Title: What Does Jesus Give Thanks For?
Bible Book: 1 Thessalonians 5 : 18
Author: David E. Owen
Subject: Thanksgiving; Gratitude
Objective:
(1 Thessalonians 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(Ephesians 5:20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Introduction
Three hundred years after Paul lived John Chrysostom, a good and brave man who preached very plainly against iniquity of all kinds. The empress was not a good woman, so she schemed to have him falsely accused and banished. He died an exile from his home. Thirty years later, his body was bought back to Constantinople for burial in the imperial tomb. Chrysostom’s motto was inscribed on the tomb: “Praise God for everything!” As his friends testified, “When he was driven from home, when he was a stranger in the strange land, his letters would often end with that doxology, ‘Praise God for all things’!” Where did Chrysostom get his motto? From Paul – “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). (Paul Lee Tan #13149)
Where did Paul get this concept? No doubt from Jesus Christ, who Himself manifested thankfulness in many things.
Now Jesus could have taken the Pharisee’s approach in Luke 18:11, which says, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” While He alone could have prayed such a prayer, Jesus chose rather to give thanks for things that we can all be thankful for.
I. Notice Christ Giving Thanks For Power That Is Revealed
(Luke 10:20-21) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. {21} In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
A. There Is An Appreciation For The Record Luke 10:20
1. Consider The Negative Element Of Rejoicing rejoice not
2. Consider The Name Element Of Rejoicing because your names are written in heaven
B. There Is An Acknowledgment Of The Revelation Luke 10:21
thank – to acknowledge or agree fully
1. Jesus Was Thankful For The Disguising Of This Truth From Superior Intellects
2. Jesus Was Thankful For The Divulging Of This Truth To Simple Infants
II. Notice Christ Giving Thanks For Prayers That Are Heard
(John 11:41-42) 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. {42} And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
A. Jesus Mentioned His Reason For Gratitude John 11:41-42
1. That God Heard His Prayer With Comprehension vs. 41
heard – 191. akouo, ak-oo’-o; a prim. verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), ([shall]) hear (-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
2. That God Heard His Prayer With Constancy vs. 42
always – 3842. pantote, pan’-tot-eh; from G3956 and G3753; every when, i.e. at all times:-- ever (-more).
B. Jesus Manifested His Relationship With God John 11:41-42
1. He Had The Relationship Of A Son vs. 41 “Father”
2. He Had The Relationship Of A Sent One vs. 42 “sent”
sent – 649. apostello, ap-os-tel’-lo; from G575 and G4724; set apart, i.e. (by impl.) to send out (prop. on a mission) lit. or fig.:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set [at liberty].
III. Notice Christ Giving Thanks For Provisions That Are Given
A. Christ Gave Thanks For Provision In The Fleshly Realm
Too often we pray “give us this day our daily bread”, but then when He gives it, we don’t thank Him!
1. Christ Gave Thanks For A Little Supply In The Feeding Of The 4,000 Gentiles
(Matthew 15:36) And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
(Mark 8:6) And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
2. Christ Gave Thanks For A Lesser Supply In The Feeding Of The 5,000 Jews
(John 6:11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
Compare: The 5,000 Jews (Matt. 14:15-21) The 4,000 Gentiles (Matt. 15:32-39)
The People Predominantly Jews Predominantly Gentiles
The Place Took place in Galilee, Bethsaida Took place at Decapolis (Mk 7:31)
[These are probably the Sidonians who are following.]
The Provision 5 barley loaves, 2 fish 7 loaves, “a few fish”
The Plenty 12 baskets left over 7 baskets left over
The Period of Time In the spring of the year In the summer
The Patience Crowd with Him one day Crowd with Him three days
So, however much He sees fit to give as “our daily bread,” let’s be thankful for it!
B. Christ Gave Thanks For Provision In The Faith Realm
As He Sets Forth The Order Of The Lord’s Supper.
1. For The Blood
(Matthew 26:27) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
(Mark 14:23) And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
(Luke 22:17) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
2. For The Bread Of Life
(Luke 22:19) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
LET’S BE CAREFUL THAT WE DO NOT EMBODY THE “LAST DAYS” MINDSET...
(2 Timothy 3:1-2) 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,
Conclusion
Thanking God For Everyday Things
There is so much we have in life
For which we cannot pay
The things we take for granted
In our journey day by day.
From early in the morning
Until the day is done,
We ought to count our blessings
And name them one by one.
Health, peace, happiness;
Love of kin and friends;
Birds, trees, flowers, seas;
A list that never ends.
Summer, autumn, winter, spring,
Each brings something rare,
And we accept what comes our way
Without a thought or care.
We really ought to think a bit
Of what we have, and why.
There is so much belongs to us—
The stars, the moon, the sky;
The very air we breath each day,
And food upon the board;
And the only way we can ever pay—
“Our thanks to Thee, O Lord.”
