Things Worth Being Thankful For

Many times, hospital visits help us to understand what is really important. Do we really know what we need to be thankful for? Do we really know what matters most in life? As Paul writes this letter, he is sharing with us just why it is we need to be thankful. Paul was a very thankful man, 2 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:3. yet Paul offers thanks to God in some very strange places. Being thankful does not always flow from the heart of no problem.

1. The Jail was perhaps the most unlikely place for Paul to give thanks.

2. the subject of Paul Thanksgiving is somewhat different than ours.

3. For what do we usually thank God?

a. Health, family

b. home, job

4. usually, we are more impressed with the material, physical and financial than anything else. But not Paul, Philippians 3:4-8

5. in the Bible, seldom is the physical or material ever mentioned as being thankful for.

6. they are important, but compared to the spiritual realm, they have no place.

7. Usually, the people in the Bible are thanking God for the spiritual blessings of life.

8. Let's look at things worth being thankful for.

I. Thankful for our Friends in the Faith

1. Philippians 1:4

2. Notice two things: memory and gratitude, not to often do we find these two together.

3. A lot of memories do not call for thanksgiving.

4. Paul looks back on the total picture and he is thankful.

a. Both people and events.

b. The word remembrance has the idea of total, all of it.

c. Not just thanking God for the good things.

5. Thanksgiving is an expression of joy expressed to God.

6. God can take the worst of events and turn them for good to us.

7. In verse 4, you all - request with joy.

a. Many sad events in the life of a pastor.

b. Many deceivers and pretenders.

8. Aren't you glad for your friends in Christ?

a. Times of heartache and sorrow.

b. Times of need.

9. God help us to cherish our friends in the faith and remember them.

10. We need to pray for them. 2 Timothy 1:3, a continual habit of prayer.

11. I thank God for the people who pray for me.

II. Their Fellowship in the Gospel

1. Philippians 1:5

2. Thankful for fellowship. What does this mean? Much more than cookies and Kool aid or coffee and donuts.

3. The Greek word means a joint participation.

a. It means to partake in something.

b. It means to share a common like or to share a common interest.

c. Like a business partner. Mark 2:1-5

d. mayor just spoken of as a fellowship.

e. Sharing a common burden.

4. Paul is saying that he's thankful to the Philippians for their support in the gospel.

a. Giving of gifts, 4:15-17, even after Paul had left them.

b. Even as I go and speak, you share or have a part in that.

5. Share in the spread of the gospel.

6. Sharing the suffering of the gospel, verse 7.

a. Paul is writing from prison.

b. He is there because of spreading the gospel.

c. We suffer with one another.

d. Has anyone suffered with you? Have you suffered with another?

7. We all are Co laborers with the Lord.

8. God works through people.

a. God is the source, but he uses people.

b. Luke 6:38

III. Thankful for Our Future in Christ

1. The word perform means that he will carry it through. He will bring it to completion. He will perfect it. Ephesians 2:10.

2. Paul is saying the future is as bright as God.

a. Regardless of how dark the present may be.

b. Philippians 1:20-23

3. I know of some who are afraid of the future, verse 6.

a. Afraid to face tomorrow.

b. Paul said being confident of this very thing.

1) Salvation is a good work; God will complete it.

2) Not only a good work, but also a grace work, it is all of God.

3) Good work, grace work, also a growing work. The word begun means it will go throughout our lifetime.

4) Finally, I guaranteed work period God will perform.

Regardless of our present situation, we have God's guarantee.

4. Thankful for the future I have in Jesus.

a. It may be in prison, but I can rejoice.

b. Not all prisons have iron bars.

5. Things worth being thankful for:

a. friends in the faith.

b. Fellowship in the gospel.

c. Future in Christ.