Thanksgiving Eve
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Deuteronomy 8:1-10; Psalm 67:1-7; Philippians 4:6-20; Luke 17:11-19
Introduction/Opening
What a day! I started the day looking forward to a quite one; I even brought Oscar — my dog — to office with me, knowing that he would quietly sleep on my office floor. Within a few minutes of walking in the door, it all changed. Life is like that, isn’t it!
Lou Gehrig knew all about that. He contracted a brutal disease that causes the brain to lose control of the body’s muscles. It’s one of the cruel ironies of history that a disease notorious for crippling people quickly and severely should strike someone as relentless as Lou Gehrig.
Playing for the New York Yankees from 1923 until 1939, Gehrig was known as the “Iron Horse.”
For nearly sixty years, he held the record of 2,130 consecutive games played, a record which was thought unbreakable until Cal Ripken did so in 1995.
Gehrig was also the first athlete to have his number retired. It’s not surprising that he was beloved by player and fan alike because of his tenacity and drive to play day in and day out.
But what was most startling, most memorable, about Lou Gehrig was his farewell speech delivered to a packed crowd at Yankee Stadium when he retired prematurely due to the onslaught of ALS. He said: “Fans, for the past two weeks, you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
Those words seem so foreign and unthinkable in our age when too many expect life to be delivered to them pristine and unblemished on a silver platter.
This is true of all of us. The words have passed through your lips: “I deserve better than this.” What a contrast to the words of Lou Gehrig in which we hear a man who is content in spite of the difficult lot he’s been dealt in life.
And this is what St. Paul is address to us this evening, “The Key to Real Joy and Contentment.” We mistakenly think, if we can just get every thing in its proper order, my life would be full of contentment. But what we quickly learn here in God’s holy Word is that true contentment is found in Christ alone.
You see, He takes away yours fears; He guides your choices; and He gives you strength.
The key to real joy and contentment is found in Jesus Christ alone.
The key to real joy and contentment is found in Jesus Christ alone.
He Takes Away Your Fears
He Takes Away Your Fears
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
St. Paul is approaching the end of his letter to all the saints at Philippi. Now it’s time for the concluding remarks. In Philippians 3 Paul warned his “partners in the gospel” to take note of those living “as enemies of the cross of Christ,” whose “god is their stomach.”
The Philippian Christians lived in a society, which, for the most part, extolled sensual pleasure as the key to happiness.
Paul made it clear that a preoccupation with “earthly things” was improper for the child of God, whose “citizenship is in heaven.”
Critics might respond that Christianity takes all the fun out of life. Paul would disagree. The follower of Christ is not condemned to a life of doom and gloom while he awaits the final redemption. Life with God is full of joy, even on this side of the grave (Ps 23:6a).
So, Paul exhorts his brothers in faith to: v. 4—”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Paul rejoiced in his relationship with the Lord and urged the Philippian Christians to do the same by repeating the exhortation (χαίρετε).
The child of God will always (πάντοτε) find cause for rejoicing since his joy is not based on the ups and downs of everyday life, nor upon the temporary and sometimes artificial happiness which the world has to offer.
His joy is found “in the Lord” (ἐν κυρίῳ).
Such joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) who calls people to faith through the “good news” of Jesus Christ.
There is joy in knowing that your sins are forgiven.
There is joy in knowing that the Almighty God is concerned about what is happening in your life. This joy can never be taken away.
“Rejoicing in the Lord” and in his gifts has marked the lives of believers throughout the centuries.
The words of Hannah:
1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
David (1 Ch 16:10),
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Nehemiah (Ne 8:10),
10 He said to them, “Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Job (Job 22:26),
26 Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty,
and will lift up your face toward God.
Mary (Lk 1:47)
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
and Peter (1 Pe 4:13).
13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.
Hand in hand with their rejoicing, Paul reminds the Philippians to: v. 5—”Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
By his actions, the rejoicing child of God will set himself apart from the sinful ways of the world.
Previously Paul had urged the Philippians to “shine like stars” (2:14ff).
Now he reminds them to let their gentleness (τὸ ἐπιεικές) be evident to all, both friend and enemy alike.
The Christian exhibits a gentle, yielding spirit with the knowledge that “the Lord is near” (ἐγγύς).
Paul refers to the imminent second coming of the Lord as a reminder to keep this life on earth and everything connected with it in proper perspective.
Why fret and bicker over matters pertaining only to this life when the Lord is at hand and eternity is right around the corner? — Literally, standing at the door!
The Christian rejoices in the second coming of the Lord Jesus as he remembers the Savior’s gracious promises (Lk 21:28; Jn 14:1ff). Through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Jesus, the child of God has been given a guarantee of a glorious life to come, a life filled with God’s wonderful gifts of love (2 Co 12:2–4; Rev 21:1ff).
To prevent the troubles and cares of daily life from suppressing the Philippian Christians’ “rejoicing in the Lord,” Paul continues with the following advice: v. 6—Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Paul reminds his readers not to worry about a single thing (μηδὲν).
The use of Greek word for “anxious” calls to mind our Savior’s lesson on worry in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 6:25ff)
and also his words of rebuke spoken to Martha who was “worried and upset about many things” (Lk 10:41).
Worry finds no room in the heart filled with the “one thing needed.” Anxious care and genuine joy “in the Lord” are mutually exclusive.
Instead of becoming anxious about all the troubles and cares over which they themselves have no control, Paul tells the people at Philippi to present their requests to God.
The Greek word for “requests” (αἰτήματα) refers to the specific petitions which are on the heart and mind of the one addressing God.
Even though our heavenly Father knows our thoughts, needs and desires already (Mt 6:8), he himself wants us to bring our requests before the throne of grace (Ps 50:15; Heb 4:16).
