Overflowing with Gratitude

Introduction

It is such a blessing to be here with you today. We are so blessed. God is so good and gracious.

What we’ve endured over the last 75 days has been difficult for sure.

None of us have ever been through a pandemic before. All of us have been effected by it.

➟ ➟ ➟ The way we do business.

Things we have to think about now in the way we interact.

➟ ➟ ➟ Even the way we do church feels a little different.

Most of us know someone who has had the virus, or died from it.

After the funeral I did last Saturday, I remarked how much I hate the virus and what it’s taken from us.

➟ ➟ ➟ Our loved ones, the warmth of personal touch, the sense of togetherness.

But one thing it can never take away is our connection with Christ and the hope He provides.

➟ ➟ ➟ Many days have been hard. Feels like groundhog day. And even though things are starting to open up, it’s still not exactly like what we hoped it would be.

We’re tired and aggravated about all the steps we’re having to take.

➟ ➟ ➟ I don’t like waiting in line.

Wearing a mask makes me grumpy … and it appears it makes others grumpy as well.

I would prefer just to do things the way I like them …

I could go on and on...

➟ ➟ ➟ So I have to stop. Purposely make the decision not to allow my mind to go there. I have to follow the directives of

➟ ➟ ➟ Philippians 2.2-4 - it’s not about me.

➟ ➟ ➟ Colossians 3.1-2 - I need to set my mind on things above.

➟ ➟ ➟ Philippians 4.4-8 - I need to rejoice in the Lord, pray away my worries, and count my blessings.

As I begin to concentrate on that which is good, uplifting, and wholesome my mood lifts. My blessings shift back into focus. And I realize just how much I have to be thankful for.

So many blessings. So many things where you look back through this and see God working.

Throughout the last 11 weeks He has been working through you as you

Work to encourage others, provide a helping hand, a listening ear, send a card, call someone on the phone, drive by and visit someone while you sit in your car.

God has provided us with a spiritual family that cares.

God has kept us safe thus far from contracting the virus. God’s delivering hand for most of those we know who have come down with it. Most have recovered, although it was very difficult. God’s hand has been there for the loved ones of those who didn’t make it.

This spiritual family has never stopped loving and caring … even though we’ve been apart. Oh how thankful we should be.

We’re approaching the other side of this. No, things aren’t the same and may not be for some time, but we’ve come so far.

We’re, in some ways, starting the turn the page … although there may be a chapter or two left.

We’re getting ready to move into a new place. The page is definitely turning with that.

And it’s times like this that should really cause our blessings to come into view. Our hearts should be abounding with praise.

➟ ➟ ➟ Isn’t that what Paul wanted for the Colossians?

Did you know thankfulness is a foundational theme in the book?

Paul writes to warn about false doctrines that were beginning to circulate in the churches of the river valley where Colossae was located.

But yet, he constantly reminds them of their need for thankfulness:

1.11-12 - giving thanks to the Father

2.6-7 - overflowing with gratitude

3.15-16 - and be thankful; have gratitude in your hearts.

3.17 - giving thanks to God.

4.2 - stay alert in prayer with thanksgiving.

Why so much on thankfulness? Answer: Thankfulness serves as a guard against the attacks of Satan. When we focus on how good God is, how gracious He is, how caring He is, it reinforces our resolve to stay true.

We’re going to focus on these verses today. I want us to stop and count our many blessings. I want us to elevate our thoughts off of ourselves and see where and what God is going. How He is leading. How He is sustaining us. How He is teaching us. How we are growing and becoming more like Him.

Please join me in prayer.

What are five things we can be thankful about?

1.12-14 - Salvation

➟ ➟ ➟ 1.12 - giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.

God has enabled you. Everything goes back to Him.

He has graciously provided what you need to be with Him.

Enabled (qualified ESV, NASB) means “to make sufficient; to be empowered; to be made complete.”

Sometimes I hear people say, “I’m not worthy.” Inaccurate. God has made you worthy by His power - not your own.

Before, you weren’t worthy - Ephesians 2.1-3; 12;➟ ➟ ➟ 4.17-19.

Now, because of His forethought - we get to share in an inheritance in the light. (heaven)

1.13-14 - Three Reasons for Thanksgiving

➟ ➟ ➟ 1.13 - Our rescue (spiritual liberation).

God did what we couldn’t do for ourself.

When we were baptized, God transferred us to the place where Satan can’t dwell.

We were totally removed (change in geography) from Satanic darkness.

Some have linked this to Exodus 6.6-8 concerning God’s rescue of His people from Egypt.

There we learn that God delivers. God redeems. and God brings. It’s the same here in Colossians.

➟ ➟ ➟ 1.14 - Our redemption.

