Always Giving Thanks
Eph 5:17-20
NKJV 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, NKJV
Introduction
The story is told of a man who found the barn where Satan stores the seeds he sows in the human heart: envy, greed, anger, hatred, lust, and so on. The man soon noticed that Satan had more seeds of discouragement than of any other kind. He learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. When Satan was questioned, he reluctantly admitted that there was one place in which he could not get them to grow. "And where is that?" asked the man. Satan replied sadly, "In the heart of a thankful man."
1. The . . Prudence of Giving Thanks. 5:17
2. The . . Provision of Giving Thanks. 5:18
3. The . . Psalms of Giving Thanks. 5:19
4. The . . Persistence of Giving Thanks. 5:20
1. The . . Prudence of Giving Thanks. 5:17
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Intro: George Bush I, used to say, “ it wouldn’t be prudent.”
It is prudent, wise, to give thanks.
A. The . . Negative of Prudence.
17 Therefore do not be unwise,. . .”
ATR. Eph 5:17 Be ye not foolish”
"Stop becoming foolish."
B. The . . Positive of Prudence.
“but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Illustration
In Budapest, a man goes to the rabbi and complains, "Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?" The rabbi answers, "Take your goat into the room with you." The man in incredulous, but the rabbi insists. "Do as I say and come back in a week." A week later the man comes back looking more distraught than before. "We cannot stand it," he tells the rabbi. "The goat is filthy." The rabbi then tells him, "Go home and let the goat out. And come back in a week." A radiant man returns to the rabbi a week later, exclaiming, "Life is beautiful. We enjoy every minute of it now that there's no goat." George Mikes, How to be Decadent, Andre' Deutsch, London
Application
The . . Prudence of Giving Thanks. 5:17
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
2. The . . Provision of Giving Thanks. 5:18
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
A. The . . Negative Related To The Provision. 5:18a
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation;
B. The . . Positive Related To The Provision.
“. . . but be filled with the Spirit,”
Being Filled with the Spirit.
1. It Is A Command. “Be Filled with the Spirit”
2. It Is Plural, “You all be filled with the Spirit.
a. Needed to wait on tables. Acts 6:2-3
3. It Is In Passive Voice.
You can’t produce it; it is the Spirit’s Work.
Acts 8:18-20 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! NKJV
4. It Is Present Tense.
You all be filled continuously Filled.
Illustration
The doctor informed him that his life could only be saved if they performed a procedure to remove his tongue. The young man finally agreed, and before the operation the doctor said, “Son, if there is anything you want to say, say it now, for these will be the last words you will ever speak.” Without a moment’s hesitation the young man said, “Thank God! Thank God!
Thank God! Even without a tongue I will still be able to thank God!”
Application
The . . Provision of Giving Thanks.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
3. The . . Psalms of Giving Thanks. 5:19
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
A. We Need To . . Speak Thanksgivings. 5:19a
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
27 Times The Psalms Express Thanks
Ps 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. NKJV
Ps 107:8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the
LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works
to the children of men! NKJV
Ps 107:15 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD
for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the
children of men! NKJV
Ps 107:21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD
for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the
children of men! NKJV
Ps 107:31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD
for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the
children of men! NKJV
Ps 118:1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. NKJV
B. We Need To . . Sing Thanksgivings. 5:19b
“. . . singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord,
Illustration
We have often been blessed by the hymns of Fanny Crosby. She has left us over 8,000 songs such as, “Blessed Assurance,” “To God Be The Glory,” “Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross,” Praise Him! Praise Him,” “Rescue The Perishing,” “Redeemed,” and “All The Way My Savior Leads Me,” just to name a few.
When she was only 6 weeks old she developed a minor eye inflammation and the doctor’s careless treatment left her permanently blind. The doctor who destroyed her eyesight never forgave himself and moved from the area. But Fanny held no ill will against him. She wrote in her autobiography, “If I could meet him now, I would say, ‘Thank you, thank you’ over and over again for making me blind.”
Application
The . . Psalms of Giving Thanks.
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
4. The . . Persistence of Giving Thanks. 5:20
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, NKJV
A. Persistence In . . All Ways. 5:20a
20 giving thanks always. . .”
B. Persistence In . . ALL Things. 5:20b
“. . . for all things. . .” Rom. 8:28
1. To The Father.
“. . . to God the Father. . .”
2. Through The Son.
“. . . in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, NKJV
3. Prompted By The Holy Spirit.
Eph 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. NKJV
Illustration
A preacher friend said, “As I look back through my own life I have not always understood why God did what He did, and I have not always immediately agreed with why God did what He did.
But, in spite of it all, I still cannot find anything bad to say about Him. I can easily agree, and I further say:
So, I say, “blessed be the name of the Lord.”
1. A few times in life I needed A Friend:
He’s been a friend when I was lonely.
He’s been water when I was thirsty.
He’s been food when I was hungry.
2. If I needed A shoulder to cry on,
Or an altar to lay burdens on.
He’s been a Refuge.
He’s been a Rock.
He’s been a Reward.
3. At Times I Needed A Father to talk too:
He’s been a father to me.
4. At Times I needed an older brother:
He’s been an Elder Brother.
5. His name has been proven time and time again.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
Of Give Thanks unto the Lord. Thank Him
Thank Him, Thank Him, Thank Him, Thank Him AMEN? Amen!