Thanksliving

Thanks-Living

CCCAG, 11-20-22

Scripture: Luke 22:14-21

As we know, this next week begins a glorious time in the state of Wisconsin.

What am I speaking about?

Gun Deer hunting of course. The time of year when the citizens of Wisconsin transform into the largest standing army in the world, all dedicated to saving us from those evil quadruped brown four legged beasts that run out in front of us when we are driving.

So remember…thank a deer hunter today! We might even share of some of the bounty with you if we can shoot one.

There is another important holiday during this time- Thanksgiving. It’s a time when families come together to feast on turkey, stuffing, cranberrys and pumpkin pie, and spend time visiting loved ones that live in different areas….we especially visit those who live in areas where the deer are plentiful.

After all, it’s just being good stewards of our time to combined both things at once. Maybe even include some venison stew for the Thanksgiving table.

Some of my favorite memories growing up was getting to take a few days off of school to drive to Hayward where we would all cram into my grandparents house. The ladies usually did the cooking, the guys went hunting and even took me on most days and I paid for that by having to do KP duty after supper. But it was still a great time.

I’m very thankful that God gave me that experience growing up, and the older I get and look back on where He has brought me from, the more thankful I become.

This thought led me to look at the bible to see how many times Jesus gave thanks to His Father, and I found the following-

7 times Jesus gave thanks or praise to God the Father-

1. Thanking the Father: “because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Mt 11:25).

2. Saying this same phrase again with thanks in (Lk 10:21). (This may have been the same occasion as above, but it is unclear.)

***Note: Some versions use “praise” instead of “thanks” for these first two.

3. Before feeding the 4000 (Mt 15:36)(Mk 8:6).

4. Before feeding the 5000 (Jn 6:11).

5. Before raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:41).

6. Before sharing wine at the Passover meal (Lk 22:17-18).

7. Before breaking bread (Lk 22:19), and sharing wine (Mt 26:27)(Mk 14:23) at The Last Supper.

It occurred to me that Jesus didn’t just live a life of thanksgiving, but his life could better be defined as thanks-living; having a heart that overflowed with thankfulness to His Father in heaven.

Let’s look at this thought and dig a little deeper into that now as we read our scripture for today-

Luke 22:14-20

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Prayer

One of the reasons that the church today seems to be losing his influence and power in our culture and nation today is because its members have lost this idea of living a life filled with thanks to God.

I think many of us, myself included, have been swept up into this world of consumerism- we want the latest, the greatest, and the best, and we want it now.

The other day I was in the store and there was a very tired looking mother trying to get their 5- or 6-year-old daughter to quit grabbing everything off of the shelf, and the child having repeated temper tantrums screaming, “I want it, and I want it now!”

Doesn’t that drive you crazy when you see that?

It reminded me of that bratty kid Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Willie Wonka takes these children on a tour of his factory after they found the golden ticket, and she keeps yelling out, “I want it, and I want it now!”

I think may of us have kind of allowed ourselves to become like that girl.