Radio Transcript

AND BE YE THANKFUL

Consider Paul’s words, from Colossians 3:15: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, as to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Let’s focus our attention on those last words, "and be ye thankful."

First consider, how are we to express our thanks. Obviously, we express our thanks with thanksgiving. Just as Jesus set the example for us in all areas of our lives, he set the example in thanksgiving. Notice the example of Jesus, recorded in John 6:11, "And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would."

To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6.) Friends, you have probably heard someone say, "I can’t help it, I can’t stop worrying! There are some things that I just have to worry about!" But Paul wrote that we are to be careful, or anxious, for nothing. Well thankfully, Paul not only told us not to worry, but he also gave us the solution to worry – prayer. "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

But notice further, Paul wrote, "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Sometimes we sing the song, "O Thou Fount of Every Blessing." This song serves to remind us that God is the source of all of our blessings. James wrote, "Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

We express our thanks, not only with out thanksgiving, but with out thanksliving. That is, we express our thanks (or lack of thanks) to God by the way we live. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). But a person who does not appreciate what God has done for him will not desire to assemble with other Christians.

In describing those of the church at Macedonia, Paul wrote, "How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints" (II Corinthians 8:2-4). Friends, why were those of Macedonia so liberal in their giving? Notice verse five, "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." Our giving is an expression of our thankfulness, just as a person’s lack of giving is an expression of his lack of thankfulness.

Second, consider the benefits of being thankful. Being thankful causes us to realize how abundantly we have been blessed. It causes us to realize how much we have. It motivates us to be mindful of the things we do have, rather than that which we do not have.

Being thankful causes us to realize we are dependent upon God. Being thankful reminds us that God is the source of all of our blessings. All that we have comes from God. Remember those words we read earlier, "Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:16-17). The apostle Paul wrote, "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:15-19).

Being thankful causes us to realize our responsibilities concerning that which we have. It causes us to realize the importance of being good stewards with that with which we have been blessed. Paul wrote, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (I Timothy 6:17-19). Many people foolishly trust in their uncertain riches, hoping to one day have enough to feel secure in this life, yet failing to give attention to their lives after this world has come to an end.

Being thankful causes us to realize our responsibilities to others. Consider the following, from Ephesians 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Imagine leaving the house every morning, going to work and then using what we have to help others who are in need. Admittedly, that’s not a very popular idea. We go to work in order to satisfy our own needs, as well as our own wants. But Paul wrote that one of the reasons we work is to help others who are in need.

Being thankful causes us to become content rather than covetous. When we are thankful, we become more aware of what we do have, and less concerned about what we do not have. Consider the following, from Philippians 4:10-11, "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content."

In I Timothy 6:6-11, Paul wrote, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

Elsewhere we read, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave the, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

Third, consider some of the things for which we ought to be thankful. Obviously we ought to be thankful for people. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" (I Timothy 2:1-3.) We ought to be thankful for our families, our friends.

Those persons who are members of Christ’s church ought to be thankful for their spiritual family. To the church at Ephesus, Paul wrote, "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:15-16).

Anyone who is a Christian ought to be thankful for the person who taught him the gospel.

We ought to be thankful for our physical blessings, our food, our clothing, and our homes. We ought to be thankful for all of God’s creation. The psalmist wrote, "Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare" (Psalm 75:1).

Most importantly of all, we ought to be thankful for our spiritual blessings. What are those spiritual blessings? A number of spiritual blessings are mentioned in the first chapter of Ephesians. In Christ we have redemption. Notice from Ephesians 1:7, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence."

In Christ we have an inheritance. From Ephesians 1:11 we read, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Peter wrote that this inheritance is reserved for us in heaven. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:3-4).

In I Corinthians 15:19, we are reminded that one of our spiritual blessings is our hope of something better after this life is over. "If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable."

But friends, whenever we speak of our spiritual blessings, there is one point that simply must not be overlooked. That is, all spiritual blessings are in Christ. That’s very important friends, there are no spiritual blessings to those who are outside of Christ. In Ephesians 1:3, Paul wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Friends, all spiritual blessings are in Christ. That is, all spiritual blessings are made available to those persons who have been baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3) and thus added by the Lord to his church (Acts 2:47 along with I Corinthians 12:13 and Ephesians 1:22-23).

Friends, may we ever develop a heart of thankfulness for all God has done for us. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, as to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."