Thankful Living

Intro: How do you obey the commands of scripture? Grudgingly? In fear of punishment? Paul gives us three of the most incredible and important commands of Scripture about how to live out our daily lives, but in each command he also tells us how to obey:

I. Let the peace of Christ Rule in your heart. . . . . and be thankful (v.17)

A) A permanent Peace (Romans 5.1 by faith we have peace with God)

(2 Thess 3.16 peace always)

John 14.27 “My peace I give to you not as the world gives”

Peace can be described as the calm of mind that comes from obedience to Jesus. Adversity attacks but does not destroy our calm assurance. It is not crippled by the shadow of sin but is empowered by the forgiveness of the Savior. The idea of death does not cause us to cringe or cower but stand tall ready to meet Christ.

Simply stated peace is agreement with and obedience to Jesus Christ.

1) Agreement with what and who he says we are (saints, ambassadors, heirs, children)

2) Agreement with what and how he says we should live (pure, holy)

This peace is not a peace the world gives. Jesus clearly told us it is only receiving His peace that lasts.

B) A powerful Peace

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. What is the heart as spoken of in the Bible? The heart is the center of all we are. It involves decision making, as well as what we value as right or wrong.

The word that is translated rule literally means umpire. Isn’t that a great word! Let the peace of Christ tell you when your off sides. Let the peace of Christ tell you when you have committed a foul. Let the peace of Christ tell you when it time to sit the bench a while.

1) It rules our lives

In our lives of faith when we are doing something that is not in agreement with or obedience to God then there will be a whistle that will break our peace. The calm of our mind stays only as long as we are in agreement with or in obedience to Jesus.

Making a financial decision if it does not allow for a calm assurance that it would be God’s will then its is not a good investment. Deciding how you will spend your free time but no peace means that activity is not for you. Whatever decisions you have to make God’s peace can rule your life.

Should I watch that movie, should I support that business, should I do this or that let the peace of Christ rule you heart!

2) It rules our relationships

Boy don’t our relationships need umpires today. Have you ever had a knock down drag out with your spouse, your friend, your boy friend, your girl friend, your mom, dad, brother, or sister?

Wouldn’t it be great in our relationships if there were someone to blow a whistle and say you went too far. That is a personal foul. 10 yard penalty, free throw, penalty shot.

We do!! We have the spirit of God that gives the peace of God. When you grieve the Spirit by not “loving your neighbor” He will let you know.

When my wife and I have intensive discussions and I know that I have said something wrong wasn’t sensitive to her, oh how the spirit lets me know. The peace will be gone if I don’t make it right. It is more than sleeping on the couch, it is my actions were not motivated by God’s love and I will not have peace until I make it right.

And be thankful. Be thankful that peace with God means we get help! Be thankful that through His powerful permanent peace helps us to live peacefully with others!!!

Warren Wiersbe said it well, “When there is peace in the heart there will be praise on the lips: and be thankful.”

God’s peace with gratitude, and

II. Let the word of God dwell in your richly . . . . with thankfulness in your hearts (gratitude) (v. 16)

“be at home in you, live in you”

According to George Barna Bible reading is on the decline. Comparing 1991 to 2001 only

37 % down from 45 % of Christians who read their Bible.

I’m not trying to be mean or smart. However, the Word of God will not be at home or live in you if it has no opportunity to get in you!!

A) Hear it

Romans 10.7 faith comes by hearing he Word of God. There is a need in the life of Christians to hear the word both at home and at church. If how we live is to be impacted by God’s word we must hear it.