Big Idea: The practice of thankfulness is sourced in the salvation we enjoy in Jesus Christ, curbs our natural desire to complain, comes from a heart that has been transformed by the gospel, and is to be sought after as a regular habit of God’s saints.
Psalm 106:1 (ESV) — 1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
4 Important Biblical Reflections on Thanksgiving from Col. 3:12-17:
Thankfulness is ________________ in Christ
Col. 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Sanctification is not about becoming something we are not, it is growing into who we are in Jesus.
Luke 5:37–39 (ESV) — 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ ”
Un-Thankfulness (discontentment) is __________________ in the Flesh
Col. 2:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Thankfulness is so crucial in the Christian life because our natural hearts are so prone to complaining.
Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
The fallen human heart is constantly wanting for more. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Not right!
Thankfulness is an ___________________________
Col. 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another…
Compassionate hearts: To have compassion is to have a deep sensitivity to the needs of others.
Kindness: Kindness is to provide for the deepest needs of another because you have been so moved by their situation.
Humility: Humility is to put yourself on the same level as another.
Meekness/Gentleness: Meekness or gentleness is to approach someone or to deal with someone with a controlled and leveled spirit.
Patience: patience is the ability to forebear with others faults.
One of the clearest displays of Christ in us is deference to others.
Phil. 2:4-8; Mark 12:41-44; 2Cor. 8:1-5
Thankfulness is an ___________________________
Colossians 3:15 (ESV) — 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Questions to Consider
What are some things you are thankful for? How might you share your blessings with others?
