A Lifestyle of Thanksgiving

Sermon Quick Summary
Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a challenging time calorie counting, with disagreements and tension when everyone is together. God designed thanksgiving to be a central part of our lives woven into the very fabric of Scripture. The Bible reminds us repeatedly of God’s goodness.  Biblical thanksgiving requires us to give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for everything (Ephesians 5:15-20). Biblical thanksgiving is a continuous, intentional spiritual practice rooted in worship, faith, love, and obedience.  As an Act of Worship, biblical thanksgiving is acknowledging God’s sovereignty, focusing on God’s unchanging character, worshipping with body mind and spirit, and drawing us near to God. As an Act of Faith, true, biblical thanksgiving trusts that God will fulfill God’s promises to you, provides confident hope, transforms your hearts when you give biblical thanks, gives you rest and peace from God, and presents your witness to the world. As an Act of Love, biblical thanksgiving is love for God and love for others, expresses love and devotion to God, recognizes God’s care and faithfulness, deepens the love relationship, and overflows to others. As an Act of Intentional Obedience, you should focus thinking on what is true, obeying the truth of God’s Word. Start biblical thanksgiving this week with intentionality to practice acts of worship, faith, love, and obedience.
 
Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a challenging time calorie counting, with disagreements and tension when everyone is together.
            Thanksgiving is here. According to statistics from the USDA most of the whole turkeys, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes will be eaten on Thanksgiving, with most of the remainder eaten on Christmas. By the end of the Thanksgiving meal, many of us will have consumed 2500 to 4000 calories, which is equivalent of eating 4-8 Big Macs in one sitting! Then there’s the getting together part. For many, this is a joyous time with extended family and friends. However, it can also be a stressful and challenging time especially when you factor in the disagreements and tension that can bubble up when everyone is together. A survey of 2,000 respondents asked “what do you argue about with your extended family?”  According to a 2023 USA Today Blueprint survey of 2000 respondents, 51% argue about family issues; 48% argue about politics; 47% argue about money; 37% argue about children and parenting techniques; 29% argue about religion; 12% have no arguments; and 4% have other arguments. Thanksgiving as we celebrate is a cultural holiday with blessings and challenges. We may love it, or we may hate it.  However, as followers of Jesus, we really don’t need a holiday to remind us to give thanks. In fact, Thanksgiving was God’s idea!

God designed Thanksgiving to be a central part of our lives woven into the very fabric of Scripture.
            Consider these verses from both the Old and New Testaments: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34).  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts….And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).  “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him”(Psalm 28:7). “ Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving ….”(Psalm 50:14). “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful…”  (Hebrews 12:28-29). “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name”(Psalm 100:4).  “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds…, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:8-9).
            God’s Word is clear for God’s people. Thanksgiving is so much more than a holiday or an emotion tied to positive circumstances. According to God’s Word, Thanksgiving is a consistent spiritual practice and a way of life.

The Bible reminds us repeatedly of God’s goodness.
            “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
            We worship God because God is good, and we are grateful for every gift that comes from God. Thanksgiving, as an act of worship, involves our whole being. It is not just an intellectual exercise but engages our emotions, will, and actions. It is expressed in song, prayer, dance and heart praise to our God, The psalmist says, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).
            Singing and making music to the Lord from our hearts, as Ephesians 5 encourages, is an act of joyful surrender and recognition of God’s majesty and sovereignty in worship because of who God is.  Thanksgiving as an act of worship also invites us to draw near to God’s presence: Psalm 100:4 tells us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”
            When we worship God with thanksgiving, we align our hearts with God’s heart. Thanksgiving opens the door to intimately worship God, allowing us to experience God’s nearness and delight in God’s presence. Thanksgiving as an act of worship is not about denying the challenges of life but acknowledging the God we serve is greater than our challenges.
            When we cultivate thanksgiving as an act of worship, we are proclaiming that God is worthy not just because of what God does, but because of who God is. It is a way of saying, “God, You are worthy of praise, not because everything in my life is perfect, but because You are perfect, I honor You, and I worship You with a heart of thanksgiving.”
            When we worship God, the Spirit fills our hearts with gratitude. Worship leads to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving and worship go together and nurture one another because they begin and end with God. So either way you slice it, true thanksgiving is an act of worship.

