Embracing Thankfulness

Thanksgiving

— It’s more than a meal

— It’s more than saying “Thank You”

— In some languages one says thank you by saying ‘may God pay you.’

— It can also be used in expressing thankfulness to God himself.

— In other instances, thankfulness may be expressed as ‘you have made my heart warm.’

— In the earliest parts of the Old Testament it is closely related to “to bless.”

Deuteronomy 8:10 (ESV)

10 And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord [be thankful to Lord] your God for the good land he has given you.

— As a part of the “sacrificial system” the Israelites instituted a “thank offering.”

— From Leviticus 7.

Leviticus 7:11–13 (ESV)

11 “And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the Lord.

12 If he offers it for a THANKSGIVING, then he shall offer with the THANKSGIVING sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.

13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for THANKSGIVING he shall bring his offering with loaves of leavened bread.

— In this space AND time the Israelites understood what it was to give back to God.

What do you give God... Who has given you EVERYTHING?

— A present, a brand new car, a new couch, your best homemade dessert...

— No you express, Thankfulness!!

— and you are grateful

— I want to share a story about “Thankfulness and Gratitude” from the “Grateful Living” project.

— Brother David, a 97 year old Benedictine Monk wrote this

— He is known as the “grandfather of gratitude.”

Thankfulness and Gratitude

-There are two branches of Gratitude. One is Gratefulness, and the other is Thanksgiving.

-The Gratefulness branch is when the Bowl of Life is so full that it’s almost overflowing, but not quite.

-So full that it’s almost bowed at the top, but not quite dribbling over the edges.

That is the experience of the Great Fullness of Life.

-And when you’re in the Great Fullness of Life, you’re close to God, and there is no “other”.

-And that is so Full Filling,

— that the Bowl of Life gives way and to overflow at last,

— which flows you directly over to the second branch, that of Thanksgiving.

“When you’re in the space of Thanksgiving, the Bowl of Life is absolutely overflowing." — Brother David

-You’re so grateful that there is an “other” because all you want to do is contribute and serve and share and give and make a difference.

-And that is so Full Filling, that it puts you right back onto the other branch where you experience the Great Fullness of Life

-Where you’re in synch with God and there is no “other”.

-And, so you see, you can live your whole life within the branches of Gratitude… filling your bowl up and Thanksgiving, letting it overflow.

— Let’s take a few minutes this morning and express our Gratitude and Thankfulness, really about anything and everything...

— I’ve asked a couple of folks to get it started and then we’d all like to hear from you.

— What are you GRATEFUL and THANKFUL for?

— Just slip your hand up and someone will come to you.

— I will ask you to use the mic, so that those listening on the web can hear you.

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR?

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— I am grateful to God each morning when I wake up, that he has given me another day.

— I am thankful for His grace that provides a covering over the things that I have messed up the day before

— I am also thankful to my “ministry partners”

— Top of the list is Jill, my wife. I could not whether the storms of ministry and life without her

— You, my church family… You are full of Grace, Mercy and you are full of LOVE for each other.

— In a word… we are family

— I am thankful to the members of the Elder Team. Guiding and directing in a very different world that we are experiencing each and every day.

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— Let’s look at example of the Apostle Paul

— A couple of passages that really highlight his call for “Thanksgiving.”

But first… What trials did Paul endure? That might affect his THANKFULNESS and GRATITUDE.

2 Corinthians 11:25 ESV

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

— He was imprisoned and repeatedly flogged and beaten as well as stoned.

— He had been in danger from rivers and robbers as well as from Jews and Gentiles and false Christians.

— He knew many cold and sleepless nights and hungry and thirsty days.

— On top of it all, he was constantly anxious for all of the churches.

— Yet despite this he said...

2 Corinthians 11:30 (KJV 1900)

30 “...I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”

— Paul finds “glory” in his weakness

— Take a really deep breath… and let that sink in for a moment

— Why would Paul think this… this is something that we would avoid at all costs

— Our weaknesses are our kyptonite.

— Stuffed away and hidden from those even the closest to us.

— Let’s hear Paul again

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

— This is a “THANKFUL” man, in spite of EVERYTHING that has happened to him.

POINT #1 - God’s Grace is sufficient in our weakness

— So the power of Christ is evident in our weakness

— How do we share this with others… with non-Christians

— It’s NOT easy… My best advice is to “model it.”

— When we have been “wronged”… even though we are “right”

— Treat the other person who has wronged you with the same Grace that you want to be treated.

— Take the nasty words, take the “looks,” take the disparaging attitude and return Grace.

— Take the harmful actions, the hurt, the betrayal and return Grace.

POINT #2 - Give thanks until it hurts!

— Even though you have been wronged and hurt

— Paul was wronged and hurt beyond anything that we have experienced.

— Yet he said...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

— Begin by recognizing that true THANKFULNESS is rooted in Christ.

— Regardless of circumstances, His love and grace provide a constant source of THANKFULNESS

— If you get stuck… or you are currently stuck and are finding it difficult to GIVE THANKS!

— Here is a “given” that we can ALWAYS go back to… That we SHOULD go back to often!

Reflect on the gift of salvation...

— Express gratitude and thankfulness for the forgiveness and redemption that WE have found in Christ's sacrifice.

POINT #3 - How do we find Gratitude and Thankfulness?

— Always looking for opportunities to show Gratitude and Thankfulness to others

— By reflecting on our own salvation, a gift from God that we should be grateful and thankful for.

— By remaining in His word

Colossians 3:16 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

— Immerse yourself in the teachings of Christ

— Allow His words to shape your thoughts and actions, cultivating a heart of gratitude and an overflowing thankfulness

— And the last way this morning that we find Gratitude and Thankfulness.

POINT #4 - Live a Life of Thanksgiving

— "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."* (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

— Integrate gratitude into every aspect of your life, aligning your actions with the teachings of Christ.

— As you express gratitude, let it be an example of “Christ Alive” in your life.

— Whether in your work, relationships, or daily activities, let thanksgiving be a reflection of His love and glory.

Let’s review, add some application and get on with brunch!!

POINT #1 - God’s Grace is sufficient in our weakness

— The power of Christ is evident in our weakness

POINT #2 - Give thanks until it hurts!

— Even though you have been wronged and hurt give Thanks!

POINT #3 - How do we find Gratitude and Thankfulness

— Remaining in His word… Learning from it.

— Always looking for opportunities to show Gratitude and Thankfulness to others and in that we find gratitude and thankfulness for ourselves

— And finally

POINT #4 - Live a Life of Thanksgiving

— "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."* (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

Let’s Pray...