Grace Fellowship Church November 24, 2009 Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard

Peace and Thanksgiving John 14:27; Col 3:15

Col 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

“Thankful” = EUCHARISTOS. EUCHARISTEO = “to be thankful or giving thanks”. EUCHARISTIA = “thanksgiving, thankfulness, giving of thanks, or gratitude.”

Lev 7:13-15, Peace and Thanksgiving were closely related in a special offering to God under the Law.

TODAH in Hebrew = thanksgiving emphasizing giving of thanks in song or in an offering.

1) We are to be thankful for the peace that we receive from God in regard to our salvation through Christ, and for the peace in the mentality of our souls when we have His Word within our souls.

2) This peace is demonstrated through our application of His Word via a Relaxed Mental Attitude (RMA) towards all things and situations.

3) When you have a RMA, you will be more appreciative towards the blessings in your life from God and for the people around you.

4) When you have a RMA, (peace) you will serve God and one another more freely. 1 Thes 5:12-18

In Phil 4:4-9, when we are thankful for the Peace and Grace of God, we receive further peace in the mentality of our souls.

Definition of Thanksgiving: 1. Thanksgiving is worship in which the Church Age believer acknowledges the benefits related to the divine initiative of antecedent grace.

2. The Biblical definition of worship is the basis for the true function of thanksgiving.

John 4:24, “God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship by means of the Spirit, (filling of the Spirit) and truth, (Bible doctrine).”

3. Thanksgiving is worship of God as a part of our priestly service and sacrifice to Him. Psa 116:17; 107:22; Amos 4:5; Heb 13:15

4. Thanksgiving, with its root CHARIS, says that when we give thanks to God we are offering the grace which He has given to us, back to Him.

5. Thanksgiving is first of all directed toward God, and as an overflow it is capacity and appreciation for life.

It is an expression of gratitude based on your doctrinal capacity to appreciate who and what He is, and what He has, is, and will do for you. Eph 5:18-20

6. It is a part of your spiritual life and worship, not some shallow fleeting system of gratitude for something.

7. It is having Divine viewpoint in life, (recognizing that all blessings and provisions are from God), which leads to thankfulness. Col 1:9-12; 2:7

Col 2:7, “Having been firmly rooted and now being built up (edified) in Him and established by means of your faith, just as you were instructed; overflowing with gratitude (thankfulness).”

8. Thanksgiving is an index of the spiritual status of the believer.

Psa 100:4, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name (honor His person).”

Rev 7:12, “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might belong to God forever and ever. Amen.”

2 Cor 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

9. Thanksgiving is a function of your prayer life.

Eph 1:16, “I do not cease giving thanks for you, and I make mention of you in my prayers.”

Col 1:3, “We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.”

Col 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.”

Phil 4:6, “Stop worrying (the opposite of peace) about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanks- giving, let your requests be made known to God.”

10. Giving causes thanksgiving. 2 Cor 9:7-12

Grace Fellowship Church Peace and Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Special, Part 1 Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, November 24, 2009 Tape # Peace and Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Special, Part 1 John 14:27; Phil 4:4-9; Col 3:15; 1 Thes 5:12-17 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2009