Lifestyle of Thankfulness

This is the concluding sermon in the Power of Gratitude series. I preached this sermon November 27, 2011.

Text: Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction: 2 Tim 3:1-5 tells us ingratitude is a characteristic of ungodliness ¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

-Did you notice one of the characteristics of the ungodly is unthankful? The lifestyle of unthankfulness.

-What is your lifestyle? Are you a grumbler, complainer, murmurer, gossiper, or are you thankful, joyful, encouraging? Lets look at the lifestyle of thankfulness.

-Paul says that we must put on these characteristics – like putting on clothing. What he describes here should be the wardrobe of the Christian. Thankfulness being key to the wardrobe, mentioned a couple of times. What will a lifestyle of thankfulness do for us?

Strengthens our Relationships

vs 12-13 ¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Bowels of mercies – compassionate toward one another

Kindness – be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted forgiving one another

Humbleness of mind – God resists the proud, but gives Grace to the humble

Meekness – not weakness, means power under control – describes a soothing wind or a healing medicine – the wind could have the power to devastate or the medicine the power to poison, but it is power under control. Have you ever thought of yourself as one that soothes? Or one that acts like a healing medicine?

Longsuffering – lit. long temper

Forbearing one another – to hold back judgment

Forgiving one another from the root word used for grace, freely forgiving without making someone pay or earn forgiveness. Without holding a grudge which any one can do, but forgiving freely where a grudge is called for. (Peter 7 times)

– when in conflict with someone, when someone rubs you the wrong way

-Romans 12:17-21 ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Relieves the burdens of our hearts

vs 14-15 ¹⁴And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Charity – agape – 1 Cor 13:1-3 ¹Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing

Peace of God – rule is an athletic term meaning to umpire – the Peace of God is to be the umpire of our hearts

-Phil 4:6-8 ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Called in one body – this same peace must rule in the church – the body of Christ – when this peace doesn’t exist in the fellowship it indicates that someone is not right fellowship with God and it usually the one stirring up dissension.

– Be careful that you don’t mistake the peace of God with being at peace about decisions you have made – Jonah was in such peace and slept in the boat while a storm raged – but it was not the peace of God because Jonah was surely in rebellion against God.

-Some say they have made a decision which is clearly out of line with what the scripture teaches and say they have peace about it, that is surely not the peace of God and they may land in the belly of a whale. I have heard time and again people who clearly are in sin, but have convinced themselves they have done nothing wrong and are actually at peace! That is not the peace of God!

Guides our actions

vs 16-17 ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Word of Christ dwell in you – it should feel at home!

Teaching…

Do in word or deed

-Col 3:23-25 ²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

²⁵But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1. Can I do it in Jesus name? 2. Can I do It with thanksgiving? Ie thank God for it? 3. Does it edify or does it tear down?