THANKSGIVING AND PEACE
Sunday Sermon
THANKSGIVING AND PEACE
Philippians 4:6-8
Have we, as Christians, expressed our gratitude for the bountiful blessing of the Lord. Much too often, we find ourselves whining and complaining like the children of Israel. God has given the Christian unimaginable blessings and promises. As the old song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” It is time to remember what great things God has done for us.
Three Kinds of Peace Are Mentioned in the Bible
1. Peace with God comes at salvation (Rom. 5:1)
2. The peace of God comes with surrender (Phil. 4:7
3. Peace on earth will come at Christ’s second coming (Isa. 2:1-4)
Our Focus Today Is on the Peace of God
1. It is peace in times of trouble
2. Paul says we are to stop worrying
a. Easier said than done
b. The key is having a thankful heart
Why Is Thanksgiving the key to Peace?
I.
THANKSGIVING CALLS
FOR LOOKING UP
v. 6a
Be careful for nothing – Don’t worry about anything
A. Storms in life may make thanksgiving difficult
B. Our ancestors endured many hardships
C. We have endured many hardships
D. Even though we are in an economic depression, look up
E. Don’t worry, be thankful
F. Looking up to our Helper makes us thankful people
II.
THANKSGIVING CALLS FOR
LOOKING AROUND
v. 6b
But in everything tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done
A. We all have many blessings and ought to give thanks for them
B. Forget not all God’s benefits
C. Those benefits include sins forgiven, daily health, food, family, friends
D. We ought to start each day, thankful for His many benefits
1. The benefits of God’s love and grace
2. The benefit of salvation by faith
3. The benefit of having the Bible
E. We have the privilege of prayer
1. We don’t have to be anxious because prayer makes God’s blessing available
2. Thanksgiving adds expectation to prayer and allows faith to expect answers
III.
THANKSGIVING CALLS FOR
LOOKING AHEAD
v. 7-8
A. Doubt cringes and cowers, afraid of what tomorrow may bring
B. Faith welcomes the future with optimism, expecting the best
C. Paul reveals what a thankful heart contains
a. It contains things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous
b. Thanksgiving allows us to believe the best is yet to come
D. Is your mind a place for thankful thoughts to dwell?
