Introduction

We thank God for the gift of another day of fellowship. Not everyone has the opportunity to gather with other believers, yet God has given us this privilege. As we step into December, we look back at God’s goodness and also set our focus on the days ahead. This message invites us to slow down, reflect, and strengthen our walk with God through intentional thanksgiving and fellowship.

1. Thanksgiving Is More Than a Season

 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18  16.Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus

Scripture teaches three simple, powerful instructions:

• Always be joyful.
  
• Never stop praying.
  
• Be thankful in all circumstances.
  

Thanksgiving is not limited to a special Sunday or a holiday. It is a continual posture of the heart. Because we belong to Christ, we are able to give thanks even in difficult moments.

2. True Thanksgiving Flows From Abiding in God

Text: John 15:4–5 – 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jesus reminds us that without Him, we can do nothing. Thanksgiving begins with abiding, not activities.

• Abiding means staying connected.
  
• Activity without connection leads to emptiness.
  
• Fellowship with God fills our hearts with gratitude that is genuine and lasting.
  

When we abide, our attitude is not controlled by circumstances, emotions, or the pressures of life.

3. Small, Consistent Habits Build Spiritual Strength

Many believers aim for big spiritual practices but struggle to be consistent. Growth often starts with small, steady habits:

• A few minutes of prayer several times a day.
  
• Short moments of reading and reflecting on Scripture.
  
• Creating a simple routine of fellowship with God.
  

Even a 1% daily effort makes a big difference over time.

4. Busyness Drains Spiritual Life

Busyness is one of the biggest barriers to gratitude and spiritual depth.
Just like a phone cannot function well on 1% battery, a believer cannot thrive spiritually without regular connection to God.

Busyness leads to:

• Spiritual exhaustion
  
• Loss of peace
  
• Trouble focusing on God
  
• Forgetting past blessings
  

Fellowship recharges, restores, and strengthens the soul.

5. The Early Church Shows Us the Pattern

Text: Acts 2:42 – They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The early believers:

• Continued steadfastly
  
• Made fellowship a priority
  
• Prayed together
  
• Shared meals and encouraged one another
  

Their example teaches us that fellowship is intentional. It grows when we make space for it.

6. Fellowship Helps Us Remember God’s Goodness

Text: Psalm 103:1–2 – Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Busy lives often lead to spiritual amnesia, forgetting what God has done. But slowing down helps us reflect.
When we think deeply, we remember:

• answered prayers
  
• unexpected help
  
• strength during struggles
  
• protection and provision
  

Reflection fuels thanksgiving.

7. Prayer Turns Anxiety Into Peace

Text: Philippians 4:6–7 –  6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Scripture encourages us not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving.
When we do this:

• Peace replaces worry
  
• Clarity returns
  
• Our hearts and minds become steady
  
• We stop trying to fix everything ourselves
  

Prayer brings guidance, healing, and renewal.

8. Community Strengthens Gratitude

Text: Hebrews 10:24–25 – 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

We are encouraged not to neglect meeting together.
Community helps us:

• stay encouraged
  
• stay accountable
  
• receive support during challenges
  
• celebrate testimonies
  
• grow together spiritually
  

A grateful community produces grateful believers.

9. Slow Down and Make Space for God

In life, we sometimes need to pause, reset, and realign. Just as travellers stop to rest and recheck directions, we must slow down spiritually.

A busy life without prayer produces stress.
A busy life with prayer produces thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving grows not from perfection around us, but from staying connected to the One who is perfect.

Conclusion

We often treat quiet moments as a luxury, but they are actually a necessity. When life gets busy, it is easy to rush, worry, and feel overwhelmed. Yet the truth is simple: a busy life without prayer produces stress, but a busy life with prayer produces thanksgiving.

So on this Thanksgiving Sunday:

• Let us return to fellowship with God.
  
• Let us rebuild fellowship with one another.
  
• Let us commit to slowing down to pray.
  
• Let us recognize the blessings we would easily overlook when life moves too fast.
  

Thanksgiving is not about everything being perfect. It is about staying connected to the One who is perfect. As we slow down, listen, and draw near, our hearts will naturally overflow with gratitude. Let this be our commitment as we continue our journey together.