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weekly sermon 5-24-09 In Remembrance And Thanksgiving
This weekend is the weekend we are to remember the ones that have fallen in battle, as well as the ones the have served in the armed forces, to keep our way of life free. We have the ability to be free, think free, and act free because of these heroes who have served to defend those freedoms.
While we are in rememberance of these heroes we should be thankful for the many freedoms that are given us because of their willingness to fight for our country.
If we think of thanksgiving we must think of why we should be thankful, have a thankful attitude, and most assuredly think of Paul. Paul was one of the greatest examples of a thankful attitude ever acknowledged.
In nearly ever epistle that Paul wrote, his first words are those of thanksgiving and praise to God. The first place the words "give thanks" is ever mentioned, in the New Testament, is in the writings of Paul, actually in Romans. Romans 16:4, "Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles."
I want us to look at a few other passages of scripture that deal with these same words "give thanks". 1 Corinthians 10:30, "For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?" Ephesians 1:16, "Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;" Colossians 1:3, "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you," 1 Thessalonians 1:2, "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;" 2 Thessalonians 2:13, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"
There are a couple of things I want us to notice in these passages of scripture. I want us to notice that they all contain the words we are talking about, they were all written by Paul, who they are giving thanks to, and what they are giving thanks for.
Paul shows us the epitome of the thankful attitude in nearly all of his epistles. Paul is always giving thanks to God. And lastly notice what Paul is giving thanks for. Paul is giving thanks, to God, for YOU.
Paul had a complete understanding of what it is we are put here to do. We were put here to harvest souls. Many of the disciples, when they went out, met with evil spirits and defeated them. When they returned to the area where Christ was, they told Him how they had defeated these evil spirits. When they told Jesus about their great defeats, Jesus, told them in return they should never be concerned with defeating the evil spirits, but concerned with the harvesting of souls.
Since Paul had this understanding you can see that his constant giving of thanks always said, to you. We need to remember this also, that when we give thanks, it should always be to God, and it should always be for someone else. If we keep this in mind then we will be taken care of in return.
Not only does this giving of thanks help those we are praying for but it also fulfills our obligation. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." As you can see, it is the will of God that we give thanks in every thing.
If we give thanks in all things as we should, then we will be doing the will of God, and He will take care of our needs as well.
Not only let us remember the memories of the ones that served to keep this nation free, but lets be thankful for them and their families. Also think of 5 folks you know and include them in your prayers, giving thanks to God for them and their families.
During this time of year, we give thanks to those who have fought to keep us and our nation free. Let us also remember those that are bound to the slavery of sin. Keep those folks in your thoughts, remember them in prayer, and give thanks to God for them. The lost souls is the ones we should keep in our remembrances today. Salvation is the key to everlasting life and we should be thanking God for this gift as well as bringing other lost souls to the kingdom of Heaven.
If your soul has yet to find the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and you would like to, then all you have to do is say a simple prayer with me.
Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ, Pastor Stone
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