1. Is a life of overflowing thanksgiving possible?
(Ephesians 1:7) “to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” A. Overflowing thanksgiving requires the proper understanding of grace.
B. Overflowing thanksgiving requires the proper understanding of God.
2. A life of thanksgiving is God’s priority. (I Thessalonians 5:18) “...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
A. We can be thankful in all circumstances because we have learned to trust God’s wisdom over our own.
3. A life of thanksgiving flows from God’s provision. (Colossians 2:7) “Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.”
A. Do you spend any time pondering all God has done for you? Do you ever count your blessings?
B. Do you realize how much God loves you? (Isaiah 30:18) “God is for you. Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If He drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If there is a tree in heaven, He’s carved your name in the trunk” Max Lucado
4. A life of thanksgiving depends on our perspective. (II Corinthians 4:14-15) “...because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God”
A. Our future hope fuels our present thanksgiving. The hope of eternal life is the believer’s deepest longing for that which is affirmed and guaranteed by God’s own Word. It is not wishful thinking, it is a blessed assurance of God.