Acts of the Apostles Readings About Thanksgiving

The apostle Paul was an encourager.

He began each of his letters with a prayer of thanksgiving and a petition for the recipients of his messages.

One of the nigh enlightening Bible studies is to accept the recorded prayers of Paul and study them. They too make great petitions for our own Christian prayer life. Indeed, nosotros can learn to pray a more meaningful prayer life by letting the apostle Paul exist our model. We tin can abound in our spiritual life past praying Scripture thoughts and petitions to God.

Paul's letter to the believers at Colossae begins with a prayer of thanksgiving and blends into several petitions for these Christians. With the exception of the letter of the alphabet to Galatians Paul begins each alphabetic character with thanksgiving and praise to God for what he is doing in the churches and individuals lives. We gain insight into his prayer life. This is the kind of person you desire to be around.

PAUL'S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (one:three-8)

Paul begins his prayer with thanksgiving to God the Father. "We requite thank you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for yous" (Colossians 1:3).

Paul'southward song of thanksgiving runs though out the letter of the alphabet (Colossians 1:three, 12; ii:seven; 3:fifteen-17; 4:two). It expressed his attitude toward God and other believers. He was dependent upon God for everything in his life. He was Christ-centered.

Requite thanks to the Begetter

The plural "we" can be epistolary plural like, "I thank" or it can exist a real plural with the idea of "Timothy and I thank God." Go along in mind the author of the letter is Paul, not Paul and Timothy.

Paul was a team role player. He never fails to observe people and provisions of God for which to praise Him. Every time he prayed he remembered the churches with whom he ministered.

The adverb "always" can go with "we give thanks" as "We always requite thanks to God, the Begetter . . . when we pray for you" (NET).  It can likewise exist associated with "we pray" as "We requite thanks to God . . . praying always for you" (NASB). He gives thank you constantly, "praying always for you."

His praying is present tense pointing to the fact that he repeatedly prays for these believers. Information technology was his life fashion. He was persistent in his prayer life. "Always," "give thanks" and "praying" are in the present continuous tense in the original language. He prayed without ceasing.

He could be referring to his daily devotion every bit his reflection on the great provisions and promises of God for His people, and the needs of the churches. Did he have in listen the Jewish do of praying three times a day equally seen in the life of the prophet Daniel and John and Peter (Dan. 6:11; Acts 3:i)? Every twenty-four hour period he prayed for those who had turned their lives over to Christ. The apostle could as well take in mind his prayer life equally he walked on journeys or making tents or throughout the day in his house imprisonment in Rome. Can you imagine the touch on of Paul's prayers upon the pagan Roman soldier attached to the other terminate of his chain? One of all-time times to pray is while you are walking, riding in your car, or working at a task. Prayer is not limited to a formal bowing your head and closing your eyes. For Paul the of import thing was consistency. He was doing it at every opportunity. Information technology was part of his life style.

His thanksgiving was accost "to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Col. one:three). God has revealed Himself personally and fully in the person of His eternal Son. No one else tin amend reveal God than His own unique 1 of a kind Son. He knows the Begetter's eternal purpose improve than anyone else. Paul has absolute conviction in the total deity of Christ and His perfect humanity.

Reasons for Paul'southward thanksgiving

To the Corinthian church Paul wrote, "For God, who said, 'Light shall smooth out of darkness,' is the I who has shone in our hearts to give the Calorie-free of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But nosotros have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will exist of God and non from ourselves" (two Corinthians 4:6-seven).

God was at piece of work in his life and in the church.

1. He thanks God for the testimony of the believers at Colossae.

He has been praying for them "since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the beloved which you have for all the saints" (Col. 1:4). Paul heard from Epaphras about their organized religion in Christ. He had never been to Colossae (Col. 2:one-2). He praised God for the report from Epaphras about their love, organized religion and hope.

No doubt the discussion "faith" in poetry four refers to the initial trust in the person and finished saving piece of work of Jesus Christ. They accept a saving relationship with God because of Christ. A person is not a Christian because they take faith; they are Christians considering they have faith "in Christ" Jesus. Christ is the object of their religion. He is the one who saves. The sphere in which their faith resided was Christ.

He praised God considering they had heard the gospel and put their religion in Christ as their Savior. He rejoiced over the sit-in of God'due south grace in their lives. They have been built-in over again and were continuing in their walk with Christ. Paul breaks forth with thanksgiving to God for them. Their faith pictured the initial human activity of trusting in Christ for eternal life. But they as well had a living personal faith in Christ moment by moment. Their faith resided in Christ. Their faith rested in Christ. Information technology was like an anchor on the bottom of the body of water.

