[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 038

[T. Sean Sullivan]

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514



bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetcofc.com

 

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

 

VOLUME 002::ISSUE 038:: November 18, 2007  

 

ARTICLE ONE: Giving of Thanks

ARTICLE TWO: A Simple Lesson on Faith

 

Article One: Giving of Thanks

 

     This week holds the fourth Thursday of November; in our country this day is official known as Thanksgiving Day. There are many things to be thankful for in our blessed place in this world-we are truly blessed.

Have we, however, begun to confuse the essence of Thanksgiving: like so many others? Has "Thanksgiving" become a time to remember all that we have amassed, but forget from "whom" those things have come? Too many sit back in admiration of their great collections of goods and seem to praise those "things" much more than the God of Heaven who is the source of all blessings.

This Thursday, and everyday, we have a compelling need to remember God. When we give thanks it must not be to ourselves or to our admiration of our possessions. When we give thanks it must be to God. This being said, we also know that God does not simply accept every, or just any, offering.  God has given us His will so that we can know how to approach Him and successfully "thank" Him for our blessings. Let's go to the word of God to seek instruction in the proper giving of thanks.

Thankful Singing:

God has always accepted singing in His praise and worship from man. The English phrase "giving of thanks" as found in the Old Testament is from the Hebrew yadah -it literally means to extend one's arm toward another (as in throwing or offering something)-it is most often used scripturally as reaching out toward God in a humble appeal and offering of thanks. We must extend ourselves toward God to show our thankfulness to Him.

Singing is a key of communication (or reaching out) to the Lord. As early in the history of Israel as Exodus 15 we find the people of God singing in thanksgiving to God.  We also see in 2 Samuel 22:50 David expressing in a Psalm his giving of thanks to the Lord. Throughout the collection of Psalms we see many Psalms of thanksgiving to the Lord (Psalm 30:4; 30:12; 35:18; 79:13; 107:1, etc.) 

Still today we praise (adore, magnify, thank, glorify) God in song. Ephesians 5:19 ".speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," Also Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

If we consider the honor and privilege of speaking to God we will cherish the opportunities to thank God. When we choose not to sing here in worship we are choosing to not encourage our brethren and we are choosing to not thank God for His care. God does not accept just any thing or just any way of thanking; He has told us that He accepts singing so let's say "thank You" to God in song. 

Thankful Supplications:

Supplication is heartfelt prayer. We can express our thanks to God through prayer in this life. The human voice is a key to revealing the heart's thoughts (Matthew 12:34-37). When we go to God in prayer we carry our true self, our heart, to God. Prayer is a key of communication and enables us to offer thanks to God. 

There are great examples of thanking God in prayer: Jesus thanked the Father for simple things like food (Matthew 15:36). This teaches us that the most basic of blessings are to be noted and appreciated (1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Timothy 4:4-5). Jesus thanked the Father for the remembrance elements (Matthew 26:26-27).  We continue to partake of those elements in remembrance of Christ and we thank God for them and for the significance they represent-the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Paul was continual in prayers of thanks to God. For his brethren (Romans 16:3-4; Ephesians 1:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). For the spread of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:13). For all men: ruler, kings, authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-3) and for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

God does not accept just any thing or just any way of thanking; He has told us that He accepts prayer, so let's say "thank You" to God in prayer.  

Thankful Service

Everyday that we "walk as we should" we demonstrate appreciation and thankfulness for all that God has provided us. Consider once more the phrase "giving of thanks". The English phrase "giving of thanks" as found in the Old Testament is from the Hebrew yadah -it is literally means to extend one's arm toward another (as in throwing or offering something)-it is most often used scripturally as reaching out toward God in a humble appeal and offering of thanks. 

We must extend ourselves toward God to show our thankfulness to Him. What will we "give" to God in thanks to Him: our self (Romans 12:1-2), our time (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16; Hebrews 10:24-25), our money (2 Corinthians 9:6-15), and our praise-worship (Hebrews 13:5). 

What greater way to say "thank You" to God than to walk in His advice. God has seen fit to give us direction; He has revealed Himself to us so that we can know His help and hope: 2 Peter 1:3 "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue". God has provided direction that leads us to "glory" down the road of "virtue". 

Thank God: Listen to His directions. Showing appreciation for His direction (Psalm 119:102). Walking as we should demonstrates our thanks to God (Colossians 3:17).

Build yourself up toward completion as a fruitful servant (2 Peter 1:5-10).

