THANKSGIVING

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today is a special holiday for us in the United States of America. Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. If you were to ask the average American (whoever that might be?) what Thanksgiving is about, you might get any variety of responses from something about Pilgrims, to cranberry sauce, to football games, to a day of rest, to upcoming Black Friday deals.

My guess is that the default meaning for very few would likely have anything to do with an attitude of gratitude to Jesus Christ. Even if it did, I wonder if their conception Jesus would be confirmed by Scripture?

In the New Testament book of 1st Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul wrote a brief letter to the members of a church he and some friends planted not long before (see Acts 17). Because of intense persecution in Thessalonica (a city in modern-day Greece), they were only able to stay for about three Sabbaths (Saturdays) before being forced to continue down the road of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:2 Paul begins, “We always give thanks (Εὐχαριστοῦμεν) for all of you…” The Greek word Paul used is pronounced yoo-khar-is-teh'-o, which literally means “good grace.” Throughout the rest of chapter 1, Paul paints an incredible picture of the glorious provision of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through the church in Thessalonica. Their “work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...” involves not merely an immediate receptivity to the Gospel (see Matt 13:5-6), but more importantly - their mobilization for the mission of God to advance the kingdom of Christ!

Unlike Paul’s other writings, I can’t find a rebuke or correction offered in 1st Thessalonians. Instead, Paul emphatically states, “For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out…” Then Paul puts the cherry on top by writing, “... so that we don’t need to say anything!”

No rebuke necessary! No pleading, no persuasive arguments, no elaborate marketing campaigning to boost attendance or participation, no committee meetings to get the church involved in mission, serving, hospitality, vibrant prayer, or lavish generosity. Despite a climate and culture of intense ridicule and persecution for Christians, the church in Thessalonica nailed it! Thus, Paul (and his travel companions) were overflowing with mutual encouragement and an attitude of gratitude to the Lord, yoo-khar-is-teh'-o, good grace, i.e. THANKSGIVING!

At the close of 1st Thessalonians, Paul concludes his thanksgiving “sandwich” by writing in 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In the midst of their grief and intense persecution, the Thessalonians were committed to the true Gospel of Christ. Paul did NOT sugar-coat things by saying, “Ask Jesus into your heart, and everything will be peachy all the days of your life!” No false prosperity gospel here! He told them to abandon self, rely on Christ, and live with thanksgiving in ALL circumstances because that perpetual, enduring, relentless attitude of gratitude is, in fact, God’s exclusive will for you in Christ Jesus!

In a later epistle to the church in Philippi (Philippians), Paul writes again about this attitude of gratitude, stating, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in need…” Today, we skim over the part about having learned to be absolutely content in any and every situation - whether our world is turned upside down, destitute, grief-stricken, filled with uncertainty or living in lavish security. Instead, we skip ahead to: “I can do all this through Him who strengthens me.” Tragically, Paul’s point has been ripped from the context and twisted into something never intended. Jesus Himself provides a corrective (John 15:5) in reminding us, “...for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Paul was so intimately identified with Christ that his own identity, needs, desires, and dreams had been transformed into those of Jesus, and Paul equated everything else to a pile of waste (Phil 3:8). When we see the perfect continuity between what Paul said and what he did, it’s apparent he wasn’t speaking metaphorically when he stated in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ: and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

An authentic attitude of gratitude, i.e. Thanksgiving, can only truly exist in those who have been GRACIOUSLY born-again of the Holy Spirit and thus freely and fully given themselves over to Christ and His mission of advancing the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

I pray that this Thanksgiving you’ll realize Christ has given everything to do a work in your heart. Maybe this Christmas season, despite being full of ham, turkey, dressing, desserts, football, and lavish comfort - you’ll still sense that true contentment, true thanksgiving, good grace, in any and every situation still eludes you.

If that’s the case, then this a personal invitation, from me to you, to come and join us at Poetry Baptist Church. Please come and experience the redeeming, healing, and transformative power of Jesus Christ through the Word preached, and through our hospitality and fellowship!

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

Senior Pastor

Poetry Baptist Church

19311 FM 986

Terrell, TX 75160

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