"A Rear-View Thanksgiving"
Dean AngellOctober 12/13, 2002
Well folks, happy thanksgiving! Seems like we were all just at the lake.fast fall.Next to the Christmas season, this is my favorite holiday of the year. See, my whole life, Thanksgiving weekend and this season have been packed full of tradition.When I was growing up on the farm, this weekend represented the harvest being completed and yet another growing season being over. The crop was all off or nearly done.Canning was well under way and nearly completed. We were still eating fresh corn and tomatoes. The cows were ready to come in from pasture and the calves would be weaned. It was a weekend that marked transition in the seasons and in our lives. It was a weekend of reflection, so it was special - set apart. We'd cook a turkey, make pumpkin pie, have a family or 2 over - Go for a drive and look at the leaves.And always it was a weekend to count our many blessings and pray prayers of thanks for all the good God had done.
About 7 years ago I started my own personal transition. The week before Thanksgiving, I take an hour and make a list of all the good things I have in my life. Then I make a list of all the people who have impacted my life in this past season or have shown kindness to me. Then I go through the list and say thanks to God for those things.
Now, make a list with me - a thanksgiving list. 3-4 things that you're thankful for. Now make another list - more personalized. Attach names to it. Write out some things that have happened to you in the past 6-8 months that you're thankful for - that someone else has done for you. Write their name beside it.
Last week, John talked about the puzzle of life - how God has designed the church to be this perfect puzzle - effective and efficient -- an incredible work of art that has the ability to powerfully change our lives forever. But he said it only works..the picture is only complete..when each of us finds our role - when each of us identifies and then puts to use the gifts and talents God has given us..We are the pieces to the puzzle - we are all ministers to one another in the church. And when each of us individually finds our place, the picture becomes more and more complete.
This week I want to take this one step further..We wanted to help you see the puzzle after it's all together -- we want to show you the power of the puzzle.
It begins with one key thought: We create thanksgiving in other people by serving and ministering to them using the gifts God has given us. What we just saw and heard and felt as Pam and Jacob Beatty talked - is an incredible example of this..Their lives have been changed because of God working through other people - because of God's love flowing through other people..That's the power that's in the puzzle..Our acts of obedience to God in serving Him with the gifts He's given us create thanksgiving in someone else - create life-change in someone else. Listen to how the Apostle Paul describes this amazing chain of events:
2 Corinthians 9:11-12: "Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. So two good things will happen - the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God."
1 Thessalonians 3:7-9: "So we have been greatly comforted, dear brothers and sisters, in all of our own crushing troubles and suffering, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in the Lord. How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy in the presence of God."
Philemon 1:4,5&7: "I always thank God when I pray for you, because I keep hearing of your trust in the lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people.I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God's people."
Philippians 1:3: "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."
In nearly every letter Paul writes in the New Testament, he describes the power of the puzzle. He says - when you give of yourself - when you step out in faith - when you show kindness - when you minister to others using the gifts God has given you..it changes lives.
And when lives are changed - thanksgiving breaks out. That's the sequence - that's God's design for the church. That's the power of the puzzle.
Let me tell you about my week.
Mon. - farm - Dale and Dad
Tues. - truck - Richy
Wed. - coat - me & Pam (invite Pam to tell this story)
There's power in the puzzle. How we see the goodness of God is in the actions and words of His people. God desires to be blessing our lives..no question. Let's explore a bit how this can happen.
3 thoughts about thanksgiving and completing the puzzle..
I. React
Hebrews 13:16: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have - for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Now, when we read this verse a little bit of a warm fuzzy runs through us. Wow - if I do good and share my toys with those who I'm playing with - then I can please God and complete the puzzle..nice..
Well, the roots of this run a little deeper and are a little stronger than you might think. The key word in this verse is the word sacrifice. This word sacrifice is the same word that is tied to worship in the Old Testament of the Bible. How did people worship in the Old Testament? They would bring (offer) a sacrifice..something that was valuable and costly to them (and sacrifice/offer it to God). For example, in today's world you might bring your new SUV to our huge church bonfire..and then you would drive your SUV right into that bonfire and we would stand there and watch it burn..and as the smoke would rise to heaven, you would say - "God you mean everything to me"..That's offering a sacrifice. That's reacting to God.
Kinda changes the tone of that verse a little..
Hebrews 13:16 is all about reacting: "Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God." Says when you do good - when you serve other people - when you give of your time and energy and money and possessions -- that's a sacrifice that pleases God. And you know what? Sacrifices always cost - and true worship always costs as well. Reacting is all about serving God by serving others. And serving God is
all about time and energy and money - there are no shortcuts to service.
Jesus told a great story in Luke, the tenth chapter, about the Good Samaritan: He said this, "'A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. "If his bill runs higher than that," he said, "I'll pay the difference the next time I am here." Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?' Jesus asked. The man replied, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'"
(Luke 10:30-37)
A man was on a business trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, which is only about thirty miles. But in that day and time, it would be a significant journey. While he was on this road, he fell into the hands of robbers who stripped him, beat him and went away leaving him half-dead. Now notice what happens in verse 31. A priest - someone who is in the church - comes by and the story tells us he is careful to walk around the man. You just never know. The man looks pretty beaten up, pretty sick, whatever. You may get dirty if you get too close.
