Thanksgiving: Ingredient for Purity Pastor Timothy A. Pasma
Introduction A. We live in an intensely sexualized culture. B. But there is one passage that has a remarkably odd prescription for purity Ephesians 5.1-5.
I. Understand That Ingratitude Leads to Sexual Impurity
Understand That Ingratitude Leads to Sexual Impurity A. Ingratitude towards God sets one on the path to sexual immorality (Romans 1.18-24).
Understand That Ingratitude Leads to Sexual Impurity B. Ingratitude produces covetousness you desire what you do not have (Ephesians 5.4; Numbers 11.1-6). v In essence, you re dealing with covetousness. (cf. Ephesians 5.3; Colossians3.5)
Understand That Ingratitude Leads to Sexual Impurity C. Ingratitude gives you the wrong view of hardship (Numbers 11.1-6; also Exodus 14.10-11; 16.1-3). D. If you understand the nature of ingratitude you can see that it makes you vulnerable to immorality and impurity.
II. Understand The Importance Of Gratitude In The Battle For Sexual Purity
Understand The Importance Of Gratitude In The Battle For Sexual Purity A. As soon as you are thankful, you enter the presence of God. B. As soon as you are thankful, you start to see life differently, through God s eyes.
Understand The Importance Of Gratitude In The Battle For Sexual Purity 1. You are no longer problem-centered but God-centered. 2. God wants you to see that nothing happens in your life that he cannot use redemptively. 3. When you are thankful, it helps you to see that you are not defined by your circumstances.
Understand The Importance Of Gratitude In The Battle For Sexual Purity C. As soon as you are thankful, you defeat Satan s efforts to control your interpretation of reality. 1. You will not doubt the goodness of God.
Understand The Importance Of Gratitude In The Battle For Sexual Purity 2. You will not doubt the wisdom of God. 3. You will not have an improper view of yourself.
Understand The Importance Of Gratitude In The Battle For Sexual Purity D. As soon as you are thankful, you have the ability to do good with the gifts God has given you. E. If you understand the nature of thanksgiving, you can see that it is an essential weapon in the battle for purity.
III. Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude
Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude A. If you would cultivate a thankful heart, recognize your Father s steadfast love (Psalm 118.28-29). B. If you would cultivate a thankful heart, recognize that thanksgiving is part of godly character (Colossians 3.5-17).
Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude C. If you would cultivate a thankful heart, deal severely with all impediments that hinder thanksgiving. 1. Break up the illusion that good circumstances are the cause of thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5.18; Daniel 6.10).
Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude 2. Deal a death blow to envy (Matthew 20.1-16). 3. Destroy the impediment of pride. 4. Be careful not to love the gift and forget the Giver.
Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude D. If you would cultivate a thankful heart, then make use of all the means to produce it. 1. Get a sound knowledge of God (see Acts 17.22-25). 2. Get a sound knowledge of yourself be humble in your own eyes.
Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude 3. Spend a good deal of time reflecting on the Gospel, God s mercy to you in calling you to himself (see 2 Corinthians 4.1). 4. Be persuaded of God s love to you in all that comes from his hand whether it seems good or ill (Romans 8.28-39).
Understand How To Cultivate Gratitude 5. Strictly charge yourself to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5.18; Ephesians 5.20). 6. Be earnest in prayer that God would give you a thankful heart.
Conclusion A. As you counsel people in the battle against immorality and impurity, you must never forget the essential part that thanksgiving plays. B. Give them homework that would expose their ingratitude. C. Give them homework that encourage them to cultivate a thankful heart.