One of the greatest joys and blessings the child of God has is the invitation to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pe 5:7).
There is nothing (μηδὲν) to worry about because in everything (ἐν παντὶ), no matter what the concern, the request may be brought before God.
When requests are presented to God, Paul says it must be done “with thanksgiving” (μετὰ εὐχαριστίας).
Thanksgiving will come naturally when one recalls all of the Lord’s favors in the past and contemplates his promises for the future (Ps 103; Ro 8:28).
Paul’s own attitude of thanksgiving to God shows itself in nearly all his letters. Note how Paul begins this very epistle (1:3).
Christian joy and thanksgiving are enhanced as Paul adds the following promise: v. 7—And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The conjunction καί is consecutive, stating the result of letting God handle all worries and concerns.
The grammar is fantastic, for in the expression ἡ εἰρήνη του̂ θεου̂ the tense and mood refers to “the peace which God has and gives.”
God gives peace to all as a free gift through Jesus Christ (Eph 2:13ff).
Through the perfect life and innocent death of his Son, God reconciled the world to himself (2 Co 5:19).
The peace which the gospel of Jesus Christ declares to the world is incomprehensible to natural man (1 Co 2:14) — “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit, for they are foolish to them...”
Certainly God’s peace “transcends all understanding” in this regard. But there is another way in which the peace of God “has it over” (ὑπερέχουσα) what the human mind and reason can do.
The peace of God is able to stand guard (φρουρήσει) over heart and mind. The Greek τὰς καρδίας is used to designate the source of thinking, willing and feeling.
The peace which God has given through Jesus Christ serves as a sentinel at the door of the heart. It drives away all thoughts of worry and concern which corrode one’s trust in God and the gracious promises found in his Word.
But here’s the thing: we are bombarded trials and tribulation in this life. We have problems at home; and for many, the current pandemic creates a level of anxiety which all steals the joy and happiness that every Christian should have.
But here’s the thing: we are bombarded trials and tribulation in this life. We have problems at home; and for many, the current pandemic creates a level of anxiety which all steals the joy and happiness that every Christian should have.
He Guides Your Choices
He Guides Your Choices
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Things fall apart when life isn’t going as we plan.
I know I shouldn’t be anxious, but you don’t understand, this situation is different.
I want to be joyful and constantly rejoice, but the tragic conditions in society make it near impossible. — If everyone would just cooperate, we wouldn’t have the problems that exist today.
The problems of today, dear friends, isn’t that people are not cooperating; it’s not because the BOSS is a greedy so-in-so; and it is not because we can’t make ends meet because we have too many bills.
The problem is sin and the curse that came as a result.
The problem is the devil is the prince of this world, and his goal is to ruin families, marriages, and to destroy faith in Christ Jesus in every individual.
The problem is because Eve was deceived, and Adam was disobedient.
Until we get this straight, we will never bow the knee to the Cure that God provides through Christ Jesus.
If I could pay off my bills, I’ll be happy and rejoice.
If my husband / wife was more attentive, then I would be happy and rejoice.
If every citizen in our community, state, country, and world would wear a mask, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated, we could cure this pandemic and be happy and rejoice!
All three of these examples is a lie and breaks the First Commandment against God. He said, “You shall have no other gods before me,” yet we bow the knee to man-made ideas of what will cure us, INSTEAD OF, bowing the knee to the One who promised to guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Instead of “practicing the things that we have learned and received,” we practice the deception that the prince of this world offers. The result is anxiety, worry, fretting, and no peace in the heart.
Instead of “practicing the things that we have learned and received,” we practice the deception that the prince of this world offers. The result is anxiety, worry, fretting, and no peace in the heart.
He Give You Your Strength
He Give You Your Strength
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
What we need, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, is the strength that only God can give.
This begins with REPENTANCE — Confessing that we have taken matters into our own hands, instead of looking to Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Confessing that we have listened too much to what others have said, and not enough to what Jesus promises.
Acknowledging that our problems are because Eve was deceived, and Adam was disobedient, and that we have fallen prey to the deceiver of this world resulting in our own disobedience against God.
St. Paul concludes: v. 12—I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Paul was acquainted with both ends of the economic spectrum.
He had been “brought low” (ταπεινου̂σθαι) on many occasions (2 Co 6:4, 5; 11:27).
There were also times when he was abundantly furnished (περισσεύειν).
Certainly the days spent in the home of Lydia would come to mind (Ac 16:15, 40).
But these conditions had no bearing on Paul’s joy and happiness, for he had “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Such contentment can only be found in the child of God who knows that in Christ even death itself is “gain” (1:21).
Finally, Paul directs our attention to the source of his joy and contentment: v. 13—I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
All personal boasting is absent. Paul was able to accomplish his work and to bear all the hardships connected with it only because God strengthened him.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
In his Word, God extends that same promise of strength to all!
And it begins and ends with Jesus! Jesus didn’t come into this world to selfishly seek anything for Himself, but to give Himself and to serve the world.
He came to conquer the prince of this world.
He came to overcome sin and its curse.
He came to fight for your soul.
And, He won that fight by overcoming temptation, enduring death and hell, and rising from the dead.
Because Jesus fought for you, YOU have something far better than anything the world can offer or give.
You have been set free from and sin and rescued from death. Now, therefore, death no longer can hold you because it could not hold Jesus.
God, in Christ, claimed you as His own and now declares in John 15 that you are not of this world, as He is not of this world. You are a citizen of God’s kingdom.
Therefore, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Because of Jesus we no longer live life in this world like those who don’t know Christ, anxiously groping around looking for answer outside of Christ.
Instead, Christ strengthen us by taking away our fears and guiding our choices to the only One who gives lasting peace and joy.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.