Thankful for you!

Introduction

Most of us learned the two magic words - Please and Thank You - since we were toddlers.

We were taught that it is good manners to always say please when we ask for something.

But at the same time we were taught the importance of saying thank you to express our gratitude / appreciation.

This is why it seems so out of place when we see a small child that simply says “Give me” and then when we give them what they ask for they simply grab it and leave.

So even from early childhood we are taught to be thankful for things that we receive from others.

This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving - an American holiday dedicated to giving thanks.

As Christian believers, we are taught in the Bible to give God thanks for all the things he has done in our lives.

Salmo 100:4 ESV

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

We are called to enter the house of the living God with thanksgiving.

We can give God thanks for our life, for good health, for a home, for transportation, for our parents, for living in this country.

It is right for us to give God thanks for all the blessings he has poured out upon us.

In today’s message I want us to consider what it means to let others know how thankful we are for them.

The Apostle Paul gave us a beautiful example of what it means to let others know how thankful we are for them.

Paul had planted a church in the town of Phillipi.

We read about the beginning of this church in the book of Acts.

For three months, Paul preached the message of Jesus Christ and at least three people with their families came to faith in the Lord Jesus.

Lydia, a seller of purple cloth.

A man who was responsible for securing the local jail - the Philippian jailer.

A young woman who had been possessed by a demon.

Paul now finds himself in jail simply for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.

But even as he finds himself in a dark, damp, and cold prison cell, he remembers these believers in Phillipi and writes a letter to them in which he makes known how thankful he is for each of them:

Filipenses 1:3–5 ESV

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Paul could easily been depressed, full of anxiety, miserable in that dark, damp, and cold prison cell.

Nevertheless, as he remembered these young believers from his ministry going back at least 10 years…he wanted them to be encouraged.

…and he says - I remember you, each of you - Lydia, Mr. Jailer, and the young woman; and each of your families.

…and as I remember you I am filled with joy as I give God thanks for each of you.

Because since the day that you first believed - I see how God’s hand has been with you and how you’ve been such a mighty blessing in my life.

Paul was facing significant hardship and yet with a pastor’s heart - he wants each of these young believers to understand how thankful he is to God for each one of them.

Just imagine what Lydia, Mr. Jailer, and the young woman - felt as they read this letter.

Just imagine how encouraged they felt knowing that the great Apostle Paul was thankful for each one of them.

It takes great humility, courage, and most of all a grateful heart - to go up to one of your brothers and sisters in Christ and say - brother / sister, I just want to say how thankful I am to God for your life.

I want to encourage you to think of those folks in this congregation who have impacted your life, who have been a blessing in your life, who without them your life would be so different.

…after the Spanish message, we will all have the opportunity to express our appreciation for them - as we give God thanks for our church family.