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INTRODUCTION
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
One of the traditions we have had in my family on Thanksgiving – is that before we eat the meal we go around the table and share one thing we are thankful for. And then we ask God’s blessing on the food. There were times growing up where I would roll my eyes and think to myself, “Here we go again – come on lets just get to the food already!” It usually is a time where my mother gets weepy and thanks God for her children and her family. I thank God for this tradition that my parents established because it taught me that there are many things we can be thankful to God for! Some of you may have a similar or different tradition you celebrate on thanksgiving. I believe the real point of this holiday has been to create a time in people’s lives for them to be thankful for what they have!
I read about an elder lady who knows the attitude of gratitude!
It was Thanksgiving season in the nursing home. The small resident population were gathered about their humble Thanksgiving table and the Director asked each in turn to express one thing for which they were thankful. Thanks were expressed for a home in which to stay, families, etc. One little old lady in her turn said: “I thank the Lord for two perfectly good teeth, one in my upper jaw and one in my lower jaw that match so that I can chew my food.” (Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
This attitude of gratitude however is more and more being relegated to the convenient times rather than being an integral part of our lives. In fact, in today’s world some people are even forgetting the “thank” in fulness and replacing it with “take”. Instead of being thankful (which is being filled with gratitude for what one has), our world seems more concerned with being “takeful”(always wanting more and forgetting what one already has).
In the scripture that was read earlier this morning we heard about the miraculous healing of ten men with leprosy at the hand of Jesus and then we learn of the sad observation that only one of them returned to Jesus to thank him. In fact the man who returned to Jesus was a Samaritan, a foreigner (funny how Samaritans otherwise known as “the despised ones” keep turning up next to Jesus).
Jesus’ words to the leper who returned to him give us some insight into the importance of being thankful. He indicated that gratitude is an expression of praise and an indicator of faith. When you thank God you are praising Him and declaring your faith in Him!
In my study on this attitude I found that there is much importance placed on giving God thanks throughout scripture. Beginning way back with the regulations that God gave Moses concerning offerings in the tabernacle – there were instructions given for a “thank offering” (Leviticus 7:11-15; 22:29-30).
When King David made preparations to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem his preparations included appointing some Levites to give thanks to the Lord (1 Chronicles 6:4). In fact during that same occasion David sung a Psalm that He wrote that at it’s foundation was a Psalm of thanksgiving to God! (1 Chronicles 16:36).
Later on in this same book we find listed among the duties of the Levites, “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening” (1 Chron. 23:30). The importance for thankfulness to God is emphasized time and time again through the Old Testament – in the Psalms alone there are 33 times where reference is made to giving thanks to God.
In the New Testament there is also given examples for the importance of grateful living. Jesus set the example when he gave thanks for the bread and fish before feeding the 5000 people and again when he gave thanks before breaking the bread and drinking the cup at the Last Supper. Jesus also prayed a prayer of thanks to the Father before the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-44). Later on, in the history of the Church, in the book of Acts, we find Paul giving thanks to God on a ship in the midst of a vicious storm (Acts 27:35). All through the scriptures – thankfulness is emphasized as being an important part of a Godly life.
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. (John Henry Jowett)
Today I’d like to talk about TNT Living – that is a life that is has the same explosive power as dynamite – full of joy, happiness, and contentment. TNT – thankful not takeful. A life that I believe God wishes for everyone of us to lead. A life that I believe many of us want but few of us have. It is a life that begins with being able to say thanks. I’d like to share with you three observations about TNT – Thankfulness not Takefulness – that I’ve made while studying gratitude as found in the scriptures:
PRAY
thankfulness ushers in the presence of God, takefulness repels God’s glory
13 The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NIV)
King Solomon had completed the constructing the temple of God and now the Ark of the Covenant was being brought in. Solomon had fulfilled what God had told him to do and as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple we hear the priests and musicians singing praise to God and THANKING Him for this wonderful honor of building a “house” for His presence on earth. The Bible records that in the midst of this multitude of praise and thanks that the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God so powerfully that the priests were unable to continue their service!
Contrast this with later on in Solomon’s life. Solomon was richly blessed by God with wisdom and wealth and for a time it looked as though Solomon would follow in his father’s footsteps and be a man after God. But then Solomon became infected with a takeful attitude and got his eyes of what he already had been blessed with. The Bible records that in his latter years Solomon began amassing wives and wealth and sadly even a multitude of different religions. Solomon it seems had stopped begin thankful to God and then he is told near the end of his reign that his kingdom will be torn away from him.
The thing about gratitude is that it comes from a Christ-like nature. Takefulness on the other hand smells of the sinful nature.
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
Ephesians 5:3-7 (NIV)
A good marker of someone who is close to God versus someone who is far from God is the attitude of gratitude. When we learn to be thankful for the things God has done for us and continually praise Him for His love then we are ushered into the blessing of his presence.
I like what a man by the name of Phil Dunagan had to say:
The Holy Spirit is often compared to a flame or a fire. Paul told Timothy to stir up the gift of God. The Greek word for “stir up” means to “rekindle” Now that requires some personal effort. One of the surest ways to rekindle the Spirit is to take the “poker” of your memory and stir up some past occurrences in your life. Recall the times that God has intervened in your life and answered your prayers. Meditate upon your blessings. Throw the “logs” of praise, thankfulness and gratitude on the fire of God and just see if the flame of the Holy Spirit does not burn more brightly than ever before in your life! (Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
thankfulness flows out of generosity, takefulness is the hallmark of selfishness
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV)
Not only does an attitude of gratitude lead to generosity but being generous, the Bible promises, will lead to reason for you to give thanks! On the other hand takefulness is only concerned with self-preservation and self satisfaction not knowing that making that a focus causes one to miss out on the generosity of God and the satisfaction of passing that generosity on! Show me a man who is generous and I’ll show you a man who is grateful and contented – show me a man who stingy and I’ll show you a man who is takeful and uneasy.
