Eucharistia: Thanksgiving in the Christian Life

Thanksgiving as the Christian Attitude

Before we look to the Word of God, once again, let us ask Him to bless our time today. Our gracious Heavenly Father, once again we come into Your presence and we ask that You would be with us now as we open Your Word.

That Word that You have reserved for Your people down in the ancient cities. We would ask that You would help us to understand that by Your Spirit You would impress upon our hearts and our minds Your truth.

Formed ever closer in the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is in His name that we pray.

How about you?

That particular target you refer to, you have seen the video. It went viral. And it was a Target store as they were opening for those Black Friday deals at 4 o 'clock in the morning. And it must have been very cold outside.

Most Target stores, I've noticed, when I go to Target food or something like that, it's Target. They look pretty much the same wherever you go around the United States. You see the doors opening up. One or two people get through and then somebody stumbles.

You know that someone's getting trampled on. It's interesting to watch human behavior. Some people just go flying through because they've got to get that television. They've seen the advertisement and they've got to get it.

They know there's only going to be a few available. And they just go flying through. But then there's some others that go through and then you see this pained look on the face. And they turn around and go back to see if they can help and pick somebody up.

And, of course, the poor 18-and-a-half-year-old Target security guy goes running out there. He pounds soaking wet. He's trying to extricate people and get things going. And some reports said nobody was hurt.

Some reports said someone was taken to hospital.

I don't know.

But I just thought about that. You know, it's the day after Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving, we're going to be talking about how thankful we are. And when you're thankful, there's just something about Thanksgiving that draws you out of yourself.

It's hard to be self-centered and conceited while thankful. Because giving of thanks points to someone outside of yourself. And if you're really focused upon yourself, then you're like a lot of professional athletes I see who spend a lot of time thanking themselves for being so wonderful.

I'm so good, and aren't you all glad that I'm here? But we went from Thanksgiving to trampling each other to try to get to that TV or that Wii or whatever else it was that people were trying to get to that morning at that Target store.

And I'm sure that that story could be repeated. There is a Greek word. It should mark our everyday attitude. But to be honest with you, it's found here in Colossians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7. Colossians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him, and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with Eucharistia.

Eucharistia.

Thanksgiving. Eucharistia. Eucharist.

It's a beautiful word.

Almost solely with the Lord's Supper and a particular theology of the Lord's Supper. But it's a word we need to reclaim. It is a word that we all were thinking about. Actually, it doesn't go. And for some reason, our wives, husbands, want us to make sure the place looks good.

The things that they can be distracting. But I did try to take some time to think about this concept. Thanksgiving. Eucharistia. It is a New Testament word. Gratitude. The giving of thanks. It's first look at the context is found here in Colossians chapter 2.

The Apostle is concerned about the church of Colossians influences that were coming into the church.

And so he says,.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, the Kurios, as you have received the one who is the very creator, the sustainer of all things, never allow that word Lord to be diminished in your thinking and your thought.

The world uses the term Lord Jesus as if it's his first name. Lord, first name, Jesus, second name. So like Jesus Christ. Jesus, first name, Christ, second name. No. Lord and Christ had meanings. They're titles.

And when Jesus is called the Lord, the people holding... Remember, they didn't have a New Testament yet. It's still being written. The people in the congregation who had the Scriptures in their hands, they knew who the Kurios was.

Because all through their Scriptures, the only Scriptures they've possessed. Every time the name Yahweh, or as we slaughter it in English, Jehovah, appeared in their Greek translation of the Old Testament,.

It was Kurios, Lord.

And so they understood that when Jesus is identified as the Lord, when every knee bows, every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, they understood this was not just a mere title. It transcended that.

It said something about the majesty of the one that they served. Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus, the Lord. Not merely the servant. Not merely the one who is just so thankful that you've received him, as if this is something that you did.

To receive something, that's passive. A person who is a believer in Jesus Christ, is a person who has received Jesus Christ as Lord. There are so many people today, who have been deceived by a false gospel.

