Ephesians 5:20

 

Ephesians 5:20

Give Thanks Always!

 

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

         1.     Give Thanks Always

a.     Gratefulness needs to be continuous - Hebrews 13:15 

b.     Gratefulness needs to be expressed no matter who our ruler is - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

c.     Gratefulness is not a trait of the unsaved - Romans 1:20-21 

d.     Gratefulness produces peace - Philippians 4:6-7 

         2.     Give Thanks for All Things

“Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it is a matter of obedience.”

-       Joni Eareckson Tada

b.     Gratefulness understands the sovereignty of God

                                               i.     Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28 

c.     Gratefulness sees the bigger picture during suffering - Romans 5:3-5 

d.     Gratefulness knows there is strength in weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

e.     Gratefulness is realizing that everything was given to me by God - Job 1:21 

f.      Gratefulness is for all seasons of life - 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 

        3.     Give Thanks to God the Father

a.     Gratefulness to God must be genuine - Matthew 15:8 

b.     Gratefulness to God is realizing where I am without Him - Isaiah 53:6 

c.     Gratefulness is being thankful for your adoption - Ephesians 1:4 

d.     Gratefulness is being thankful that God is building you into His loving community, called the Church

                                               i.     Ephesians 2:19-22 

e.     Gratefulness is being thankful for your future inheritance - Ephesians 1:14 

f.      Gratefulness is being thankful that God does not give up on you

                                               i.     Hebrews 12:5; Hebrews 12:11 

g.     Gratefulness is God’s will for you - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

        4.     Give Thanks in the Name of Jesus Christ

a.     Give thanks that you have received Jesus - Colossians 2:6-7 

b.     Give thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus - Luke 22:19 

c.     Give thanks that you can suffer for the name of Jesus - Acts 5:41