A farmer was entertaining one of his sophisticated relatives from the city. Before the meal the farmer gave thanks for the food. When he finished the visitor jeered: “This is old-fashioned; nobody with an education prays at the table anymore.” The farmer admitted that the practice was old and even allowed that there were some on his farm who did not pray before their meals. Justified, the relative remarked: “So enlightenment is finally reaching the farm. Who are these wise ones?” The Farmer replied: “My pigs” (Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
thankfulness destroys problems – takefulness creates problems!
Snoopy is getting dog food for his Thanksgiving Day dinner and he is aware that everyone else in the family is inside having turkey. He meditates and talks to himself. “How about that? Everyone is eating turkey today, but just because I’m a dog I get dog food.” He trots away and positions himself on top of his doghouse and concludes: “Of course, it could have been worse, I could have been born a turkey.” (Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
This is probably one of the most obvious benefits of having an attitude of gratitude. Not only do you find the problems you face in life a little bit less threatening but you also discover that you are way more satisfied with what you have rather than uneasy about what you don’t have.
Thankfulness releases the peace of God into our lives. His peace rules your heart when your heart is filled with gratitude. Takefulness adds to the chaos of life because it makes you think of all the things you don’t have – it amplifies the difficulties of your life and leads you to complain and grumble and eventually even get depressed.
If you haven’t all the things you want, be grateful for all you don’t have that you don’t want! (Marty Radcliff, Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
Another twist on this observation is that when you are a thankful person you are able to see the blessings of God being released in your life whereas takefullness actually hampers God’s blessings for your life. Look at the story of Joseph (relate how Joseph was able to give God thanks in the midst of every situation and hence experienced God’s blessings). Joseph very easily could have complained about his situation and his place and that could have led to his missing out on the blessings of God.
Look at what happened with the Israelites when they came to the promised land and sent in their spies. All through their wanderings they had found this and that to complain about and now here on the verge of entering the promised land they discovered something else to complain about! There were giants there! “There’s no way we can conquer this land – has God brought us here to die?” Takefulness creates problems – they forgot all the miraculous signs that God had performed to get them there – why? Because they didn’t have an attitude of gratitude – and because of this they missed out on entering the promised land. God referred to their conduct as “contempt” to Him. If the Israelites had lived lives of thankfulness they wouldn’t have seen that they were grasshoppers in the giants eyes but that the giants were grasshoppers in God’s eyes. Are there some giants in your life today that exist because of your ungratefulness?
Eight year old Frank had looked forward for weeks to this particular Saturday because his father had promised to take him fishing if the weather was suitable. There hadn’t been any rain for weeks and as Saturday approached, Frank was confident of the fishing trip. But wouldn’t you know it, when Saturday morning dawned, it was raining heavily and it appeared that it would continue all day. Frank wandered around the house, peering out the windows and grumbling more than a little. “Seems like the Lord would know that it would have been better to have the rain yesterday than today, ” he complained to his father who was sitting by the fireplace, enjoying a good book. His father tried to explain to Frank how badly the rain was needed, how it would make the flowers grow and bring much needed moisture to the farmer’s crops. But Frank was adamant. “It just isn’t right,” he said over and over. Then, about three o’clock, the rain stopped. Still time for some fishing, and quickly the gear was loaded and they were off to the lake. Whether it was the rain or some other reason, the fish were biting hungrily and father and son returned with a full string of fine, big fish. At supper, when some of the fish were ready, Frank’s mom asked him to say grace. Frank did – and concluded his prayer by saying, “And, Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier today it was because I couldn’t see far enough ahead.” No doubt much of our complaining is because we “can’t see far enough ahead.” (Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
A grateful man is encouraged by what He sees God blessing in his life, a takeful man is discouraged by what he doesn’t see in his life.
There is a legend of a man who found the barn where Satan kept his seeds ready to be sown in the human heart, and on finding the seeds of discouragement more numerous than others, he learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. When Satan was questioned, he reluctantly admitted that there was one place in which he could never get them to thrive. “And where is that?” asked the man. Satan replied sadly, “In the heart of a grateful man.” (Autoillustrator.com, GRATITUDE)
CONCLUSION
The road to TNT living begins with being thankful to God for the gift of salvation that was obtained for us by such an awesome price with the death of God’s only son on a cross. TNT living begins with accepting that gift from God and thanking Him for it. You see, when you thank God you are acknowledging that His gift is real, it is awesome, and it is necessary! If you want to experience TNT living it starts with this first step.
TNT living continues as we live with an attitude of gratitude in our lives – thanking God for everything and praising Him in the midst of everything (good or bad!). There may be some of you today who recognize the infection of takefulness in your life. You recognize that you have begun taking the things of God for granted – taking his blessings for granted – forgetting what He has done in your life. Today I want to give you the opportunity to let God cure your infection. It begins with your willingness to make an offering of thanks.
Thanksgiving has been set a side as a day of thanks for things in our lives but our thankfulness should be expressed everyday of the year as we enter into the concept of thanksliving!
In the word s of Paul to the Thessalonians,
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)