THANKSGIVING - Mission, Compassion and Glorifying God
-Introduction
-This morning we approached the topic of thanksgiving and talked about God’s
house – initially the physical building, the temple, but now a spiritual house, the church.
-The church was designed and built by God.
-We have the privilege of being a part of it and working within it.
-To keep it in its proper condition, we need to offer and show our thanks through
proper worship and service.
-We are a part of a house that will never be abandoned or destroyed.
-For all of these things, we should be deeply thankful!
-This evening, I would like to once again approach the topic of thanksgiving by looking
primarily at three more passages: John 17:13-15, Phil 1:21-25 & Ps 6:1-5.
1. John 17:13-15
-context: During the night of Jesus’ betrayal, He prays to His Father.
-Notice vs 15. Why would Jesus pray for God not to take His disciples out of the world?
-He knew that their life would be one of difficulty.
-Matt 10:16, John 21:18, Rev 1:9, Acts 12:1-3, 2 Tim 4:6-7 (2 Cor 11:22-28)
-Acts 26:10, Acts 7:54-60
-Acts 5:41, 1 Pet 1:19-21
-So, why did Jesus want them to stay in the world? - the importance of their mission
-Luke 19:10
-Acts 28:18-20
-The mission of saving souls was/is important enough for Jesus to die for and His
disciples to suffer for. Their mission is to be our mission.
-Let’s realize the importance of our mission and be thankful to be a part of it.
2. Phil 1:21-25
-Paul was torn between two options – departing and being with the Lord or remaining on
this earth a little longer.
-He clearly states that the better option for himself was the option to depart.
-Yet, notice his decision in verse 25 – “I know that I shall abide…”
-We should all long for our home in heaven. Yet, we’re usually not in a hurry to get
there are we? (Amy’s story)
-What is usually a primary motivation for us to stay here as long as we can? loved ones
-Yet, Paul wasn’t married. He had no spouse, no children. So why did he decide to stay?
-concern for his fellow Christians (vs 25 – “your furtherance and joy of faith”)
-He felt indebted to others – Rom 1:14.
-Do we have enough compassion for those around us to reach out to them and try to help
them spiritually?
3. Psalm 6:1-5
-In this passage, we find that King David was suffering.
-physically – “…my bones are vexed” (vs 2)
-spiritually – “My soul is also sore vexed…” (vs 3)
-Which troubled him the most? – spiritual concerns – “…deliver my soul…” (vs 4)
-“David had more courage and consideration than to mourn thus for any outward
affliction; but, when sin sat heavily upon his conscience and he was made to possess
his iniquities, when his soul was wounded with the sense of God's wrath and his
withdrawings from him, then he thus grieves and mourns in secret, and even his soul
refuses to be comforted…David, who could face Goliath himself and many another
threatening enemy with an undaunted bravery, yet melts into tears at the remembrance
of sin and under the apprehensions of divine wrath; and it was no diminution at all to
his character to do so…the affliction of his body will be tolerable if he have but
comfort in his soul.” (Matthew Henry*)
-When we come to God in obedience and when we strive to serve Him faithfully, we have
peace at heart and comfort of soul. Oh, what a blessing to be thankful for!
-David dreaded the thought of God’s anger and God’s wrath. Therefore, he prayed for
God’s mercy and deliverance.
-Within David’s pleading, he makes a very interesting statement. Notice verse 5.
-no support for the doctrine of annihilation – the idea that we simply cease to
exist after this life on earth - Such teaching is clearly refuted in the scriptures. For
example, consider the account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16.
-So what does David mean? - “Lord, if thou deliver me and comfort me, I will not only
give thee thanks for my deliverance, and stir up others to join with me in these
thanksgivings, but I will spend the new life thou shalt entrust me with in thy service and
to thy glory, and all the remainder of my days I will preserve a grateful remembrance of
thy favours to me, and be quickened thereby in all instances of service to thee; but, if I
die, I shall be cut short of that opportunity of honouring thee and doing good to others, for
in the grave who will give the thanks?" (Matthew Henry*)
-David was concerned, that if he died, he wouldn’t have any more opportunity to
thank God and glorify Him upon this earth.
-God will be thanked, worshipped and glorified. But, it is only while here on earth
that we will do so in our physical bodies amidst a sinful world.
-Have you thanked God for the opportunity to worship, serve and glorify him in spite of
our physical weaknesses and sinful surroundings.
-What a privilege it is to serve God! Be sure to thank Him for it.
-Summary and Invitation
-We have many, many things to be thankful for! Yet, when we think about what we should
be thanking God for, perhaps it’s the most important things that we sometimes forget.
-So, let’s remember to thank God for our mission, for the opportunity of doing good for
others and for the opportunity of glorifying Him while here on earth.
-Have you responded to God’s message – His opportunity for forgiveness through Jesus?
If not, obey the Gospel of Christ – believe (John 3:16, 8:24), confess (Matt 10:32, Rom
10:9-10), repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
-If you have obeyed the Gospel, have you remained faithful? If not, confess your
shortcomings, repent of them and pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).
*(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition,
Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
Date: November 20, 2005