As we come to the close of this series of messages on the Marks of an Alive Church, we find that Paul in the passage we have been studying, emphasizes the importance of appreciation. Now, of course, we here in the United States have a special day we set aside for giving thanks for God's blessings. But Paul is stating that you need to appreciate God and what He does for you all the time. I believe it is important that you give thanks to God every day - even several times each day. As a matter of fact, the Psalmist says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." (Psalm 100:4-5 NLT)
In our text, Paul points to five benefits for which you must be thankful. He enabled you to share his inheritance; He rescued you from Satan's kingdom of darkness and made you his children; He brought you into his eternal Kingdom; He purchased your freedom from sin and judgment with his blood; and He forgave all your sins You have so much for which to be thankful!
It doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor, brilliant or average, talkative or quiet, outgoing or reserved. If you are thankful for what God has given you, if you look on the positive side not the negative, you will be well on your way to "appreciative living." I ran across this poem the other day and felt that it really brings into focus the importance of being thankful in whatever situation you find yourself.
Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her - she seemed so happy, and how I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;
she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two feet -- the world is mine.
And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm;
he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm;
I said, "It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find";
he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two eyes, the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue;
he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have two ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go;
with eyes to see the sunsets glow,
with ears to hear what I would know.
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine;
oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
We humans tend to always want more. So many people today are never satisfied with what they have. Someone has said, "The way we can get what we want is to want less." It's too easy to look on the negative side of things, to see others and say, "Why not me?" It's more difficult to look on the positive side and be thankful for what you do have, even if it seems to be so little. If you really want to feel blessed, let me know and we can arrange for you to go along the next time the church is contacted for food or help with a utility bill.
There are plenty of examples to show the struggles that some have overcome and to help you see their source of strength. Consider these two:
When he was 7 years of age, his family was forced out of their home, and he went to work. When he was 9, his mother died. He lost his job as a store clerk when he was 20. He wanted to go to law school, but he didn't have the education. At age 23 he went into debt to be a partner in a small store. Three years later the business partner died, leaving him with a debt that took years to repay. When he was 28, after courting a girl for four years, he asked her to marry him, and she turned him down. On his third try he was elected to Congress, at age 37, but then failed to be re-elected. His son died at 4 years of age. When this man was 45, he ran for the Senate and lost. At age 47 he ran for the vice-presidency and lost. But at age 51 he was elected president of the United States. The man was Abraham Lincoln, a man who learned to face discouragement and move beyond it. That man was Abraham Lincoln who, in the midst of the Civil War, in 1863, established the annual celebration of Thanksgiving. Lincoln had learned how important it is to stop and thank God in the midst of great difficulties.
Charles Goodyear was given a prison sentence, as the result of a contempt of court citation. While in prison, Goodyear didn't complain. Instead, he became an assistant in the kitchen. While there, he continued to work on an idea. In the process, he discovered a method for vulcanizing rubber. We have better tires, which means better travel and a better way of life. He could easily have complained and griped about what had happened to him. Instead, he made the most of it and his worst moment became the beginning of his success.
In the second chapter of Colossians, Paul tells us: "Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done." (Colossians 2:7 (LB)
The key, you see, is in knowing God more fully. When you let your roots grow down in to Him and draw your nourishment from Him, you can begin to live a more thankful life because you know that He knows what is best for each and every one of you. You can learn to trust God and be thankful, "let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving," knowing that while you may not know the why's and wherefore's of your current circumstances, you will see, in time, how God's will plays out in your life.
Corrie Ten Boom in The Hiding Place relates an incident which taught her this principle. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and flea-infested. Their Scripture reading that morning in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted. She finally succumbed. During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without guard interference. It was several months later when they learned that the guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas.
The Scripture lesson that Corrie Ten Boom mentioned, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, is a powerful lesson for us all. "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit." (NLT)
You see, as in Corrie's case, it is sometimes hard to do what you are admonished in this verse. But as you learn to trust God more and more and thank Him in everything, even when you cannot see any value or purpose in it, you begin to see His will a little more clearly.
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul says, "Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy--the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you." (Romans 12:1-2 TLB) When you do that, when you give yourself fully to God, you will begin to really experience a renewed and joyful life. The world says, "More, more, more." God says, "Don't worry about how much; trust Me!" The world says, "What about me? What about me? What about me?" God says, "What about Me?. Rely on Me and trust My ways. I will hold you and help you and carry you through the darkest hours, the most difficult times."
The Peanuts character, Snoopy, is getting dog food for Thanksgiving Day dinner, and he is aware that everyone else in the family is inside the house having turkey. He meditates and talks to himself: "How about that? Everyone is eating turkey today, but just because I'm a dog, I get dog food." He trots away and positions himself on top of his doghouse and concludes: "Of course, it could have been worse, I could have been born a turkey."
Dennis the Menace is talking to Joey as they look into a department store window decorated for Christmas. Dennis says, "Last month was our giving thanks holiday, an' Christmas is God's "You're welcome." That's pretty deep theology - except that God said "You're Welcome,"even before we said "Thank you."
Because of what Jesus did, you are able to share His inheritance. Because of what Jesus did, you are able to walk in the light, instead of the darkness of Satan's lies and turmoil. Jesus was willing to do what God called on Him to do. As a result, you are assured of a place in His Kingdom. Paul says in our text today, that Jesus "purchased our freedom." By going to the cross, He paid the ransom, the cost for your sinfulness. If you accept that gift, you are set free. When Jesus gave His life for you, He forgave you in advance for all your sinfulness. All He asks is that you confess and give thanks to Him for what He did for you.
The Life Application Bible puts it this way: "The Colossians feared the unseen forces of darkness, but Paul says that true believers have been transferred from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from guilt to forgiveness, and from the power of Satan to the power of God. We have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the rightful King. Our conduct should reflect our new allegiance." Is there a darkness in your life that needs to be overcome? Is there something that you need God's help with? Has Satan trapped you in slavery to some problem or addiction? The Bible says God has set you free through what Jesus Christ did on the cross.
You can find the freedom you seek by taking a cue from Jesus. He knew what lay ahead for Him, but He thanked God daily. He was willing to do God's will. You can do God's will, too. It's not always easy, it's not always the popular thing, but it is always the right thing and the best thing for you. The Bible says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)
Prayer:
Thank You , Lord for sending Jesus to pay the price for our fear and sinfulness. Help us know
the truth and be set free to follow You and do Your will. Help us live our lives ever closer to
You so that we know for certainty that we are and always will be members of Your wonderful
Kingdom of Light. In Jesus Name, who bought our freedom. Amen.
__________________________
Sermon December 16, 2007
Sermon December 23, 2007
Sermon December 24, 2007
December 30, 2007 - Guest speaker, transcript not available
Sermon January 6, 2008
Sermon January 13, 2008
Sermon January 20, 2008
Sermon January 27, 2008
Sermon February 3, 2008
Sermon February 10, 2008
Sermon February 17, 2008
Sermon February 24, 2008
Sermon March 2, 2008
Sermon March 9, 2009
Sermon March 16, 2008
Sermon March 23, 2008
March 30, 2008 - Transcript not available
April 6, 2008 - Guest speaker, transcript not available
Sermon April 13, 2008
April 20, 2008 - Guest speaker, transcript not available
April 27, 2008 - Guest speaker, transcript not available
Sermon May 4, 2008
Sermon May 11, 2008
Sermon May 18, 2008
Sermon May 25, 2008
Sermon June 1, 2008
(Please note: At this point in time, we are only able to keep the last few weeks' messages available. As a result, links to
earlier sermons on previous sermon pages may not work.)