Hey, well, good morning.
Open up your Bibles, if you would, please, to Colossians chapter 3.
Colossians 3, we're going to cover three verses today.
Verses 15, 16, and 17.
And I want to just read this for us as an introduction,
and then we'll jump into our passage.
It says this,
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
Again, Colossians chapter 3, verse 15.
If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 984.
Okay, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body,
and be, what church?
Thankful.
Verse 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, what church?
Thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Verse 17.
And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving, what church?
Thanks to God the Father through him.
Well, what a fitting passage for this month.
We're going to kind of designate this as kind of our month of thanks.
October was kind of our month of prayer.
This is our month of thanks.
We want to just remember the significance of thanksgiving.
And a way that we're going to do that,
we're going to do that in two different ways.
First, we're going to bring to you,
kind of by way of video,
a thanksgiving message from one of our missionaries
to remind us of the importance of thanks
and to call our attention to something specific
from our missionary that we can be thankful for.
We can join them in thanks.
We can pray with them in thanksgiving.
The second is at the end of this month,
this month of thanksgiving,
we're going to have a thanksgiving offering.
We're going to call it maybe a harvest offering.
And we want to invite you.
We're going to let you know some specific ways
that you can contribute in giving to our missionaries
to help them in a strategic way.
And we're going to invite you to participate with us
in giving thanks through giving thanks
in your giving, financial giving,
to God that now then blesses our missionaries.
So let me just begin.
We'll begin with this little video from the Davises.
Hey, Maranatha.
I just wanted to share with you
some things that we're thankful for.
I was going to have Lindsay join me in this,
but she hasn't been feeling well.
And that just kind of goes into the first thing
we're thankful for,
that even though that there is some sickness
going around in the house right now,
overall we've been much healthier
and able to do a lot more things lately.
So super thankful for that.
Thankful for being able to start
Baylistan Community Church this year in June
and excited for the opportunities
that have come because of that.
Thankful for the purchase of the building
that is really soon here.
The solicitors have been talking to each other forever.
But we're certainly thankful
that all the funding has come in
and even some of the renovation funds
that we're going to need.
So super thankful for that
and thankful for you guys
for contributing to that as well.
Thankful for some of the conversations
we've been able to have with people
that just some of the softening hearts
that are happening that we see
and even opportunities that Lindsay's had
to go into the school
to be able to share the gospel
very clearly and openly.
It's been encouraging.
Recently we were able to get away
with some friends that visited from New York
and certainly thankful for those times
of rest that come.
We're thankful for times as a family
we've been able to just get around
the kitchen table
and while we're eating
just share some of the things
that we're thankful that God allowed us
to have for that day
or just in general.
And those have been sweet times as a family.
Recently Lucy and Ruben
we've been going through
a baptism book together
and they're desiring to get baptized
and so thankful for that.
And yeah just thankful for what God is doing
and allowing even churches like you
to pray for us and support us here.
Certainly thankful for all those things.
So I hope that your November goes well
and that you remember all the things
that God has provided for you guys
and can be thankful for those things.
Thanks.
What a blessing to partner with other missionaries
and I trust that you'll be lifting them up in prayer
and maybe even reaching out
and saying hello to them throughout this month
and letting them know that you're praying for them.
You're thankful for God's work in their lives.
So if you're there with me in Colossians chapter 3
we're just going to take this a piece at a time
and we're going to try to
this is an experiment this morning.
Okay.
We're going to
it says in verse 16
that we're to teach
and admonish one another
with singing.
Okay.
Now I'm not going to sing the message.
I will spare you from that.
But we will sing together
as we're working through this passage
and try to build these truths
and remind ourselves
of the truths from the word of God
that inform our hearts
and this will be a prayer for us.
I trust this will be an exhortation
for you in instructing and encouraging others.
So let's see how this goes.
The first command
there are three commands in this passage.
The first command is found in verse 15.
It says this
and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts
to which indeed you were called in one body
and be thankful.
Help me fill in that first blank.
What does it say?
Let the peace of Christ rule.
Great.
You guys are all stars.
Fantastic.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.
We find in these three verses
some very specific instruction.
The Apostle Paul is interested in a church
that is healthy,
that is vibrant,
that is active,
that is demonstrating
that they share life with Christ
and Christ shares life with them
and each command that we look at here
is reinforced and undergirded
by this spirit,
this heart of thankfulness.
Thankfulness.