It is a gospel that is so utterly opposed to the New Testament, that says, you can believe, you can simply tip your hat toward the bare facts, that Jesus was who he was, and that he died on the cross, and he rose again, and as long as you do that, you don't have to repent.

You don't have to bow the knee. There doesn't need to be any Lordship. You don't have to receive all of Jesus. Just believe these few little things, and then you can just live your life as you please.

There are people who actually say, that's the gospel. Let me tell you something, my friends.

It is not.

Never has been, and never will be. The gospel is the message of what the triune God has done. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In and through Jesus Christ as Lord. And you can only receive Jesus Christ the Lord.

Have received. Passively. Jesus Christ the Lord. That's not the end. So walk in him. If he truly is Lord, if he truly is Yeshua, Savior, Yahweh is salvation, Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, Kurios, the Lord.

If he's all these things, then there will be a result in your life. If you have truly received him. Someday, D .C. Martin. Illustration. He would say, it's one thing to know about Jesus. It is another thing to be in him.

To know him. And he would bring his hands together, and he would clasp them like this. You need to be in him. And it needs to be an intimate knowledge of who he is. His concern was, he was standing in front of a bunch of Baptist boys and girls who had been raised in church.

And they knew all about the story of Jesus. But they didn't know Jesus. He was concerned about that. And that's what you have here. It doesn't say, therefore as you have received the story of Jesus. Therefore as you have come to know facts about Jesus.

It says, therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord. He's a whole package. You either know him, or you don't. And if you do, so will we understand him. It means to live.

Most people did.

It was based on how far can you walk in a certain period of time. And so walking was just how you got from one place to another. How you lived your life. And so what the apostle is saying is, walk in him.

Not behind him, or in front of him, or next to him. Walk in him. In the way that he would have walked. He needs to define the entirety of your life. Walk in him. That means every day. You didn't just walk to church.

It's one thing to act religious.

On a Sunday.

Or maybe a Wednesday. But you see, you had to walk on a Saturday. This is something you always did. In other words, there is no optional time here. There's no vacation time. As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord.

So walk in him. His lordship must be over all of life. Having been firmly rooted, and now being built up in him.

Firmly rooted. It's funny.

I'm sure Mr. Callaghan can tell you about this. So can Mrs. Ricketts. Every time we have one of these big storms. I saw Mrs. Ricketts. A great place to ride. Well generally, once in a while. Some of those folks rest in their trucks.

I'm not sure how they do that. But most of the time I only have to worry about the runners. Who have their iPods stuck in their ears. And can't hear me yelling, bike back. But it's better than the roads.

And so we'll be out there on the trail. And as long as there's almost any wind. They'll tell you what you're going to see after a thunderstorm along those trails. You're going to see some of these trees that they've planted.

They grow up in every big thunderstorm. And they come along and eventually they cut them up and cart them off. And then a little while later, here's a little tree in its place. And two years later, it's laying on the path too.

Because they didn't quite get it right that time either. Firmly, and yet you can tell they've got a good root system. It goes down deep. Having been firmly rooted, now being built up in Him. You can see the illustration the Apostle is giving us.

But notice we are rooted and built up only in Him. Only in Christ. Established in our faith. Established in your faith. When the Apostles preached the Gospel, they preached the whole Gospel. They explained what it really meant to be a Christian.

They weren't just trying to get people to walk down an aisle, shake a hand and say, We don't want to offend anybody now, let's just let them go their way. They were established in the faith. They were instructed.

They knew what the faith was. They knew that the faith called us to be different than the world. To think differently than the world. To behave differently than the world. Established in your faith. Just as you were instructed.

There was instruction.

Overflowing.

See in all of this vitally important stuff. Even as He's about to announce that in Jesus Christ, all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. Don't be shaken by the philosophies of the world. All these important things He wants to talk to the Colossians about.

Before He gets there, He lets them know. There is an attitude. There is a mindset. There is a way to be a... We actually have a name. Thanksgiving. The giving has been to... Let's say you're walking. Let's say somebody holds...

Sometimes you'll just hold the door for somebody.

Maybe they've got a little kid with them.