Biblical thanksgiving requires us to give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for everything (Ephesians 5:15-20).
            “15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:15-20, NLT).
            The context for this passage begins a few verses earlier at the start of the chapter. Paul begins Ephesians 5 by urging hearers to “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). Then Paul contrasts this life of love and holiness with the sinful behaviors of the world.
            When we read our text of Ephesians 5:15-20, Paul is calling for followers of Jesus to make a choice to choose to live wisely, not like the world. Paul warns against acting thoughtlessly (verse 15).
            Paul casts a vision for what living wisely looks like.  He notes living wisely means: Living intentionally for the Lord “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (verse 16).
            Paul then challenges hearers and us to be spiritually discerning. Don’t act thoughtlessly. Rather “understand what the Lord wants you to do” (verse 17). 
            Paul then instructs believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct our lives. Paul makes a comparison his readers would understand. When he says do not be drunk with wine in verse 18, but be filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul is declaring they could be consumed with wine or consumed by the Spirit. But they couldn’t do both. They had a choice to make. The same is true for us; we can be consumed by the pleasures of our day. We might rely on escape to give us a temporary joy or high. We have the choice to be consumed by the pursuit of worldly pleasures and habits that are not good for us.  Or rather we can seek first God’s Kingdom and be consumed by the Holy Spirit with following Jesus as our priority in life.
            Paul explains how we must allow the Spirit to lead and guide us.  To be filled with the spirit is manifested in a variety of ways.  Paul lists two manifestations of being filled with the Spirit here: Joyful praise in song (verse 19) and a heart of thanksgiving in everything (verse 20). In fact, Paul’s exhortation is for us to “give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thanksgiving is meant to be a continuous, intentional practice. Thanksgiving is empowered and generated by the Holy Spirit at work in us through the resurrection power of Jesus. Thanksgiving is an act of worship, an act of faith, an act of love, and an act of intentional obedience. Through this lens, thanksgiving is a way of life with Jesus that touches every aspect of our lives.

Biblical thanksgiving is a continuous, intentional spiritual practice rooted in worship, faith, love, and obedience:

As an Act of Worship, biblical thanksgiving is acknowledging God’s sovereignty, focusing on God’s unchanging character, worshipping with body mind and spirit, and drawing us near to God.
            Spirit-led thanksgiving is more than simply saying “thank you” to God; It is an act of worship because it exalts God for who God is. Thanksgiving, as an act of worship, is a declaration of God’s sovereignty that God is in control, no matter what the circumstances may look and feel like.  Thanksgiving as an act of worship shifts our focus away from ourselves and our struggles or accomplishments. This reminds us of the God we serve who is at the helm of all things. Worship in thanksgiving is the primary difference between Holy Spirit-led thanksgivings versus gratitude as the world practices thanksgiving.
            Gratitude through the lens of the world is a sense of appreciation for favorable circumstances, personal achievements or human relationships Thanksgiving as an act of worship is all about a person: The Triune God who is the giver and sustainer of all of life. Thanksgiving is not simply mindfulness of the good things in life.  It is gratitude and worship of the Giver of those good things! Thanksgiving as an act of worship acknowledging that God’s character is unchanging, and that God’s love and mercy are constants in our lives.

As an Act of Faith, true, biblical thanksgiving trusts that God will fulfill God’s promises to you, provides confident hope, transforms your hearts when you give biblical thanks, gives you rest and peace from God, and presents your witness to the world.
            To the Thessalonians, Paul writes a command similar to the one he wrote to the Ephesians.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Paul tells believers in Thessalonica to give thanks in ALL circumstances, which requires faith. This is faith that God is not only sovereign and in control but also working for our ultimate good. not just a general good for God’s glory But God is working for your good and my good according to his eternal purpose Thanksgiving as an act of faith means trusting in God’s character, promises, and purposes even when life feels uncertain and painful. Thanksgiving, an act of faith, is based on a spiritual confidence. Regardless of what we see or feel and regardless of the circumstances, God can be trusted because God is faithful. Faith-filled thanksgiving acknowledges that God’s ways are higher than our ways.  Faith-filled thanksgiving holds to the truth that God’s plan is still unfolding and that God is faithful to God’s promises.
            Thanksgiving as an act of faith reminds us that what we see now is temporary, but God’s purposes are everlasting. We may not understand what God is doing in the moment, but thanksgiving asserts that God is trustworthy, even in our uncertainty What’s more, when we practice thanksgiving as an act of faith it strengthens our faith and hope in God.
            Gratitude can remind us of God’s faithfulness in the past giving us confidence for the future. In Deuteronomy 8:10, the Israelites were commanded to remember and give thanks for God’s deliverance from Egypt. This act of remembrance strengthened their faith as they faced new challenges. We too can thank God by reflecting on past blessings with gratitude. Hope is renewed and we are reminded that God can be trusted because God is faithful.  In biblical thanksgiving, by trusting in God, we are grateful.
Thanksgiving as an act of faith is not dependent on feel good emotions. Faith-filled thanksgiving allows us to hold more than one emotion simultaneously. We can hold grief and gratitude, sorrow and joy.
            Even in times of anxiety, depression, or loss, we can be thankful without denying reality, or our feelings. That is not what God is asking. We can always be real with God about where we are.  It’s helpful to name our concerns, talk to God about it, and have compassion with ourselves as we lean on God’s mercy to hold our feelings. At the same time, we can also express thanksgiving as an act of faith declaring that God’s goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty are still greater than anything we’re facing. Feeling Thanksgiving as an act of faith is not about pretending life is perfect but choosing to trust God’s presence in every situation. Thanksgiving is an act of faith. After being beaten and imprisoned, we read in Acts 16:25 that Paul and Silas, prayed and sang hymns of thanksgiving. Their gratitude did not ignore their suffering, but rather reflected unshakable faith in God’s power, purpose and presence.
            The writer of Lamentations knew the truth well. The writer declares,”20I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’” That is what thanksgiving as an act of faith looks like: Grief and hope side by side, suffering and joy in the same space, but thanksgiving as a balm through it all. It is an act of faith because we serve a God who is faithful. God’s mercies are indeed new every morning!
            When we thank God in challenging circumstances, it is a powerful witness to others. When we express thanksgiving as an act of faith, we proclaim to the world that our hope and joy are anchored in God, not in temporary circumstances. We trust in God’s love and practice thanksgiving as an act of faith. We have confident assurance in the future that is yet to come. We know The One who holds the future, and we are grateful. Biblical thanksgiving is an act of worship, an act of faith, and an act of love. Thanksgiving by definition suggests some type of connection for which we are grateful.