Now in three different verses,
three different times,
you think the Apostle Paul thinks about
your thankfulness.
You better believe he does.
Thankfulness will be the hallmark of this church.
It will be kind of the crowning jewel of this church
and we're going to see that
as we move our way through this.
But this opening command,
let the peace of Christ rule.
What comes to your mind when you hear that command?
Let the peace of Christ rule.
Well maybe you think about rest.
Maybe you think about the absence of turmoil.
Maybe you think about a heart that has been able to escape
the chaos of life somehow.
But the truth is that that is not our experience so often.
We're given this command,
let the peace of Christ rule.
But the reality is that we don't experience the peace
nearly as much as we'd like to.
There's this anxiety in our hearts.
There's this frustration that wells up.
There is this fear of circumstances.
There is this anger at something.
And the peace seems so elusive.
How could Paul issue such a definitive command?
Let the peace of Christ rule.
Like as if we can just flip the switch
and now all of a sudden,
shazam, peace.
Ha ha!
I got it.
Wouldn't that be great?
What is going on here?
What's important for us to understand
as we work through this passage is
that peace is there,
but there's something that must happen in our hearts
in order to enjoy the peace that's present there.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.
Consider for a moment who is writing this.
What do we know about the Apostle Paul
and his experience?
We know that the Apostle Paul,
in the time of the writing of this verse,
is in prison.
He is in a Roman jail.
And he has been beat to a bloody pulp
through the course of his ministry.
We could read that.
We don't have time for it this morning.
You know how it goes.
Five times he was whipped.
Three times he was beaten with rods.
He was a night and a day in the sea.
He dangers wherever he goes.
He is being chased by difficulties.
And yet, it is the Apostle Paul
who issues this command,
let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.
Peace that seems so elusive to us
and should have been absolutely gone
for the Apostle Paul is present.
And he wants us to enjoy that same peace.
Well, there are some things that we can learn
about this peace.
And there are just three simple truths
that I want to draw out.
First, I want you to understand
that this peace belongs to Christ.
This peace belongs to Christ.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
It's not a peace, by the way,
that you bring to the table.
It's not a peace that belongs to you.
It's a peace that doesn't come from you.
It's a peace that belongs to Christ,
belongs to Christ,
and has been distributed to us to enjoy.
It's a peace that belongs to him.
Second, it's a peace that's meant to rule in your hearts.
And what I love about this passage
in verses 15 all the way to verse 17,
you see all of these plurals,
these hearts,
this use of the word you,
which is a second person plural.
And so while there's this collective body,
this group of people,
they're all enjoying it together.
Their hearts are unified in peace
because it's a peace that belongs to Christ.
Singular, his peace.
Singular, belongs to him,
distributed to the body.
This group of hearts,
unified together in peace.
Third, it's a peace that is already present.
It's a peace that's already present.
And like, Andrew, what are you talking about?
Well, notice it says,
let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
He does not say pray for peace.
He doesn't say strive for peace.
He doesn't say go and obtain peace.
He says, let it rule.
It's already there.
It's already present.
Just let it have its way.
Let it officiate your heart.
That's the word for rule.
Let it be the officiator,
the umpire of your life.
Let it call the shots.
Let it have its way.
Remember Christ's words to the apostles
when Jesus says this in John 14, 26.
He says,
The helper,
The Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
he will teach you all things
and bring to your remembrance
all things I have said to you.
Well, what did the Spirit instruct?
What's the Holy Spirit going to do?
Verse 27 says this,
Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
If you, by faith,
have accepted Jesus as your Savior,
if you have placed your faith in Him,
God through His gracious gift
has given to you
His Holy Spirit.
His Spirit of peace
rests in you.
Let the Spirit of peace
have its way.
We will learn about this
peace of Christ
enabled by the Spirit
throughout the New Testament.
But it's the kind of peace
that we can experience individually.
But notice,
it's to which you are called
in one body.
It's meant to be enjoyed
as a body corporately.
So you need to ask yourself
the question,
is the peace of Christ
reigning in your life?
Are you experiencing
God's peace today?
Does that peace of Christ
draw you together?
Or is it the kind of life
that you see
is pushing you apart?
You see,
the peace that God
has given to you
is meant to
pull us together.
It's that unity
of the Spirit
in the bond
of peace
that we find
in Ephesians chapter 4.
And how do we know
if that peace is present?
How do we know
that peace is present?
Well, you know
because it always
produces
thanksgiving.
