We Are to Offer Praise and Give Thanks Continually (Hebrews 13:15)
Introduction:
1. In John 4:23-24 Jesus taught that true worship includes worshipping the Father "in spirit and in truth." 2. This morning we considered 2 guidelines from Psalm 100 that will help us to worship the Father "in spirit," including "praise" and "thanksgiving." 3. Praise and thanksgiving are key elements of worship, but they are not limited to worship. 4. According to Hebrews 13:15, "we are to offer praise and give thanks continually." 5. In our lesson we are examining several verses: a. in the Gospels that show how "thankfulness" was important to the Lord b. in the New Testament epistles that teach Christians to be thankful. Discussion: I. WE LEARN FROM THE GOSPELS THAT GIVING THANKS WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO JESUS
A. Jesus gave thanks on many occasions, including: 1. when he fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14:19-21) 2. when He fed the 4,000 (Matthew 15:35-38) 3. when He gave instructions for His Supper (Matthew 26:26-29). B. Jesus also thanked the Father: 1. for revealing certain things to certain people (Matthew 11:25) 2. for hearing Him (John 11:41). C. During His ministry,: 1. Jesus commended a Samaritan who thanked Him for curing his leprosy (Luke 17:15-16) 2. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for the way they expressed gratitude (Luke 18:9-14). II. WE LEARN FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES THAT CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE THANKFUL
A. Ephesians 5:3-4, 20 B. Philippians 4:6 C. Colossians 3:15, 17; 4:2 D. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 E. 1 Timothy 2:1; 4:4-5 Conclusion:
1. Let us conclude with the verse read earlier -- Hebrews 13:15. 2. This verse contains an exhortation for Christians to offer praise and give thanks "continually," and we are to do so "by Him." 3. Let us remember how Jesus felt about "thankfulness." a. He gave thanks often. b. He gave thanks for all kinds of reasons. c. He gave thanks under all types of circumstances. 4. True thankfulness will affect our worship, and it will motivate us to serve the Lord to the best of our ability.
