Thankful In Heaven

This is Thanksgiving season. We have much to be thankful for. I know different needs causes us to be thankful for different aspects in life. For example, ask a teenager what he is thankful for and then ask an elderly person what they're thankful for and the answer will be completely different. I know different places causes us to be thankful as well. USA versus any other country, Jail or Funeral Home. But the real question today is, “What will I be thankful for in heaven?”

I. I Will Be Thankful for Those Who Loved Me

Galatians 2:20, I know I’m going to heaven. 1 John 5:11-12, John 10:9-11.

1. Those who loved me and provided for me physically.

a. Mother

1) Gave me life

2) Nothing compares to a mother's love.

3) Only mothers know the work behind a mother’s love.

4) Only mothers know the prayers, teaching, and training behind a mother’s love.

b. Stepdad

1) He taught me how to work.

2) He taught me how to be faithful.

c. Grandmother

2 Timothy 1:3-5

2. Those who loved me and put up with me.

a. Family

1) Wife

2) Children

3) Siblings

b. Friends

1) Met my needs, gave, worked when I could not for myself.

2) Friends that were able to share their lives together with me.

3. Those who love me and were faithful in preaching God's word.

a. In heaven, my first Sunday school teacher. Romans 14:7

b. Only in heaven will I really know the influence men like Br. Ingram and Br. Courtney, made my life different.

c. Preachers who still believe and are investing in me.

1) Sam Davidson

2) Jerry Thorpe

3) Bobby Hines

4) Jay McDaniels

d. Bible professors

1) Peter Connolly

2) Eli Harju

II. Thankful for Those Who Labored with Me

1. Labor is a Bible word.

a. 1 Corinthians 1:2-8

b. 2 Timothy 2:1-3

2. Not so much laboring in the world system but labored within for the things of God.

3. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 2 Timothy 4:5-11

4. Let's look at this ministry. Mark 2:3-12

a. Prayers every week.

b. Pew setters

c. Personal comments and notes of encouragement.

d. Officers, men who cared.

e. Staff members

f. Secretary

g. Sunday school workers.

5. Mature Christians who want God’s word preached.

a. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

b. Those who understand and support the work.

c. Acts 20:26-32

d. Hebrews 13:7-11

III. Thankful for the Hard Lessons Learned

1. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

2. Many of you could say, “I have learned good lessons in hard difficult ways.”

3. In heaven, what lessons will I be most thankful for?

a. The lesson of chastening.

1) Hebrews 12:5-8

2) Sickness

b. The lesson of God's provisions.

1) Mark 6:34-52

2) Psalm 37:25

c. The lesson of giving.

1) Luke 6:38

2) Fellowship meetings and Home Missions Conferences

d. The lesson of sewing and reaping.

1) Galatians 6:7-8

2) sow to the flesh, reaps corruption

3) sow to the spirit, reaps life everlasting.

4) Proverbs 28:13

IV. Will You be the Source or Subject of Anyone’s Thanksgiving in Heaven?

1. For your love?

a. Luke 16:27-28

b. Rich man and Lazarus

2. For your labor?

a. Will you be remembered as a Demas or Thomas?

b. Barnabas, Acts 4:32-37

3. For your lessons learned?

a. Your help

b. Support through hard times in life