Then a Levite comes by. A Levite (temple worker) is also another category for a religious person, kind of like a board member in the church. First the priest goes by and now the board member comes by and says, "That guy really looks like he's hurting, but I'm going to be late for church if I don't keep moving on. 'Cause we're going to pray, we're going to sing, we're going to fast. I wish I had time to help you, brother, but I have to go do the God-thing."
Now, what is so interesting is in verse 33. A Samaritan comes by. A Samaritan was a non-religious person who was outside the church. We read the Samaritan didn't go around, he came near. Who is most honoring to God? Who is the one who is truly worshipping God? And when the Samaritan saw the wounded man, he was moved with pity.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on the wounds. Imagine. Bandaged his wounds. I'll bet this guy - the Samaritan - didn't have rubber gloves. He didn't have time to ask. He risked. He saw a person in need and he used his own resources. Oil and wine were expensive items. And then he put the hurt man on his donkey. He put the man in his own SUV - blood on the leather seats! Are you getting the picture?! And Jesus asks the question - which one of these guys was doing what God wants?
Sacrifice costs - true worship costs - time, energy, money.
If you want to do good, it's gonna cost..reacting costs.
Folks, this is key -- If the church is gonna reach its potential - if the power of God is gonna be displayed - if lives are gonna be transformed - then somebody has got to react. Somebody's gotta sacrifice time, money, energy. Somebody's gotta be a true worshipper.
Key -- Listen - to God
Watch - for need
Respond - with generosity; give lavishly from what God has given you.
II. Reflect
Colossians 4:2: "Be watchful and thankful." You know folks, part of sensing or feeling the power of the puzzle is all about taking time to reflect on what God is already doing. Far too often we're so concerned with our next need or our next request of God that we're too busy and frustrated to watch and then be thankful for what He's already doing.
We must watch for blessings to feel the power of thanksgiving.
You know, it seems to me that a lot of us spend time comparing and complaining - instead of watching and being thankful. Here's what I mean..We look at our own lives all too often only in comparison to others..
"I wish I looked like that - with those hips or that nose or that hair."
"I wish I could play that instrument or sing like that or laugh at life like she does."
"I wish I could sell like him or have the brains or energy that guy does."
"If I lived in that house or drove that car."
Or my personal favorite: "I wish I could be 6'3" just once - I'd like to try it." And we all know those 6'4" guys are looking right back saying "I can never find clothes to fit right - I wish I were Dean's height!"
We spend a huge amount of our time wishing for things that don't really matter - hoping for things that aren't that important - and frustrated about stuff we don't have yet. Folks, let's make a choice instead to spend our energy reflecting on the things that God has done and is doing in our lives..
Here's another angle on being watchful..."The only thing necessary to make us unappreciative of a blessing from God is that we should receive that blessing often and regularly."
See, when we live in such a bountiful land - like we do (even the poorest among us are richer than 90% of the world)..and when we live life so rushed, we tend to not reflect on the ordinary everyday blessings from God.
A hug from your kids going out the door to school.
A car that starts most of the time.
A bed to sleep in every night.
A furnace to warm us up this time of the year.
A cup of water any time we want it.
A Tim Horton's coffee and a newspaper.
Jewish proverb - "In the judgment, every man will be held accountable for every blessing he refused to enjoy."
So often we take this stuff for granted - don't we? Take a minute today and move beyond the daily grind of life..Make a choice to reflect on what God is doing - and when you do - you'll see the pieces all coming together..and be thankful.
III. Deflect
Now, reflecting is a great exercise..But it only goes part of the way to really experiencing the power of the puzzle. The final piece of thanksgiving is in deflecting our thanks back to God.
James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Folks, somehow we've got to get beyond just feeling nice and warm about all the good things in our lives. But to realize and respond to the Giver of these good gifts..What I'm suggesting here is this - building a holy habit into our lives and that is simply setting aside a time daily to express thanks -- Cultivating an attitude of thanksgiving every day..Expressing thanks must become a holy discipline.
In ancient Israel, a daily habit of thanksgiving was so important that the priests of the day were officially appointed to stand in the temple every morning and every evening to publicly thank God for His blessings in their lives. In the book of Daniel (Old Testament) we also see this same habit..3 times every day Daniel knelt down to thank God for the blessings in His life.
Folks, good things in life don't just suddenly happen or appear because we somehow deserve it or because it's our turn to have a nice thing happen to us.
Every good and perfect gift comes from God. Every blessing - every comfort - every bit of joy and peace is direct from the grace-giving hand of God as He pours His love into our lives. And that must create within us a heart overflowing with gratitude and worship to God. We've gotta learn to deflect the feelings of thanks we have - right back to God - every day. But before we can deflect, God calls us to react - so others can see His love and power. And then He calls us to reflect - to look in the rear-view mirror and then.to take those thoughts and give them right back to Him.