You lot and I tin can requite praise today for our own conservancy. Thank God we accept been born again. But we can also give praise to God for the salvation of family members, and the members of our church who have experienced God'southward saving grace.

two. Paul thanks God for their love for all the saints (five. 4b).

They love one some other with a sacrificial beloved. Paul has heard about "the love which you accept for all the saints" (Col. 4:4b).

This love in the heart of the Colossians was being expressed toward all the saints. It was to all the saints without exception. Information technology was a consistent communion of the saints. It was an all embracing fellowship.

Paul rejoiced over this continuing demonstration of their self-sacrificing love for ane another.

3.  Paul gives thanks to God for the "hope laid up for you in heaven" (five. 5a).

They heard the gospel of truth and received eternal life. We can give thanks to God for our own conservancy and for the many who take come to Christ all over the world. Paul gives thank you to God the Father "because of the hope laid upwardly for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel" (Colossians 1:5).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. Someday we preach the gospel we bring proficient news of God's saving grace in Jesus Christ that will salvage you, forgive y'all of all your sins, and give you eternal life.

It is the gospel of truth which is the essence of the gospel based on the historical facts of the nascence, life decease, resurrection and rising of Christ.

What will you practise with Jesus Christ? The apostle Peter finished upwards i of his neat sermons saying, "And there is salvation in no one else; for at that place is no other name under sky that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Jesus told His disciples, "I am the manner, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Begetter but through Me" (John 14:half dozen).

This was not the exclusive hope of the false teachers who were trying to lead the believers in Christ astray. The adept news of Jesus Christ and His saving grace is for all men and women everywhere.

Our "hope" is stored up, put away for i's utilize. It is a present hope centered in Christ (Col. one:27). Zero can touch this promise because Paul says the place of storage is heaven where God the Father is presently. Information technology is safe; it is secure; it is protected. The word was originally used for storing up supplies for faithful servants of the Persian rulers. These Christians had heard the word of truth earlier they heard the imitation teachings. They accept a confident expectation or prospect of eternal life with God the Father. It is a promise that "is laid up for y'all in heaven."

The apostle Peter wrote: "Blest be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who co-ordinate to His great mercy has caused united states of america to be built-in again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will non fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the ability of God through faith for a conservancy ready to be revealed in the last fourth dimension" (i Peter 1:3-5). This blest hope is a living, imperishable, undefiled, unfading hope through the resurrection of Christ. Talk well-nigh eternal security. This hope is kept past the power of God.

4. Paul gives thanks to God for the gospel that has been preached in the entire world (v. 6).

 The message of conservancy "which has come to y'all, just as in all the earth besides it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as information technology has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth" (Col. 1:6). "Bearing fruit and growing" emphasizes the continuous activity of the gospel due to its inherent power. God is at piece of work in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This good news has an inherent power. Information technology transforms and empowers lives. It changes life from the inside out. Paul stresses the inward bearing of fruit and the outward growing activity of the truth.

The Word of God is constantly begetting fruit and increasing in their lives and everywhere else it is preached. The idea is to grow, to increase, and to develop. It is the outward expansion of the personal inner working of the truth of God in Christ Jesus. This fruitfulness and spiritual growth began on the day they heard the gospel and trust in Christ. Paul wrote to the Philippians most the same fourth dimension, "in view of your participation in the gospel from the first mean solar day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:five-6).

He praises God because his readers have experienced God's saving grace. In the mind of Paul grace is a synonym for the gospel. He preached "the gospel of the grace of God." It is absolutely free, unmerited favor of God to those who can never deserve or earn it by any virtue or thing they practise. It is e'er undeserved. The sinner never gets what he deserves! "The wages of sin is death . . ."  "The gratuitous gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."

v. He thanks God for the faithful pastor Epaphras (v. 7).

 "You learned it from Epaphras, our dearest young man bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf" (Col. 1:vii). Epaphras brought the gospel of the urban center of Colossae.

Paul described this faithful servant of God every bit "beloved beau bond-retainer." That is a powerful description of fellowship and inclusion. Paul was non protecting his picayune kingdom as some practice. You would never discover him stealing sheep. Here is a bail of love among God's servants.

