11-22-98 Why I am Thankful. Col. 1:11-20

by Ronald E. George Jr. at the Sand Fork Baptist Church

Can we be thankful for all things?

"During a Thanksgiving message, I preached on the need for Christians to be thankful in everything. I reiterated how that God has our best interest at heart and that all things do work together for the good. I had just been blessed with free body work on my old car and it was looking brand new. Two days after the Thanksgiving message I hit a deer on a back road to my home. My car was dented and I was heart broke. I was pounded with my own words just a few days before to be thankful in all things. I wrote these words and testified in church on the next Sunday of God's goodness. Let me be thankful: first, because I have never hit a deer before, second, because although it (the deer) dented my car it did not dent my head, third, because although my car had just been fixed, it is an old car and not a new one, fourth, because although I killed a deer, I did not kill my "dear" (my wife was riding with me), and last, because someone is eating good today." Submitted by Pastor Shelton Cole

Scripture Text: Colo 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

God Came Near, Max Lucado, Multnomah Press, 1987, p. 155

The first American Thanksgiving didn't occur in 1621 when a group of Pilgrims shared a feast with a group of friendly Indians. The first recorded thanksgiving took place in Virginia more than 11 years earlier, and it wasn't a feast. The winter of 1610 at

Jamestown had reduced a group of 409 settlers to 60. The survivors prayed for help, without knowing when or how it might come. When help arrived, in the form of a ship filled with food and supplies from England, a prayer meeting was held to give thanks to God. Today in the Word, July, 1990, p. 22

We are able to give thanks because we have been given the intelligence to know that we need to give thanks to someone who is greater than us who is responsible for all that we have, all that are, and all that we ever hope to be.

1. He is our strength (I have a divine Power)

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

dynamite power with his power not mine> Here his might is accompanied by his glory which is his presence. We remain under difficulties without succumbing to them. Endurance is long and does not retaliate.

2. He is our redemption (I have a divine dwelling)

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:

He has rescued us and has paid our release from our debt as a slave.

3. He is our Creator/God (I have a divine origin)

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

He is our creator, so that we know that we have a divine beginning. We aren’t just an accident. We are a part of a heavenly design.

4. He is our Head. (I have a divine leader)

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. All things hold together in him.

He is the head of his church. He has first place in everything. He has the responsibility for what takes place. He gets the credit for what gets done for him and by Him.

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it. Terrified, the one shouted to

the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!" John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life." "But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us." "All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'"

5. He is our peace. (I have a divine presence)

19 For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

He gives us the peace that passes all understanding. We can be at peace with God, with ourselves, and with everyone else.

Would you give your thanks to God today by coming publicly to Him and humbling yourself before him?