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November 11-12, 2001 THANKFUL IN TROUBLED TIMES Colossians 3:15-17 BUILDING
A THANKFUL HEART! *** Luke 17:15-19 “When one of them discovered
that he was healed, he came back, shouting praises to God. He bowed down at the
feet of Jesus and thanked him. Jesus asked, "Weren't ten men healed? Where
are the other nine? Why was this… only one who came back to thank God?"
Then Jesus told the man, "You may get up and go. Your faith has made you
well." [Contemporary English Version] & THANKSGIVING IS A LEARNED
RESPONSE! *** Col. 3:14-17 “And the most important piece
of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in
perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be
thankful. Let the words of Christ, in
all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to
teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God
with thankful hearts. And whatever you
do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while
giving thanks through him to God the Father.” [New Living Translation] HOW
CAN I BUILD A THANKFUL HEART! 1. BY
KNOWING THAT I’M LOVED! *** Col. 3:14 “Love is more important than
anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.” [Contemporary English Version] *** John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.” [New International Version] *** Romans 5:8 “God showed his great love for
us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” [NLT] A. GOD SHOWS US HIS LOVE THROUGH
HIS PARDON! & “THE ONE WHO KNOWS ME BEST LOVES ME MOST!” B. GOD SHOWS US HIS LOVE THROUGH
HIS PEOPLE! *** Galatians 6:2 “Share each other's troubles
and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” [NLT] *** 1 Cor. 12:26 “If one part suffers, every
part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” [NIV] *** Acts 28:15
“The believers in Rome heard that we were there and came out…to meet
us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.” [New Century Version] 2. BY
TRUSTING IN GOD’S STRENGTH! *** Col. 3:15 “And let the peace that comes
from Christ rule in your hearts…. And always be thankful. [NLT] & IT’S TOUGH TO BE AT PEACE UNLESS
YOU TRUST YOU’RE SECURE! *** Romans 8:31 “What can we say about such
wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” [NLT] *** Hebrews 13:6 “That should make you feel
like saying, "The Lord helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can
do to me?" [CEV] & “PEACE IS KNOWING THAT THE ONE WHO PROTECTS
YOU IS GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO THREATENS YOU!” *** 2 Thes. 3:16 “May the Lord of peace
himself always give you his peace no matter what happens. The Lord be with you
all.” [NLT] 3. BY
FEEDING ON GOD’S WORD! *** Col. 3:16 “Let the words of Christ, in all
their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach
and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with
thankful hearts.” [NLT] *** Romans 15:4 “And the Scriptures were
written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.” [CEV] & WHEN I’M FEEDING ON GOD’S WORD, I’M FILLING MY HEART WITH HOPE! WHEN MY HEART IS FILLED WITH HOPE, I AM THANKFUL! *** 2 Thes. 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ
himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal
encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts….” [NIV] 4. BY
MAKING A LIVING DIFFERENCE! *** Col. 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, let
it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks
through him to God the Father.” [NLT] & A THANKFUL HEART IS BUILT BY SERVING! *** 1 Tim. 1:12 “How thankful I am to Christ
Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve him….” [NLT] ***Col. 2:7 “Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.” [Living Bible] |