Do you have a heart of gratitude?

Subject: Being Thankful

Text: Colossians.2:7 and selective scriptures

Purpose: To encourage disciple of Christ the reasons and commands of being thankful in all circumstances.

Introduction:

As believers how grateful are we truly walking with the Lord? This rhetorical question can spurn deep introspection on your conduct and character as you walk with the Lord. I don’t know about you; I have seen many followers of Christ be very ungrateful for where the Lord have them at.

Have you ever heard someone say, it is always something or when can I catch a break, or what’s to be grateful for, or why God do I have to go through this? These sayings my beloved is not the heart let alone the mindset you need to have as followers as Christ. You probably thinking what does thankful means biblically. In Hebrew the meaning of the word thanks (Ya-da) means the act of giving thanks and praise to God.This usage of this word in Old Testament is used primarily in Psalms. John Frederick, “Praise and Thanksgiving,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

My beloved, as disciples of Christ let’s hear what scripture says about being thankful. In Psalm.86:12 we can see and hear King David’s prayer hear his heart.

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” How about Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians.5:18 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Thesis Statement:

On this Lord’s Day, we will see two reasons why we should be thankful. We will examine the power of God’s provision and illuminate the proper perspective of gratitude.

The Power of God’s Provision

The text reads in Phil.4:14-19

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Now, beloved before we jumped in this text I want to give context of this letter. Apostle Paul is the writer of this letter the recipient of this letter is the church in Phillippi. The condition of Paul is he prison chained to a Roman guard. The overarching theme of this prison letter is Joy. I don’t know about you how can you joy being in prison.

Now, beloved whenever you read Paul’s letter it’s important to look at the letter in this scope this letter is only 4 chapters. The first two chapters is strictly about doctrine aka what you believe and the last two chapters is how you behave. Help, me Holy Spirit let me see if I can make it plain how about this what you learn and eventually what you do. As an example, Paul states in Phillipians.1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Now that is a mindset, we must believe now, let’s look briefly at a behavior we can practice in Phillippian.4:4-6

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Now, beloved put your eyes on Phillippians.4:19 Paul states,

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

A. Who is God? Your probably asking

He is a supreme being. He is the only true and living God eternally existed in 3 distinct persons.

God the Father

God the Son

God the spirit

2. The proper name of God in Hebrew is Yahweh in Exodus.3:14

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel

3. Matthew.22:32

‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

B. What will God supply? Every need of ours

Psalm.23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2. 2 Corinthians.9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

C. How will God supply our Needs? All our needs

Romans.2:4

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

2. Colossians.1:27

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We just examined the first reason to give thanks the power of God’s provision now we will illuminate the...

II. The proper perspective of gratitude

A. A. How are we to give thanks?

1. Ephesians.5:20

2. Job.1:21

B. Why should we thanks?

1. Matthew.6:10

2. Ephesians.2:3

3. Matthew.12:50

Application:

1. What areas of your life do you need to live more grateful in?

2. Live more grateful in your life in Christ for what he provides for you!

3. Scriptures to mediate this week.

A. Phillipians.4:19

B. Psalm.100

C. Colossians.3:16-17