GIVING THANKS (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Give Thanks in All Circumstances - October 19, 2025

GIVING THANKS (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Give Thanks in All Circumstances - October 19, 2025

INTRODUCTION

Thanksgiving - football and food

“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.” 

Erma Bombeck

The Associated Press, New York, carried this short piece on the first Thanksgiving:

"This time of year, classrooms across the United States are filled with tales of the first Thanksgiving feast. But children might not be getting the whole story, says Kenneth C. Davis, author of the 1990 best-seller "Don’t Know Much About History."

In "Don’t Know Much About the Pilgrims," Davis sheds new light on the Pilgrims’ voyage and their lives in the New World:

- The Pilgrims would not have identified themselves as such -- they were known as "saints" or "First Comers," and they made up only about half of the passengers on the Mayflower. The rest were members of the Church of England who sought property and were called "Strangers."

- The Pilgrims thought it was dangerous to wash their bodies and did not change clothes or bathe during the 66-day journey aboard the Mayflower.

- Children aboard the Mayflower stayed below deck, out of the sailors’ way, most of the time. After the boat landed, though, one young boy nearly blew up the ship while his father was out exploring by setting off firecrackers and firing a musket.

- A true "thanksgiving" for the Pilgrims would have involved fasting and prayer. What is now called the first Thanksgiving was actually a harvest festival in 1621. Wild turkey was served at the three-day feast, along with ducks, geese, cod, salmon, lobster, mussels, eels and clams.

Shedding light on Thanksgiving THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, NEW YORK. The Olympian, Olympia Washington. Wednesday, November 19, 2003. http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20031119/living/152982.shtml.

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I.  REJOICE ALWAYS

A retiree in Florida phones his daughter in New Jersey and says, “Honey, I have bad news for you. Your mother and I have decided that 52 years of marriage is enough. We’re calling it quits and getting a divorce.”

His daughter yells, “Are you crazy? What the heck are you saying? We're not going to let you do that!”

The father says, “No, we’ve had enough. We’re getting tired of the same old routine and looking at each other every day. I don’t want to talk about it, so call your brother in Detroit and let him know.” And the Father hangs up on his daughter.

Panic sticken, the daughter phones her brother and drops the bomb about their Mom and Dad.

“No way, no WAY!” shouts the brother. “This will NOT happen! Stay by the phone. I’ll talk to them and handle this. I''ll call you back as soon as possible!"

The brother phones his father and says, “Dad, Sis just told me you’re getting a divorce. That’s CRAZY! No way we’re gonna let this happen to you and Mom. We’re both booking planes tonight and flying down there to Florida in the morning to sort this out. Listen, don’t do anything till we get there and you hear me out! Promise me, Dad. Don’t do ANYTHING!”

The old man agreed. He turned his cell phone off with a smile and then said to his wife, “Ok, It’s all arranged, Sweetheart. The kids will be here tomorrow for Thanksgiving and, best of all, they’re buying their own plane tickets!”

Dr. Larry Petton, Sermon Central, November 18, 2021.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A.  Rejoice

B.  Joy

C.  Always

“Gratitude produces deep, abiding joy because we know that God is working in us, even through difficulties.” 

Charles Stanley

II.  PRAY CONTINUALLY

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an angry old bull who wanted them out of his pasture. Instantly, they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit and it was soon apparent that they wouldn't make it.

Terrified, one man shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer right now, John! That bull is about to catch up to us!

But John answered right back, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my entire life!"

"But you must!" yelled his companion. "The bull is catching up to us. Just use a prayer you have heard before!"

"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table at Thanksgiving: 'O Lord in Heaven, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful. Amen!'"

Dr. Larry Petton, Sermon Central, November 15, 2023.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

‭‭ Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A. Pray

B.  Prayerfulness

C.  Continually

“When we choose thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry, we are demonstrating an unwavering trust in God.” 

Priscilla Shirer

III.  GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

Here is a list of things housewives are most thankful for:

"For automatic dishwashers because they make it possible for us to get out of the kitchen before the family comes back in for their after-dinner snacks.

For husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house because they usually make them big enough to call in the professionals.

For children who put away their things & clean up after themselves. They’re such a joy you hate to see them go home to their own parents

For teenagers because they give parents an opportunity to learn a second language.

For Smoke alarms because they let you know when the turkey’s done."

Melvin Newland, Minister, Central Christian Church, Brownsville, Tx.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬b-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

‭‭ Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬b-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A.  Thanksgiving

B.  Grateful

C.  In all circumstances

CONCLUSION

“Thanksgiving is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in honour and praise for His goodness.”

Robert Casper Lintner

Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins     and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.