Seven Ways To Be Thankful

ME

Illus.: Talk about how when Julie and I were dating and first married I struggled to buy just the right gift for holidays, birthdays, etc. I remember going to Service Merchandise when we were dating and looking for a gift for her. If you don’t know what that store is, look it up. It was a poor man’s shopping paradise. You would pikc something out, pay for it and they would give it to you from their warehouse at a different point.

WE

We all struggle at time knowing what to get someone or do for someone...

that girlfriend/boyfriend

that boss who is hard to please

that family member that already had everything

We often struggle in the same way, when it comes to God. We struggle knowing how to adequately say thank you to the God who created, saved, sustains us and blesses us beyond what we deserve.

So, how do we say thank you?

Today, as we dive into Colossians 3:12-17. We are going to discover a powerful reality about thankfulness...

The true measure of thankfulness is not found in the words we speak but in the way we live.

As we dive into Colossians 3 there are a few things we need to know...

Paul is writing to followers of Jesus

He telling them how saved people should live

He has already told them to change their thinking (think on things above)

He has told them how to change their actions (put off certain ungodly practices)

Now, in these verses, Paul tells them how to live a thankful life as a follower of Jesus...

Let’s check out what Paul has to say...

[READ Colossians 3:12-17]

GOD

Seven Ways To Be Thankful...

Show Compassion (3:12)

Compassion - entrails - from the gutt

kindness, humility, meekness & patience show how to demonstrate compassion

Offer Forgiveness (3:13)

Forgive

Why forgive? Christ has forgiven you. - marriage relationships are a constant revolving door of forgiveness

Give Love (3:14)

Above all of these put on love - cloth yourself in love

Why love? It is the thing that glues folks together - church gatherings - family gatherings

Abide in Peace (3:15)

Note: the peace of Christ is supposed to rule our lives

Contrast: many folks allow other things to rule their lives - fear, lust, anger, greed, etc.

Why is this important? Look at last of verse. People who are rule by peace live in peace with one another.

Study God’s Word (3:16a)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you - marinading in the word of God - Thomas marinading steak

Christ in you and you In Christ

Note: you must marinade in God’s Word before you teach others.

Sing to the Lord (3:16b)

Note: singing and worship is a response to the marinading in God’s Word - you can’t have one with out the other

Paul mentions several kinds of singing...

Psalms - scripture

hymns - theology to song

spiritual songs - songs of praise to God - modern day praise songs - each generation has Had their own

Note: This is a good argument for multi-generational worship. Each generation should sing their songs to the Lord together.

Live on Purpose (3:17)

Whatever you do in word or deed - everything we do must have a purpose

What is that purpose? - do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus

Do you? Would you want Jesus’ name attached to what you said to your spouse this week? What you watched? Etc.

YOU

So, what now?

Is thankfulness just lip service for you?

What do you need to do today to show your thankfulness to God?

WE