The Secret to Thanksgiving

Today we are going to spend some time together enjoying each other’s company. This is the time of year when we are supposed to get together with the people we love and express the love we have and our thankfulness to God for all he has done.

Sometimes, however, it’s not all that easy. Sometimes the challenges we face seem to big for us to have any desire whatsoever to say thank you. The “light at the end of the tunnel” is invisible and in our minds we just can’t see it. Hope gets diminished.

Statistically speaking this time of year that should be the best time of year is often the most depressing time of year. We imagine these great get-togethers where everyone is laughing and the turkey came out perfect and everyone is there. But, often we look at that imagined perfect Thanksgiving and we compare it to the reality surrounding us, and we get discouraged.

Explanation

When I was little our family would get together at my Grandma and Grandpa Hardy’s house. My father had 3 siblings and they were all there. My grandparents had siblings and they were all there. The cat oscar who was mean because he had a broken back - he was hiding somewhere, but he was there. I don’t really remember the food, but I do remember 2 things. 1. It was crowded. 2. No one cared and everyone was having a good time. All that ended when I was in fifth grade. After a series of events, my parents split. It was never the same ever again. I mean.. we tried hard, and that’s not to say good times were over, but Thanksgiving at grandma’s..that was something. And I got to tell you, every year, every year since I was 10 years old part of me wishes...

Explanation 2

I’m not telling that story to make people feel sorry for me because let me tell you, I have a GREAT life. I have a great wife. I have great friends. I go to a great church. But like we talked about last week, sometimes life just punches you right in the face. And when we are told to have thanks, we just want to slap the person telling us.

Today I want to talk about a person in the Bible that had a tremendous amount of things to be ungrateful for, but was able to be thankful. The man Paul. and we are going to be in Philippians.

PS

Today we are going to learn the secret to thankfulness.

A Few Initial Verses

Philippians 1:3–6 NIV

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil 1:3-6

Philippians 1:18–19 NIV

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Philippians 1:

Philippians 2:17 NIV

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

Philippians 2:

Philippians 3:1 NIV

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Philippians 4:4 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

The Back Story

He was and impressive individual

Philippians 3:4–6 NIV

though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:6 NIV

as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Phil

He recieved great persecution

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 NIV

Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

2 Corinthians 11:23–28 NIV

2 co 11

Physically a rough time

baring the responsibility of the churches he was responsible for.

He was suffering a current reality

He was in prison for the cause of Christ

Philippians 1:12 NIV

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

Phil 1:12

To the Secret.

Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I used to believe that this verse was about the idea that there is nothing to big for me.

This letter is talking about rejoicing

There are ____ thing we can do

Believe God has an intention for your circumstance

Philippians 1:13–14 NIV

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

phil 1:

Adjust your attitude

Philippians 2:5 NIV

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Phil 2:5

Stop your Whining

Philippians 2:14 NIV

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

Phil 2:14

Find your Joy

Philippians 3:1 NIV

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Phil 3:1

Philippians 4:4 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Be humble

Philippians 3:2–4 NIV

Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Phil 3:

Own your thoughts

Philippians 4:8–9 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.