It always produces
thanksgiving.
and be thankful,
Paul says.
This was the
continuing expression
of the Apostle Paul
and we could touch
on every single one
of the letters
that the Apostle Paul
wrote where he says,
I thank God for you,
Corinth.
I thank God for you,
Galatia.
I thank God for you,
Philippi.
I thank God for you,
Rome.
All of the churches
that the Apostle Paul
is thankful for,
it was an expression
of the work
of God
in his life.
So what does it mean
when we're not
choosing thanks?
What does that mean
when we say,
no, I'm not going
to be thankful?
Well, if we
aren't choosing
thankfulness,
then you're not
allowing the peace
of God to rule
in your heart.
You're not going
to enjoy God's peace.
And if you
aren't allowing
thankfulness
to clothe
your life,
not only are you
not going to
experience the peace
of God,
but you're not
allowing the Holy
Spirit to have
his way in your
life.
And there's one
of two options
there.
Either you're
quenching the
Holy Spirit,
or you don't
have the Holy
Spirit.
Those are the
two options.
Are we allowing
the peace of
Christ to reign
in our life?
You know,
the Apostle Paul,
excuse me,
the psalmist,
talks about the
significance of
peace.
And I love how
the psalmist puts
it, David,
he says,
when he's feeling
anxious, he says,
why so downcast,
oh my soul?
Put your hope
in God.
And so this song
that we're going
to sing now is
that prayer for
us, a prayer
to say,
Lord, I want
your peace to
reign in my
life.
I want my soul
to enjoy rest.
So, be still,
my soul.
Let's sing this
together.
Sing together.
Be still, my soul,
the Lord is on
my side.
Bear patiently,
the cross
agree for pain.
Leave to
thy God,
to order and
provide.
In every change,
he faithful will
remain.
Be still, my soul,
thy best,
thy heavenly
plan.
Through
thorny ways,
leads to a
joyful
wind.
be still,
my soul,
thy God,
the thunder
day,
to guide
the future
as he has
the past.
Thy hope,
thy confidence,
let nothing
shake.
All now,
mysterious,
shall be
bright at last.
Be still,
my soul,
the waves
of winds
to blow,
his voice
who ruled
while he
dwelt below.
In
who I
rest,
in
who I
found
thy hope,
in
I
trust,
you
never
let me
go.
I
place
my
life
within
your
hands
alone.
Be
still,
my soul.
And of
course,
we can pray
that because
there's a
source of
peace.
The God
of peace
will be
with you.
Christ
desires
for us
to enjoy
the benefits
of peace.
And that's
what this
next song
will help
to direct
our attention
to.
Are you
weary?
Have you
laden?
Come and
lay your
burdens
down.
Jesus
calls you,
Jesus
draws you,
rest in
hand.
He is
gentle,
he is
lowly,
he delights
to bring
us
peace.
Tender
shepherd,
mighty
Savior,
rest in
him.
Are you
hopeless?
Are you
hopeless?
Are you
guilty?
God,
in shame
for all
your sin,
he pursues
you to
forgive you,
rest in
him.
He has
paid for
every
failure,
mercy
flows
in
endless
streams,
come and
follow,
freedom
calls you,
rest in
him.
Are you
waiting
in your
sorrow
for this
broken
world to
live?
He is
coming,
soon
returning,
rest in
him.
We will see
him,
we will see
him,
we will
love him,
oh,
what
hides
of grace
we're
in,
from his
kindness
every
promise
will
fulfill.
Trust in
Jesus,
trust in
Jesus,
he will
keep us
to the
end.
How sure
his compassion
for us,
oh,
how deep
is his
love,
so come,
come to
Jesus
at
rest,
amen.
There is
real rest
that we can
enjoy in
Jesus.
So let the
peace of
Christ rule
in your
hearts,
and next
we see,
let the
word of
Christ
dwell in
you
richly.
Verse 16
says this,
let the
word of
Christ
dwell in
you
richly,
teaching
and admonishing
one another
in all
wisdom,
singing
songs and
hymns and
spiritual songs
with thankfulness
in your
hearts
to God.
This word
for dwell,
to dwell
in you
richly,
is not a
normal word
for dwell
in the
New Testament.
It's a
compound word.
It's the
word in
and then
the word
house.
So in
the house
really means
to feel
at home,
to feel
at home,
to not be
a guest,
to not be
a stranger,
to not just
pop in
once in a
while,
but to be
a permanent
resident,
a part of
the family,
to be at
home.
