I Am Thankful For
"I Am Thankful For ..."
I. GOD THE FATHER WHO LOVES US - (Jn.3:16) (I Jn.4:19)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“We love him, because he first loved us.”
God's love is:
A. Underserved
B. Unconditional
C. Unmovable
D. By the world... Miss- Understood... and still in some places Unknown
II. GOD THE SON WHO LOWERED HIMSELF FOR US -
A. He left the PORTALS of heaven: Willing... Able
B. He walked the earth as a PROPHET
C. On the cross He was our PROPITIATION
D. His blood paid the PRICE and gave us PARDON
E. His resurrection PROVED His deity
F. He is now our great high PRIEST
G. He has PROMISED to return
III. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN US - (I Cor.6:19-20) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
A. He is our PERSUADER - convicts of sin
B. He is our PROMISE - (Jn.14:16-18) “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
C. He is our POWER - to witness...walk...war... worship
D. He is our PROTECTOR - Sin (Gal.5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
IV. THE WORD OF GOD THAT LEADS US - (I Jn.2:5) “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
A. His Word lights the PATH - (Ps.119:105) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
B. His Word is PURE (Ps.12:6) “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
C. His Word PERFORMS - it does all is says it can do!
1) It equips the saint
2) It exalts Christ
3) It examines the heart
D. His Word is PRECIOUS - (Ps.126:6) “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
E. His Word will cause one to PROPSER - (Ps.1:1-3) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
F. His Word will never PERISH - (Matt.24:35) “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
V. TRIALS THAT TEACH US - How do we benefit from trials?
(James 1:2-5) “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
A. Trials lead to PATIENCE
B. Which leads to PERFECTION (spiritual maturity)
C. Which leads to PREPAREDNESS - (vs.5) Wisdom here is related to trials that James is talking about. Wisdom is the exercise and practical use of knowledge. This comes only by spiritual maturity which comes only by patience!
VI. FOR A CHURCH THAT LIFTS US - How wonderful to be a part of a local church that cares!
A. The church is a BROTHERHOOD - (I Pet.2:17) “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
B. The church is a BODY - (Eph.1:22,23) “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
C. The church is a BUILDING - (Eph.2:19-22) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
D. The church is a BRIDE - (2 Cor.11:2) “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”