A PASTORAL LETTER
Dearest family,
I trust you had a thankful Thanksgiving! Although many were out of town on Sunday, we had a good quorum and I took advantage of the juxtaposition of Thanksgiving and the first Sunday in Advent to give the annual pep-talk on “thanksgiving”. This is foundational to the advent season as we echo the words of Paul to the Corinthians, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
The sticky spores of greed that blow in the wind at this time of year, with Red-eye Thursday and Black Friday, set the onslaught of Mammon up against the advent of Messiah. Could there be two more opposing spirits? But before we tut-tut the state of the culture at large, it behooves us to check on the health of thanksgiving in personal and church life. The fact is, like everyone else, we do not seem to be grateful or thankful by nature. On the contrary, we are easily discontented, dissatisfied, hard to please, unsubmissive, opinionated, critical, judgmental, with a keen sense of our own rights and deserts, and more aware of what we want than what we have. It is worth reminding ourselves that the failure of thanksgiving was at the root of the sin of our first parents. Amidst a feast of provision they had nothing better to think about than what they were disallowed from having.
I gave you a quick five point message on a theology of thanksgiving, accompanied by five observations. Herewith is the summary. (Download the sermon mp3 for the full package!) Biblical summary on thanksgiving:
1. AT EVERY MOMENT: “Continually offer to God the fruit of lips giving thanks…”
(Hebrs. 13:15)
2. IN EVERY WORD AND DEED: “Whatever…in word or deed…giving thanks to God…”
(Cols. 3:17)
3. IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE: “Giving thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thess. 5:18)
4. FOR EVERYTHING: “Always giving thanks to God the Farther for everything…” (Ephs.
1:20)
5. FOR EVERYONE: “…thanksgiving be made for everyone…” (1 Tim. 2:1)
How many of you noticed the emphatic common word? EVERY! As Paul summed it up: “God created everything to be received with thanksgiving.” (1 Tim. 4:2) How are you doing? (I asked that of you on Sunday and after the service John Weyrich told me he was too slow in responding, “Thanks for asking”!!) So what people, what things, what circumstances, what events, what timings are presently outside this call to obedience in your life?
I also made comments on the following headlines:
1. We were created to give thanks
2. As Christians, our priestly calling is to give thanks.
3. There is a relationship between godly remembrance and thanksgiving. Forgetfulness
is an enemy of gratitude.
4. There is a relationship between prayer and thanksgiving. Thankless people are
prayerless people. You cannot ask without thanking (Phils. 4:6) or thank without
being buoyed in faith to ask God for more.
5. There is a relationship between thanksgiving and healthy personal discipleship
and healthy corporate community life.
The book of Revelation presents heaven as one long Thanksgiving Day. “We give thanks to you Lord God Almighty…” seems to be the main song! So it would seem reasonable to be tuning up for that! As the psalmists put it: “Give thanks to the Lord our God and King, for His love endures forever.” If “forever” is the extent of His love then “forever” is the extent of our thanksgiving. Did you notice the word EVER again!? May this advent season recharge, refuel, re-fire your thanksgiving as you ponder again God’s “indescribable gift.”
Pastorally yours,
Stuart