You know
how that
is.
There are
those places
that you
go and
it's like,
ah,
I finally
feel home.
I'm at
home.
And that's
how God
wants us
to experience
the word.
The word
of Christ
will have
that in
home kind
of feel,
that it's
the kind
of word
that we
feel
comfortable
with.
And there
is this
sense in
which we
enjoy the
benefits of
that assurance
that Christ
is there.
Charles Spurgeon
said of
John Bunyan,
he says,
if you
prick him
anywhere,
you will
find that
his blood
is
bibline.
The very
essence of
the Bible
flows from
him.
He was
filled up
with the
word of
God.
And so
that when
he was
pricked,
what flowed
out was
blood.
The
bibline
part of
blood,
the very
essence of
the word
of God
flowed from
him.
The same
is true
for us.
When you're
bumped,
when you're
agitated,
when someone
kind of
bumps into
you,
as it
were,
what spills
out of
that glass?
What spills
out of
that life?
What spills
out will be
an indication
of what was
in your
life.
And what
flows out
of your
life,
which,
by the
way,
and to
my shame,
what flows
out of my
life so
many times
is frustration
and anger
and irritation.
But what
should flow
out,
if the
word of
God is
there,
is
thanksgiving.
These words
of faith,
these words
of confidence
in what
Christ has
done,
that when
there is
agitation
and when
there is
frustration
and when
there is
the bumping
as it
were,
that what
flows out
of us
is what
we put
in is
the word
of God.
I love
how the
psalmist
puts this
throughout
Psalm 119,
here is
just a
sampling
of some
of the
instruction.
He says,
in the
ways of
your
testimony,
I delight
as much
as in
all riches.
I will
delight in
your statutes.
I will
not forget
your word.
My soul
is consumed
with longing.
I love
that.
Consumed
with longing
for your
rules at
all times.
Your
testimonies
are my
delight.
They are
my counselors.
For I
find my
delight
in your
commandments,
which I
love.
Do you
love the
word of
God?
Is it
your delight?
Is it
the word
of God
that you
seek to
put into
your life?
Notice
in our
passage,
Colossians
3.15
says,
let the
peace of
Christ
rule in
your,
what
church?
Hearts.
And then
he repeats
this in
verse 16,
let the
word of
Christ
dwell in
your
hearts.
Why?
It's
because
this is
not about
going
through
the
motions.
It's
not about
doing what
you're
supposed to
do because
you're
supposed to
do it.
And that's
important for
us to
do.
But it's
doing it
because you're
driven by
love for
Jesus.
It's in
your heart.
God has
transformed
you from
the inside.
You see,
the externals
can be
manufactured.
The inside
is what
God really
cares about.
Man looks
on the
outward
appearance,
but God
looks on
the heart.
And Christ's
strongest
rebuke,
remember,
was to
the Pharisees.
Why?
Not because
they weren't
doing the
right things,
but because
they were
whitewashed
tombs.
They were
those who
were clean
on the
outside,
but the
real life,
the life
deep down
inside,
was full
of dead
men's
bones.
It was
dead.
It was
lifeless.
Does the
word of
Christ dwell
in your
hearts?
Do you
love the
word of
God?
Do you
delight in
it?
Are you
longing for
the word
of God
to inform
your mind
and to
instruct
your heart
and to
move you
in the
direction
of love
for Jesus?
It leads
to learning.
Learning that
comes through
teaching and
admonition,
but notice
that this
teaching and
admonition
is happening
through the
context or
the conduit
of singing.
So often,
the singing
is kind of
the outflow
of a heart
that is
intertwined
not just
with the
truth of
God,
but with
thanksgiving,
and it just
kind of comes
out in song.
Notice
this inflow
of the
word leads
to outflow
of the
word.
This
outflow
of singing,
this outflow
of teaching,
this outflow
of admonition.
See,
we can talk
a good game.
We can even
spend hours
in the word
of God.
We can fill
up our minds
with all the
information,
and it will
do nothing
about changing
our heart.
But the
word of
Christ is
supposed to
dwell in
us,
which means
it's meant
to change
us.
So how
do you
know?
How do you
know the
word of
God is
dwelling in
your heart?
Well,
there is
one telltale
sign.
What do
you think
it is?
Thanksgiving.
Ephesians
chapter 5,
verse 20,
it says,
giving thanks
always for
all things to
God the
Father in
the name
of our
Lord Jesus
Christ.
