The Hope That Comes From Thankfulness Series

Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#44]

THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM THANKFULNESS

Colossians 3:16

Introduction:

One of my favorite holidays is coming up- Thanksgiving. You may wonder why; but if you like football and eating then you probably understand. The sad thing about this holiday is the same as most holidays- We have forgotten the true meaning of the holiday.

We definitely live during a time of entitlement. I saw something on Face Book that pointed this out and made many people angry. She wrote that she wasn’t going to draw names of low income children to buy them toys for Christmas, or to take food to those houses, etc… She is tired of giving things to people who don’t work, take advantage of the system, and simply don’t appreciate what people do for them. Instead, she is going to find a family that is struggling although they work and are thrifty with their money; and give them food and Christmas gifts.

Thankfulness seems to be a lost characteristic.

Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Be thankful…

1. That the peace of Christ is in your heart.

If you are a born again child of God, Christ lives in you. As a member of the body of Christ you are called to peace; but whether you allow that peace to rule your life or not is your choice. I believe that most of us would like peace in our lives; but we’re not really sure how to make that happen. Here’s the answer- Allow Christ to lead you in all that you do- Love others as you love yourself. Bear with one another in love. Obey the commands of God.

After we are told to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, we are told to be thankful. Are you thankful for what Christ has done in order to become a part of your life? Are you thankful that Christ will rule your life?

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Be thankful…

2. That the Word of God dwells in you.

John 1:1 (NIV)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus is the Word. We are to let the Word live within us. That means that the Word of God leads us in all that we do. We are to use that Word to teach and admonish one another which means to warn, to give counsel, to reprimand, etc…

With the Word dwelling within us, we are to sing all types of songs with thankfulness in our hearts to God. We have the Word of God to guide us in all things. We should be thankful that God has given us His Word and an understanding of His Word.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Be thankful…

3. That you can do all things in Christ.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

If there is something that keeps knocking you down, it doesn’t have to. In the strength of Jesus, there is nothing that you can’t do. You can do mighty things in the power of the name of Jesus and for that you should be thankful.

Conclusion:

For some, Thanksgiving is a very lonely time because they are alone and don’t think they have anything to be thankful for. For others, Thanksgiving is one of the only times in the year that they will have opportunity to spend with friends and family; and it is an exciting time. I would encourage those of you that know of some who are alone to include them in what you and your family are doing. Regardless of which group you fall into, please remember that as a child of God you have much to be thankful for. Let the peace of Christ rule in you this Thanksgiving.