The Refreshment Of Thanksgiving

Introduction: This may be rhetorical, but I am going to ask it anyway, “When I say 2020, what would be the first thing you think of or say?” That answer may be similar amongst all of us today given the kind of year it has been for your health, finances, church, business, etc. However, I want us to be able to lean in to the Spirit today and everyday following and always be thinking of how blessed we truly are. In other words, I want you to go forward in your living with this one thought on your mind, on your heart and on your tongue; THANK YOU FATHER!

The Book of Colossians carries a similar characteristic to that of 1 Corinthians; Don’t live your life putting confidence in worldly wisdom. Look at the wisdom of the world in only one year; 2020. Their wisdom would leave you overwhelmed with worry, anxiety, stress, depressed and without hope for the future.

As Paul does many times, he open up praying for those in the church. As always, the roots of his prayer run deep into the gospel. Notice what he prays for (vv.9-11). Before he concludes his prayer, he lists one more thing of which these believers need ever present in their Christian walk; GIVING THANKS FOR THE GOSPEL! When it comes to “giving thanks,” that my friend is the act of redirecting our hearts to where we can receive refreshment that we may continue in God’s work anD escape from growing weary in well doing. Let us examine the scripture today and be reminded where all refreshment of the soul lies.

1) The Direction Of Our Thanksgiving

A. Your Heavenly Father

I continue to be captivated by the fact the God of Heaven seeks to know me as a child and for me to know and experience Him as a Father.

The fatherhood of God will always surpass the fatherhood of any earthly father.

When an earthly father truly loves his child, God the Father loves them more.

When an earthly father ignores their child, God the Father never loses interest.

When an earthly father abandons their child, God the Father fights for his child.

When an earthly father leaves this world, God the Father never leaves you side.

This work of the gospel of Christ is spoken of as the work of the Father.

Because the Spirit of grace is the Spirit of the Father, and the Father works in us by His Spirit.

If you have been a recipient of the “working of grace” you “must” give thanks to the Father.

Quote: “If we have the comfort of it, he must have the glory of it” (Matthew Henry)

2) The Motivation Of Our Thanksgiving

A. He has fit you for Heaven

He has prepared you for the eternal happiness of heaven.

Why would this be mentioned first?

It is the first indication of the future blessedness.

He is presenting to us the assurance of what lies ahead and the fact we are prepared for it.

Paul is speaking of two things here: 1) Glory & 2) Grace.

Glory — “inheritance of the saints in light”

This inheritance belongs only to those who are God’s children.

Rom 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

The assurance of this inheritance for His children can only be received down here.

Quote: “Those who are not saints on earth will never be saints in heaven.” (Matthew Henry)

Grace — “hath made us meet to be partakers”

Properly speaking, you are now suited for Heaven through imputation of the Spirit.

Through the Spirit, your Father has placed within you the proper nature that is suited for Heaven (it has to fight the flesh, but it is ready for Heaven).

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Your soul is fit for Heaven at the moment of conversion and your body will be fit at the moment of glorification.

B. He has redeemed you from darkness

Here we understand what took place in order for us to one day go to the Heavenly place.

(v13) “delivered es from the power of darkness”

He saved you from the “dominion of sin” — 1Jn 1:5-6 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

He saved you from the dominion of Satan — Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

C. He has forgiven you

forgiveness (absolution) n. — a formal release from an obligation or debt; especially understood of the debt of sin.

The debt you owed was beyond you ability to pay.

Not like human forgiveness; temporary and conditional.

The forgiveness provided and given through Jesus Christ is not only an act of kindness, but rather an “absolute” act of kindness.

Be reminded, prior to your awakening of the Holy Spirit, this forgiveness was never something you wanted, asked for or sought after.

D. He is creator and sustainer

He made all things from nothing; highest angel and men on earth.

John 1:3

Why should this bring a believer to being thankful?

Quote: “Being created by him, they were created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to his pleasure and for his praise. He is the end, as well as the cause of all things.” (Matthew Henry)

In the midst of a culture that advertises unrest, uncertainty and doubt, the truth about my Father’s position over all things brings me rest, certainty and hope. BE THANKFUL!!!

3) A Thanksgiving Challenge

A. Pray for your own heart to be thankful

B. Pray for others to be thankful

C. Share with others why you are thankful

I don’t care who you are, every one of us needs reminding of why we should be thankful.

Conclusion: We will spend all of eternity praising out Heavenly Father with the praise of THANKSGIVING! Let us live our lives preparing ourselves for what we will be doing for all eternity. If want the gift of eternal thanksgiving, you must receive the gift of eternal life. That gift can only be received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ’s sufficient work on the cross. Will you allow your heart be refreshed in the thanksgiving only God can give? The decision is always YOURS!!!