Good morning (or afternoon) brothers and sisters in Christ, today I am going to deliver a sermon about giving thanks in everything. Please don't quote my words ~ they are fallible, only God's word that is infallible.
In the U.S.A., there is a public holiday that is celebrated every 4th Thursday in November. People usually visit their relatives and eat turkey as a dinner on that day. Also, on that day, people give thanks to the LORD for what he has done throughout the year. Do you know what day is it? It's Thanksgiving Day. Wow, Americans are so grateful that they have a special day to give thanks to the LORD each year! By the way, why should we give thanks?
The first reason is because he has been good to us. It is written in Psalm 107:1 ”O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Since we were kids we've been taught to thank everyone who has been good to us. And not just to men, but also to God. We are to give thanks for God's mercy and goodness! WE ARE TO GIVE THANKS FOR HIS LOVE! It is stated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “The world” refers to you, me, and the other people in this world! What a kind of ingrate we are, if we don't give thanks to One who has given his only begotten Son for us! I think it deserves more than just “good”.
The second reason is to make known his deeds among the people. It is written in Psalm 105:1 “O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.” We ought to give thanks because of what he has done! What has He done so that we ought to give thanks to Him? He has judged righteously (Psalm 119:62), he has delivered us from our enemies (Psalm 18:48), he has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57), and many more, including the works of the salvation! He has done so much that I can't mention it one by one! So, give thanks to him for what He has done!
The third reason to give thanks is because it's God's will. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 said “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (Highlight “in every thing”.) “In every thing” means, in any condition, in any mood, in any feelings ~ GIVE THANKS! Though you're troubled, though your exams are troublesome ~ it is not written in the Bible that you may be ungrateful in those “burdensome” situation, is it? So, why should we give thanks then? … for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, as it has been stated. This is the will of God! (Highlight “the will of God”.) We pray The Lord's Prayer with mentioning “...Thy will be done...” (Matthew 6:10). So if you pray this prayer and you're still ungrateful, it means you still want to do your will, not his!
In conclusion, though you're troubled, though you're facing “the giants” in your life, though... (Maybe I can't mention all the “though” you face), though anything happens, you still have reasons to give thanks to the LORD! I hope, through this sermon, let us learn to give thanks for what the LORD has done for us!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
