Ephesians 5:18-21 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but BE FILLED with the SPIRIT, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Basic Premise of Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. (Ephesians 5:20) “a Spirit-filled and faithful Christian will continually give thanks to God for all things in his life.”

“Giving Thanks” – a definition “an intentional act of worshipping God whereby a believer demonstrates continually, positively, and verbally, both privately and publically, that all things in his life come to him from God and are for his own good, to conform him to the image of the Son of God, and are to the praise and glory of God.”

Giving thanks after the circumstances When we are to give thanks: “always” (5:20a) always giving thanks… Giving thanks after the circumstances Giving thanks in advance of the circumstances Giving thanks amid the circumstances

Giving thanks… For what are we to give thanks: “all things” (5:20b) always giving thanks for all things… Our circumstances “And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Giving thanks… Our circumstances Our Christlikeness For what are we to give thanks: “all things” (5:20b) always giving thanks for all things… Our circumstances Our Christlikeness …For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son… Romans 8:29

“The Son of God became a man to enable men C.S. Lewis “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”

Giving thanks… How are we to give thanks: “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:20c) always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

Giving thanks… How are we to give thanks: “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:20c) always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… “In the name…” - “an attitude of the heart and motivation for action that seeks to consider and do all things according to the power, the character, the authority, and the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Remember who Christ is and what He has done. Remember what is deserved Giving thanks… How are we to give thanks: “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:20c) always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… Remember who Christ is and what He has done. Remember what is deserved

John 11:41 “1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary.” “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!” (107:8, 15, 21, 31)

Giving thanks… Our God Our Father To whom are to give thanks: “to God, even the Father” (5:20d) always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father… Our God Our Father

Self-sufficient (Luke 12:16-20) Self-absorbed (Luke 18:9-14) Giving thanks… What will be your response? Your Attitude? always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father… Self-sufficient (Luke 12:16-20) Self-absorbed (Luke 18:9-14) Self-aware (Luke 17:11-19)

‘I have Christ, what want I more?’ R.G. Staples (1889) In the heart of London City mid the dwellings of the poor, These bright golden words were uttered, ‘I have Christ, what want I more?’ Spoken by a lonely woman dying on a garret floor, having not one earthly comfort, He who heard them ran to fetch her something from the world’s great store, it was needless, died she, saying, Oh, my dear, my fellow sinner, high or low or rich or poor, can you say with deep thanksgiving,

Basic Premise of Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. (Ephesians 5:20) “a Spirit-filled and faithful Christian will continually give thanks to God for all things in his life.”