Thanks Living: Embracing Thanksgiving as a Lifestyle
Summary
Summary:
Today, we gathered to celebrate the transformative power of thanksgiving, not just as a seasonal expression but as a lifestyle—thanks living. We explored the profound truth that God is bigger than any negative report or circumstance we face. Romans 8:28 and Psalms 100 served as our guiding scriptures, reminding us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This understanding challenges us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when life seems overwhelming.
Thanksgiving is an unlikely weapon that captures the parts of our lives that could easily work against us. It is a tool that God has given us to navigate through life's challenges. When we embrace a spirit of thanksgiving, we align ourselves with God's will, allowing Him to work through us for His greater purpose. This requires a shift from merely saying we are thankful to living it out in our daily lives.
We are reminded that our good is not defined by worldly success or comfort but by furthering God's purpose in and through us. This perspective helps us to see that even in our trials, God is refining our faith, strengthening our endurance, and developing our character. The process may be uncomfortable, like the agitation in a washing machine, but it is necessary for our sanctification and growth.
As we move forward, let us arm ourselves with the weapon of thanksgiving, trusting that God is working all things for our good. Let us enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, knowing that His love and faithfulness endure forever. In every situation, let us choose to give thanks, for it is in this posture that we find true freedom and victory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Thanksgiving as a Weapon: Thanksgiving is a powerful weapon that God has given us to navigate life's challenges. It captures the parts of our lives that could easily work against us and aligns us with God's will, allowing Him to work through us for His greater purpose. Embracing a spirit of thanksgiving requires a shift from merely saying we are thankful to living it out in our daily lives. [01:00:35]
2. Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Our good is not defined by worldly success or comfort but by furthering God's purpose in and through us. This perspective helps us to see that even in our trials, God is refining our faith, strengthening our endurance, and developing our character. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is working all things for our good, even when life seems overwhelming. [01:06:34]
3. The Process of Sanctification: Like the agitation in a washing machine, the process of sanctification may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for our growth. God uses the ups and downs of life to refine our faith, strengthen our endurance, and develop our character. Embracing this process with a spirit of thanksgiving allows us to experience true freedom and victory. [01:14:45]
4. The Power of Proper Praising: Thanksgiving is not just about positive thinking but about proper praising. It is a key to past visions of God for our life and the unlikely power to keep us pressing on even when it seems like we're losing the battle. By maintaining a posture of thanksgiving, we can navigate through life's valleys with the strength and grace that God provides. [01:32:39]
5. Embracing God's Purpose: Our good is not about our comfort or worldly success but about furthering God's purpose in and through us. By embracing God's purpose, we align ourselves with His will and allow Him to work through us for His greater glory. This requires a willingness to trust God, even when we don't understand His ways, and to give thanks in all circumstances. [01:40:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[21:57] - Forgiveness and Love
[23:23] - Spirit-Led Prayer
[44:13] - Declaring Jesus
[50:06] - Invitation to Worship
[51:06] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
[53:14] - Clothed in Righteousness
[54:02] - The Crushing and Refining
[55:02] - Hard Pressed but Not Abandoned
[56:08] - Transition to the Word
[57:01] - An Unlikely Weapon
[58:08] - God is Bigger
[01:00:35] - Thanksgiving as a Weapon
[01:06:34] - Trusting in God's Sovereignty
[01:14:45] - The Process of Sanctification
[01:32:39] - The Power of Proper Praising
[01:40:17] - Embracing God's Purpose
[01:46:47] - Presence and Provision Through Thanksgiving
[01:48:09] - Offering Thanksgiving in Trials
[01:50:33] - Entering His Gates with Thanksgiving
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Thanks Living
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:28
- Psalms 100
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:28, what does it mean that God works all things for the good of those who love Him? How does this relate to the concept of "thanks living"? [01:00:35]
2. In Psalms 100, what are the specific actions we are encouraged to take as we enter God's presence? How do these actions reflect a lifestyle of thanksgiving? [01:30:36]
3. The sermon mentioned thanksgiving as an "unlikely weapon." What examples were given to illustrate how thanksgiving can be used as a tool in challenging situations? [01:32:39]
4. How does the sermon describe the process of sanctification, and what role does thanksgiving play in this process? [01:14:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding of God's sovereignty in Romans 8:28 challenge the common perception of what is "good" in our lives? [01:06:34]
2. The sermon suggests that thanksgiving can transform our perspective during trials. How might this change the way we view difficult circumstances? [01:22:12]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our definition of "good" might differ from God's definition? How can this understanding impact our trust in God's plan? [01:10:26]
4. How does the concept of "proper praising" in the sermon relate to the idea of maintaining faith and hope during life's valleys? [01:32:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How might adopting a posture of thanksgiving have changed your experience or perspective during that time? [01:22:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes trusting in God's sovereignty. Is there a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God fully? What steps can you take to surrender that area to Him? [01:06:34]
3. Consider the idea of thanksgiving as a weapon. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine to combat negativity or discouragement? [01:00:35]
4. The sermon discusses the process of sanctification as being uncomfortable but necessary. Can you identify a current situation where you feel God is refining your character? How can you embrace this process with gratitude? [01:14:45]
