The sermon starts with the video “I Choose Thankful”
http://www.ministryflix.com/short_films/overview-i_choose_thankful.html?trk=10
Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving – for some people it is just a day
off which extends a weekend; for others it is a good chance to see their
relatives and have good food. – Nothing against it but for many of them
the day of giving thanks will finish on Tuesday morning when they will
get back to work and start their everyday routines – that moment they
begin to complain about a terrible life, about all those difficulties,
problems, troubles, and inconveniences they must face day by day.
For us Christians, however, this day should be a moment when we look
back on previous days and realize God´s presence and His active work
in every moment and situation of our life, even though sometimes the
circumstances are not always the best. In fact, they may be downright
bad, but still, we look for something to be thankful for! And there is
ALWAYS something good for which we can be thankful!
So, today I want to look at three areas of our life which give us
opportunity to give thanks to God. Let´s look at our blessings from an
outward, inward and upward perspective...
1. An outward look will reveal thankfulness for what I have...
In the 1st Tim 6:17 we read, “Command those who are rich in this
present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is
so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment.”
To better understand our situation here in Canada, let´s look at our world
and how it would look like, if we could shrink the earth’s population to a
village of one hundred people: There would be 57 Asians, 21 Europeans,
14 from the Western Hemisphere, and 8 Africans. – 50 of them would suffer from malnutrition and one would be near death. – 80 would live in
substandard housing. – 70 would be unable to read. – 6 would possess
more than half of the world’s wealth and all would be from North
America. – If we attend church without fear of harassment, arrest,
torture, or death, we are better off than 3 billion people in that regard. If
we have money in the bank, food in the fridge, clothes on our backs, and
a roof over our heads, we are richer than 75% of this world.
We often overlook our blessings because many of them we understand
as a standard living condition. We really don´t know what we have until
it is gone. – Our power is shut off, and suddenly we become thankful for
electricity. Our garbage is not picked up, and suddenly we become
thankful for the garbage collector’s weekly stop. A good friend dies, and
suddenly we discover how much that person meant to us.
Some people may say, “I am really content with what I currently have...”
– I am really content – until I start looking through the Sears catalogue.
– I like my car – until I see the newest model of Lexus. – I am satisfied
with my clothes – until I stroll through the Mall. – I love my home –
until I think of what it would be like to have a log cabin on the shore of
some remote lake. – I am satisfied with every area of my life – until I
start comparing with someone else’s life. – I really feel like I have
enough of everything – until I see someone who has more.
Let’s not be far-sighted. We should focus on and look at that which is
near and what we have! The secret of a satisfied life is not to get what
we want but to live with what we have. – Most of us spend our lives
concentrating on what we don’t have instead of thanking God for what
He has provided us for living. Then we wake up, our life is over, and we
missed the beauty of the present.
The Bible tells us – “give thanks” in all circumstances even if you
sometimes have less than you think you would deserve. If you trust in
God, He will always provide you with enough for your daily life.
2. An inward look will reveal thankfulness for what I go through...
Psychologist, Dr. Dale Robbins writes, “I used to think people
complained because they had a lot of problems. But I have come to
realize that they have problems because they complain. – Complaining
doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies
frustration, spreads discontent and discord, and can invoke an invitation
for the devil to cause chaos with our lives.” Complaining makes us
miserable.
In Philippians the Apostle Paul says, “Do everything without
complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (2:14-15)
A positive, thankful person is a great witness in this dark world. We only
shine when we are thankful. Our light shines for the Lord when we are
thankful, when we live it and express it! – Instead of looking at the
negatives in our lives and complaining, we must look at and for the
positives and give thanks. – Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – Giving thanks is God’s will for our
lives. Giving thanks to God and others is what pleases the Lord.
Instead of complaining and grumbling, be thankful for...
...the taxes you pay – because it means you are employed.
...the clothes that fit a little too snug – because it means you have enough
to eat.
...windows that need cleaning – because it means you have a home.
...the spot you find at the far end of the parking lot – because it means
you are capable of walking.
...all the complaining you hear about our government – because it means
you have freedom of speech.
...the lady behind you in church who sings off key – because it means
that you can hear.
...the piles of laundry and ironing – because it means your loved ones are
nearby.
I know how difficult is to give thanks to God when we only experience
betrayal, sorrow, pain, hatred or some inconveniences. But we need to
know that even during these times God is near and His power is greater
than anything in this world, greater than bad people, illnesses, or even
death. His power is sufficient to win the victory over all the enemies that
come our way. – And that is a very good reason for our thankfulness.
I will never forget the man who unexpectedly appeared in the Prague
congregation where I served as a pastor. That person was a constant
complainer and persistent battler for his truth. He basically had a feeling
that something was going wrong in the congregation and he was
determined to prove it even by legal action. During a few months that
man was able to confuse, paralyze, separate and almost destroy the
whole congregation. It took almost 4 years to resolve it. – Now when I
look back I can say that it was one of the most difficult times in my life.
But I admit that the Lord was my “refuge and strength” (Ps 46) and
today I am thankful for everything that had happened. Who knows – it
might be that if all of that hadn´t happened, we wouldn´t have made a
decision to come to Canada. Only now I am able to see God´s plan
which was bigger than I could ever imagine.
3. An upward look will reveal thankfulness for God´s Love.
A college man walked into a studio with a picture of his girlfriend… He
wanted the picture duplicated. – The owner of the store noticed the
inscription on the back of the picture, which read, “My dearest Jeffry, I
love you with all my heart… I love you more and more each day… I
will love you forever and ever…” It was signed “Diane,” and it
contained a P.S.: “If we ever break up, I want this picture back…”
Friends, when God calls us and we follow Him, there’s no “PS”… We
are His and He is ours forever… Once we “acknowledge that Jesus is the
Son of God, God will live in us and we in Him.” (1 J 4:15) His love will
penetrate and transform our very beings and we will be able to clearly
recognize His promises in our lives. Here are some of them:
His protection – “I am your shield...” (Gen. 15:1); His power – “I will
strengthen you...” (Is 41:10); His provision – “Ask and it will be given
to you.” (Matt 7:7); His rest – “Come to Me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28); His cleansing – “If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 J 1:9); and His faithfulness –
“The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake.” (1
Sam. 12:22)
Our thanksgiving is a respond to the Triune God for His LOVE: the
Father, for His creation of all that exists and for everything He provides.
– Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins
of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over
death and Satan. And the Holy Spirit, who creates and keeps our faith.
Amen.