In the Sometime Testament the highest compliment you could give was "servant of Yahweh." The prophets were God's servants. Christian pastors fit into that aforementioned grade of servants of God. Paul uses ane of his favorite terms, "bond-servant" (doulos). He is a "beloved fellow bail-retainer." The stress is on relationship and mental attitude to Christ. A bail-slave or bail-servant is someone who was endemic past some other and so completely that he was dependent upon his master for everything in life. Epaphras was in submission to the will of God. His life was controlled past Him. He no longer endemic his life; he had been bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

"Beloved" is one who is loved by God.

Epaphras is one of Paul's co-laborers. He is a "true-blue servant of Christ on our behalf."  At the end of his letter, Paul tells us nearly the group that is with him in Rome. "As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring yous data. For I accept sent him to you for this very purpose, that yous may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved blood brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation hither. Aristarchus, my boyfriend prisoner, sends yous his greetings; and besides Barnabas'due south cousin Mark (virtually whom you lot received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and likewise Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bond-slave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for yous in his prayers, that yous may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God" (Colossians 4:vii-12).  The apostle was always surrounding himself with men and women like these.  They were all faithful bond-servants of Christ Jesus.

We take an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison pending u.s. in heaven.

half dozen.  Paul gives thank you for the Spirit inspired love in their lives (v. eight).

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to work in our lives in such a style that we love one another sacrificially the mode God has loved the states. This is a Holy Spirit inspired love. He has done a good piece of work in their lives. In fact, He changes lives.

The dearest expressed is His work in the Christian. Love is the expression of their human relationship with the Holy Spirit. Our chore is to provide the tools and the spiritual environment in which every believer can live a Spirit-controlled, Christ-centered Christian life.

It is interesting that this is the only reference to the Holy Spirit in this alphabetic character. In this letter Paul ascribed the work of God that normally is associated with the Holy Spirit to Christ.

The expression of thanksgiving moves into specific petitions for these believers. Thanksgiving is an excellent manner to begin our prayers from a grateful heart. Afterward we have expressed our thanksgiving to Him we can readily begin making our petitions for His blessings on the spiritual needs of others.

SOME Abiding PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

When you are saved by grace through religion you want to tell the whole globe about your most valued person.

Will you lot have a few minutes today and tell a friend, a neighbor or a relative what Jesus Christ means to you lot? Share with him or her your testimony of what your life was like before yous trusted in Christ. Tell them when you put your organized religion in Christ lone to salvage yous, and then share the change Christ has made in your life. The important thing is to keep the focus on Christ. People in our day believe in a lot of false gospels which cannot save; they need to hear the truth in Christ Jesus. Because we are in possession of the gospel we are under obligation to share information technology.

When you are saved by grace your center is filled with thanksgiving.

Even on the nearly difficult days you can find things to praise and give cheers to God. Paul was in a Roman prison awaiting a decision from demented Nero, but he could praise God for His abundant provision of friends, saving grace, and the missionary movement across the Roman Empire.

When your center is filled with thanksgiving and praise you lot will spend time in prayer daily. You will have a regularly scheduled time of prayer. Yous will besides sense the need to pray spontaneously as the need arises. Anytime, anyplace regardless of the situation we tin can get to the throne of God in prayer. Y'all can enquire God for wisdom in a difficult situation. You tin enquire for His force when facing a temptation. You tin can ask for his sustaining grace to see you through a stressful moment. We can be filled with praise and thanksgiving throughout the twenty-four hour period. We tin silently call upon his proper name in the classroom, courtroom, or corporate role. There is too the fourth dimension to pray with brothers and sisters in Christ as we seek His face together in worship and in service.

When yous are a servant leader you encourage your co-laborers.

For Paul it was never I win – you loose. It was never a looking out for #1. You would never find him playing one person or group against some other.

Servant leaders await for opportunities to encourage and praise another person's work and ministry building.

When yous keep your focus on Jesus Christ you lot gain the respect to exist heard when a word of correction is called for.

Does a man's bulletin line upwardly with the Word of God? Is he preaching or didactics his ain individual truth or is he preaching the objective truth about Christ? Is he teaching factual statements virtually spiritual reality? Anybody is entitled to their ain individual opinions, but there is no such thing equally private truth.

Sure the apostle had to correct the errors of teaching, but he did information technology in a firm, focused conviction about the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Paul focused his energies on Jesus Christ. In this great letter we find Paul'due south greatest statements about who Jesus Christ is.

Spiritual intelligence comes through growing in the will of God by knowing the Word of God.

Are you lot a partaker in the inheritance of the saints? It comes only through an intimate beloved relationship with Jesus Christ.

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