Community Thanksgiving

Community Thanksgiving Service 2000

INTRODUCTION:

I am Thankful to be the speaker

I hope I will be Thankful after the sermon

that I have not embarrassed my church or my self

I am Thankful that we only elect presidents

once every four years

I am Thankful that teenagers will grow up and

that one day they will have children

that will become teenagers of their own

I am Thankful that I am not a turkey this week

I am Thankful that the space available for messages

on T-shirts and bumpers is limited.

I am Thankful that hugs and kisses

do not add weight or cause cancer

I am Thankful that TVs, Radios, & CD players

can be turned off

I am Thankful that God’s love never fails

I am Thankful that we can come together this evening

in unity

------------------------------------------------

This unity or like-mindedness is what I want to address this evening.

Obviously we are not like-minded in all areas,

but there is common ground

The text for this message is Philippians 2:1-8

Text:

Philippians 2:1-8 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through

selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

In the New International Version, verse 1 & 2, talks about …

… Being UNITED with Christ

… Being LIKE-MINDED

… Having the SAME LOVE

… Being ONE IN SPIRIT AND PURPOSE

I. We Come Together, LIKEMINDED,

United with Christ

George Barna in an effort to define true Christians for polling purposes came up with common beliefs that we can come together on.

Some of those are:

· We made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ

That is still important in our lives today.

· We believe that when we die we will go to heaven because we have confessed our sins and accepted Jesus Christ as our savior

· We believe that Jesus lived a sinless life

· We know that God is the only all knowing, all powerful, perfect Deity that created the universe and still rules today

· We believe that salvation is only available through the grace of God

· And most importantly, we believe that we each have a personal responsibility to share our beliefs about Christ with non-Christians

Unfortunately, today, only 8% of Americans meet this criteria.

Which makes that last one even more important.

II. We Come Together, LIKEMINDED,

Having the same Love.

Betty Ross of Akron Ohio told a story

about a busload of teens coming into a fast food restaurant. The doors opened and they poured in. A long line formed. Everyone was anxious to order… Everyone except one boy. He took a seat in the back of the restaurant away from everyone else.

A couple was seated near the boy and watched him as he sat alone. The husband watched as the boy opened his lunch bag and pulled out his meal. One dry peanut butter sandwich and nothing to drink.

The man got up from his table and went to the boy with $3 in his hand ”Here, get yourself a drink and whatever else you want.”

The boy thanked him and went to stand in line to place his order. After he made it thought the line, he no longer sat alone. He had food like the other kids and he joined them.

THAT IS CHRISTIAN LOVE IN ACTION…

WE COME TOGETHER HAVING THIS SAME LOVE

III. We Come Together LIKEMINDED,

Being one in Spirit and ONE IN PURPOSE

Think about that story for a minute, but think about us as the ones in line.

And think about those who do not know Christ as the ones in the back with only a dry peanut butter sandwich.

Many would say, “Well, I hope some man will come along and help them.”

Who? The preacher? The deacons or elders? The women’s bible study?

NO! This is the ONE PURPOSE we all have in common.

WE ARE TO REACH OTHERS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.