In Everything Give Thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

This sermon unpacks the profound spiritual attitude of gratitude, presenting it not just as a pleasant emotion but as a core component of Christian life. It invites listeners to consider why thankfulness is essential to their faith and how it should manifest in every circumstance.

In one sentence

Gratitude is an essential attitude for believers, characterizing a Spirit-filled life. God's will is for us to give thanks in all circumstances, recognizing His sovereign work for our good.

Overview

This sermon establishes gratitude as an essential spiritual reality in the life of the church, connecting it to other core attitudes like faith, obedience, and joy. The preacher introduces the topic by recounting the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, highlighting that only one—a Samaritan—returned to thank Jesus for his healing, leading Jesus to note that his faith had saved him, while the nine were merely healed.

The sermon then asserts that ingratitude is a damning sin, characteristic of fallen humanity as described in Romans 1 and 2 Timothy 3. In contrast, believers are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "in everything give thanks," understanding this as God's will. This command applies to all of life's situations, except for personal sin, and is likened to Old Testament thank offerings and the Christian practice of communion.

Being filled with the Spirit leads to joy and constant thanksgiving, as seen in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3. The Lord Jesus Himself serves as the ultimate model of thankfulness, expressing praise to the Father even when facing immense suffering or performing miracles. This deep gratitude should overflow from believers' hearts, impacting their speech and interactions.

Finally, the sermon identifies several hindrances to gratitude, including a lack of genuine regeneration, doubt about God's sovereignty, selfishness, worldliness, a critical spirit, impatience, spiritual coldness, and outright rebellion against God. Overcoming these sins allows believers to cultivate a heart continually overflowing with thanks for God's perfect holiness, goodness, and indescribable gift of salvation.

Key points

  • Gratitude is an essential spiritual reality and motivation for the church.
  • The story of the ten lepers (Luke 17) illustrates human ingratitude, with only one returning to give thanks.
  • Ingratitude is a sin that characterizes the unregenerate and is listed among damning sins in Romans 1.
  • Believers are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "in everything give thanks," which is God's will.
  • Thanksgiving should be a constant practice, flowing from a Spirit-filled life and impacting our speech and worship.
  • Jesus serves as the supreme model of thankfulness, consistently giving thanks to the Father.
  • Hindrances to gratitude include doubt, selfishness, worldliness, a critical spirit, impatience, coldness, and rebellion against God.

In John MacArthur's words

“Ten got healed, one got saved. It’s a wonderful story for the one; it’s a tragedy for the nine.”
Reflecting on the lepers in Luke 17
“I cannot understand a thankless Christian when we understand what the Lord has done for us.”
Contrasting believers with the unregenerate

Outline

Scripture references

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

+ 5 more verses — Read Luke 17 in full context →

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Read Romans 1 in full context →

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

+ 27 more verses — Read Romans 2 in full context →

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Read I Thessalonians 5 in full context →

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

+ 14 more verses — Read I Timothy 4 in full context →

16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Read I Corinthians 14 in full context →

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Read II Corinthians 4 in full context →

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Read II Corinthians 9 in full context →

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

Read II Corinthians 9 in full context →

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

+ 9 more verses — Read II Timothy 3 in full context →

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Read Ephesians 5 in full context →

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Read Ephesians 5 in full context →

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Read I Peter 4 in full context →

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Read I Peter 5 in full context →

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Read James 1 in full context →

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Read Philippians 4 in full context →

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Read Colossians 2 in full context →

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Read Colossians 3 in full context →

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Read Colossians 4 in full context →

1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

+ 38 more verses — Read Acts 16 in full context →

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Read I Corinthians 1 in full context →

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

+ 2 more verses — Read Matthew 11 in full context →

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

Read John 11 in full context →

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Read II Corinthians 13 in full context →

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Read Philippians 2 in full context →

Insights

Gratitude is not merely a feeling; it is an essential spiritual reality.

A life marked by ingratitude reveals a fundamental disconnect from God's provision.

True saving faith often expresses itself through overwhelming thankfulness.

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Questions & answers

What is the primary command about gratitude discussed in the sermon?

The sermon emphasizes the command from 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks." This is presented as a summary of God's will for believers in Christ Jesus, applying to all situations.

How does the story of the ten lepers illustrate gratitude?

The story from Luke 17 shows that out of ten men healed of leprosy, only one (a Samaritan) returned to thank Jesus. This highlights the common human tendency towards ingratitude and contrasts it with the saving faith of the thankful leper.

Why is ingratitude considered a significant sin?

Ingratitude is a damning sin because it is at the top of God's list of indictments against sinful society, as stated in Romans 1:21. It characterizes unregenerate people who, despite knowing God through creation and moral law, do not honor Him or give thanks.

What is the connection between being Spirit-filled and giving thanks?

According to Ephesians 5:18-20, being filled with the Spirit leads to speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and "Always giving thanks for all things." Thanksgiving is a natural outflow of a Spirit-controlled life, alongside joy.

What are some practical hindrances to gratitude mentioned in the sermon?

The sermon lists several hindrances, including doubt about God's sovereign power, selfishness, worldliness, a critical spirit, impatience, spiritual coldness, and outright rebellion against God.

How does the Lord's Supper relate to thanksgiving?

The Lord's Supper combines elements of both Old Testament sin offerings and thank offerings. Believers remember Christ's sacrifice for sins and offer thanksgiving for all that sacrifice accomplished, making it a "table of thanks."

Flashcards

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