Romans 3.24-26 - Jesus paid the price for your sin at the cross. See also Ephesians 1.7; 1 Peter 1.18-19.

Through Christ, we have victory over the law of sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15.56-57.

➟ ➟ ➟ 1.14b - Our forgiveness

Romans 8.1 - we are now no longer under condemnation.

Psalm 103.12 - your sins have been sent away as far as the east is from the west.

➟ ➟ ➟ Micah 7.19 - your sins have been cast into the depths of the sea.

All your sins of the past have been forgiven. All your present sins are forgiven. You stand in grace, Romans 5.1-2. All your future sins are forgiven, Ephesians 1.9-14.

➟ ➟ ➟ Faithful Christians rest in the fact that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us, Hebrews 7.25.

You have been brought into God’s plan of restoration, reconciliation, and mercy.

Your salvation is never precarious. It rests of the continuous work of God who is more than committed to see His work completed in us:

➟ ➟ ➟ Philippians 1.6, 2.12-13.

There is just so much to be thankful for with regard to our salvation.

2.6-7 - Growth and Progress

➟ ➟ ➟ 2.6-7 - overflowing with gratitude. For what?

2.6 - receiving Christ Jesus the Lord. We have received Him personally. He is now the controlling influence of our life.

2.7 - the stability He provides.

rooted / built up.

Our faith in Christ gives us the stable footing that nothing can shake.

Stability / maturity in what?

➟ ➟ ➟ Our understanding that God is in control, Romans 8.28

Psalm 46.2-7.

➟ ➟ ➟ Our realization that the trials of life have a purpose, James 1.12

Our increasing dependence upon God to supply all our needs.

➟ ➟ ➟ James 1.5 - God gives to all generously and ungrudgingly.

➟ ➟ ➟ James 1.17-18 - Every good and perfect gift is from above … he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be … his creatures.

Our growing likeness of Christ, our daily transformation where we respond to the rigors of life as He would, not as old self would, Colossians 3.10-11

When we contemplate these things, we can’t but help but overflow with gratitude.

3.15 - Fellowship with Christ and His Church

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.15 - let the peace of Christ … rule your hearts. “Peace” here is both a state and an experience.

We were once against Him, but now there is a state of peace. We are “in agreement” with Him. We are in one with Him living inside a relationship.

This results in an experience of peace. Inner rest and calm.

Think about it… we have the King of the Universe assisting in and directing our life. He calls the shots. He’ll never lead us off the path.

Think about the peace you experience because you are consistently apply the virtues of Christian living - 3.12-14.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.15 - we have been called into one body.

We’re never alone. We’re together. We are for each other. We hold each other up.

May we all have a growing and more essential connection with our spiritual family. We need to see the value of the local church.

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.15c - and be thankful.

This is the defining characteristic of the believer.

Ingratitude identifies unbelievers, Romans 1.21.

3.17 - Opportunities to Serve

➟ ➟ ➟ 3.17 - Whatever we do, word, deed, everything, is to be done in His name.

This verse is written in the context of our personal relationship with people inside the body.

Every day, God is blessing you with opportunities to serve and bring glory to His name.

This is really something that becomes a pleasure for us. We are filled with joy when we bring joy to others.

➟ ➟ ➟ This verse completes the thought Paul started in 2.6. So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him.

We represent Jesus in everything we do.

He empowers us to do good to others.

We cooperate with the direction the Spirit provides … with a spirit of gratefulness!

God has done so much for us by placing the people in our life so we can serve them.

4.2 - Answered Prayer

➟ ➟ ➟ 4.2 - devote yourself to prayer, stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

This verse reveals the three parts of our prayer life:

Intercession - devote yourselves to prayer.

➟ ➟ ➟ Watching - stay alert in it.... we live in anticipation as to how God will answer our prayer.

We’re not going around filled with anxiousness and worry.

We’ve casted all our cares upon the God who cares for us, 1 Peter 5.7

Now, we can’t wait … we watch … as to how God will move. We trust Him.

Thanksgiving - When God answers, however God answers, we do so with a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness.

God is with us, provides for us, forgives us, promises us an inheritance, and works things out for us as we move forward on our spiritual journey.

God is an amazing God!

As you think about the prayers you have prayed, how has God answered them? What are you thankful for?

Conclusion

➟ ➟ ➟ God is so good. See how your spirits lift when you elevate your thoughts and focus on your blessings? We all have so much to be thankful for!

As we close today, I want you to again consider where these things come from.

➟ ➟ ➟ John 3.27: No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven.

God has you. He’s got your back. He has saved you. He’s filling your life with blessings. He’s leading you home. For what more could we ask?

➟ ➟ ➟ Do you have these blessings? Do you know God? If you’re not in a relationship with Him, grab on to the salvation He provides while there is still time.

How can we serve you today?