See,
it's easy
to be
irritable,
it's easy
to focus
on the
negative,
it's easy
to be
frustrated,
but what
helps our
hearts to
tune them
in the
right way
and to
cultivate a
life of
praise to
God is
to be
those who
choose
thankfulness.
And I
love how
Paul puts
this.
Not just
to be
thankful for
something,
but to be
thankful in
something.
thankfulness
in your
heart to
God.
Of course,
the Apostle
Paul gives
us so many
great examples
of this.
He gives
us this
example of
being in
Philippi,
you remember?
And he's
taught the
word of
God,
and he's
had the
opportunity
to lead
Lydia to
Christ and
her family
to Christ.
And then
because of
the troubles
that happen,
the people
from Philippi
come and
they put him
in jail,
right?
They put him
in jail,
they beat
him with
rods,
and there
he is,
he's in
stocks,
he's
uncomfortable,
and what
does he
and Silas
do?
They sing.
They're
thankful.
And through
their thankfulness
and through
their singing,
the Spirit's
power erupts.
Earthquake
comes,
doors,
prison doors
opened,
and a
prison cell
that is now
available to
the Apostle
Paul,
and what
does he
do?
He shares
Christ with
the jailer,
and the
jailer and
his entire
family come
to faith in
Christ.
Is our
life marked
by the
word of
God?
Is it
marked with
thanksgiving?
This next
song helps
us to,
it's kind
of a
prayer.
God,
do this
for me.
Allow
your word
to have
its way
in my
life.
Let me
not just
know the
truths,
but let
me live
them out.
Speak,
O Lord,
as we
come to
you,
to receive
the food
of your
holy
word.
Take
your
truth,
love.
Let it
deep in
us,
shape and
fashion us,
in your
lightness,
that the
light of
Christ
might be
seen
today,
in our
acts of
love,
and our
deeds of
faith.
speak,
O Lord,
and fulfill
in us
all your
purposes
for your
glory.
Speak,
O Lord,
and renew
our
might.
Help us
fresh the
heights of
your plans
for us.
Truths
are
changed from
the dawn
of time
that will
let you
down
through
eternity,
and by
grace
will stand
on your
promises,
and by
faith
we'll
walk
as you
walk
with
us.
Speak,
O Lord,
till your
church
is built
and the
earth
is filled
with
your
glory.
A psalm
that's
familiar
probably
to all
of you
is Psalm
119,
105.
It says,
Thy word
is a lamp
to my
feet
and a
light
to my
path.
Let's
just sing
that simple
chorus
together.
Thy
word
is a
lamp
to my
feet
and a
light
unto
my
path.
Thy
word
is a
lamp
to
my
feet
and a
light
unto
my
breath.
And of
course,
the word
of God
isn't just
something that
is there
and not
present.
It's a
word of God
that we
need to
continue to
remind
ourselves
of and
it reminds
us of
the work
of Christ,
his beauty,
the need
that we
have for
him.
And so
let's sing
this simple
chorus,
Lord,
I need
you.
Lord,
I need
you.
Oh,
I need
you.
Every
hour
hour I
need
you.
My
one
defense,
my
righteousness,
oh God,
how I
need
you.
Lord,
I need
you.
Oh,
I need
you.
Every
hour I
need
you.
My
one
defense,
my
righteousness,
oh God,
how I
need
you.
So let the
peace of Christ
rule in your
heart.
Let the
word of
Christ dwell
in your
heart.
Now this
one,
this is a
little different.
Let the
beauty of
Christ show.
Let the
beauty of
Christ show.
Well,
Andrew,
where in
the world
are you
getting
that?
Well,
I get
that from
verse 17.
It says
this,
whatever
you do
in word
or deed,
do
everything
in the
name of
the Lord
Jesus,
giving
thanks to
God the
Father
through
him.
Well,
what does
that sound
like?
You're
doing
everything in
the name
of the
Lord Jesus
Christ.
Why?
Because you
want to
glorify
him.
You want
his beauty
to show.
You want
the tenor
of your
life,
the conversation
of your
life,
the actions
of your
life to
show him
to draw
attention
to his
beauty,
his wonder,
his glory,
his majesty.
Of course,
it's reminiscent
of 1 Corinthians
10 31,
whether
therefore you
eat or
drink or
whatever you
do,
do all
to the
glory of
God.
You see,
there's
beauty
and purity
and a
radiance
about those
who love
Jesus.
