Thanking God for All Things

I Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Introduction: A farmer who lost virtually everything in a storm, prayed, “Father, we thank thee…that thou has seen fit to spare our lives in this disaster.” Is this reasonable? Is it right to thank God for all things?

I. It is Good To Give Thanks (Psalm 100:4)

A. Daniel did 3 times a day

B. Prayer (asking) should be mixed with “thanksgiving” (Phil. 4:6)

C. In heaven, thanksgiving is constant. (Rev. 7:11,12)

D. How then should it be on earth?

II. It is Good To Give Thanks for Good Things

A. God has drenched us with blessings. (I Timothy 6:17)

1. Material blessing (Ps. 103:2,5)

2. Spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3)

a. Gift of Jesus (2 Cor. 9:15)

b. Deliverance from sin. (Rom. 6:17)

c. Assurance of victory (I Cor. 15:57)

B. This, however, is easy (even normal to do).

III. It is Good To Give Thanks for ALL Things

A. David did (Ps. 34:1)

B. Paul said to do so (Eph. 5:20)

C. But, can we? What about serious illness, poverty, sorrow, pain, suffering, tragedy, etc.?

1. We can, if we couple this admonition with another thought of Paul’s that includes these two words “all things” Romans 8:28

a. “Every adversity has the seed of a greater benefit.”

b. God means all things for our good. (Gen. 50:20)

2. We can, if we learn to use our experience creatively.

a. Life’s unpleasantness can be stepping stones to a richer life.

b. These things are not sent to make us, not to break us.

Conclusion: Read how Job thanked God in spite of tremendous tragedy that befell him (Job 1:13-22). Read how God blessed him because of it (Job 42).