1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 concerning our perspective on "Being Grateful , When the World is Hateful". If you know me , then you know I that myself and many others spent this week at FC Alabama Camp , serving the cause of Christ and serving kids from 4th grade though 12th. Though , incredibly difficult and grueling at times - it is by far the most rewarding and spiritually uplifting experiences I have ever engaged in and I look forward to it every year. I look forward to it for many reasons , but mostly for a respite from the world and the ever seemingly downward spiral mankind is on... But not even this week - a week filled with Godly focus and spiritually driven purpose could I escape the horrors of this weeks shootings and outrage. In a time when I am usually able to escape the troubles of man's appetite for sin and its destruction , it found me and shame on me for letting it... Its hard to be grateful when the world is so hateful. Even more surprising was much of the backlash I received from a few who were bothered by the fact that I was bothered. I didnt want to hear of the tragic events unfolding this week , much less see videos spread depicting them... not this week , and though it is only a wish - not ever. But that is not reality... and in a moment of disgust and down heartedness - I ached. I ached for Heaven. I ached to be with my God . I want so bad to leave this place for the one to come and then , in that small moment I remembered that one day I will , for "He has promised , and I believe". My Hope was renewed and my Gratitude returned.

1. www.fultondalechurchofchrist.net

2. Men’s Worship Leading
Workshop
Beginning Sunday July 10 @ 5:20 p.m.

3. Being
Grateful
When the World is Hateful
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

6. Being Grateful
• Why God commands Gratitude
• In the Good Times
• James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord and HE will
lift you up”
• In the Bad Times
• Hebrews 11:13 - These all died in faith, not having received the
things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from
afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and
exiles on the earth.

7. Being Grateful
• What Can we thank God for in Tragic times?
• A God who is working beyond circumstances
• Isaiah 45:15 – “Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior,
you work in mysterious ways”
• A God whose Character we can celebrate
• Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts”
• Hope Beyond the Grave
• 1Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be
born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead

8. Being Grateful
• What Can we thank God for in Tragic times?
• A Savior who makes hope possible
• 1 John 4:16 -18 “So we have come to know and to believe the
love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in
love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love
perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day
of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this
world.18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has
not been perfected in love .
• A God that gives us strength
• Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me”

11. Being
Grateful
When the World is Hateful
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18