Have you
given much
thought
to who
you represent
in the
world?
During the
day,
does it
ever cross
your mind,
how would
God
think of
this?
Or how
your attitude
or action
or statement
affect the
way people
think about
the Lord
Jesus?
You know,
our identity
is locked
up in
him.
Whatever you
do in
word or
deed,
do everything
in the
name of
Jesus.
You are
bound to
him and
what you
do reflects
who he
is.
And my
wife and
I celebrated
28 years
of marriage
and we've
had some
opportunities
over the
last few
months to
go to
some
weddings.
And those
of you who
have ever
been to
a wedding
will know
that there
is this
moment,
this moment
that happens
where somebody
walks in the
back.
Who is that?
The bride,
yes.
And she
walks in the
back.
It's my
favorite moment
of every
single wedding
because you
know what I
do?
I want to
see what
the groom
thinks about
the bride.
It's just
that.
It's an
amazing
moment.
Preparation
in weddings,
you know,
preparation
takes months,
happens months
in advance
where the
future bride
will think
about her
shoes,
she'll think
about the
dress she's
going to
wear,
she thinks
about the
kind of
jewelry
that he's
going to
like,
she considers
her appearance,
she gives
great attention
to her hair,
she might
even get a
manicure or
a pedicure,
she may
spend a few
extra hours
at the gym,
but every
decision she
makes is
guided by
one thought.
What does
he think
about my
beauty?
Does he
like my hair
better this
way or that
way?
What jewelry
will accent
my beauty?
What perfume
will he
compliment?
And she might
look radiant
on her wedding
day to
everybody else
in the room,
but she only
cares about
one person.
She cares
about him.
What does
he think
about my
beauty?
You see,
Christ is
also preparing
for his
bride.
We find
that in
Ephesians
chapter 5
verses 25
to 27
it says,
Christ loved
the church
and gave
himself up
for her
that he
might
sanctify
her,
having
cleansed
her by
the washing
of the
water
with the
word.
Why?
So that
he might
present the
church to
himself in
splendor
without
spot or
wrinkle or
any such
thing that
she might
be holy
and without
blemish.
She looks
beautiful.
She's
radiant.
Does the
beauty of
Christ show
through your
life?
Is the
beauty of
Christ radiant
in your
life?
You see,
Christ is
interested in
the beauty of
his bride.
So what did
he do?
He deposited
his beauty
into her,
his righteousness,
his purity,
his nature,
his truth,
because he
wants so
much for
his bride
to reflect
his beauty.
This is now
the third
time in
three short
verses that
the apostle
Paul has
drawn attention
to thanks.
He says,
do everything
in the name
of the Lord
Jesus,
giving thanks
to God
the Father
through
him.
This
giving
thanks is
this word
that talks
about this
perpetual,
continual
activity of
thanks that
marks our
life.
Here Paul
puts it
positively,
but in
Philippians he
puts it
negatively.
In chapter
2 verse 14
when he says,
do all things
without
complaining and
disputing.
Why?
So that you
may become
blameless and
pure.
children of
God without
fault in
the midst
of a
crooked and
perverse
generation
among whom
you shine
as lights
in the
world.
You see,
our expression
of thanks
seals our
holiness.
Our expression
of thanks
seals our
holiness.
It's the
crowning
jewel on
a life of
faith,
a life in
Christ.
It reflects
the quality
of what
Christ has
accomplished
when he's
moving you
into the
peace of
Christ.
He's helping
you to enjoy
and dwell in
the word of
Christ.
And now the
beauty of
Christ is
showing and
it's showing
up through
thanksgiving.
And it is
the seal.
It's the
signature.
It's the
signature of
holiness that
Christ means
to produce in
every life that
is given to
him.
You see,
a thankless
life not
only leads to
despair and
bondage for
us, but it
greatly obscures
the beauty of
Christ.
You choose to
be thankless,
you obscure
Christ's beauty.
It would be
like this bride
we've talked
about, who
now on her
wedding day,
she's just
rolled out of
bed.
She's just put
on her sweat
pants.
She wants to
be comfortable.
She has her
t-shirt.
She doesn't
care about
her hair.
Her eyes
are still
bloodshot.
She just
woke up.
She's exhausted.
It's been a
late night.
She got her
sneakers on and
then she shows
up to walk
down the aisle.
And what is
the people in
the church who
see her coming
down the aisle,
what do they
think?
