Thankful

Memorial Day

Honor the fallen, those that gave all in battle fighting for our freedom

Over 1.2 million died during their service

Over 32.5 million have died after their military service

There is a lack of gratitude today from the top of our leadership

VP yesterday tweeted, enjoy your long weekend

So dismissive of the sacrifice of life that people with a true love for this country have made

Those that served served out of conviction

They they loved the red white and blue

That they loved the values this country stands for

And were willing to pay the ultimate price

For that as we spoke in in Sunday school, we need to first remember that sacrifice that it even took place and number two here today, be thankful for it.

As Christians we need to be thankful for the men and women that have laid down their lives defending the freedom’s that we enjoy today.

We have it good in this country because men and women stood up back in 1914 in WW1, back in 1940’s in WW2, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan and every thing in between

Colossians 3:15 KJV 1900

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Christians are commanded to be thankful people

Sometimes that is easy

Sometimes that is hard

As anyone in the military will tell you, some commands are easy and some are hard

Doesn’t change the expectation

Expected to follow the command

Acts 27:35 KJV 1900

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Paul was on board as a captive a ship that just went through a bad, bad storm.

Sinking, shipwrecked

Paul stops for a moment to give thanks

Outline

Paul had a regular practice of giving thanks

Giving thanks is such a simple act, but so often overlooked and dismissed

Simple act of giving thanks for his food

Paul recognizing that God was taking care of him all the way down to that simple meal

Not much, not like he was on a cruise ship eating at a 5 star buffet

Simple morsel of food and Paul stopped, remember who it came from

Paul was persistent in giving thanks

He gave thanks in spite of his problems

At face value, Paul’s situation did not look very promising

A prisoner, badly damaged ship surrounded by nervous guards

In spite of that, he gave thanks

Thanks giving went up and came down the peace of God

He gave thanks in spite of his possessions

He had nothing on that ship but the clothing on his back and what little food he was giving thanks over.

We get caught up so much in complaining of the things that we don’t have

Giving thanks over what we do have changes our attitude from ingratitude to gratitude

Paul focused on the right person to thank

God is the source of all blessings

Personal achievement

Dumb luck

An ungrateful heart toward God produces an ungrateful heart toward man

I personally think what aided Paul in his thankfulness is that he never forgot his salvation

He was chiefest of sinners, hell bound, deserving

I think that perspective kept Paul thankful

On a ship sinking, not going to Hell

In a prison, not going to that firey prison of hell

Paul thanked God publically

Paul was unashamed when it came down to giving thanks or public testimony.

He did it before Kings and everyone, Paul made his testimony known several times and every time always without hesitation vocally gave thanks to God

Conclusion

Christian, so much to be thankful for

God loves you

John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus died on the cross for you

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I think an ever present remembrance of Paul’s salvation kept him thankful in all things.

Invitation, how thankful have you been lately. Been looking out focused on everything you don’t have, everything maybe wrong in this country in this world.

Give thanks for what you do have and especially those that fought and gave the ultimate sacrifice for you and I.