As an Act of Love, biblical thanksgiving is love for God and love for others, expresses love and devotion to God, recognizes God’s care and faithfulness, deepens the love relationship, and overflows to others.
            Biblical thanksgiving reflects a heart that is aware of God’s grace, goodness, and gratitude that overflows towards God and into our relationships with those around us.
            A lifestyle of thanksgiving fosters deeper connections with God and the people God has placed in our lives. When we give thanks as an act of love, we are expressing our love and devotion to God, and acknowledging that God is the source of all good things (See James 1:17). Thanksgiving becomes a way to say, “Lord, I see Your hand in my life, and I love You for who You are and what You have done.” When we thank God as an act of love, we are acknowledging God’s love, care, and faithfulness toward us, and loving him back. Just as a parent delights when their child expresses gratitude, God in the same way is loved and honored by our thankfulness.
            The leper who returned to thank Jesus in Luke 17 fell at Jesus’ feet in love and gratitude. Nine other lepers never returned to thank Jesus for their healing. The leper’s thanksgiving was not just a polite rote response; it was a heartfelt act of thankfulness demonstrating love for Christ.
            Thanksgiving as an act of love deepens our love relationship with God It keeps us from taking God and his many blessings for granted. We must love the giver more than the gifts. But when we give thanks out of heart full of love and gratitude, our love for God grows, our connection deepens, and we find ourselves increasingly thankful. Loving God more and more because of God’s great and amazing love for us is Thanksgiving as an act of love. Thanksgiving as an act of love doesn’t stop with God; it overflows into our relationships with others.
            When we experience thankful hearts of love as a lifestyle, the Holy Spirit expands that love. We naturally become more gracious, patient, loving and kind to those around us. Thanksgiving as an act of love draws us closer as the body of Christ and inspires us to share God’s love through service and generosity.
We are reminded that we are blessed by God to be a blessing to others by meeting practical needs to offering words of encouragement. Thanksgiving is an act of love for God that overflows into the world in a way that they experience God’s love, too.
             Paul’s letter to the Ephesians established that true biblical thanksgiving comes from walking with the Spirit and allowing the Spirit to fill us with power and love.

