Sermon On Thanksgiving: His Gates with Thanksgiving Eph. 5:20
Intro.
Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, friends, food, and giving thanks for all the things we have. We give thanks for our families, friends, and loved ones who support us through good times and bad. We give thanks for the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the homes we live in. And we give thanks for the freedom we enjoy.
In Philemon The nature of Paul's thanksgiving is continual, Godward, and personal to let Philemon know he esteems him highly (4).
The reason Paul thanks God for Philemon's faith in Christ shown by loving believers is to imply that Onesimus is among them (5).
Paul prays for Philemon's faith to be active in his relationships so this same faith might be shown towards Onesimus (6).
I. We’re encouraged to be Thankful in the Bible
I Chr 16:8,34 David’s song of thanksgiving
Neh 12:31 Thankful for the finished task
Ps 100:4,5 Thanks
I Cor 15:57 Victory
II Cor 2:14 Triumph over the devil
II Cor 9:15 Thankful for salvation
I Thes 5:18 God has everything under control
As indicated, “expressing” our gratitude can mean (1) expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings and (2) expressing our gratitude to others for their kindness – it can also mean (3) talking to others of our gratitude for God’s blessings (Mk. 5:19)
Paul thanks God for Philemon's love shown in good deeds that refreshed believers (7).
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II. Need To Express Our Thankfulness
B. Giving Thanks Presupposes:
1. Knowledge that you have been blessed, cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-13.
2. Knowledge of and review of the blessings received.
-Must “count our blessings” to be thankful! (Phil. 1:3)
3. Knowledge of the source of the blessings (given by God): Can’t credit ourselves (cf. Jas. 1:17 vs. Dan. 4:30-33).
III. FOR WHAT MUST WE GIVE THANKS? [Eph. 5:20: “for all things”]
b. Why? How can we be thankful for “everything”? Rom. 8:28, 35-39
c. All things work together for good…, 8:28.
d. No exterior force can separate us from God; everything can work a blessing for God’s people! 8:35-39
- Sermon about Marriage: Building Trust in Your MarriageEcclesiastes 4:9-12
- Sermon About Encouragement: Encourage the Encouragers1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
- Sermon About Forgiveness: The Power of ForgivenessPsalm 130
- Sermon About Church: The Mission of the Church1 Timothy 3:14-16
- +10 Sermons About Gratitude, Thanks, Thanksgiving and Blesses
1. Ingratitude reveals pride, self-reliance, self-satisfaction, and self-love, 2 Tim. 3:1-4.
2. Lack of thankfulness toward God is the height of ungodliness, Psa. 140:13
3. We must overflow with thanksgiving (Col. 2:7).