Locust Grove Church of Brethren
April 9, 2023

      • Colossians 3:1–4ESV

  • Christ Arose

      • Matthew 28:1–10ESV

      • John 20:1–18ESV

  • Alleluia Alleluia

      • Acts 10:34–43ESV

  • Big Idea of the Message: We are not to offer thanks to God only occasionally or only when great things are happening; instead, we are to give thanks in all circumstances. Application Point: Even when we experience trials, we can give thanks for God’s presence, his understanding, and his comfort. Sermon Ideas and Talking Points:
    Thessalonians 5:16–18
    1. In the United States, we set aside the fourth Thursday of November for a day of thanksgiving. Yet, the Scriptures instruct us that we are to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The Greek word for “will” is thelēma, which means, “desire, wish, purpose, will, decision, or intent” (James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek New Testament (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997], 2525). In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln decreed a national Thanksgiving Day, but God’s desire for us is to live a lifestyle of thanksgiving. Nancy DeMoss states, "Thanksgiving really should be thanksliving—a way of life—day in, day out, morning, noon, and night— continually, forever giving thanks to the Lord" (Nancy Leigh DeMoss, quoted in Leslie Bennett, “Thanksgiving … or Thanksliving?” Leader Connection Blog, Revive Our Hearts, November 10, 2014, https://www.reviveourhearts.com/leaders/blog/thanksgiving-or-thanksliving/).
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    2. We are to give thanks in all circumstances. But notice verse 18 does not tells us to give thanks for all circumstances but “in all circumstances.” Evil, injustice, and cruelty exist every day in this world. Scripture never instructs us to give thanks for wicked, immoral, and sinful circumstances but to give thanks in them.
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    3. Corrie and Betsie ten Boom had to learn to give thanks in all circumstances, including Ravensbrück Concentration Camp during War World II. Their family was arrested by Nazis for hiding Jews and consequently sent to concentration camps. Corrie and Bestie were moved to a new barrack invested with fleas, yet they were able to find a reason to give thanks to God (James Emery White, “Thankful for the Fleas,” Church & Culture [blog], November 26, 2008, http://www.churchandculture.org/Blog.asp?ID=78).
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    4. As followers of Jesus, we are not immune to the trials, pains, difficulties, and sufferings of life. In fact, life can be very brutal at times. It can be extremely difficult to give thanks to God in such times. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can give thanks in all circumstance for a several reasons. First, God is always with us—even in the darkest times (Deuteronomy 31:6,8). Giving thanks is an act of faith rather than not walking by sight. We have to “see” beyond our circumstances and look to Jesus. Second, Jesus understands what we are going through (Hebrews 4:15). In his life on earth and death on the cross, Jesus went through tremendous pain and suffering, and he understands how we feel. Finally, the Holy Spirit is in us, comforting, encouraging, and strengthening us (2 Corinthians 1:4). The Holy Spirit ministers to us in the midst of loss and pain.
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    5. The following illustration is from Josh Havens, of the music group The Afters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=wJ6WEmZE6o0). Josh describes how the team had a tough year, but one story of God’s presence and comfort in the midst of pain stands out. From this the band wrote a song called “Battles.” The entire song can be view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=MQJWT017Jwc
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    6. Joni Eareckson Tada (from week 1) helped contribute to the Beyond Suffering Bible. The study note for Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”” states, “Life can be hard, and circumstances can be unflinchingly difficult. But just as God told Joshua, God tells us that we need not despair. God is with us and goes ahead of us in every danger and challenge we face. Nothing can take him by surprise or catch him off guard. What good news to know that God will never abandon those who trust in him alone!” (Beyond Suffering Bible [n.p.: Joni and Friends, 2016]).
    Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
    It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
    1 thessalonians 5:16–18
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    5:16-18 Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands—be joyful, never stop praying, and be thankful—often goes against our natural inclinations. When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, however, we will begin to see people in a new perspective. When we do God’s will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.
    5:17 We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing his presence within us, and determining to obey him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.
    5:17 Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Paul said that believers should never stop praying. A Christian’s persistence is an expression of faith that God answers prayer. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God’s way of working his will. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is present, always listening, always answering—in ways that he knows are best.
    5:18 Paul was not teaching that we should thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything. Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank him for it. But when evil strikes, we can still be thankful for God’s presence and for the good that he will accomplish through the distress.
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    Publishers, Tyndale House. NLT Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition . Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
    Publishers, Tyndale House. NLT Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition . Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

      • Galatians 2:11–14ESV

      • Romans 10:14–15ESV

  • He Lives
  • Choral Benediction
Locust Grove Church of Brethren
locustgrove@atlanticbbn.net
8145396826
https://lgcob.faithlifesites.com
6 members