Happy Thanksgiving!

Sermon notes for Thanksgiving 2011


The foundation of Thanksgiving is remembering what God has done for us, especially through His Son Jesus.  But so often it seems that what we build on that foundation is not particularly thankful.  Instead, we're picky, worried, anxious, judgmental, critical and impatient.  Sometimes these have to do with the way we feel, but more often than not they have to do with the focus of our attention.


Toward the end of his letter to the Philippians Saint Paul writes, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  (Philippians 4:8 NIV)


Wow!  This is different than what I usually hear from people, but I think it points us toward thankfulness pretty well.  Listen to his words again:


Think about whatever is true - how much time do you spend fretting about things that may or may not come to pass, the opinions of others, speculations and musings and wonderings?  And where do these get you?  Into worry and anxiety about the future.  How much better would it be to spend time thinking about whatever is true - the love of God for you through His Son Jesus, for instance.


Think about whatever is noble - are you drawn to celebrity scandals, stories about crime, juicy gossip?  And after a time do you find yourself commenting on just how terrible our society has been getting?  How much better would it be to spend time observing the noble all around you - the love of God working in His people as they care for others, love others, provide for others, help others.


Think about whatever is right - do you live life like a frustrated Olympic judge, always looking for ways to "take points off" from someone or something?  Whatever you observe or participate in, are you always noticing ways it could be better?  Isn't anything ever good enough?  How frustrating that must be!  And how much better and more relaxed and more grateful might you be if you were to learn to live with, "Lord, pretty good is good enough."


Think about whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy - I could go on with each of these, but I hope you get the point by now.  Our anxieties and cares and worries come to us in large part because we focus on the wrong things in this world.  We don't focus on the things God has given us, the things He has blessed us with.  If we did, we might build a better structure in which to be thankful to Him:


If we delighted in what was pure we'd spend less time fretting about movies and TV and more time being thankful for His blessings.


If we delighted in what was lovely we'd spend less time turning away from the ugly in the world and more time noticing that it is His creation behind the ugliness.


If we delighted in what was admirable, the shameful might dry up and blow away, and we might rejoice in the wonder of His grace.


If we delighted in what was excellent, we might truly be delighted in the excellent instead of being disappointed in the imperfect.


If we delighted in what was praiseworthy we would turn to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with all praise and love, giving Him thanks in all things because He alone is truly worthy of our praise and delight and thanksgiving.