As an Act of Intentional Obedience, you should focus thinking on what is true, obeying the truth of God’s Word.
            Thanksgiving is not merely an emotional response to favorable circumstances. It is a deliberate choice we make, often in spite of our circumstances.
            Thanksgiving doesn’t always come naturally. There are times when life’s hardships, disappointments, or fears may cloud our perspective. In those moments, thanksgiving is a discipline. Biblical thanksgiving is a decision to focus on God’s goodness instead of our challenges. We let the power of the Holy Spirit guide us.  When faced with trials, it’s easy to complain or dwell on what’s wrong. Choosing thanksgiving, however, allows the Holy Spirit to redirect our focus to what is true: God’s faithfulness, God’s presence, and God’s promises.
            Thanksgiving as an Act of Intentional Obedience becomes a spiritual act of resistance against despair and negativity. God’s goodness is greater than our pain. God’s purposes will prevail. David gives us a good example of this.  Even in times of despair, David chose to command his soul to praise the Lord: He wrote “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will yet praise Him again, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
            Thanksgiving as an Act of Intentional Obedience often means looking beyond what we feel in the moment and choosing to dwell on God’s promises. Paul not only instructs us to “give thanks in all circumstances” but he also teaches how by renewing our minds and transforming our thoughts.  Paul says we should focus our thoughts. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
            Thanksgiving as an Act of Obedience enables the Holy Spirit to lead us in gratitude. Gratitude is cultivated by focusing our minds to allow the Holy Spirit to calm our troubled souls. When we choose thanksgiving with intentional obedience, we invite God’s peace into our hearts and minds. Gratitude shifts our focus from our problems to God’s provision, enabling us to experience God’s rest and peace, even in the midst of turmoil.
            Thanksgiving also allows the Spirit to lead us into acts of service, generosity, and kindness. As we experience God’s grace and love through thanksgiving, we extend God’s grace and love to others.
 
Start biblical thanksgiving this week with intentionality to practice acts of worship, faith, love, and obedience.
            There are four practical applications to incorporate Thanksgiving into your daily lives this week with intention to practice acts of worship, faith, love, and obedience.
            For Thanksgiving as an Act of Worship, begin each day by thanking God for who God is. Reflect on at least 3 attributes of God’s character.
            For Thanksgiving as an Act of Faith, thank God for how God is at work in a life challenge. Write your own version of Lamentations 3:20-24.
            For Thanksgiving as an Act of Love, write a love letter of gratitude to God or do an act of kindness for someone for whom you are grateful.
            For Thanksgiving as an Act of Obedience, memorize a thanksgiving scripture and declare it for a week.
You are invited to watch this closing video. As we head into the seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas, practice a lifestyle of biblical thanksgiving, and let the Holy Spirit lead you.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xm0M4y5jj_rSqMIx94PUKJUAdH_f0Kqe/view?usp=drivesdk
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-For further explanation of any statement in the Quick Summary, review that section and consider the questions for that section.
Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a challenging time calorie counting, with disagreements and tension when everyone is together.
-What does thanksgiving mean to you personally?
-How and why has your perspective on gratitude changed over time?
God designed Thanksgiving to be a central part of our lives woven into the very fabric of Scripture.
-Share a moment when it was difficult for you to give thanks. What helped you to find gratitude in that situation?
-Why does God want all creation to join in thanksgiving, praise, and worship of God?
- What are examples of scriptures that command all people created by God to give thanks, praise, and worship the Lord? Is this command exclusively only for those who have a close relationship with the Lord?
The Bible reminds us repeatedly of God’s goodness. 
-If we have difficult challenges, does that change declaring the goodness of God in thanksgiving and worship? Why?
Biblical thanksgiving requires us to give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for everything (Ephesians 5:15-20).
-In Ephesians 5:15-20, Paul urges believers to live wisely and be filled with the Spirit. What do you think it looks like to live wisely in your daily life?
- How does being filled with the Holy Spirit influence your ability to live a lifestyle of thanksgiving?
-Paul contrasts being drunk with wine with being filled with the Holy Spirit. What are some distractions in your life that might hinder you from being Spirit-filled? How can you shift your focus? 
Thanksgiving as an Act of Worship.
-How does thanksgiving as an act of worship differ from gratitude from a worldly perspective?
-How does expressing thanksgiving help you draw closer to God? Share an example where worship through thanksgiving changed your perspective.
Thanksgiving as an Act of Faith
-Why do you think Paul instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances? What does that require from us?
-How has practicing gratitude in challenging situations strengthened your faith or reminded you of God’s faithfulness?
Thanksgiving as an Act of Love
-How can thanksgiving deepen your relationships with others? Share a time when someone’s gratitude impacted your life.
-What practical ways will you express thanksgiving as an act of love toward God and toward others this week?
Thanksgiving as an Act of Obedience
-When life is difficult, how can thanksgiving be an act of intentional obedience rather than just a natural response of not standing in actions of God transforming us and God working through us for biblical principles of justice?
-Reflect on Psalm 41:11: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? …Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him.” How can this verse encourage you to choose actions of gratitude, praise, and worship during tough times?
Start biblical thanksgiving this week with intentionality to practice acts of worship, faith, love, and obedience.
-Of the four aspects of thanksgiving (worship, faith, love, and obedience) which one resonates with you the most right now? Why?
-How will you intentionally incorporate thanksgiving into your life this week as a personal practice and in your relationships?
Closing
-End your discussion by giving thanks together as a group for who God is, what God has done, and what God is doing in your lives.