Colossians A lifestyle of thanksgiving Paul, A thankful guy

What are you thankful for?

Who are you thankful for?

What would our lives be like if we lived everyday with a sense of thankfulness?

Who might you think of in the Bible that was known for living with a thankful attitude?

Would you guess Paul?

Let’s take a look at one of his letters and see how the theme of thankfulness is everywhere.

I. Thankful for people Col 1:3

(ESV) Colossians 1 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

1. Not self consumed with his own problems

2. Not consumed with criticism of others

3. Sees God at work in others – rejoices, thankful, expressive of thanks to them – at atmosphere of encouragement rather than criticism

4. Responds with thanks to God

5. Responds with appreciation to people

6. Responds with intercession on behalf of these people – crying out to God for them

B. Recognizingvalue

C. Expressing love

D. Being a means of encouragement

II. Thankful for salvation Col 1:12-14

A. Given a secure future

(ESV) Colossians 1 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified youto share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

1. Thankful for the security he has in Christ

2. Made the cut – accepted to the college

3. Who qualified us to share the inheritance Col 1:12b

B. Transferredto a new kingdom

(ESV) Colossians 1 12 giving thanks to the Father, … 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

1. Thankful that already he has been delivered

2. No longer under the reign of the old kingdom

3. Citizenship is already changed

4. No longer have to obey the old way – Satan has no say

5. Under the reign of Christ

C. Boughtand set free

(ESV) Colossians 1 12 giving thanks to the Father, … 14 in whom (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, ….

1. Thankful that he has been redeemed

2. Because of Him --- Redeemed – bought out of slavery

3. Paid for by His blood (not with corruptible god but by His blood)

4. New owner

D. Forgiven

(ESV) Colossians 1 12 giving thanks to the Father, … 14 in whom (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

1. Thankful that he is forgiven of his sins and his relationship with God has changed

2. All that he had done has been washed away – placed on Christ – He paid the debt that was owed so forgiveness can be given

3. And he has then been reconciled to God and made blameless before Him in Christ

(ESV) Colossians 1 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

III. Thankful for a life complete in Christ Col 2:6-10

A. Living based in grace

(ESV) Colossians 2 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesusthe Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

1. It is all about grace. That is how you receive Christ – all His work on the cross

2. No live in Him. Not under debt to somehow work my way. But in gratitude for what He has done.

3. Live as one accepted by God because of Christ. Grace

Like someone in a family – seeking to please those who love me – not obligated to do something to be in the family.

4. Thankful that I no longer am under an obligation that I cannot fulfil. I am thankful that I now live under the grace I have received.

B. Rooted solidly in the faith

(ESV) Colossians 2 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in himand established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

1. Life built upon Him.

2. Legal term (established) – guarantee of its validity

3. I am in Christ --- now I live with confidence in Him. I grow in Christ. I become in reality more of what I already am.

A baby growing to become what it already is. If it is nurtured and fed and taught it will grow and become what based on the DNA that is within it.

4. Thankful for this guarantee that he is authentic.

C. Nothing else needed in Him

(ESV) Colossians 2 7 … abounding in thanksgiving. … 10 and you have been filled in him (complete), who is the head of all rule and authority.

1. I am complete in Christ.

2. He is my king.

3. Thankful that he can rest in Him and listen to Him

IV. Living out a thankful life Col 3:15-17; 4:2

A. Supernatural peace

(ESV) Colossians 3 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

1. Live a life allowing the peace of Christ to rule

2. Key to peace – being thankful for what Christ has done

B. From inner transformation

(ESV) Colossians 3 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.

1. Live letting the Word of God transforming from within

2. Live worshiping from the heart

3. Being thankful for all that He does is doing

C. Actions based on thankfulness to God

(ESV) Colossians 3 17 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.

1. Live doing everything for Him, with thankfulness as the attitude.

D. Dependenton God

(ESV) Colossians 4 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. Live with a dependence upon Him

2. Talking with Him

3. Asking of Him for what we need

E. Continuously active / alert

(ESV) Colossians 4 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. Being alert

a. Satan’s schemes

b. Our sinfulness

2. Living with thankfulness – we have the victory. He is sufficient. He will help.