God does not accept just any thing or just any way of thanking; He has told us that He accepts proper service through the example of the scriptures, so let's say "thank You" to God in our proper service. 

Conclusion: This Thursday serves as a reminder of our need to offer thanks to God. We are truly blessed in this life, in this country, and in this state. God offers us the greatest of all that is best. What are we offering Him to say "thanks"? 

If you are not yet a Christian, God has provided some advice-some direction for you. Will you appreciate His offer and thankfully accept His plan? The opportunity of salvation is yours right now. 

If you are a Christian already are you continuing daily to show your appreciation to God by living as you should? If not, it is time to repent and seek God forgiveness. God has provided all things that pertain to life and godliness. His reward is glory. His way is virtue. Are you ready? ~tss

 

 

Article Two: A Simple Lesson on Faith

 

The Bible declares, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). This tells me that I need to know more about this "faith" thing. All of us should desire a relationship with God-so that we might fulfill our purpose in this life. Acts 17:24-27 "so that they should seek the Lord." We learn more about faith in Hebrews 11:1 where it says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This is the declaration of what our faith is. It is belief in God. It is trust in Him and His promises.

Throughout our daily lives "faith" plays a major role. We need to consider what faith does for us. Let's consider a simple lesson on faith.

 

What Is Faith?

According to Hebrews 11:1 faith is the "substance of things hoped for"? These words are not the most clear. They are understandable if we take the time to ponder them. In this life, we hope for many things; most of which we have a less than substantial hope of ever getting. Think about a child hoping for a gift that they may never get. We may hope that some day a distant relative will leave us lots of money in their will. These hopes have no real reason; no proof-no substance. 

Our "hope" is different, it has substance! 1 Peter 1:3 tells us that our hope is "guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ".  We have faith in the hope of our own resurrection to everlasting life because of the proof God has provided (1 Corinthians 15:42-57).

Hebrews 11:1 continues with it description of faith by saying, "it is the evidence of things not seen." Again, this may not, at first, be very clear. We have the same faith that Heaven is real even though no one here has seen it. Our same faith has been perpetuated through the centuries continuously and accurately. This is tangible evidence of God's reality and Heaven's reality. Put these together: the proofs provided by God and the ability of many others to exactly duplicate our actions of faith based on the word of God: because of these we have substance and evidence for our faith.

Faith in action is necessary for salvation. Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God". We must take action on our faith to find the results of salvation: Galatians 3:26-28 says, "You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus". Faith is much more than simple belief, it is also the action taken on our belief (James 2:14-24 "Faith without works is dead").

 

Where Is Faith Found?

We know that we need faith; so where do we get it? The capability of faith is within us and is brought out by learning. As children we learn to have faith in our parents. Throughout our lives we will place faith in different individuals most of whom, we hope, will not abuse our faith.

Faith in God is also learned. Romans 10:17 says, "Faith comes by hearing; hearing by the word of God." God has delivered His word; our faith is established by hearing that word-this "hearing" not just 'audible signal reception' but the true action of hearing-to apply and use the word (James 1:22-24). 

We must increase our faith in God. Our faith is based on the knowledge revealed in the word. If you want to increase your faith you must increase your knowledge. Prayer, reading, studying (Acts 17:11; 1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16). It is clearly evident that when a Christian waivers in the faith two things have usually diminished in their life: Prayer and reading the Bible. We must increase our knowledge from the foundation of a well-grounded faith.

 

Faith at Work

God has seen fit to expect faith and faithful service since the beginning-throughout the Scriptures we have many heroes of faith. Hebrews 11 is full of these individuals: Verses 4-8 show us that true faith is always demonstrated by doing. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 we see the record of the faithful endurance of Paul. Faith is what kept Paul going through all those persecutions. His faith in his salvation and reward is clearly stated in 2 Timothy 4:7-8. We cannot forget the nameless numbers of those who suffered for the cause (Hebrews 11:32-39a)

What about our own lives-our own trials and temptations? Our faith in God allows us to rely on Him. Draw near to God (James 4:6-8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you").  Cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).  

 

Conclusion: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen". In a practical application: faith gives us full advantage: In knowledge: We know God's will. In wisdom: Wise in the way of salvation. In direction: We know both where we have been and where we are going. In life: The peace the passes all understanding. In death: glorious victory in the presence of our Father for all eternity.

Is your faith founded on the word of God? Your opportunity to put your faith into action and make it alive is now. On the back of this bulletin there is a chart that outlines the plan of salvation. Please consider it now. ~tss

 

 

 

 

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

 

 
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