I Thank My God...

What is a key ingredient of Thanksgiving?

Go ahead and let me know you think. Is it the mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, gravy, green bean casserole, etc? Maybe it is the spices one uses, or doesn’t use.

Relationships are key to life.

We were created for relationships. From the very beginning of Thanksgiving to today it is hard to celebrate alone. You, church, are a blessing to my family and I. To some extent this message this morning is a very personal one.

Paul gives us some wisdom about thanksgiving.

In his letter to the church of Philippi we see this wisdom play out. We see it in the opening words which would set the stage for all that would come.

Partnership for the Gospel is key.

We cannot do this work alone. This is what I am most grateful for here. This is a personal message for me because the words of these verses help convey the words of my heart. The word here is what elsewhere may be translated “fellowship” but we must re-gain what fellowship truly means.

We must mentor/disciple others.

We are facing a discipleship crisis in our churches. It is not about just having programs, though that is important. We are no longer having someone older in the faith mentor a person younger in the faith.

The goal: discern what is best.

It is not just to replicate ourselves, though that is part of it, it is for people to discern what is best in every situation. To have men and women conduct themselves worthy of the precious Gospel of Jesus.

Love, and thanksgiving, must be worked out to grow.

Love never grows alone or when stored in a bottle. It must be given and received.

Who is your “Paul”? Who are your “Philippians”?