In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul instructs us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” We have such a strong tendency though to spend far more time talking about our circumstances than we do expressing the things we are thankful for. In this weekend’s message, we will be talking about how to take giving thanks beyond a holiday to a way of life.

6 of 10 Christians believe in and engage in mystical practices that not only go against a Christian worldview, but often times are expressly forbidden in Scripture. Though they promise a connection to the spiritual, God has already revealed the best way to connect to Him.

There are certain passages of Scripture that make us gulp. That make us pause, or speed up and skip on ahead, because we don’t want to think about the implications of what they mean. One of the scariest passages in Scripture is found toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Three verses who’s implications should make you tremble, at least a few times in your life.

You don’t need me to tell you that we live in a world is that is quite content with broken vows, and will accept the flimsiest excuse for unkept promises. Our culture says that if something becomes inconvenient or it no longer suits you, then just quit. Leave. Move on to the next thing. But we have been saved by a faithful Savior to serve a faithful God who’s put His faithful Spirit in our hearts to make us a faithful people.

Our version of good is what makes us happy- what gets us closer to our goal. What’s good is what’s good for me. However, when Paul writes “the fruit of the Spirit is…goodness,” he has in mind something much richer, much deeper, and much fuller than we do when we say, “This is good cake, Today was a good day, I’m doing good. They’re good people.”

What does it mean to be kind? Is it just being nice? Is it that perfunctory politeness that we use to grease our daily interactions and get what we want out of life? No. Paul says the Holy Spirit is trying to grow in us something more than just good manners, or a polite society. Kindness goes much deeper.

When we clothe ourselves in patience, we not only display patience toward others, but it brings something out of us as well. It inspires us to become more than we already are. We become more like Jesus.

Love is the first attribute of the Spirit’s fruit that Paul mentions. It is no surprise that Love should come first. Love becomes the fount from which joy overflows. Love is the anchor which gives peace in the storm. Love is the sun that shines forth the rays of kindness. Love makes tender the heart that is gentle.