Do The Right Thing: Just Say Thank You

In 1849, Henry Brown escaped from slavery by shipping himself in a crate from Virginia to an anti-slavery office in Philadelphia. 27 hours and 350 miles later, Brown stepped out of his box to begin a new life. This is his memoir, originally published in 1851 in England, as fresh and compelling today as it was 150 years ago. This extraordinary narrative paints an indelible portrait of life in slavery, and describes one of the most audacious, creative escapes ever completed. With a keen sense of irony, Brown examines the "peculiar institution"--from the hypocrisy of slave-owning Christian preachers, to the system of bribery that forced slaves to purchase the rights to their own belongings, to the practice of separating slave families with no warning. Indeed, it was when his own wife and children were sold away that he became determined to escape, and he enlisted the aid of a friend, who nailed him into a three-foot-by-two-foot wooden box. He traveled by railroad car, steamboat and horse cart--often upside down, despite a "this side up" stamp--to the free state of Pennsylvania. His unprecedented manner of arrival made him a public sensation in the North, and a celebrity on the anti-slavery lecture circuit. With an introduction by Richard Newman and a foreword by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown conveys the unquenchable spirit of a hero who risked death rather than live a slave. A classic slave narrative, it makes unforgettable reading.

After my recovery from the swoon the first thing, which arrested my attention was the presence of a number of friends, every one seeming more anxious than another, to have an opportunity of rendering me their assistance, and of bidding me a hearty welcome to the possession of my natural rights, I had risen as it were from the dead; I felt much more than I could readily express; but as the kindness of Almighty God had been so conspicuously shown in my deliverance, I burst forth into the following hymn of thanksgiving,

I waited patiently, I waited patiently for the Lord, for the Lord; And he inclined unto me, and heard my calling: I waited patiently, I waited patiently for the Lord, And he inclined unto me, and heard my calling: And he hath put a new song in my mouth,

Even a thanksgiving, even a thanksgiving even a thanksgiving unto our God.

Blessed, Blessed, Blessed, Blessed is the man, Blessed is the man, Blessed is the man that hath set his hope, his hope in the Lord;

O Lord my God, Great, Great, Great, Great are the wondrous works which thou hast done.

Great are the wondrous works which thou hast done, which thou hast done: If I should declare them and speak of them, they would be more, more, more, than I am able to express.

I have not kept back thy loving kindness and truth from the great congregation. I have not kept back thy loving kindness and truth from the great congregation.

Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord;

Let thy loving kindness and thy truth always preserve me, Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad, Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad, be joyful, and glad, be joyful, be joyful, be joyful, be joyful, be joyful and glad—be glad in thee.

And let such as love thy salvation, And let such as love thy salvation, say, always, The Lord be praised, The Lord be praised. Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad, And let such as love thy salvation, say always, The Lord be praised, The Lord be praised, The Lord be praised.

Transition- The Servant Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving for All the Saints at Philippi

Body- Do The Right Thing: Christian Response Regarding The Church

Thank God For All The Saints

Remember All The Saints

Pray Joyfully For All The Saints

Partner With All The Saints (The Church)

Transition-

After Paul left Macedonia...

After planting churches in:

Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth

Philippians 4:14–20 ESV

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 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. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 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. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Be thankful to those who have helped you...

Conclusion- Thank God always for what the LORD God through Jesus Christ has done for you!

Illustration: Bishop Walter Hawkins 1990 song of thanksgiving

Tragedies are common place All kinds of diseases People are slipping away Economies down People can't get enough pay As for me, all I can say is Thank you, Lord, for all you done for me

Folks without homes Living Out in the streets And the drug habit some say They just can't beat Muggers and robbers No place seems to be safe But you been my protection Every step of the way I wanna say, thank you, Lord, for all you done for me

It could've been me [Thank you]

Outdoors [Thank you] No food [Thank you] No clothes [Thank you] Or just alone [Thank you] Without a friend

[Thank you] Or just another number [Thank you] With a tragic end

[Thank you] But you didn't see fit [Thank you] To let none of these things be [Thank you]

Cause every day by your power [Thank you] You keep on keeping me [Thank you] Thank you, Lord, for all you've done for me

Thank you, Lord, for all you've done for me Thank you, Lord, for all you've done for me

Run 1 (repeat 2x) I wanna thank you for your love Thank you Thank you for your power Thank you Thank you for protection Thank you Every hour Thank you

Run 2 I wanna thank you for your love Thank you Thank you for your power Thank you Thank you for protection Thank you Every hour Thank you I wanna thank you for mercy Thank you I wanna thank you for so much grace Thank you I wanna thank you for loving me Lord Thank you I wanna say thank you for keeping me Thank you