Be Ye Thankful
by Paul Huffmaster
Introduction
1. The last 3 words in Col. 3:15 are a big challenge to me. Does anyone
know what these last 3 words are? Be ye thankful.
2. The word thanks or synonyms for thanks are mentioned 150 times.
3. This may not seem like much until you compare it to other words, such
as: adultery (64 times), stealing (21 times), covetousness (41 times),
idolatry (111 times), kill (144 times).
4. In these 150 passages we are either:
-exhorted to give thanks
-people are giving thanks
-people are exhorted because they are not thankful
5. The fact that the word thanks is mentioned 150 times shows that we
are to give thanks, and it is a good thing to give thanks.
Col. 3:15.Be Ye Thankful
How many times have you read about the Israelites in the wilderness and
become somewhat annoyed at their unthankfulness and murmuring toward
Moses and God?
Ex. 14:10-murmured out of fear
Ex. 15:24-no water
Ex. 16:2-no food
Ex. 17:3-no water
When they had the food and drink they didn't like it. I empathize with
them.
Num. 11: 1-complaining, murmuring, being unthankful displeases the Lord
Because God doesn't like it we need to stop it and be thankful.
-We need an attitude of gratitude.
-Our expectations often cause us to be unthankful.
-The Israelites expected life to be easier in the desert.
-Life is not easier as Christians. You gave up your sinful ways, which
you love, and now you are to love that which you used to hate. Ex: I
like sports.
Who are we to be thankful to?
1. God through Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:20
2. To other people that help us. Mt. 26:13, Ro. 16:1-16
Thankfulness to others should lead us back to God. Phil. 1:3
This is all we are to give thanks to not anything else (not our "lucky
stars", mother nature, guardian angels, etc.)
Why be thankful?
1. Commanded-Col. 3:15, Psa. 100:4. Isn't it sad and an indication of
our sinful nature that God, who rescued His people from their sins and
hell, has to tell us to give Him thanks?
I don't believe that it is our nature to say thank you. Saying thank
you shows our dependence on someone else. I have to constantly tell my
children to say "thank you."
You don't always have to feel it to do it. But if you do it you will
feel it. It will make you feel better.
2. It is a good thing to do. Psa. 92:1. We all know that we should
give thanks always and in every situation. Eph. 5:20. Easy to give
thanks for "good," but not so easy with the "bad." To help you give
thanks in every situation: -Try to remember the past and how God has
delivered you. I Cor. 10:13
-Remember that trials are for our good. Ja. 1:2,3. Ex: Pain is for our
good, even though we don't think so at the time.
-Is this serious or just an inconvenience?
-God's keeping you from further problems.
-Leading you in another direction to something that is better for you.
Ex: Being a police officer.
3. A simple way to please God. Anybody can do it. Lu. 17:16-18. Leper
with Jesus. -10% returned to give thanks.
-The difference between an obedient heart and a thankful heart.
Obedience can be cold. Thankfulness is never cold.
-Mt. 26:13. Gave from thankfulness. She wasn't a theologian; she was
an uneducated prostitute. Obedience is usually reasonable.
Thankfulness is giving from the heart.
4. A simple way to encourage others.
-When we encourage others by being thankful for what they did it
encourages them. I believe that pleases and glorifies God. Why do I
say that? Because God tells us to be like Him.
-If someone helps you thank them.
-If someone needs encouraging, encourage them because this will cause
them to give thanks to God.
-God is kind to us, He encourages us, and He takes notice of us.
-When we are thankful to others we are being as God would have us to be:
1)Kind, 2)Encourage, 3) Notice. Lu. 6:31.
-Did Jesus do this? Jn. 9:35. He found this man; this was very kind
and encouraging to the man.
5. They give thanks to God in heaven. Rev. 4:9, 7:12. Being thankful
here helps you prepare for heaven. When you are thankful you are in
good company.
6. Being thankful will help us from sin.
-What sin? Not serving, not praying, murmuring, lack of contentment.
-How does the thankful heart act? By serving, by praying (start your
prayer by telling God thanks), not murmuring, complaining, or whining,
being content
7. A thankful heart = a willing heart.
A willing heart = a cheerful heart.
A cheerful heart makes a cheerful giver. God loves a cheerful
giver; so do we.
We have a lot to be thankful for.
-If you know you are saved, have sound mind, and if you are still here.
-Be thankful for the things that you did not get that you did want.
-You know what you call things that you got that you didn't need or
never use: white elephant.
-Be thankful for the things that you didn't get that you didn't want:
sickness.
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