And then as they go by, they'll say, Thanks. Sometimes it's almost under your breath. You're buying something at the Circle K. It's just a word we say. And so Thanksgiving...

Just say it. Thanks.

There is so much more to what the Christian attitude of Eucardistia. Because you see, when you think of what Paul is saying here. Overflowing with Eucardistia. Jesus the Christ received the Spirit's work that firmly roots you and builds you up in Him.

The faith didn't come from you. The instruction didn't come from you. Everything good that you have came from somebody else. And when you think about that. When you think of all the good. You think of the redemption.

The forgiveness of sins. The adoption of sons and daughters of God. Eternal life. Your possession.

None of it came from me.

Do the things that brought this to me. Because you see, if it's not Eucardistia. This term is used a number of times. Therefore be imitators of God. As we walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us.

An offering and a sacrifice to God is a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you. As is proper among saints, holy ones. And there must be no filthiness and silly talk or coarse jesting, which are not fitting.

But rather, Eucardistia. For this you know with certainty. That no immoral or impure person or covetous man who is an idolater has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. See where that's put?

It's put right in the middle of.

This is how you should behave.

Immorality, impurity, greed, no. Shouldn't even be named amongst the saints. Filthiness, silly talk, coarse jesting. No. Instead, there should be Eucardistia. Filthiness and silly talk and coarse jesting.

That's in our conversation with one another. And Paul's saying, no. There shouldn't be any of that. There should be Eucardistia. That means it should be something that takes place amongst the saints. It should mark our words.

It should be something we talk about. And we're not just sitting around talking about, well, you know, I thanked God today for this. You see, since we are all members of the body. If you have bowed the knee to Jesus Christ.

If your hope is solely in Him. Since we are joined together by that common confession. Then we should be able to join together in the giving of thanks. Join together in talking about the common ministry of the Spirit amongst us.

When we talk about what God. It should resonate with one another. But you know, I see the purposes and I just wish I learned faster. And isn't it wonderful. And think about each one of us. We can look at the other.

And I've mentioned this many times in this pulpit.

How encouraging it is to stand here. And to see you. And since we're Baptists, we always know exactly where you're supposed to be sitting. We don't even have to guess. As long as there's someone sitting in a certain spot.

Well, that means Rick's there. And we joke about that. Because we should never let someone taking our seat bother us. But there's also something good about the fact that you see those faces.

And you are encouraged.

And you give thanks for the evidence of God's grace in the lives of others. There is to be Eucharistia. And you know what, if we're really focused upon thanksgiving to God. For filthiness and silly talk.

So much be anxious for nothing. But everything by prayer and supplication with Eucharistia. Let your request make known to God. The peace of God surpasses all comprehension. Remember the hymns just this day are standing before.

Prayer.

You can get God to do that. I don't enjoy it. But I have to listen to atheists all the time. One of the themes of the new atheists is to mock the idea of prayer.

And what they're really mocking is an abuse.

Those people who say that basically prayer is a mechanism whereby you control God. Well you know what? That's worthy of mocking.

And Christian prayer.

Christian prayer is to be marked Eucharistia. Everything by prayer and supplication with something. When you pray with thanksgiving, with Eucharistia. Possessions. But the heart that sees the long-suffering patience of God that has supported me.

And kept me in the faith. And the heart that is filled with thanksgiving. Again it's looking out from itself. Thanksgiving causes us to look away from ourselves to the source of the giving.

It's prayer is always.

Sometimes it's out of ignorance. Sometimes it's the power of the faith. Have thanksgiving. Well if I'll just do this. I'll just lay everything before God.

Okay I'm going to pray.

I'm going to pray.

A few of you here. A few of you. Got the sense that there were a lot of people. God's will.

Spiritual.

Most of it was actually trying to find God's mate for your life. But it sounded more spiritual to say God's will for your life. And yet it's amazing how many people you talk about. And they're straight forward.

Thessalonians 5 .18.

In everything give thanks. Eucharistia is the verbal form. For this is God's will. God's will for you in Christ Jesus is. In everything. Eucharistia. Favorite text. Thank you Lord. Thanksgiving is just.

