Sermon Tone Analysis

Title: How to Say Thanks

Theme: Expressing Thankfulness to the Body of Christ

Series: Full Measure of Thanksgiving

Introduction: Appreciation raises value.

William James said, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

The Apostle Paul was led of the Holy Spirit of Christ to express thankfulness and he was a master at it.

He expressed appreciation to God and to others as well.

Paul wrote most of the New Testament and it is normal to read phrases like, “I always thank God for you…,” (1 Corinthians 1:4) “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…,” (2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3) “I thank God every time I remember you…,” (Philippians 1:3) We always thank God…,” (Colossians 1:3) “We always thank God for all of you…” (1 Thessalonians) “We ought to always thank God for you…,” (2 Thessalonians 1:3) “I thank Jesus our Lord…,” (1 Timothy 1:12) “I thank God…,” (2 Timothy 1:3) and lastly, “I always thank God for you as I remember you in my prayers…,” (Philemon 1:4)

God wants His elect to be appreciative as in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which says, “…encourage one another and build each other up…” The Apostle Paul gives this exhortation, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

(Ephesians 4:29) Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, Paul gives us short exhortations that direct the motion of our hearts and lives and give us duties of great importance, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Through the Lord’s faithful servant, Paul, an Apostle who exemplified a life of gratitude to God, Christ, and submission to the Holy Spirit we have our key text.

Listen as I read Colossians 2:7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

I would propose to you the Word of God teaches clearly how we can say thanks to God, Christ and be enabled by the Holy Spirit to express gratitude to the blood purchased Body of Christ.

To whom are we to be thankful and how can we say thanks through Christ-centered humility?

Thankfulness must be first given to God

The key to having speech which matches up with a life that expresses thanks is an understanding that thankfulness must be first given to God.

Psalm 9:1-2 says, “ I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2) David, the writer of this Psalm excites and engages himself to praise God for His mercies and the great things He had done for him and the government he oversaw with the Lord.

If these expressions are found in David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) then they will be found in the Holy Spirit Illuminated child of God.

The whole of Scripture teaches us, God expects suitable returns of praise from those for whom He has done marvelous works.

(Luke 17:11-17) If we choose to give praise to God acceptably, then we must praise Him in sincerity, not only with lips, but from a life directed from a heart of praise.

Holy joy is the life of thankful praise, as thankful praise is the language of Holy joy.

Whatever occurs to make us glad, our joy must go past the circumstance or object, and be in Him who gave it.

We are joyful not because of good health, but because the Great Physician has given it to us.

We are not joyful because of our nice homes, but because the Lord who provides has given us our homes, cars, jobs, ability to make money, and our success.

If we are being afflicted in any way, we are not joyful because of the affliction, but through the affliction we are given the opportunity to express trust and enabled to live a life of praise to Him, no matter what may come our way.

Christians are to thank God first and foremost because of His Holy Spirit’s empowerment which daily affects the spiritual heart of born again Christians, causing them to no longer desire fleshly control, worldly drawings and devilish lies.

Our God’s sovereignty not only offers heavenly promises but also intervenes for us in the earthly realm, thus, He deserves praise first and utmost.

When God has shown Himself to be above the enemies of the church we must take occasion to give glory to Him.

I purposely reread Psalm 9:2, “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your Name, O Most High!”

This heart of thankfulness opens the door of mercy, enables us to enjoy God’s goodness and prepares our spiritual hearts to be aware of all the blessings God has given us.

The truth of praising God first, even in afflictions was so clearly seen in Pastor Martin Rinkart, who oversaw a church for the Lord in Eilenburg Germany.

“In the first half of the 17th century, Germany was in the midst of wars, famine and pestilence.

During an especially oppressed period, Pastor Rinkart conducted up to 50 funerals a day as a plague swept through town and as the Thirty Year’s War wreaked its own terror.

Among those whom Pastor Rinkart buried were members of his own family.

Yet during those years of darkness and despair, when death and destruction greeted each new day, Pastor Rinkart wrote 66 sacred songs and hymns.

Among them was the song, ‘Now Thank We All, Our God.’

Pastor Rinkart wrote, ‘With hearts and hands and voice, Who wondrous things hath done.

In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mothers’ arms Hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”

JDB, wrote in Our Daily Bread on October 12, 1998, “Rinkart demonstrates a valuable lesson for us all: Thankfulness does not have to wait for prosperity and peace.

