The Gift of GRATITUDE

Experiencing the Therapy of Giving Thanks

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18

I. The POWER to Give Thanks (Eph. 5:18)

The ____________ of the Spirit is connected to the command to “in everything give thanks.” cf. 1 Th. 5:18-19 “Always giving thanks in all things” is a ___________ of being “filled with” the Holy Spirit. cf. Eph. 5:18 The verb to “be filled” is a present, __________ command meaning continual action which we must allow to happen. i.e. “be being kept filled” NOTE – Being filled with the Spirit is contrasted with being _________ with wine! Key: ____________ The words “always” and “for all things” (v. 20) obviously refer to a way of life or ___________ of gratitude.

“We are very leaky vessels. We need to keep under the fountain all the time; then we will be kept full.” -D.L. Moody

In Colossians 3:16-17, we observe that being filled with the _______ produces the same results as being filled with the Spirit. i.e. “richly dwell… giving thanks”

II. The PURPOSE of Giving Thanks (Eph. 5:20)

The phrase, “in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ to God” refers to that which is consistent with Who He is and What He does—for His __________! cf. Rom. 8:28 In 2 Corinthians 4:15, Paul shares the ___________ of his entire ministry. i.e. grace spreading…glory to God The “all things” (2 Cor. 4:15) refers to all the things he was ___________ with in ministry. (4:7-12) Notice the words “for your sakes” which reveal Paul’s desire to ________ his life for Christ & the Gospel. That Purpose to give glory to God through the spreading of the Gospel keeps us from _________ ________. cf. 2 Cor. 4:15-16

Practical Application:

The Dry Bones – Ezek. 37:1-14
The Word – Col. 3:16
The Gospel – 2 Cor. 4:15

Appointments with God

“The Gift of Gratitude”

1 Thess. 5:18

Monday, December 6^th

Meditate upon a Psalm of Thanksgiving:

Psalm 100