052310 Philippians 4:4-9; Being thankful for what God has given us.
God speaks to us: Rejoice
INTRODUCTION: We are so blessed! That was our comment to each other as we came home last week in the middle of the night. After tens of thousands of miles traveled and three months in a new place we were home safe and sound. We continue to tell people how blessed we all are. One lady responded “how do we continue to be thankful”? What with a weak economy, no jobs available, sometimes we struggle with illness, with relational conflicts there is so much that happens in our lives that keep us from seeing God’s blessings much less be thankful. Our trip reminded us again how much God has blessed us, we missed our church, we missed the love shown to us, we missed all of you and our kids and grand kids. We missed the security of living without fear, yet God blessed us in Niger State as well as you read on our blog. Life in Niger State was intense, the heat, the travel conditions, the medical needs of the people and the spiritual needs all around. There are needs here as well but it seems to us we are not as concerned as we should be as Christians. One thing that stands out is our dependence on God was at a higher level over the three months while we worked in Niger State. Today is Pentecost; we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit to all who call upon the Lord. Think about it, we have the Spirit working in us. That is different than positive thinking or depending on ourselves as we tend to do. In the context of the Spirit in us do we answer the question?
I. How can we thank God for his blessings all of the time?
A. Attitude, Honesty, Truthfulness, transparency.
I don’t know if you saw the interview with the Dali Lama on the Today’s Show this week. According to him people are getting better and more compassionate; he judges that by the response to Haiti and other natural disaster responses. From the Western world the response is good.
He said we all have to have a positive attitude. Begin with yourself and think positively about life and about the people around you
B. Think positively.
Not only think positive but act on it: like being honest with yourself and others. Be truthful about everything and be transparent, no hidden agendas. We can agree with all of that, we are much more likely to be thankful for God’s blessings all of the time if we have a positive attitude.
Paul gives advice like that
C. Paul’s advice.
He writes to the Philippians Ch. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”.
Is it enough to be positive? No! That is not what keeps us being thankful for God’s blessings. What Paul suggests is a positive activity that flows from our attitude in Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit. Amen.
II. Our attitude in Jesus is where Paul begins in the passage we read today.
A. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Not just rejoicing but rejoicing in the Lord. Paul repeats it because it is important; rejoice because Jesus has called you! Rejoice because Jesus has saved you and forgiven you; rejoice because Jesus gives us a new life now and eternal life with him in the future. Rejoice always! Amen! Rejoicing comes from within and has nothing to do with our external circumstances. When we have joy in our hearts because of what Jesus does for us every day, it shows, it comes out in our lives.
B. Be gentle and show it.
Paul again: “Let your gentleness be evident to all” Rejoicing in the Lord is the attitude of Christ Jesus and that includes gentleness, being kind, soft hearted and compassionate. A fruit of the Spirit. The Lord is near Paul tells us. Do you believe that God is near to you? If so why be anxious?
C. And do not be anxious about anything.
Rejoicing in Jesus allows us to face the most difficult situations, major loss, terminal illness, death of a loved one. Joy is not only laughter but often as not, it is tears. The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gal. 5:22
D. Pray with thanksgiving.
Do not be anxious and pray with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving because we know that God will and does bless us, even if it is only salvation and assurance. That is everything! Amen.
III. The Peace of God. My peace I give you Jn. 14:27
A. Incomprehensible
Rejoicing in Jesus has a result in our lives: it is the peace of God, a peace that we do not understand because it comes by the Spirit of Christ, but we have it and we are secure in it. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. God lives in our hearts, who can be against us.
B. God’s peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
The evil one wants to lead your heart astray and set your mind on all the things of this life, on all the stuff we want. He wants you to dwell on problems, on our own shortcomings, on the shortcomings of others. It is easy to find fault with this church and with the people in this church but
God’s peace keeps us from going there; we concentrate on what Jesus has done for us and the peace that he brings us.
CONCLUSION: Put your Christ-like attitude into practice.
We do not need to worry; Gremar and I did not have to worry about how things would work out in Nigeria. We had everything we needed, people accepted us. Matt and Laura, shared their lives with us, and we shared our lives with all those turning to Christ for salvation. Christ prepared us physically, emotionally and spiritually to serve him in that place; God is in control and he prepares the way ahead, we do not have to be afraid. Honestly, it all happens by allowing the attitude of Christ to flow through you by his Spirit.
When we display Christ’s attitude then we can go back to Paul’s advice in verse 8. Now that we know that all that we are is by the grace of Jesus. All that we will accomplish is by the grace of Jesus. When we put on Jesus’ attitude; we rejoice always, we become gentle and compassionate, we are prayerful, thankful in all circumstances and we hold onto God’s peace because our lives depend on it. Only then are we able to think positively about; “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”. And the God of peace will be with you.
Heavenhigh 