Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
Convictions of a Thankful Person - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Worship Gathering
Locations & Times
Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 8:21 AM
Connection Card
Please take a moment and fill out this simple Connection Card. Thank you!
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/505322Online Giving
We believe everything we have comes from God. As a steward, not an owner, it is an act of worship to be generous and give. Thank you for considering a gift to Crossroads.
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/givingBulletin
Stay up-to-date with things happening at Crossroads and how you can get connected.
https://www.crossroadsefc.com/digital-bulletinPrayer and Praise
Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Take a moment to let us know how we can rejoice with you or bring a need before God with you.
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/4787881 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) - Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Thankfulness is not natural for us due to our sin nature.
Biblical convictions of a thankful person…
1. Everything comes from God.
Acts 17:23–24 (ESV) - For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
1. Everything comes from God.
Acts 17:23–24 (ESV) - For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
Biblical convictions of a thankful person…
2. I can’t live this life on my own.
Acts 17:25-28 (ESV) - …nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Deuteronomy 8:17–18 (ESV) - Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
2. I can’t live this life on my own.
Acts 17:25-28 (ESV) - …nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28for “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
Deuteronomy 8:17–18 (ESV) - Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Biblical convictions of a thankful person…
3. I am not in control, God is.
Romans 8:26–30 (ESV) - 26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV) - So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
3. I am not in control, God is.
Romans 8:26–30 (ESV) - 26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV) - So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Biblical convictions of a thankful person…
4. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6–7 (ESV) - But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
4. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6–7 (ESV) - But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Biblical convictions of a thankful person…
5. Expressing appreciation for what God and others have done is a must.
Psalm 105:1 (ESV) - Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Ephesians 1:15–16 (ESV) - For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
5. Expressing appreciation for what God and others have done is a must.
Psalm 105:1 (ESV) - Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Ephesians 1:15–16 (ESV) - For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
Biblical convictions of a thankful person…
6. Thankfulness is a product of right theology, not life circumstance.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) - Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Philippians 4:4–7 (ESV) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
6. Thankfulness is a product of right theology, not life circumstance.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) - Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Philippians 4:4–7 (ESV) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Questions
1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving activity and why?
2. Do rejoicing and thankfulness come easy to you? Why or why not?
3. Does the universal and all-encompassing commands of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 seem impossible? Explain your answer? Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and discuss how these verses encourage our pursuit of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
4. Review the six convictions of a thankful person. How do these lead to a thankful attitude? Are these your convictions? Which of them do you need to grow in most?
1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving activity and why?
2. Do rejoicing and thankfulness come easy to you? Why or why not?
3. Does the universal and all-encompassing commands of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 seem impossible? Explain your answer? Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and discuss how these verses encourage our pursuit of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
4. Review the six convictions of a thankful person. How do these lead to a thankful attitude? Are these your convictions? Which of them do you need to grow in most?