November 23, 2023
Broadlands, Texas
(Download Audio)
Thesis: In every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and for every person (Ephesians 5:20), give thanks.
Introduction: As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I decided to wait until next week to return to our studies in the Gospel of John, and to give some thought to the issue of heart gratitude. In my scattered thoughts about "giving thanks", I stumbled over one of them: I wondered if there were any references in the Book of Job to the giving of thanks.
To put that thought into a "context", I want to remind you of Ezekiel 14:14 and 14:20. These two verses exalt Noah, Daniel, and Job for the quality of their righteous living. Ezekiel had a host of prominent personalities from which to choose -- Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, David -- but he settled upon Noah, Daniel, and Job. Also, in reference to Job, I remembered James 5:11. In that text, we have James calling upon his readers to consider Job when they are in difficult circumstances so that they might ponder the fact that the Lord's dealings with His people are rooted in compassion and mercy, even though He occasionally permits some pretty extreme circumstances to surround them.
I also thought about several times when I urged someone in difficult straits to "consider Job" and my suggestion was rejected out of hand with the reason being, "I am not a Job".
Therefore, I decided to pursue my question: are there any references in the Book of Job to the giving of thanks? I found one: Job 31:20. I also found out that this one verse did not have any significant connection to Job's trials, except for Job to exalt himself for his righteousness so that he could argue that he was being treated unfairly by God (Note Job 31:2-4).
This morning I want us to give some thought to this fact: Job did not celebrate "Thanksgiving" when he was in the midst of his difficulties, yet he was regarded by Ezekiel and one of the three most righteous men that he could think of. What should we make of this?
- I. My First Thought: We Should Understand Just How Difficult It Is To "Give Heart-Felt Thanks" When We Are Going Through Difficult Experiences.
- II. Then Some Cascading Thoughts.
- A. A question: what would Job have experienced if "giving thanks" had been a primary part of his responses to both his difficulties and his accusing friends?
- B. A second question: if "giving thanks from the heart" is such a difficult thing to do when our troubles get to be bigger in our view of things than our blessings, why did Paul feel it necessary to urge the Thessalonians "to give thanks in everything"?
- 1. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 plainly declares that the Thessalonians were "in the midst of ... persecutions and afflictions".
- 2. So what did Paul urge them to do?
- a. He urged them to take on a "gratitude attitude" in the midst of their troubles.
- b. He even said that their circumstances were not to overrule their "gratitude"..."in everything give thanks because giving thanks is the will of God".
- 3. How did Paul expect the Thessalonians to do this?
- a. By considering Paul's own "attitude of gratitude" (1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2:13; 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2:13) in the midst of all of his troubles (1 Thessalonians 2:2).
- b. Notice: Paul's "gratitude" sprang from what the Thessalonians were doing, not what he was having to endure.
- C. A third question: what was Paul's focus in his giving of thanks?
- 1. Ephesians 5:20 tells us: we are to "give thanks" for every one that we know whose loyalty to God is evident.
- a. This text has been misrepresented for a very long time, being falsely translated in the KJV and in many of the later translations.
- b. The wording in Ephesians 5:20 is the same as the wording in 1 Thessalonians 1:2 ... giving thanks "panton".
- c. The meaning in Ephesians 5:20 is "giving thanks for everyone" (with whom you have been speaking in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs).
- 2. Paul's pattern was to turn his attention away from his own troubles and look with joy upon the blessing of being surrounded by faithful brethren.
- a. In Ephesians 5:17 Paul said that we need to understand what the will of the Lord is, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 he tells us what that will is: in every circumstance, give thanks for all of those who share our fellowship.
- b. Challenge: Separate your circumstances from your companions in the faith, and give God thanks for how they make your circumstances better.
