Be Thankful

Psalm 107:1-9
Intro.
1. Ingratitude is an ugly sin. It invariably exhibits a heart
that is darkened by human pride, human wisdom and
indulgence, Rom 1:21; 2 Tim 3:2.

2. “Count your many blessings” acknowledges God as the

Giver and that we are the recipients, Psa 103:1-5.

a. Thank God for His goodness with joy, service,

praise, Psalm 100.
b. Thanksgiving is to be found in Zion, Isa 51:1-3.
c. Citizens of the kingdom of heaven thank the Lord!
Col 3:15

3. Giving thanks should be the natural result of life in Christ

(Col 3:3, 10).

4. It is the opposite of self-centeredness, arrogance and

rebellion; it springs out of love, joy and praise. Where there
is thankfulness we find contentment. Without it, anxiety and
lusts abound. Ephesians 5:20
I. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THANKFUL.
[“giving thanks”]

A. “The Grateful Acknowledgment of Benefits

Received.”
B. Giving Thanks Presupposes:

1. A review of blessings received.

We must count blessings in order to be thankful for them
(cf. Phil 1:3).

2. Knowing our blessings come from God.

We cannot credit ourselves, cf. Jas 1:17 vs. Dan 4:30.

3. That we are not worthy of the blessing

(Do not deserve it), 1 Tim 1:12-13.

II. WHEN WE MUST BE THANKFUL. [“always”]

A. Before the Blessing
(mindset toward blessings to come),
2 Chrn 20:20-21. Honor for and faith in God’s character
and promises (Heb 13:5-6).

B. During the Blessing (reliance), Acts 28:15.

-Aware of God in your life, and that everything is an
advantage from Him
(Rom 8:28) [even times of trial, uncertainty, distress, pain, etc.]

C. After Blessing is Received (acknowledgement),

Exo 15:1; Dan 2:23.

III. WHAT WE MUST BE THANKFUL FOR.

[“all things”]
A. Things Physical and Spiritual;
Things Ordinary and Extraordinary;
Things Received and Withheld, cf. 2 Cor 12:10;
1 Thessalonians 5:18
1. Paul’s chains: Rejoiced! (Phil 1:12-14, 18)
2. Why and how?
a. All things work together/good, Rom 8:28
(cf. Phil 1:13; 4:22).
b. No exterior force can separate us from God, Rom
8:35-39. Everything can become a blessing in our lives.
B. Be Thankful for God’s Attributes and God’s Works
(Salvation, the church, word, judgments), Psa 96:1-3 (103:1-5).
C. Be Thankful for Brethren, Family, Food, Life’s Joys
and Sorrows, Pleasures and Pain…Everything.
1 Thes. 1:2-3 (2 Thes. 1:3); 1 Thes. 4:4-5

IV. HOW WE EXPRESS OUR THANKFULNESS.

[“in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”]
A. Christ is the Means of All We Receive,
Eph 1:3; Col 3:17.
B. We Express our Thanksgiving:
1. By our words: Our lips (prayers and song), Heb 13:15.
2. By our lives (sacrifice/service), cf. Heb 13:16; Col 2:7.

V. WE GIVE OUR THANKS TO GOD.

[“to God the Father”]
A. God is the Giver of All Good Gifts, Jas 1:17;
Psa 106:1.
1. This does not limit thanks exclusively to Father
cf. 1 Tim 1:12.
a. The Father, John 3:16.
b. The Son, Matt 20:28 (1 Tim 1:12).
c. The Holy Spirit, John 16:13.
2. The Godhead deserves our eternal thanks.
3. God is the first cause of our blessings, Rom 1:20-21.

Conclusion
1. Ingratitude reveals pride, self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction, and
self-love, 2 Timothy 3:1-4.

2. Unthankfulness toward God spawns additional sins of

ingratitude; cf. 2 Tim 3:2-5.

3. We have been called by the gospel to peace with God and

men – in the body of Christ – be thankful! Col 3:15