Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is with a heart full of joy and a spirit brimming with gratitude that I stand before you today. We are gathered here, not as individuals, but as a family, a family bound by the love of Christ, and it is in this spirit of unity that we will seek God's wisdom today.

Our focus, dear friends, is on thankfulness, a theme so beautifully encapsulated in the book of Colossians. In Colossians 4:12, the Apostle Paul writes, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."

What a profound picture of intercessory prayer and thankfulness! Epaphras, a faithful servant of Christ, is fervently praying for his brethren, desiring nothing but their spiritual growth and assurance in God's will. That, my dear friends, is the essence of thankfulness - a heart so filled with love for God and His people that it overflows in prayer and gratitude.

Indeed, thankfulness is not a mere act; it is a transformative force. It changes the way we view our circumstances, the way we relate to others, and most importantly, the way we relate to our Heavenly Father. It is not a passive emotion, but an active expression of faith.

Thankfulness Transforms

When we think of the word 'thankfulness', we often associate it with a feeling of gratitude for a favor or gift received. It's a reaction, a response to something good that has happened to us. But in the context of our faith, thankfulness is so much more than that. It's not just a feeling, but a transformative force that can change our lives in profound ways.

Consider the way thankfulness changes our perspective. When we're thankful, we're not focused on what we lack, but on what we have. We're not dwelling on our problems, but on our blessings. We're not consumed by our fears, but filled with faith. Thankfulness shifts our gaze from the negative to the positive, from the earthly to the heavenly, from the temporal to the eternal.

But thankfulness also changes our attitude. A thankful heart is a joyful heart, a peaceful heart, a contented heart. It's a heart that's full of love, not just for God, but for others as well. Thankfulness breeds kindness, compassion, and generosity. It makes us more patient, more forgiving, more understanding. It makes us better people, better Christians.

And the transformative power of thankfulness doesn't stop there. It also changes our relationship with God. When we're thankful, we're acknowledging God's goodness, His faithfulness, His love. We're recognizing His hand in our lives, His provision, and His protection. We're drawing closer to Him, deepening our connection with Him. Thankfulness brings us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Creator.

Consider the life of Epaphras. Epaphras, a faithful servant of Christ, was always wrestling in prayer for his brethren. He was constantly interceding on their behalf, asking God to help them stand firm in His will, to mature in their faith, to be fully assured of His promises. This is a powerful picture of thankfulness in action.

Epaphras' prayers were not self-centered but others-centered. He was not praying for his own needs, but for the needs of his brethren. He was not seeking his own welfare, but the welfare of his fellow believers. This is a clear demonstration of the selflessness that thankfulness breeds.

Also, Epaphras' prayers were persistent. He was always wrestling in prayer, never giving up, never losing heart. This shows the perseverance that thankfulness instills. When we're thankful, we don't easily give up. We keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping, no matter what.

Moreover, Epaphras' prayers were also faith-filled. He was praying for his brethren to stand firm in God's will, to mature in their faith, to be fully assured of His promises. This reveals the faith that thankfulness fosters. When we're thankful, our faith is strengthened. We're more confident in God's promises, more assured of His faithfulness, more certain of His love.

Finally, Epaphras' prayers were powerful. He was wrestling in prayer, engaging in spiritual warfare, battling against the forces of darkness. This illustrates the power that thankfulness unleashes. When we're thankful, our prayers are not weak or feeble, but strong and mighty. We're not just saying words, but wielding a powerful weapon in the spiritual realm.

Thanksgiving and Theology

As we continue to reflect on the theme of thankfulness, we find ourselves drawn to the intersection of gratitude and our understanding of God, or in other words, our theology ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO