In Everything Give Thanks

Introduction
    I.  In September of last year, I used a lesson titled, "I am thankful."
        A.  At the end of that lesson I left places for you to write in the things
	  for which you were thankful.	  	
        B.  Today's lesson was, in large part, from a lesson Alex Ogden prepared 
	  and which I have modified.
  II.  Much of the world lacks appreciation for the importance of 
        expressing thanks.
        A.  Of the ten lepers cleansed by Jesus, only one returned to give Him 
	  thanks.  Lk. 17:11-19
        B.  Perhaps only about ten per cent of people today are willing to 	 	  
  	  make the effort to say thanks for some good deed done them.
        C.  We have just celebrated an annual holiday which was designed for
       	  the purpose of giving thanks.
       	  1.  The first Thanksgiving Proclamation of the United States,
          	       October 3, 1789, issued by George Washington:

                   Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the
                   providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful
                   for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and
                   favor; and,

                   Whereas, both Houses of Congress have, by their joint
                   committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the
                   United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be
                   observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and
                   signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an
                   opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for
                   their safety and happiness;"

                   Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the
                   twenty- sixth day of November next to be devoted by the people
                   of these States to the service of that great and glorious
                   Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was,
                   that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in
                   rendering unto Him our service and humble thanks for His kind
                   care and protection of the people of this country previous to
                   their becoming a nation...
              2.  No doubt we all celebrated this national holiday in some way.
        D.  There is a need, even among God's people, to be more thankful for 
	  the many things with which our Lord has blessed us.
        E.  The Scriptures teach us to give thanks.  Ps. 92:1, 2; 50:23; Col. 3:15;
	  Eph. 5:3, 4.
        F.  This morning let us consider the importance of giving thanks to our 
	  God and to others who have blessed us. 	  

Body     
    I.  We should give thanks for spiritual blessings.
        A.  We should give thanks for our salvation.
	  1.  God's grace brought salvation to us through Jesus Christ. 
	       Tit. 2:11, 12;  John 3:16; II Cor. 8:9.
	  2.  Paul expressed thanks for the salvation that he and others 	  
	       had received.  I Cor.15:56, 57;  I Tim. 1:12-14; Rom. 6:17, 18; 
	       II Thess. 2:13, 14; Col.1:9-17
        B.  We should thank God for his care and leadership.
     	  1.  He will provide for our needs.  I Pet. 5:6, 7; Phil. 4:6.
	  2.  He will guide and lead us, if we are willing to follow.  I Cor. 10:13;
	       II Cor. 2:14; Gal. 5:16, 17, 25; Rom. 6:1-14; 8:12-14; 12:1, 2.
	       a.  God's care for us, and His instructions for living, will always 
		be best for us.  
	       b.  Man may direct us in paths that are harmful (Prov. 14:12), but
		God's instructions will always be for our benefit.	
	       c.  Even if we lose everything here, we will have the promise of 
		blessing when this life is over.  I Tim. 6:6-8; Matt. 6:19, 20.
        C.  We should thank God for giving us the opportunity to spread the 
	  gospel.
              1.  Paul stated that Christ was using him to show His longsuffering to  
	       the world.  I Tim. 1:15, 16.
	  2.  God gives all of His children the responsibility of teaching His
	        word to others.  Matt. 28:19, 20; II Tim. 2:2-5; Prov. 11:30.
     	  3.  We should thank our heavenly Father for using us in His service.
        D.  We should thank God for those who receive the gospel when we 
	  have taught it.  I Thess. 2:13; Acts 17:11.
        E.  We should thank God for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
	  Eph. 1:15-23;  Col. 1:3-8; Philemon 4-7; I Thess. 1:2-10;  
	  Phil. 1:3-7; 4:10-20.
	  1.  We should truly be thankful for brethren who will work with us 
	       in the cause of Christ, sacrificing when needing to do so to make it
	       possible.
     
  II.  We should be thankful for physical blessings.
        A.  We are taught to pray for the necessities of life.  Matt. 6:11.
	  1.  We should recognize the source or material things.  Matt. 6:19-34.
	  2.  We should thank God for the things which we have which sustain
	       life.  I Tim. 4:4, 5.
        B.  We should be thankful for all blessings.  Jas. 1:17; I Thess. 5:16-18.
        C.  This would include thanks to God for having created all things and 	  
	  having given us evidence of his divinity and power through the 
	  Creation.  Ps. 19:1ff; Rom. 1:20, 21.

  III.  Some specific things for which I am thankful.
         A.  I am thankful for you and the tie that binds our hearts in Christian
               love.
         B.  I am thankful for those who are loving and who care for their
               brethren and share with them without hesitation when needed.
         C.  I am thankful for the loving friendships I see among brethren here.
         D.  I am thankful for the diligent, faithful teachers who labor many
       	   hours to be prepared to teach their classes.
         E.  I am thankful for the opportunity given me to work in God's cause 	  	   among you.
         F.  I  am thankful for your patience, tolerance and encouragement, even
	   when I have made mistakes and have failed to do what I should.
        G.  I am thankful for the children and teenagers that we are blessed with 
	  here, and I'm thankful that they are choosing the better Way.
        H.  I am thankful for those who appear to be pleased to learn some 
	  biblical truth.
         I.  I am thankful to see the young adults who continue to profess their
	  faithfulness unto God.
         J.  I am thankful for those who are older who set the proper examples 
	  for others.
        K.  I am thankful for those who realize their responsibility to the Lord 
	  to give as they have been prospered and who give liberally and
	  cheerfully.
        L.  I am thankful for those who utilize the abilities God has given them 	 
	  to lead the congregation in singing, wait on the Lord's table, lead 	  
 	  the congregation in prayer, teach the classes, do needed work around 	  the building, visit the sick, encourage the faint-hearted and who do
	  every good work.
       M.  I am also thankful for my children and their mates and for my 
	  grandchildren and for their love and support of me.
        N.  I am thankful for my wife who supports, encourages and loves me, 	  
	  and I am thankful that she got to the telephone on the last ring on 
	  November 23, 1951, for if she had not answered then, I was about
	  to hang up, and might never have had the courage to call her again!
	
Conclusion
    I.  No doubt, you have things for which you are thankful.
   II.  May this lesson help you give the thanks to God and others that is due.
  III.  Be thankful to God for His provision of salvation, and if you have not 
          yet obeyed Him, do so today.

Prepared by:
   David Arnold
   November 25, 1995
   With thanks to Alex Ogden, formerly of Southside
   Church, Smyrna, Tn, now in Blytheville, AR.