware of God in your life, and that everything is an advantage from Him (Rom 8:28) [even times of trial, uncertainty, distress, pain, etc.].

C. After Blessing is Received (acknowledgement), Exo 15:1; Dan 2:23.

III. WHAT WE MUST BE THANKFUL FOR. [“all things”]

A. Things Physical and Spiritual; Things Ordinary and Extraordinary; Things Received and Withheld, cf. 2 Cor 12:10; 1 Ths 5:18.

1. Paul’s chains: Rejoiced! (Phil 1:12-14, 18)

2. Why and how?

a. All things work together/good, Rom 8:28 (cf. Phil 1:13; 4:22).

b. No exterior force can separate us from God, Rom 8:35-39. Everything can become a blessing in our lives.

B. Be Thankful for God’s Attributes and God’s Works (salvation, the church, word, judgments), Psa 96:1-3 (103:1-5).

C. Be Thankful for Brethren, Family, Food, Life’s Joys and Sorrows, Pleasures and Pain…Everything. 1 Ths 1:2-3 (2 Ths 1:3); 1 Ths 4:4-5

IV. HOW WE EXPRESS OUR THANKFULNESS. [“in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”]

A. Christ is the Means of All We Receive, Eph 1:3; Col 3:17.

B. We Express our Thanksgiving:

1. By our words: Our lips (prayers and song), Heb 13:15.

2. By our lives (sacrifice/service), cf. Heb 13:16; Col 2:7.

V. WE GIVE OUR THANKS TO GOD. [“to God the Father”]

A. God is the Giver of All Good Gifts, Jas 1:17; Psa 106:1.

1. This does not limit thanks exclusively to Father, cf. 1 Tim 1:12.

a. The Father, Jno 3:16.

b. The Son, Matt 20:28 (1 Tim 1:12).

c. The Holy Spirit, Jno 16:13.

2. The Godhead deserves our eternal thanks.

3. God is the first cause of our blessings, Rom 1:20-21.

Conclusion

1. Ingratitude reveals pride, self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction, and self-love, 2 Tim. 3:1-4.

2. Unthankfulness toward God spawns additional sins of ingratitude; cf. 2 Tim 3:2-5.

3. We have been called by the gospel to peace with God and men – in the body of Christ – be thankful! Col 3:15

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10