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A Double Helping Of Thanksgiving

A Double Helping Of Thanksgiving. Thankfulness Of God’s People. God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people As our culture becomes more and more unthankful, we have a great chance to let our lights shine (Rom. 1:21)

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A Double Helping Of Thanksgiving

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  1. A Double Helping Of Thanksgiving

  2. Thankfulness Of God’s People • God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people • As our culture becomes more and more unthankful, we have a great chance to let our lights shine (Rom. 1:21) • Many have an attitude that says that goodness is owed to them or that its their due… Is it negative? It’s not my fault! • Many act like it’s everyone else’s responsibility to serve them • Such a failure in thankfulness was a leading factor in the moral and spiritual decline of the Gentiles… still true today! • Look at our culture we see things to avoid: Pride, complaining, materialism, forgetfulness, bitterness, busyness, etc.

  3. Thankfulness Of God’s People • God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people • Thankfulness should become “Second Nature” – A characteristic of who we are as saved (1 Thess 5:16-18) • Not just something we do or say, but a way of life. We walk in it just like we walk in faith – Continually (Heb. 13:15) • Living with a daily awareness of our blessings… not taking them for granted… being humble toward them • You cannot separate thanks from grace – “Charis” (Grace) is part of the word for thankfulness. Being filled with grace without being filled with thanks is impossible! • Seen in response to God: Pray, work hard toward holiness, tell others of His goodness, give self to His service, worship • Seen in response to others: Express appreciation to them and about them, serve others, treat opportunities and property with respect and honor, and praise others.

  4. Thankfulness Of God’s People • God’s people are a thankful & appreciative people • The impact of thankfulness in our lives: • It keeps pride down and humility alive (1 Tim 1:12-16) • It helps to keep us faithful to God (Col. 2:6-7) • It gives us strength to endure difficult times (Phil. 4:6) • It increases our impact on the lost (Acts 27:35-36) • It simply gets us farther in life (1 Tim 2:1-2) • It’s not simply a holiday but a discipline we practice. Not a formality in prayer or a courteous word, but a condition of heart. We must commit to it! (Ps. 9:1-2)

  5. Thankfulness Of God’s People • A personal note of my thankfulness for you: • Preaching isn’t just about telling what we must do or showing what is wrong… It’s also about rejoicing together and showing what is going on that’s right • Paul often did this in letters to Christians & churches: • Rom 1:8-10; 1 Cor 1:4-8; Eph 1:13-16; Phil 1:3-5; Col 1:3-5; 1 Thess 1:2-3; 2 Thess 1:3; 2 Tim 1:3-5; Phm 1:4-6 • He’s not just being strategic or courteous – He did thanked God for them and did it daily! Paul is sincere about this • Thankful for the faith they showed, their acceptance of the gospel, their salvation, their spiritual growth, their love, their service, their support of him, & their steadfastness • This encouraged and comforted them, but it also motivated and strengthened Paul. Do we thank God for each other?

  6. Thankfulness Of God’s People • A personal note of my thankfulness for you: • I am thankful for you because of your genuine love for one another and the unity you share (I Pet. 3:8) • I am thankful for you because of your interest in God’s word and participation in Bible study (Acts 17:11) • I am thankful for you because of the personal spiritual growth many of you have shown (1 Thess 2:19-20) • I am thankful for you because of the balance you show in your faith. In your attitude toward others, your stand for the truth, and the decisions that are made (Ephesians 4:15) • I am thankful for you because we have elders who love God, His word, and lead like shepherds. For you because we have deacons who willingly serve. For all who take a part in services, teach classes, prepare materials, & serve behind the scenes (Rm 12:4-8)

  7. Thankfulness Of God’s People • A personal note of my thankfulness for you: • I am thankful for you because of the encouragement and love you offer me in preaching the gospel and to one another as we seek to grow in grace & faith in the knowledge of Jesus (Rom 1:11-12) • I am thankful for you because others have come in, have seen the grace of God, & were glad (Acts 11:23)

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