Thanksgiving Sermon
Maintaining Faith in difficult times through Thanksgiving
Introduction:
We’ve just seen pictures of the American President pardoning a fortunate turkey at the White House at this Thanksgiving time. No doubt millions were less fortunate as families sat down to celebrate their Thanksgiving feasts.
The little 4-year old closes her eyes and recites, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." And at the end she says, "...and thank you God for Mummy and Daddy, Brother and Sissy, Grandma and Grandpa..." A child's thanksgiving prayer is so sweet, innocent and trusting. But what about us adults? Is our thanksgiving prayer likely to be very different from the 4-year old? Are we sincere? Is it heartfelt? Or do we go through the motions of recitation hoping God accepts our impersonal and often negligent prayers?
In 1 Thessalonians 3 we find an unusual type of thanksgiving - a thanksgiving with no hint of vain repetition or hollow praise. This is spontaneous thanksgiving, inexpressible and abundant thanksgiving. Paul's thankfulness is the sort that the few searchers who found their loved ones safe after the twin towers terrorist attack of 9/11or after our own London bombings. We watched on television as families were reunited. There was no need for words. Hugs and tears of happiness told the story. Paul struggles to express how he feels when he finds the believers flourishing and fruitful. "What thanks can we render...?"
This year, as we begin stuff ourselves with our seasonal meals, let us at least acknowledge and confess before God our petty brands of thanksgiving. Let us say too, that by the grace of God, we will seek to reach that stage of inexpressible heartfelt thanksgiving that Paul felt. And in this Advent season, prepare Such thanksgiving has two stages
(1) Apprehension, or anxiety, seasonal affected disorder - the Advent blues?
(2) Assurance, or the joy one gets when the unknown becomes known – the Christmas boost?
(1) Apprehension: Paul had a special relationship with the believers at the Church at Thessalonica. God had directed Paul and his missionary group there after labouring in Philippi and enduring much persecution. His ministry was cut short in Thessalonica too because of persecution from unbelievers. Scholars say that he was with them only a few months at the most, and possibly as little as one month. But in this time he learnt that to have an inexpressible thanksgiving, one must have great love.
1. His Compassion v. 1-2 The faith and continuation of the Thessalonian believers was of utmost importance to Paul. In Chapter 2 where Paul bears his heart and tells them how important they are to him, he says "For you are our glory and joy." He thought it so important to learn of their condition that he chose to be alone, without the fellowship of his friend Timothy. To Paul, the Thessalonian church was unfinished business. His heart was still with them. He needed to be patient. Where was his faith in the providential workings of God? Remember Paul's anxiety over them when we are tempted to chide someone for their perceived "lack of patience." Sometimes love and compassion take over the soul, and we can "no longer forbear". When love is great, emotions sometimes get the best of us. Paul led with his heart when it came to the Thessalonians. This love is one of the things that made his thanksgiving unique. It was the love of God experienced through Christ made manifest in his dealings with fellow believers. Can we show the same patience and love for each other when the minutiae of church life get under our skins?
2. His Comforting v. 3-4 . One of Paul's greatest worries was that the Thessalonians would become discouraged and despondent over his trials. He tells them that he was "appointed" to certain suffering. This word denotes "an appointment, or a destiny." Paul's health was not good, and he had endured terrible persecution in the months leading up to his Thessalonica ministry. He was treated badly by the Thessalonian unbelievers and the Christians there felt partially responsible for it. Paul wants to assure them that his suffering has a purpose and a providence in his life. Can we offer the same support and comfort to Christian leaders who feel threatened on all sides?
3. His Concern v. 5 . The word "forbear" in verse 5 is the same word translated "bears" in 1 Cor. 13:7; Love... "Bears all things..." What a paradox! The Christian is to stand strong in the knowledge that God is in control and knows what He is doing. But here is Paul, in heartfelt anxiety, who can "forbear" no longer. He has so much invested in these people, he must know their condition even if it means doing without his helper in the ministry for a time. His concern is also personal to him. Paul expects a reward from God for the work he has done in Thessalonica; he does not want to lose that reward through their failures. If only today's Christians could glimpse the importance of our future rewards as Paul did! How do we measure the success of a local church? The number of members we are making, the children we can attract to church or our faithfulness to follow Christ in difficult tasks.?
