Christian Life Church
Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB
So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; 21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Fight the Good Fight
#21 When You Don’t Feel Thankful 07.18.21
Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB
So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father;21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Introduction
A. Shakespeare - “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth is a thankless child.”
B. Rudyard Kipling’s 10 shilling word
C. Verse 20 may be the most difficult command to obey in the Scriptures. Yet it may carry the greatest potential for blessing attached to it.
D. There are four basic types of people in regard to the issue of gratitude.
1. People who never think about life and its blessings.
2. People who constantly complain.
3. Grateful for the obvious blessings.
4. Highest level - always grateful, for all things.
I. For how long should we have a thankful heart...”Always!”
A. “Always!”
B. Psalm 68:19 NIV Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
C. Lamentations 3:22, 23 NIV Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
D. Philippians 4:4-7 NIV- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
II. For what should we express thankfulness…”All things!”
A. “All things.”
B. This command would be easier if He didn’t include “everything.”
C. The issue of “For all things”/”In all things.”
1. Not all things are good. Some are bad.
2. When God does not “rule,” God “overrules.”
D. The Over-Ruling Providence of God
1. Greater holiness and peace: Even Discipline produces faith:
Hebrews 12:11 NIV No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. See also
2. Greater dependency (2 Corinthians 12)
3. Greater direction and purpose for living: “Before I was corrected I went astray.”(Psalm 119:67)
4. Confirmation of Faith
a) This was the challenge Satan presented confirming Job.
b) Philippians 1:12 “The things which happened have resulted in furtherance of the Gospel.”
5. Deeper maturity: Psalm 119 - Before I was affected; Psalm 119:71 (See James 1:4). (The Perfect Orange)
6. Produces an unmistakeable Glory in our lives. (1 Peter 4:12-14)
a) Stephen’s face glowed like an angel.
b) The three Hebrews found a fourth walking with the in the fire!
III. To whom should thankfulness be expressed…”Unto The Father; through the Son.”
A. Father gives us explanation for the suffering - so we can understand.
B. Jesus gives us encouragement for the suffering so we can celebrate (the fellowship of His suffering).
C. Holy Spirit gives us empowering for the suffering - so we can endure. Some things we must endure, but with Him we can enjoy that which must be endured.
D. The Lord Our God is the explanation and the qualifier that makes all things “thank-worthy.”
Christian Life Lessons
A. We need to finish well.
1. Our tendency is to get something “under our skin” and a lifetime of blessing seems to dissipate.
2. Robertson McQuilken: James 1:17; “Lord, Let Me Get Home Before Dark”
3. Barzillai - stopped giving at the point of his human resources.
B. Stop unnecessary re-telling of the pain.
1. Therapeutic
2. Testimonial
C. Visualize the redemption God has given.
1. Preservation
2. Diamonds - coal under pressure
3. The Compost Principle
IV. The Greatest Example - Christ and the Cross
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.