Be Thankful
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Maturing in Christ
Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Sermon Outline
Gratitude is not simply a benefit of the Christian life, but it is at the heart of what it means to be Christian.
1. Who are you?
v15 And be thankful.
2. What do you have?
v16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
3. What do you do?
v17 “…do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks…”
v16 “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”
Prayer of Confession
Our merciful God, we look to you seeking change from our patterns of looking away from you. We are guilty of pride and we bear of shame. We have been deceived, yet we have blamed you and others for the misery that has followed. We have been complainers, gossips, slanderers and accusers. We have not sufficiently valued the good in our lives and we have failed to return thanks to you. We have taken you and your gifts for granted. We have used these grievances to justify our sinful actions. Forgive us. We thank you for the word of Christ that speaks good news to us. Cleanse us of sin and may we do all things in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom we give thanks to you. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
How often do you give thanks to God? When you do give thanks to God, what is it for?
What are the themes of your complaints? What are regular sources of dissatisfaction? Where do you see patterns of taking things for granted in your life?
How does shame shape your internal narrative? What negative patterns or ruminations are frequent for you?
What is the lure of pride? Why does it feel good to have more or be better than others?
How can understanding God’s grace open your eyes to recognize the treasures we have in Christ? What of the gospel message can stir thanksgiving in you?
Why is a prayer of thanks before eating a valuable habit?
What has God given you that you can steward in service to Him? How can you do your daily tasks in a spirit of generosity towards God or others?
What does it mean to do all things in the name of Jesus?
How can singing be a means of expressing thanks, and when are opportunities to do it? How can singing be a means of drawing you in to a thankful spirit?