Give Thanks for Everything – Sermon 1 June, 2014

Give Thanks for Everything
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
To thank God for everything is realistically difficult. The reason for that is simple. In life and especially in the fast pace of our daily routine we take many things for granted and even we don’t think that those are God’s blessings, which are given to us freely.
Apostle Paul in his first letter to the church in Thessalonica says: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (16-17). According to the scripture the church in Thessalonica had suffered much and yet Paul says to them “Give thanks”. This is an unimaginable call and charge. He says that by being joyous and praying, it is possible to give thanks to God.
The question that we ask ourselves today is:
“Why and how we should give thanks to God?”
• We should thank God for His wonderful works
Is it possible to see God’s wonderful works in unsafe and war situations, acts of violence, abusing vulnerable people, terrorist attacks on innocent people and persecutions?
Irrespective of the revolt of people against God, He does not cease to do wonderful things for them. For this reason we should be willing to thank Him.
• We should thank God always without ceasing
We cannot be thankful to God only for the good times and the good things we receive. We should be thankful to God in all different situations.
But how can we give thanks to God?
We can thank God:
1. With a happy attitude
Our gratitude to God should come through with a positive and happy attitude and not with long faces. We should always remember that all thing work for the good for those who love God. Paul says in his letter to the Romans: “We know that all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
2. With shouts of joy
The gratitude that we give should come out with songs, Psalms and with God’s love. The Bible is full of examples like the blind beggar Bartimaeus and one of the ten lepers who came back to thank the Lord.
The thanks expressed in words are so important.
3. With our works
The best way to give thanks to the Lord is doing something for Him and in His name. Making commitments to serve Him by serving to the people around us are the best ways to express our thanks to Him. The word and the work go together.
4. With our hands
If we give a gift in the name of the Lord, we are expressing our thanks, remembering that we have to share our blessings with others, especially with those who are in need. Paul says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1)
5. With our love
Thanksgiving is a lifestyle; it is a special kind of attitude. The Christian life should be a life of thanksgiving, testimony and a life of proclamation for the grace and the glory of God.
Is it possible to give thanks for everything?
Yes.
Regardless of us being under challenging and difficult circumstances, we can still be grateful for everything. We trust Christ for the future, and for the past and present we could be thankful.
Paul knew that even in troubles and trials, God teaches us lessons. It is not easy to see the good side of trouble. But when we believe and accept that God is above everything, we can see His goodness and mercy to us.
Bible Commentator Matthew Henry, after being robbed, wrote in his diary the following:
“Let me be thankful. First, because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life. Third, because although they took my all, it was not much. Fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed”.
Therefore let us give thanks for everything and always.
Krikor Youmshajekian