Larry Brincefield
larkayb@earthlink.net
Title: 5 Grains of Corn
Text: Col 3:15-17
Introduction
The Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock over 375 years ago
knew nothing of the prosperity, which we enjoy today.
During that first winter,
they dug 7 times as many graves for the dead
as they built homes for the living.
Half of their number died the first year.
A second ship was to bring food and relief to the settlers, but when they arrived, they brought 35 additional people—meaning more people to feed; but not any additional provisions.
It is touching to see the picture of William Brewster,
rising from dinner, which had been clams and a glass of water,
to thank God for the “abundance of the sea and the treasures hid in the sand”.
The Pilgrims has very little, but they had a great attitude.
It was this spirit and attitude...
that formed a foundation for the beginnings of a new country.
The people were strong, devout, and sincere.
They loved God and worshipped God.
This recognition of God is what has made America great.
Gratitude is one of the greatest Christian virtues.
Ingratitude is one of the most hideous sins.
Thankfulness is a mark of genuine Christianity.
Pilgrims, in the years following that first years
had a custom of putting 5 grains of corn on each empty plate before a thanksgiving dinner.
The father, mother, children, and guests
would each pick up a grain of corn
and tell what they were thankful for.
The significance of the 5 grains of corn was to remind them of their forefathers . . .
those first Pilgrims,
who were living in such difficult circumstances that their daily allowance for each person in the community was 5 grains of corn.
This morning, I would like to share with you what my 5 grains of corn would represent.
My first grain of corn would stand for prosperity
We have physical blessings in bountiful supply.
God’s mercy has been poured out on us beyond measure.
The soil in most sections of our land has given forth produce with abundance.
We live in better homes
have more conveniences
and eat better than most people of the world.
Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth”
We can also use the words of the Psalmist,
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" Psalms 103:1-2 (NIV)
"Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits" Psalms 68:19 (NKJV)
How often have we tried to list the things that we are thankful for:
Our health
Our home
Our families
A job
The conveniences of life.
But, if I thank God for enough money to meet my needs . . .
am I implying that the person who doesn’t have enough money for his needs may have a legitimate criticism against God?
If I thank God for the harvest and overflowing cupboards,
am I implying that the 2/3 of the world that goes to bed hungry each night can blame God for their predicament?
If I thank God for the health that I enjoy,
what about the person who’s health is broken?
Do they have a right to blame God?
Obviously the answers to these questions is no.
Look back to our forefathers, the Pilgrims.
With their families dying left and right,
literally suffering from starvation and disease,
they took time to thank the Lord.
The key for us in this thanksgiving service
is that we must come to the understanding that our greatest reason for thanks is the spiritual blessings that come to all people.
So then, whether in good health or poor health;
whether in good harvest or poor harvest;
whether in plenty or in hunger;
Whether in distress or in blessing;
WE CAN THANK GOD!
All people are able to praise Him.
Isn’t that what Paul meant in Philippians when he said,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
We need to thank God for our prosperity,
but let me get on to the other 4 grains of corn.
My second grain of corn stands for Family/Friends.
I have a wonderful Christian wife who loves me (and that is no small feat).
I have 4 living healthy children that are well-behaved (for the most part).
I have Christian parents who raised me and prayed for me
and I have them to thank, in large part,
for where I am today spiritually.
I have a brother and sister that I love.
I have friends that are important to me.
I have been able to easily make new friends.
I have lived here for a year and a half, and already I have developed some very close friendships.
The story is told of a man and woman who gave a sizable contribution to the church to honor the memory of their son who was killed during a war.
When the announcement was made about the generous donation,
a woman in the congregation turned to her husband and said,
“Let’s give the same amount for our boy!”
Her husband said, “What are you talking about? Our son wasn’t killed.”
His wife responded, “That’s just the point, let’s give it as an expression of our gratitude to God for sparing his life!”
I am thankful for friends and family.
My Third Grain of Corn reminds me to thank God for the Church
The church has always been a place of comfort and support for me.
When I was younger (12-14 years old),
I would get teased a lot at school.
I didn’t have many friends.
If I hadn’t found love and support from my church family,
I probably would have turned in to a serial killer,
or even worse, a politician (just kidding).
The church is the place where I got my feet down spiritually.
During my teen years, I frequently went to the altar to pray.
The people of the church didn’t take the attitude,
“well, it looks like Larry is running to the altar again,
when is he going to grow up?”
No, they took on an attitude of love and support.
Every time I ran to the altar,
I had several people gathered around me praying with me.
That had a huge impact on my spiritual life.
The church is the place where I have had so many precious moments with my Savior.
I know that the Lord can meet with me anywhere
and He has,
but there is just something about being in church,
worshipping the Lord,
praising Him,
surrounded by others doing the same,
that is so very meaningful to me.
So I thank God for the Church.
My fourth grain of corn stands for Christ.
The Bible says that Jesus is:
The Beginning and the End
The Bright and Morning Star
The Lily of the Valley
The Good Shepherd
The Light of the World
He is the center of history.
