New Life: The Daily Cross

Thanksgiving Is Coming

Thanksgiving is oddly one of my least favorite holidays, not because of what it stands for but because very few people actually celebrate it right.

Most people think that thanksgiving is about getting together with family, eating way to much food! then comes Black Friday and all we can think of is accumulating more stuff.

A lesser majority remember to thank God for the things in their life like family, friends, and food. but even then, when our expectations are not met, thanks giving becomes a place of resentment.

An even lesser amount of people realize that our gratitude should be rooted in the cross. That we are thankful that, through Jesus Christ, our sinful ways and practices have been put to death and we can now live at peace with God and others; even, no especially, our enemies.

I want something different this thanks giving, I want the church to lead the charge on bringing peace to the world, and it starts with thanksgiving. I want us to celebrate our thanksgivings this year thanking God for the work of Jesus on the cross, and for the unity he brings by changing ME! rather than others. Turn to the letter of Ephesians we will be in Chapter 4 for most of this sermon.

The Letter of Ephesians

The Book of Ephesians is regarded as one of the greatest works in the Bible. I know that it seems crazy to think that some books of the Bible as better or more valuable than others, but that's not exactly what I’m saying.

The writing in Ephesians is so good that scholars began to question if Paul even wrote it! The Greek was a higher level than his other letters and his language style so different, and he hit such a wide breadth of content in doctrine, practice and application. I believe Paul wrote this letter and I also recognize that this is Paul’s top notch work.

This is Paul’s A++ assignment, and if you escape today's passage, myself included, without being convicted of something then you are not listening.

Were gonna focus on Ephesians 4:1-7; 17-32. and in reading through this chapter I will show you what I mean about thanksgiving starting with gratitude at Jesus changing the “” me first.

Ephesians 4:1-7; 17-32

Ephesians 4:1-7

Ephesians 4:1-3 calls us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called. That manor is defined as humble, gentle, patient , enduring our sisters and brothers in Christ, desiring unity and peace of the Holy Spirit. This is not a mandate for only some Christians, but for all Christians. This is the standard expectation, not the exception.

How are going to give thanks if we are not at peace with the body of Christ. If you hold something against just one member of the body then you will miss out on the peace scripture is talking about, and in effect miss out on the opportunity to give thanks appropriately.

Lets explore this idea more in Ephesians 4:17-32.

Again Paul addresses the way we live the core of our lives. When the Bible says to “walk” a certain way, its is talking about your lifestyle and/or worldview. The way you think that changes what you do!

The command is to change the way we live so that we are no longer wasting our lives, i.e. in the futility of our minds pre-Jesus. Let me give you an easy example of what I mean. If your mind gives you a reason to dislike, hate, or have a bad attitude towards someone, then you are in the futility of your mind pre-Jesus. You are not walking in the forgiveness that he has given you and others. Those who let such thoughts fester do so “due to their hardness of heart.” according to verse 18 and are alienated from the life of God because of it!

It goes on to remind us that we must put off the old self, which is corrupt and full of deceitful desires, and to have our MINDS renewed. That is putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. This is not a one time gig. Paul is not talking about salvation here, he did that in chapter 2, he is talking about sanctification; the ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus everyday. If Jesus can do this for you, you must realize and accept, he can do for the person you don’t want to forgive too. Whatever past grievances you have against them were as crucified with Christ as your sins are too. You see, holding on to grudges and holding on to the idea that disunity exists, STOPS you, from experiencing the peace of God and true thanksgiving! lets continue reading verses Ephesians 4:25-32.

Speak truth to your neighbor, but who is my neighbor?

When Jesus was asked this question he gave us the story of the Good Samaritan. The short answer is, the one you least expect.

When I first came to First Baptist Church, I was warned about a certain individual. I was told that, while fair in her judgement, she was also very direct and blunt. That she was tough, and a bit no-nonsense, which is scary for me since I’m a lot of non-sense. If you haven't figured out who I’m talking about yet, its our very own Henri Mae.

The reason I bring up Henri Mae like this is because when I first heard about and met Henri Mae, I was pretty intimidated. I wasn't sure how we were gonna work together.

We had different ideas about what things were important, and what was expected of Youth Ministry and the Youth Minister at different times. She challenged me and pushed me when I first got here, and she still does today.

Henri Mae is one of my favorite people here at this church. She is a good friend and confident. Someone I go to regularly with ideas and concepts to get her opinion. because despite our differences, Henri Mae’s love for Jesus and the church she has been given to minister to was unmatched.

Even though there is a significant age gap between us; differences of opinions, ideology, and methodology. Our relationship is a very good one. We speak truth to one another, and if we make the other mad we forgive one another. We share in each others victories and care about about each others failures, even if the thing hurting the other has to do with something we disagree.

As we practice these verses, building each other up, letting go of bitterness wrath and anger, being kind to one another; I honestly have a hard time remembering what our past fights and arguments are even about.

I tell you about Henri Mae and my friendship because I want you to see there is no excuse in why you can’t be there for someone in the body of Christ. Henri Mae and I couldn't be more different! we do not share the same hobbies. we do not do the same work, we do not even have the same TV shows, jokes, or culture, and yet, because of Christ we share a deep friendship. We seek the peace God has said we can have, and we find it. Thank you Henri Mae for letting me share this today.

This is what true thanksgiving is. Gratitude centered on the cross of Jesus that brings us to peace with God and others. Are you living in that peace today? Can you give thanks to God in this genuine way, with your church members, your family, and your friends or past friends? Now, reconciliation takes both party’s changing behavior, but forgiveness doesn not, and the love God has called us to does not either. Don’t let something stand in the way of that peace, whether its methodology, personality, or even actions done against you, forgive and give thanks to God for the ability to leave it all at his feet. To live at peace with all people.