The kind of thanksgiving revealed in verse nine demands a huge investment of love and compassion! Is our thankfulness just words we mouth to God in prayer, like the little child praying "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"? Or does it come from a full heart that cannot even find sufficient words to articulate it?
(2) Assurance : Paul knew first-hand the enemies of the gospel in Thessalonica - . those who despised the Christian message and had possibly threatened Paul's life when he was there. Acts 17 tells us that the Thessalonian Christians compelled Paul to leave for his own safety. Now Paul worried for his converts in this atmosphere. He could not stand idly by; he had to know! He sent Timothy back to find out their condition and waited longingly until he returned with news. In verses 6-9 we see the joy Paul felt when the unknown became known.
1. Their Faith was Strong v.6 . Timothy brought back "good tidings." This is the same word translated "preach the Gospel" in other places. The success of the gospel was news just as good to Paul as the gospel itself! What constituted their success? Faith and charity! The gospel was not just news once read and then left behind; it was everyday news, working news, a news that loved inside and through those who believed it! Also, Paul rejoiced that the Christians there still held him in high esteem. This was personal to Paul; he wanted to know that they still remembered his labour and love for them. We are beginning to see Paul's inexpressible thanksgiving in these verses. Can you see him with tears in his eyes as Timothy gives his report? Such joy he felt! Can we get excited when there are those in our church who make a significant difference to the lives of those in community? Can we affirm their work and the recognition they deserve?
2. Their Fellowship Was Special v. 7 . In verse 7, we get another indication of how important these people were to Paul. All of his afflictions and distress were minimized when he was told of their stand for God. No doubt the Thessalonian believers thought of Paul as a great preacher and powerful man of God, but Paul paid them the ultimate complement. Their testimony comforted Paul. We may never know what a blessing each of us are to others. Your Christian walk is either a blessing or a burden to those who see you. Paul allowed the believers in Thessalonica to touch him deeply. Their faith was a great blessing to Paul. Can we accept that others sometimes are better at certain tasks than we are and can we accept graciously what they do on behalf of the church in this place?
3. Their Fates Were Singular v. 8-9
"For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord." Paul had placed his life on hold for the Thessalonian believers. "Now that I know your faith," he says, "I can get back to living again." What a great contrast to most preachers today! Where is the compassion and concern for people today? Paul wrapped his ministry up with the Thessalonians; Paul wrapped his expectations for reward in them; Paul wrapped his very happiness and joy up in them. Many preachers today act as if they are God's gift to humanity. The church is there as a stage for them to show their expertise and ability. Not so with Paul! His success in the ministry was tied to the success of the Thessalonian church. Can we preachers point to the cost and reward of preaching which is not about personal popularity but about changed lives and communities? Paul judged his own success and delight by their Christian walk. Is our own ministry that important to us?
Look at the people sitting besides us this morning. Of the many millions of people in the world, God put us together! Look at our children, our families, our friends. What a gift from God is each one! Look at our possessions: our homes, our lifestyles, our security. God gave these things to you! Doesn't he deserve more than a cursory nod of thanksgiving, a casual “thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the food we eat” in a ritualized stroke of our egos ?
Advent is a time of waiting for the day of our salvation. It’s a time to remind ourselves that we should not be caught unawares. For the Day of the Lord is at hand. We will only be able to recognize the signs of that coming if we are steadfast in our faith. And a big part of that is being prepared to acknowledge with thankfulness what God has done for us, in the gift of his Son.
So let us think of our salvation! Of all the billions in the world God sought you out, convicted you, drew you to himself, and offered the way of salvation. It’s for you and for me! Let us seek to be thankful to God in a deeper and more meaningful way: a thanksgiving that is so meaningful that it is indescribable with mere words. Let us say with Paul, "What thanks can we render to God again..."
