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November
24-25, 2001 THANKFUL IN TROUBLED TIMES! Ephesians 5:15-21 THE WAYS OF THANKSLIVING! A
THANKSGIVING QUIZ: 1. What year did the Pilgrims have their first
Thanksgiving Feast? 1619 1620 1621 1676 2. What food was probably NOT on the Pilgrims'
Thanksgiving menu? Potatoes Corn Fish Dried
Fruit 3. What president didn't like the idea of having
a national Thanksgiving Day? Washington Nixon Jefferson Truman 4.
Which president first established the date of Thanksgiving as a national
celebration? Jefferson Adams Lincoln Washington 5. The
Horn of Plenty, or Cornucopia, which symbolizes abundance, originated in what
country? Holland Greece England Turkey HOW DO
WE TURN THANKSGIVING INTO THANKSLIVING? 1.
BY MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY! *** Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful, then,
how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.” [NIV] *** Col. 4:5 “Be wise in the way you act with
people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity.” [New Century Version] *** 1 Peter 3:15 “Honor Christ and let him be
the Lord of your life. Always be ready
to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” [CEV]
2. BY
KNOWING GOD’S WILL! *** Ephes. 5:17 “Don't act thoughtlessly, but
try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to.” [Living Bible] è THREE BASIC STEPS TO DETERMINE GOD’S WILL A. PRAY IT IN! *** Psalm 143:10 “Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” [New International Version] B. STUDY IT UP! *** Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to
the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good,
pleasing and perfect will.” [NIV] C. LIVE IT OUT! *** Ephes. 6:6 “As slaves of Christ, do the
will of God with all your heart.”
[NLT] *** Hebrews 10:7 “Look, I have come to do your
will, O God.” [NLT] 3. BY
BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT! *** Ephes. 5:18 “Don't be drunk with wine,
because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control
you.” [New Living Translation] *** Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [NIV] *** Romans 8:9 “If anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” [NIV] è INDICATIONS OF BEING HOLY SPIRIT FILLED: A. THE WORD GUIDES YOUR LIFE! *** John 14:26 “When the Father sends the
Counselor…I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind
you of everything I myself have told you.”
2. YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO HIS DIRECTION! *** Acts 10:19-20 “While Peter was still
thinking… the Holy Spirit said to him, "Three men are here looking for
you. Hurry down and go with them. Don't worry, I sent them." [Contemporary English Version] 3. YOU FEEL HIS PEACE AND COMFORT! *** John 14:16 “I will ask the Father and he
will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you.” [Living] 4. YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONVICTION OF SIN! *** John 16:8 “The Spirit will come and show
the people of this world the truth about sin and God's justice and the
judgment.” [CEV] 5. YOU ARE EMPOWERED FOR WITNESSING! *** Acts 1:8 “When the Holy Spirit comes to
you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses…!” [NCV] 6. YOUR LIFE BECOMES TRANSFORMED! *** Galatians 5:22-23 “God's Spirit makes us
loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.” [CEV] 7. YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR SERVICE! *** 1 Cor. 12:7 “The Holy Spirit displays
God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” [Living] 4. BY
GIVING WHOLE-HEARTED WORSHIP! *** Ephes. 5:19 “When you meet together, sing
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your
heart.” [CEV] è WHEN WE COME TOGETHER: A. THE AUDIENCE IS THE ALMIGHTY! *** Ps. 100:2 “Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.”
B. THE PURPOSE IS PRAISE! *** Col. 3:16 “With thankful hearts, sing
psalms, hymns,& spiritual songs to God.” C. THE BENEFIT IS FOR THE BODY! *** 1 Cor. 14:26 “When you meet for worship,
one person has a hymn, another a teaching…. Everything must be of help to the
church.” [TEV] 5. BY SUBMITTING
JOYFULLY TO ONE ANOTHER! *** Ephes. 5:21 “Honor Christ and put others
first.” [CEV] *** Philip. 2:3-5 “Do not let selfishness or
pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to
yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in
the lives of others. In your lives you
must think and act like Christ Jesus.”
[NCV] |