Happy Thanksgiving from Community!
Episode 3: Thankful For You
"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:3
I am so thankful...
1. For your shining witness to the world.
"For you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now." Philippians 1:5
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." Philippians 2:13-15
2. For your sacrificial service and extreme generosity to those in need.
"But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy." Philippians 2:17
"You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.' And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, 'They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.' For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ." 2 Corinthians 9:7-13
3. For your enduring love for one another.
"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." Philippians 2:1-2
"Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35
Episode 2: 5 Ways To Live And Give Thanks
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving…" Psalm 100:4-5
1. By the words I say.
"Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Ephesians 5:4
"Do all things without complaining and disputing." Philippians 2:14
2. By the way I sing.
"That I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!" Psalm 30:12
"Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts." Colossians 3:16
"The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7
3. By the gifts I give.
"This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (MSG)
Exercises:
- Never ignore a thought to give.
- Give more than I think I can.
4. By the times I choose to give thanks.
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- Choose to give thanks in bad times.
- Remember to give thanks in good times.
- Give thanks at a specific time.
"I rise at midnight to thank you..." Psalm 119:62
5. By the prayers I pray.
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." 1 Timothy 2:1-2
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6
- Thank God for someone you never have.
- Thank God for answers.
Discuss: How does being thankful show your faithfulness to God? What are some things you are thankful for?
Episode 1: Thankful Even In Bad Times
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I Can Always Thank God...
1. For the grace he's shown to me.
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." Ephesians 2:8
"The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Psalm 103:8-11
2. For the plans He has for me.
"For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28
3. For his promise to never leave me.
"For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5-6
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2
4. For the changes he's making in me.
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." Romans 5:3-4
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6
5. For the home he's prepared for me.
"…I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going." John 14:2-4
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." Matthew 25:34
"and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while." 1 Peter 1:4-6
Discussion: What are the things that God has provided that you should be more thankful? How can you be more thankful?