Scriptures
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,�to which also you were called in one body;�and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed,�do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,�giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:15–17 (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!�Serve the Lord with gladness;�Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;�It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;�We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,�And into His courts with praise.�Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;�His mercy is everlasting,�And His truth endures to all generations.
Sermon Structure
IT IS A COMMAND
Instruction | Scripture | Full Verse (NKJV) |
Give thanks in everything | 1 Thessalonians 5:18 | “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” |
Give thanks always | Ephesians 5:20 | “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” |
Give thanks in prayer | Philippians 4:6 | “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” |
Give thanks in all deeds | Colossians 3:17 | “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” |
Give thanks as faith matures | Colossians 2:7 | “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” |
Give thanks for victory | 2 Corinthians 2:14 | “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” |
Give thanks for Christ | 2 Corinthians 9:15 | “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” |
Give thanks as worship | Hebrews 13:15 | “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” |
Give thanks for others | 1 Timothy 2:1 | “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” |
Benefits
In prayer
The Lord did it
Event / Context | Scripture Reference | Description |
Feeding of the 5,000 | Matthew 14:19 · Mark 6:41 · Luke 9:16 · John 6:11 | Jesus looked up to heaven, blessed and gave thanks before multiplying the loaves and fish. Thanksgiving preceded the miracle of provision. |
Feeding of the 4,000 | Matthew 15:36 · Mark 8:6 | Again, He gave thanks before distributing food to the multitude — a repeated act of gratitude before increase. |
Before Raising Lazarus | John 11:41–42 | Jesus prayed, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” He gave thanks before the resurrection — demonstrating faith in advance. |
Rejoicing in God’s Revelation | Matthew 11:25 · Luke 10:21 | Jesus thanked the Father for revealing divine truth to “babes” rather than the wise — thanksgiving for revelation and spiritual understanding. |
At the Last Supper (Communion) | Matthew 26:27 · Mark 14:23 · Luke 22:17–19 · 1 Corinthians 11:24 | Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, giving it to the disciples. Even before the cross, He gave thanks — gratitude in suffering. |
The Epistles
Book / Passage | Verse Text (Summary) | Focus of Thanksgiving |
Romans 1:8–9 | “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the world.” | Thanksgiving for the faith of the believers in Rome. |
1 Corinthians 1:4–5 | “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.” | Thanksgiving for the grace and spiritual gifts of the Corinthians. |
Ephesians 1:15–16 | “I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” | Thanksgiving for their faith and love toward all the saints. |
Philippians 1:3–5 | “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you… for your fellowship in the gospel.” | Thanksgiving for partnership and joy in ministry. |
Colossians 1:3–4 | “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” | Thanksgiving for faith in Christ and love for the saints. |
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 | “We give thanks to God always for you all… remembering your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope.” | Thanksgiving for faith, love, and steadfast hope. |
2 Thessalonians 1:3 | “We are bound to thank God always for you… because your faith grows exceedingly.” | Thanksgiving for spiritual growth and increasing love. |
Philemon 1:4–5 | “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers.” | Thanksgiving for love and faith toward Jesus and the saints. |
2 Timothy 1:3 | “I thank God… as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day.” | Thanksgiving for Timothy’s sincere faith and partnership in ministry. |
Instruction | Scripture | Full Verse (NKJV) |
Give thanks in everything | 1 Thessalonians 5:18 | “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” |
Give thanks always | Ephesians 5:20 | “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” |
Give thanks in prayer | Philippians 4:6 | “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” |
Give thanks in all deeds | Colossians 3:17 | “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” |
Give thanks as faith matures | Colossians 2:7 | “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” |
Give thanks for victory | 2 Corinthians 2:14 | “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” |
Give thanks for Christ | 2 Corinthians 9:15 | “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” |
Give thanks as worship | Hebrews 13:15 | “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” |
Give thanks for others | 1 Timothy 2:1 | “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” |
The Power of Thanksgiving: Takeaway Points
The Power of Thanksgiving: Takeaway Points
The Power of Thanksgiving: Takeaway Points
Closing Charge