It’s always a good time to praise God for wondrous things He has done.”

(Galaxie Software.

(2002) 10,000 Sermon Illustration, Biblical Studies Press.)

As I study the whole counsel of God’s Word, I am convinced the spiritual heart that is pleasing to God is somewhat like the elderly lady who had been ushered into the private office of President Lincoln.

President Lincoln asked “What can I do for you?’

The elderly lady placed a covered basket on the table and said,

‘Mr.

President, I have come here today not to ask any favor for myself or for anyone.

I heard that you were fond of cookies, and I came here to bring you this basket of cookies!’

Tears trickled down the gaunt face of the great President.

He stood speechless for a moment; the he said, ‘My good woman, your thoughtful and unselfish deed greatly moves me.

Thousands have come into this office since I became President, but you are the first one to come asking no favor for yourself or somebody else!’” (Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations; TX: Bible Communications)

The child of God who knows how to say thanks has the heart of David which is reflected in Psalm 57:7-11, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul!

Awake, harp and lyre!

I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”

(New Nave’s Topical Bible)

Thanks for Christ

Once the child of God grasps the joy of just praising God because of who He is, he then says thanks for Christ. 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

This passage of Scripture is the closing statement to Paul’s teaching on “Sowing Generously.”

Paul teaches about the need for using our gifts to help meet needs.

He writes about how these generous gifts will result in “overflowing expressions of thanks to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11) In 2 Corinthians 9:15, Paul points to the Person who makes the way for us to enjoy the grace gifts that enable us to minister to the needs of others. 2 Corinthians 9:15 tells us to thank God for Jesus Christ.

(A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testament; Matthew Henry’s Commentary; Barrett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians; The Expositors Bible Commentary; Barnes Notes; The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible)

The reference is rather to the inexpressible gift which God had granted to them in bestowing His Son to die for them; and this is one of the most striking instances which occurs in the New Testament, showing that the mind of Paul was full of this subject and that wherever he began in his teachings, [Paul’s aim was to point people to Christ] our Redeemer.

(Barnes Notes)

The Greek word “indescribable” (anekdiegetos) is only used here in the New Testament and it means that words cannot fully explain the greatness of Christ, His giving His own life sacrificially for us on the Cross.

No words can describe the greatness of this cost as seen from God’s perspective.

(Barns Notes; The Complete Word Study Dictionary; Analytical Lexicon of the Greek; Word Meanings in the New Testament; Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains: Greek New Testament; Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon)

The Apostle Paul writes, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully…” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Our imperfect knowledge will some day be replaced with true perception which is totally clear and distinct.

(New Bible Commentary; The Bible Knowledge Commentary; Barns Notes; The Expositors Bible Commentary) Paul is teaching in this life we see the reflections of God as the Holy Spirit of Christ which give us revelation of God’s Word.

Yet being finite we still cannot fully grasp the infinite.

When we see Christ face to face, we will then fully know.

(Barclay, Lecturer in the University of Glasgow)

Even though we do not fully know, we are to give thanks to God for Christ because of the revelation we do have.

2 Corinthians 8:9 reveals to us, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Jesus Christ became poor by leaving glory and uninterrupted worship to God His father so you and I can be made rich in His love.

We enjoy fellowship with God the Father and Christ His Son, and walk under the direction of the Holy Spirit of Christ.

Thus, we are enabled to live the abundant life promised in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:1-2 gives us clear instructions on a practical way to say thanks to our Lord for the sacrifice He made for us.

“…in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Saying thanks in this way comes with a promise of His revelation to us, “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Same heart as the Apostle Paul

Knowing how to live a life of thanks to Christ enables you to be Holy Spirit illuminated with the same heart as the Apostle Paul.

He knew how to say thanks to God and to those who were in partnership with him in the Lord’s work.

Philippians 1:3-11 says, “I thank my God every time I remember you.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

The Apostle Paul presents to us the heartbeat of a mature Christian.

These passages of Scripture present concisely and clearly the expressions of thanksgiving that are so desperately needed in the Body of Christ.

Therefore we need to be concise in presenting the truths found in these Scriptures.

The Apostle Paul at Philippi is maltreated; there he is scourged and put in the stocks.

At the time he writes of this portion of the letter he has seen little fruit from his labors, and yet he remembers Philippi with joy.