5. How can you intentionally practice "proper praising" in your life, especially when circumstances are not favorable? What specific actions can you take to maintain a spirit of thanksgiving? [01:32:39]
6. The sermon suggests that our good is about furthering God's purpose. How can you align your daily actions and decisions with God's purpose for your life? [01:40:17]
7. Identify one area in your life where you have not been able to give thanks. What steps can you take to begin viewing this area through the lens of God's goodness and purpose? [01:48:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Thanksgiving as a Spiritual Weapon
Thanksgiving is not just a seasonal expression but a powerful spiritual weapon that God has given us to navigate life's challenges. It captures the parts of our lives that could easily work against us and aligns us with God's will, allowing Him to work through us for His greater purpose. Embracing a spirit of thanksgiving requires a shift from merely saying we are thankful to living it out in our daily lives. This means actively choosing gratitude in every situation, recognizing that it is a tool for spiritual warfare that can transform our perspective and circumstances. By living a life of thanksgiving, we open ourselves to God's transformative power and align ourselves with His divine purpose. [01:00:35]
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a challenging situation in your life. How can you use thanksgiving as a weapon to change your perspective and align with God's will today?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Our good is not defined by worldly success or comfort but by furthering God's purpose in and through us. This perspective helps us to see that even in our trials, God is refining our faith, strengthening our endurance, and developing our character. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is working all things for our good, even when life seems overwhelming. It requires a deep trust in His plan and a willingness to surrender our understanding to His greater wisdom. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can find peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties, knowing that He is in control and working for our ultimate good. [01:06:34]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you actively trust in God's sovereignty and see His purpose in this situation?
Day 3: The Process of Sanctification
Like the agitation in a washing machine, the process of sanctification may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for our growth. God uses the ups and downs of life to refine our faith, strengthen our endurance, and develop our character. Embracing this process with a spirit of thanksgiving allows us to experience true freedom and victory. It is through these trials that we are sanctified, becoming more like Christ and growing in our spiritual maturity. By understanding the purpose of sanctification, we can embrace the discomfort and trust that God is using it for our ultimate good and His glory. [01:14:45]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge that has tested your faith. How can you embrace this as part of your sanctification process and give thanks for the growth it brings?
Day 4: The Power of Proper Praising
Thanksgiving is not just about positive thinking but about proper praising. It is a key to past visions of God for our life and the unlikely power to keep us pressing on even when it seems like we're losing the battle. By maintaining a posture of thanksgiving, we can navigate through life's valleys with the strength and grace that God provides. Proper praising involves recognizing God's past faithfulness and trusting Him for the future, allowing us to remain steadfast in our faith. It is through this posture of praise that we find the strength to persevere and the assurance of God's presence in our lives. [01:32:39]
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15, ESV)
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt like you were losing a battle. How can you use proper praising to remind yourself of God's faithfulness and find strength to press on?
Day 5: Embracing God's Purpose
Our good is not about our comfort or worldly success but about furthering God's purpose in and through us. By embracing God's purpose, we align ourselves with His will and allow Him to work through us for His greater glory. This requires a willingness to trust God, even when we don't understand His ways, and to give thanks in all circumstances. Embracing God's purpose means surrendering our desires and plans to His greater vision, trusting that He is working all things for our good and His glory. It is through this surrender that we find true fulfillment and joy in our walk with Christ. [01:40:17]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to see God's purpose. How can you surrender this area to Him and embrace His greater plan for your life?
Quotes
Sure, here are the selected quotes with timestamps:
"Thanksgiving as an unlikely weapon captures the parts of our lives that could easily work against us when we fail to realize that God is sovereign in all things." [01:00:35]
"God is bigger than any negative report or any kind of situation. Or any circumstance that you're in right now. God is bigger than that situation." [00:59:47] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Thanksgiving will bring about thanksgiving because you will not take offense and it will counsel out all unforgiveness." [01:34:47] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Our good is not our comfort or worldly success, but rather furthering God's purpose in and through us." [01:11:02] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When the Bible says that God is working all things out for our good, sometimes it might feel like He's got you in the washing machine of life." [01:44:37] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Thanksgiving as a weapon captures the parts of our lives that could easily work against us and aligns us with God's will, allowing Him to work through us for His greater purpose." [01:00:35]
"Do you trust Him more than you trust the report of the doctor? Do you trust Him more than you do the report of the banker?" [01:08:08] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Thanksgiving will produce things with God. I'm not talking about manipulating God. Don't dare misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm talking about the protocol of God." [01:34:47]
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