"And when he had given thanks"

Title: “And when he had given thanks”

Text:

Service: Communion

Introduction:

In this passage we see Jesus Christ giving “thanks”. It is mind-boggling to consider that he gave thanks on the night that He was betrayed. Part of this is because our idea of “thanksgiving” is many times based on apparent or immediate benefits to us that are physically pleasurable or advancing of our own cause.

For example, there is quite a bit of “thanksgiving” happening around a Christmas tree or a birthday party, but unless there is the “gift-giving” venue “thanksgiving” is not as easily seen or heard.

Why is this? Partly, I believe, because giving of thanks is attached to what we personally believe to be beneficial to us. We are people, who by nature, assess the goodness of something or the badness of it based on how it benefits or hurts us. Let me ask you, “Are you able to be thankful if something costs you everything but allows for the gaining of everything by someone else?” Maybe you would say “Yes,” but “would you be thankful to lose everything for others who are in the wrong?”

This reveals within us something that is quite natural to the human condition, and that is pride, selfishness. It is hard to detect as it relates to thankfulness, but there are some examples of this.

The answer

When you become angry over something, and someone tries to seek restitution by giving you something — your anger may actually prevent you from saying thank you because you feel like they are just making things right.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 6590 It’s the Hurt that Counts

Marie Paule Thielle of Metz, France, who is only 3 years old, has received the Bronze Medal for “an act of courage and dangerous sacrifice.” But the one she rescued does not like her. The story:

When Marie’s playmate, two-year-old Denis fell into the municipal pool, she grabbed him by the hair and held his head out of the water until her screams for help were answered. Said Marie: “He doesn’t like me now because it hurt when I pulled his hair.”

Something within us clouds our judgment about “thankfulness” and “thanksgiving”. This something is this perspective that is immature. It is rooted in a selfishness and really it is sin. This is especially important for us as a church to understand. We have been recipients of God’s gracious salvation in Christ. We should not only express our gratitude towards the LORD for this great salvation, but the genuineness of our gratitude towards God can be seen in how we interact with the brethren.

How do we consider their needs?

How do we speak of them?

How do we give of ourselves for them?

How do we give of our substance to them?

These expressions practically will show whether we are sincerely, genuinely thankful to the LORD.

For example, some of the sweetest times of unity among siblings is when there has been grace lavished on them, and they are genuinely thankful. In the moments right after the children open their gifts, parents can get away with just about anything, “Kids, now you all get along today or you will not have time to play with your gifts.”

Why? Grace received, genuine gratitude of heart impacts how we interact with each other.

Proposition:

It is important that we have the Communion perspective of thankfulness!

(1) There is the unthankful activity of the Corinthian Christians (v. 20 - 22)

The church at Corinth was struggling with how they were organizing their public services. They were inconsiderate of each other, and every detail of this chapter should be considered.

(1) There is the unthankful activity of the Corinthian Christians (v. 20 - 22)

The church at Corinth was struggling with how they were organizing their public services. They were inconsiderate of each other, and every detail of this chapter should be considered.

Their unthankfulness is revealed in how selfish they had become to the point that the rich were inconsiderately flaunting their food before the poor.

Grace was now being used as an occasion to the flesh.

(2) There is the worthy example of Jesus Christ (v. 23-24)

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Thank, Thanks (Noun and Verb), Thankful, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Thankworthy

1. eucharisteo

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Accept, Accepted, Acceptable

charis (χάρις, 5485), “grace,” indicating favor on the part of the giver, “thanks” on the part of the receiver, is rendered “acceptable” in 1 Pet. 2:19–20.

(*) This reveals the grace of Christ

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Thank, Thanks (Noun and Verb), Thankful, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Thankworthy

1. eucharisteo

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Accept, Accepted, Acceptable

charis (χάρις, 5485), “grace,” indicating favor on the part of the giver, “thanks” on the part of the receiver, is rendered “acceptable” in 1 Pet. 2:19–20.

The word itself commends to us grace. Jesus gave thanks, not for that which would be pleasing to his own flesh but for that which would be symbolic of the opposite - the tearing of his own flesh.

(*) This reveals the trust of Christ

(*) This reveals the trust of Christ

Jesus is giving thanks to the Father in Heaven. It is an acceptance of a will, with which even Jesus would toil. A thankfulness to the Father manifests an understanding that what would be symbolized was ultimately His design.

Revelation 13:8 KJV 1900

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

(*) This reveals the initiative of Christ

It would appear that time had brought Jesus to this inevitable moment, but in reality, Jesus had intentionally come to this inevitable moment. It was inevitable by the intention of Jesus.

Most people look to evade death. Jesus looked beyond death.

Illustration:

I’ve always been fascinated by people who can shoot a basketball so well even when someone is right in their face trying to stop them. It is the case that these great shooters are not looking at the defender when they go to take the shot. They must keep an unwavering look at the goal.

So it is with Jesus Christ. Death was not an end. His initiative took him THROUGH death.

(*) This reveals the distinct mind of Christ

His mind is quite distinct from all normal human beings, in that He thanks the Father for the symbols of the new covenant, accomplished through sacrifice. This is not some sadist or masochist...etc

(*) This reveals the selflessness of Christ

Jesus was thankful for symbols that pointed to his physical demise. In the context of the Corinthian people, they needed to be reminded what / who the Lord’s supper represented. What kind of Person was this? He was one who gave thanks.

How tremendously instructive for the Corinthian church. The message was loud and clear: The orderly, public church service was to manifest Jesus Christ as they thankfully lay down their lives for each other.

Conclusion:

(3) There is the call to self-examination & a changed practice (v. 28 - 34)

This time of examination confirms that there are sins, which we commit, of which we are unaware. Only the example of Christ can highlight these grievances so clearly.

Illustration: Have you ever gone to Lowe’s to pick out paint? There is the bright white color, and then there is the off-white. Sometimes, if you don’t read the paint names, you can make the mistake of picking up the off-white color not knowing that it is NOT the white. To avoid this issue, you can pick up a white paint sample card and put it right next to the off white to see that there is a clear difference between the two.

This is what this Communion recounting does. It takes the “thankful” example of Jesus Christ and sets it beside the life of those within the church. All of us can take time to consider Christ and let this expose our imperfections.

It is not only an examination, but a changed practices is required. It will be important that you go beyond your sentiment and examine your practice.

(*) Take time to consider Christ’s unique fulfillment of what was necessary

If you hope to have this kind of inner man, then you must be born again. is helpful.

2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV 1900

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

(*) Consider whether this Christ has truly changed your life

As you consider the thankfulness of Jesus Christ, can you be thankful at the loss of everything for others to gain everything?

Is God’s Spirit in control -

Ephesians 5:20 KJV 1900

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

(*) Consider how this theology should be manifested in our practice

As you take a gander at the last month, do not ask if you did something for someone else in the church. Rather, ask, “Did I thankfully die to self for the benefit of someone in the body?” “Was my life really a living sacrifice for someone else?”