This morning, we have gathered together to magnify the name of Jesus.
we have come to worship Him.
Jesus did not come into the world by accident
but by design and planning of God.
People had sinned against God.
We had lost our way.
But the coming of Jesus Christ changed all that completely.
By coming and dying on the cross,
he took our sins and the punishment that should have been ours.
This morning, we worship the risen Son of God.
He is still in the business of changing lives.
He is still in the business of transforming lives.
Through Him, we find our way back to God.
Mack Stokes wrote about Jesus. He wrote,
“Some tell us that Jesus’ earthly life was not very important.
They say He wrote no books,
composed no songs,
drew no pictures,
carved no statues,
amassed no fortune,
commanded no army,
ruled no nation.
And yet . . .
He who never wrote a line has been made the hero of unnumbered volumes.
He who never wrote a song has put music into the hearts of nameless multitudes.
He who never established an institution is the foundation of the church that bears his name.
He who refused the kingdoms of this world has become the Lord of millions.
Yes,
He whose shameful death scarcely produced a ripple on the pool of history in His day
has become a mighty current in the vast ocean of the centuries since He died.”
Years ago, Jesus changed my life.
He turned me around.
He has made my life so much better.
For that, I am thankful.
If He has done that for you,
then you should be thankful as well.
If He hasn’t done that for you,
He will,
all you have to do is ask Him.
My Fifth Grain of Corn represents Heaven.
When Fred arrived at the Pearly Gates,
this very impressive angelic being with a clip board asked to get some basic information down.
He asked for his name and address and a few other particulars.
Then, the angel said,
“Fred, in order to speed this process up,
could you tell me about an experience from your life
when you did a purely unselfish deed.”
Fred thought a minute and then said, “yes, I think I have one that might interest you”.
“One day, I was walking along when I came upon a little old lady who was being beaten up by a huge motorcycle gang member.
He was wearing all leather,
tattooed,
with chains handing from him.
He was at least 6’6”
and weighed probably 300 pounds.
He was just smacking this lady back and forth.
So I went up to his motorcycle and kicked it over,
just to distract his attention.
Then I kicked him real hard in the shins
and told the old lady to run for help.
And then, I hauled off and hit that guy right in the gut with my fist.”
The angelic being looked at Fred with great interest and said,
“Wow, that’s quite a story.
I’m very impressed.
Could you tell me just when this happened?”
Fred looked at his watch and said, “Oh, about 2 minutes ago”.
Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you”.
Now, I could start in and explain the streets of gold,
pearly gates,
the precious gems
the mansion with your name on it
and so on.
But, to be honest, that part of it isn’t what interests me.
Jesus also said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.”
Won’t that be the best thing of all!
It has been wonderful to have the Lord in my heart here on this earth,
but some day in heaven,
I will literally be in His physical presence.
Aren’t you thankful to God for heaven?
There is a life after death.
The grave isn’t the end.
It is only the beginning.
Billy Graham frequently talks about heaven. One time, he was asked “Where is Heaven?” This was his response:
“What is heaven going to be like?
Just as there is a mystery to hell,
so there is a mystery to heaven.
Yet I believe the Bible teaches that heaven is a literal place.
Is it one of the stars?
I don’t know.
I can’t even speculate.
The Bible doesn’t inform us.
I believe that out there in space
where there are one thousand million galaxies,
each a hundred thousand light years or more in diameter,
God can find some place to put us in heaven.
I’m not worried about where it is.
I know it is going to be where Jesus is.
Christians don’t have to go around discouraged and despondent with their shoulders bent.
Think of it—the joy, the peace, the sense of forgiveness that He gives you,
and then heaven, too!”
Conclusion
Thankfulness is a virtue.
Thankfulness is the key.
Thankfulness should be the very essence of the Christian’s life.
David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times,
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
John Henry Jowett said,
“Life without thankfulness
is devoid of love and passion.
Hope without thankfulness
is lacking in fine perception.
Faith without thankfulness
lacks strength and fortitude.
EVERY VIRTUE DIVORCED FROM THANKFULNESS
IS MAIMED AND LIMPS ALONG THE SPIRITUAL ROAD.”
An attitude of thankfulness must be a part of our living, a part of our being.
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Now, I have shared with you my 5 grains of corn.
If the ushers could come,
I would like everyone man, woman, and child
to receive 5 grains of corn.
Sometime this week, perhaps on Thanksgiving Day,
you can take out your 5 grains of corn
and share with your family 5 things that you are thankful for.
(Disclaimer: I got the idea for this sermon from one of my Dad’s sermons, Larry E. Brincefield. I noticed that contributer Bruce Howell has submitted a sermon with a similar title and introduction; but we use a different text and a different outline for the "5 grains of corn". Thus, I felt it worthwhile to add my sermon to the collection. I’m not sure if Dad got the idea for the introduction from Bruce; or if both men got the idea from a 3rd source, but if someone knows, please let me know, and I’ll edit my sermon to give credit where credit is due)