Because to give thanks in everything. And it is. It is what the saints who have walked with the Lord for many years.

Are able to do.

To be able to discern the hand.

And yes that is.

Walked in him. Remember Colossians 2. Who has walked in him. In the Lordship of Christ. Over time. You gain that heart of maturity. That heart of wisdom. So that you can see Christ. And this results in.

Of seeing that.

You have died.

Your life has been hidden together with Christ. In God. As a result. Even when the trials and tribulations come. You don't have some kind of surface level.

Giddiness.

But you do have.

Giving.

And in fact.

It's not a silly thing. The Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving.

Crease.

Faith.

Faith.

Even when they partook of the bounty of our land. What were they doing?

They have no one to thank.

If they are to give thanks. They have to. I mean some people are just very perverted. Made sure that her and her family. Were not in the United States on Thursday. Because Thanksgiving is simply. A celebration.

Of the murderous Westerners coming over. Missed the point. Increase someone's faith. Increase your faith as a believer. If you are giving thanks. When we truly live.

In an attitude of Euconostia.

We are confessing. That we see the hand of God.

In our lives.

In prayer.

And in providence.

This society around us. Does everything it can. To not foster the idea of Thanksgiving. You're number one. We pay millions of dollars to people. Who are filled with pride and arrogance. About their physical capacities.

Until somebody blows out their ACL. We pay millions of dollars to people. To be prideful and arrogant. We exalt them. There's almost nothing in our society. That is specifically meant. To engender. An attitude of Thanksgiving.

About the only exception I can think of. Is that it's still considered to be okay. In our society. To be thankful for our military personnel. That's still okay.

Acceptance.

Our society. Hates faith. And it hates Thanksgiving.

Because the two go hand in hand.

You have to believe. That God is actually active in your life. You have to have faith. That God is active in your life. To have Thanksgiving. For what he's doing in your life. And so when you experience Thanksgiving.

It increases your faith. It increases. And strengthens the faith. That you're to have in God. And a Christian.

Who is not thankful.

Is probably a Christian. Who really doesn't believe. That God is actually active in your life. We may say it. But can anybody see it? I said three things. Faith is soaked in you. We see that. In everything.

Give thanks.

All that we have seen.

It comes from the Lord.

It comes from his goodness. He's the one who causes us to be successful. Or to advance. Or possess any good at all. And so if I'm truly expressing. That gratitude. Outwardly toward another. It is that very attitude of humility.

That is the means by which the church experiences peace. Remember Philippians chapter 2? Have this attitude yourselves. Withdrawals from Christ Jesus. And what's the whole thing about? Humility of mind.

Putting others before yourself. If you're not thankful.

Your humility.

Is at best. Our tomb. Turns us away from the lure of the world. Even in the midst of our blood. We see the saints who live in lands with. Significantly less physical prosperity. And there tends to be much more depth.

Than there is amongst the saints.

Stuff.

All extracts us from. Sincerity and purity of worship and service to Christ. And I think that. One of the greatest sins.

Of the American church.

Why are you so mean to me? What my neighbor has. Not enough for me. To be as tall. As pretty. Or have a house.

As it might be.

Lord you're not being fair to me.

Humility.

And if we are to avoid. The only. Discontent.

We see it.

And sometimes they were kids. You've seen them. You may have seen them. Just in the past 24 hours. And they reflect badly. Upon their parents.

Don't they?

When Christians.

Are discontent. What did Israel do? Over and over again.

A fire by.

Food.

Dropping from heaven.

Not a.

Great sin. Do you want something practical? What's Christian liberty? What am I really free to do?

How.

How much can I be like the world?

Without being.

Illegal. Thankful.

But you watch.

Sincerity.

Say to God.

I.

Sticks.

In. You.

Built up in him. Established in your faith. Not just.

In.

That no one can.

In a mere.

Contemplation.

Should be enough.

To.

Thanksgiving.

Indeed our Heavenly Father. And so we do thank you.

For Christ.

We thank you.

For the God.

The church.

And the fellowship. All the things you've poured out.