Not what or
how could she
do this to
us, but how
could she do
this to him?
How could she
do this to
him?
The beauty
is meant to
reflect the
wonder of
God.
Get this,
our grumbling
hearts, our
critical eye,
our biting
words, our
disunified
spirit, it
might be a
stain on our
life, but our
grumbling heart,
but in our
grumbling heart,
we make a
mockery of
God.
You've put
him to open
shame, as it
says in
Hebrews 6.
6.
You've trampled
him underfoot,
as it says in
Hebrews 10.
29.
You have
diminished his
beauty, you
have defamed his
splendor, you
have corrupted his
glory.
A person who
should be giving
thanks because of
the word, and
because of the
word and deed,
and doing it in
the name of the
Lord Jesus,
instead, instead
of giving thanks,
essentially what
you are saying is,
God, you are not
enough.
Your peace is not
sweet enough, your
spirit is not
strong enough, your
power is not
sufficient enough, your
ways are not pure
enough, your mission
for me is not
great enough.
Your gifts to me
are not extravagant
enough, your future
for me is not
bright enough, your
son's death was not
good enough.
A life with you in
heaven,
is not grand
enough, I need
more.
Every moment we
choose to not be
thankful, that is
the spirit, the
heart that we're
communicating.
So we need
reminders, don't
we?
And God has given
us the gift of
music as a
reminder.
This first song is
Lord, you are more
precious than
silver.
It's a simple
song, and we'll
just sing it as a,
it's kind of an
introduction to our
next song, but
Lord, you are more
precious than silver.
Let's sing this
together.
Lord, you are more
precious than silver.
Lord, you are more
costly than gold.
Lord, you are more
beautiful than
diamonds.
And nothing I desire
compares with you.
See, God has given us
himself.
He is worthy.
He, of course, is of
infinite value.
And when he gives
himself to us, the
temptation for us to
say, hey, look at me,
look how great I am
because of what Christ
has done.
Instead, our boast
needs to be in Jesus.
Jeremiah chapter 9,
verse 23 says,
Thus says the Lord,
let not the wise man
boast in his wisdom.
Let not the mighty man
boast in his might.
Let not the rich man
boast in his riches.
But let him who boasts,
boast in the Lord.
May our boast be in him.
Let's remind ourselves
of this truth as we sing
together.
All my boast is in Jesus.
All my hope is in love.
And I will glory forever
in what the cross has done.
Now fully forgiven.
Now fully forgiven my life.
His grace is in Jesus.
With grace is unreserved.
For mercy not low,
doubt not save.
Let Jesus now be turned.
Rise up, my soul.
Bless the Lord.
Who else is worthy?
All my boast is in Jesus.
All my hope is in love.
And I will glory forever.
For all the cross has done.
I must not enrich as a stream.
And I will glory forever.
I will glory forever in the one the cross has done.
Now I stand.
He's weak enough.
Ransom and clean in His side.
And I cannot be ashamed for my boast is Jesus Christ.
My boast is Jesus Christ.
Forever my boast is Jesus Christ.
I just want to close with one more song.
It's a song that you, I'm sure, know, many of you.
It's May the Mind of Christ My Savior.
It's fascinating.
As I was reading through this,
May the mind of Christ My Savior live in me from day to day.
May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart.
May the peace of God my Father rule my heart from every day.
I forget how that goes.
We'll sing it.
May His beauty rest upon us.
All of those pieces that are kind of put together for us.
So just one more reminder of these truths as we sing them together.
May the mind of Christ My Savior live in me from day to day.
By His love and power controlling.
All I do is say.
May the peace.
May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything.
May the peace of God's holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy
trying
holy through
his life
May his
beauty rest
upon me
strong and
brave to face
the fall
looking
holy
unto Jesus
as I
know
you
Father we pray
those truths would be
not just known in our
in our minds
but practiced in our
lives, experienced
in our hearts
Lord peace seems
so elusive at times
thank you for your promise
the peace of Christ
can rule
may we give it
its way
in our hearts
thank you for your word
Lord
the word of Christ
can dwell
God I pray that we would
allow
our lives to be
saturated
by the truth of your word
and that it would
not just
fill us up
intellectually
but
but those truths
would be taken to heart
and they would change us
and oh God
might your beauty
show
may we live
in such a way
that you're glorified
that
when people
see us
they say
God is glorious
may that be
the expression
of our lives
we pray in Jesus name
Amen
God bless you
have a great week
God bless you