Gaining Christ's Gratitude
Jeff Strite
Matthew 25:31-46
One soldier stationed on an island of the Philippines during WW II told this story: "Although the region was secure, sometimes the enemy tried to infiltrate our food storage area. One such adversary, dressed in GI clothing, once worked himself into the noontime chow line. Our camp cook spotted him, reached under the serving table for his pistol and yelled for the MPs who were patrolling the area.
After it was all over, we asked the cook how he knew the man was an enemy soldier. "I figured it wasn't one of you guys, he said, "'cause he was coming back for seconds."
APPLY: That enemy soldier stood out because he was a thankful person. Likewise, God tells us that we should stand out as thankful people.
Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise...
Eph 5:20 always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
THEREFORE as a Christian, thankfulness should be so much a part of our lives that we should stand out. So, I guess it should come as no surprise to discover that Jesus was thankful. Reread Matthew 25:34-40.
But, you know, I've never thought of God as being thankful before. I've never heard a sermon telling me about how thankful God was. Now why would that be?
I. Actually, there's a VERY GOOD reason why:
Too many people think God ought to be grateful to them.
FOR EXAMPLE: A lot of people think that God owes them salvation. They've been pretty good. Sure, they've done bad things, but only when they had to, or when they were weak, or (well) the other guy did worse. But they've done a number of good deeds. Surely they deserve salvation. They view it as kind of a point system. ...
Jeff Strite
Matthew 25:31-46
One soldier stationed on an island of the Philippines during WW II told this story: "Although the region was secure, sometimes the enemy tried to infiltrate our food storage area. One such adversary, dressed in GI clothing, once worked himself into the noontime chow line. Our camp cook spotted him, reached under the serving table for his pistol and yelled for the MPs who were patrolling the area.
After it was all over, we asked the cook how he knew the man was an enemy soldier. "I figured it wasn't one of you guys, he said, "'cause he was coming back for seconds."
APPLY: That enemy soldier stood out because he was a thankful person. Likewise, God tells us that we should stand out as thankful people.
Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise...
Eph 5:20 always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
THEREFORE as a Christian, thankfulness should be so much a part of our lives that we should stand out. So, I guess it should come as no surprise to discover that Jesus was thankful. Reread Matthew 25:34-40.
But, you know, I've never thought of God as being thankful before. I've never heard a sermon telling me about how thankful God was. Now why would that be?
I. Actually, there's a VERY GOOD reason why:
Too many people think God ought to be grateful to them.
FOR EXAMPLE: A lot of people think that God owes them salvation. They've been pretty good. Sure, they've done bad things, but only when they had to, or when they were weak, or (well) the other guy did worse. But they've done a number of good deeds. Surely they deserve salvation. They view it as kind of a point system. ...
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