Thanksgiving With Paul

Thanksgiving with Paul. Imagine he came to your house for the Thanksgiving meal. {describe setting, table, food, etc.} What the conversation at the table would be?

I. Paul Thankful for Christ (; )

A. Paul Thankful for Christ (; )

The two great things about salvation in Christ to Paul: The empty grave and the eternal gift

A. The empty grave

1 Corinthians 15:57 NASB95

but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(NKJV) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. This victory is the resurrection through Jesus. Think of where Paul came from before he met Jesus.

This victory is the resurrection through Jesus. Think of where Paul came from before he met Jesus.

1. Paul’s hatred of Christ before the cross

2. Finally, Paul’s friends had crucified Jesus to end it all

3. Then, suddenly, He was there again: the resurrection!

4. Paul guards the coats of those who stone Stephen

5. Paul puts many to death

6. The encounter with Christ on the Damascus road:

Acts 9:1–9 NASB95

1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

7. Then he knew that Christ was alive

1Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

g. Then he knew that Christ was alive

B. The eternal gift

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15 NASB95

15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

a. Paul had tried so hard before, had been so religious

1. Paul had tried so hard before, he had been so religious. He studied under Gamaliel, circumcised on the 8th day according to Jewish law, a Hebrew of Hebrews.

2. He found that salvation was a gift to receive

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Are you thankful today for your living Savior?

Are you thankful for salvation?

II. Paul Thankful for Christians (; )

Philippians 1:3 NASB95

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

A. Paul had a great love for the saints

“Upon every remembrance of you”

Romans 1:8–11 NASB95

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

1. Paul had a great love for the saints

Jesus said in

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

Jesus said in

John 13:35 NASB95

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1. Love longs for fellowship

2. What brings you back to church?

3. We ought to long to see the saints

B. Sometimes Christians do not live up to their potential

Sometimes you do not talk like a Christian

Sometimes you do not walk like a Christian

C. But there ought to be fierce loyalty among Christians

D. Can you be thankful for those sitting around you?

Are you thankful for all believers?

III. Paul Thankful Constantly ()

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB95

18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

A. Despite Challenges

a. Stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned: “Thank you, Lord”

1. Stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned: “Thank you, Lord”

2. Poor eyesight, not handsome, short: “Thank you, Lord”

3. Not enough gifts from the churches: “Thank you, Lord”

Seeds of Discouragement

The devotional book Springs in the Valley tells of a man who found a barn where Satan kept his seeds ready to be sown in the human heart. He found that the seeds of discouragement were more numerous than the others and he learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. But when Satan was questioned, he reluctantly admitted that there was one place in which he could never get them to thrive. “And where is that?” asked the man. Satan replied sadly, “In the heart of a grateful person.”[1]

B. The secret of thanksgiving for the Thessalonians

1. The letter’s theme is Christ’s return

2. Everyday, his Lord he expected

Conclusion

Are you as Thankful as Paul?

If not, why not?

Let’s be thankful every day and so Honor our Lord[2]

A. Paul Thankful for Christ (; )

1. The empty grave

2. The eternal gift

B. Paul Thankful for Christians (; )

C. Paul Thankful Constantly ()

Conclusion

Thanksgiving with Paul

A. Paul Thankful for Christ (; )

1. The empty grave

2. The eternal gift

B. Paul Thankful for Christians (; )

CI. Paul Thankful Constantly ()

Conclusion

Outline borrowed from RF Campbell

[1] Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson's complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) (735). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[2] Campbell, R. F. (1988-). Preach for a year (185–186). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications.

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