in service this afternoon by
singing hymn number 690, the tune is Hillmartin, number 713. On wings of love the Saviour
flies, and freely left his native skies to take a human birth.
The wise and righteous men go near his wonder sea, his sermons
hear, and think him nothing worth. A remnant small of humble souls
his grace mysteriously controls by sweet alluring call. They
hear it and his person view, they learn to love and follow
too, and take him for their all. In number 690, June Hill Martin,
number 713. O'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming? ? For I shall watch her take the
wheel ? ? And understeer is ever free ? ? And in the end nothing
more ? O come all ye faithful joyful
and triumphant O'er the land of the free and the home of ? We give it and his blessing give
? ? Favours to all and honours to others too ? God of Israel, all-powerful,
? To thee, my Lord and my God. ? ? And for all the angels' praise,
? ? And all the angels' praise, ? ? Angel praise ? ? Prophets
of late I chose ? ? Thou knowest well my sacred spot
? And we bless you, Lord, day and night, And we bless you each
night. For any creature give me rest,
For any blessing make me blest, ? The Lord goes away ? ? I will
say Jesus every day ? ? And sing Him all His praise ? See Him on water returning, See
Him by faithful praises sing, And see Him face to face. For our Bible reading this afternoon,
let us turn to the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. The Epistle
of Paul to the Ephesians, and we'll read part of chapter one.
Ephesians chapter one, and we'll read the first 12 verses, and
then we'll read chapter five. Ephesians chapter one, and we'll
read the first 12 verses. all. An apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the
faithful in Christ Jesus, grace be to you and peace from God
our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as he hath
chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love. having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according
to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of
his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, in
whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath
abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known
unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure,
which he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the
fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even
in him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all
things after the counsel of his own will, that we should be to
the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. Now let us
turn to chapter five. Be ye therefore followers of
God, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath
loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice
to God for a sweet-smelling savour. But fornication and all uncleanness
or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh
saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,
which are not convenient or suitable, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger,
nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath
any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain
words. For because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore
partakers with them. For ye were sometimes, or really
that could say, for you were at one time darkness. But now
are ye light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the Spirit is
in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable
unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For
it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of
them in secret. But all things that are reproved
are made manifest by the light. For whatsoever doth make manifest
is light. Wherefore, he saith, awake thou
that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are
evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise for
understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk
with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving
thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto
your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the
head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and
he is the saviour of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject
unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church
and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present
it to himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or
any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that
loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his
own flesh, but nourisheth it and cherisheth it, even as the
Lord of the church. For we are members of his body,
of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave
his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and
they too shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but
I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let
every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself,
and the wife see that she reverence her husband. There we leave the
reading of God's word this afternoon, May he help each one of us now
to truly pray. Let us pray. Most holy, holy, holy Lord God
almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, blessed Trinity, help
us to rightly worship thee this afternoon. as the one true and
living God, the one that has created us, the one that has
sustained us to this very moment in this day. And Lord, may we
ever remember that we are just one breath away from death. We
know not when that last and final breath will be, whether we be
very young or very old, It is certain that we must at
one point or another be found with no longer breath in us. But Lord, for thy people, that
will be a blessed release. For thy people, it will mean
to be with thee in glory, to be free from that which so troubles
them in this life. where they can truly worship
in an unfathomable fullness. But Lord, for those that are
outside of thee, Lord, it is a great trial. It is something
that will cause them to tremble now and tremble at that great
dying day. And so may it be that we are
not living in darkness, but that we are living in light, living
in hope, living in sweet assurance, in and through the perfect redeeming
work of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. So we truly thank
thee for thy love in sending thy dear Son into this world
to be that perfect sin-atoning sacrifice. We thank thee that
through thy Spirit, Thou art and can still apply to the hearts
of many, Christ and Him crucified. May it be so that we see this
world for what it is with true thankfulness as our creator,
but that we can look to that world to come. So Lord, we gather
this afternoon and we thank Thee for the means that we have to
be here We do not have to walk for many, many miles through
all sorts of weather as people have done in decades and centuries
past to this place. We can gather in comfort, we
can get here in comfort. We have many gifts about us. We have food to eat and clothes
to wear, homes to live in, those to support us. But Lord, may
we ever remember that today we have thy word before us, that
which many have given up their lives to protect, that, Lord,
which many have suffered great and unspeakable things for, and
yet we have it before us. We have many copies of it in
our homes. But do we say, precious Bible,
what a treasure. May it be a lamp unto our feet
a light unto our path. May it be that which reveals
thyself unto us. Lord, may it be unto us all a
speaking voice through the word. We thank thee that it is without
mistake. We thank thee that it is unchangeable. We thank thee that it can never
be destroyed. and thy work must and will carry
on. Lord, we thank thee for the gospel,
that we do not look as in Old Testament times through types
and shadows and symbols, through prophets and sayings, but we
have recorded the true and unshakable fact of Christ taking on that
human flesh, living that perfect life of righteousness and obedience,
fulfilling the law, laying down his life for his people, being
laid in that grave, rising again, revealing himself to many, ascending
on high, and is now seated at thy right hand, ever living to
intercede for us. We thank thee that we have it
recorded, but as saints of old needed something to see, so do
we. Grant unto us eyes of faith to
not only read it as words, but to believe it in our hearts and
to trust in Him at all times, so that we can be unshaken, Lord,
in anything that is and does come upon us. And may that be
our constant and fervent cry, daily and hourly, Lord, increase
our faith. For without faith, it is impossible
to please Thee, So frequently we want to walk by sight in every
aspect of our lives, but we are called to walk by faith and enable
us each to walk uprightly in a trusting, God-honouring way. Ever deliver us from those sins
that do so easily beset us. Ever deliver us, Lord, from that
which tempts us and thrives us. May we cry as others teach their
disciples to pray. lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Oh, may it be so. May we know
more of the sanctifying power and influence of thy spirit within,
drawing back the veil and revealing more fully a precious Christ.
Oh, making us holy, separating us from this world. Oh, may it
be so. We can be a right witness. The
fruit of the Spirit may be seen within us. Lord, help us every
moment. And yet, as we look back through
another week of time, and whether we see it or not, there has been
much that has been continually been wrong in thy sight. Oh,
we are to love thee with all our heart, and we don't. ever. Lord, we are so frequently
lusting after anything and everything. Lead us nearer unto thee. So as we all assemble this afternoon,
thou knowest the pathways of order. Whether we be young, whether
we be old, whether we be in between, Whatever circumstances before
us in this coming week, Lord, we may have matters which we
are very concerned about, but may they not overtly trouble
us, because we do not know if we will see them. That which
has taken place in the past week, which may lay heavily upon us,
Lord, may we ever remember that those times cannot be got back.
So help us to live in our day and in our age. Live at this
moment with a heart right in thy sight. We pray for our friends
from the Netherlands at this time to be with them as they
seek to return tomorrow. Grant them those safe and prompt
journeys home without danger and delay if it be thy will.
May they have had that this time as they have been over here that
they remember that has done them good and do encourage them in
their pathway. We pray once more for the pastor
Lord, here, Lord, do be with him and help him. Lord, in his
travels tomorrow as well, do give him those safe journeys
as well, and do bless his ministry among the people here. May he
be able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ continually
to the people, and may they be edified and strengthened through
it. Lord, we pray for all that preach
the word today. whether it be in this country
or in any country of the earth and the gatherings of thy people.
We pray for the persecuted church, where there are so many that
today will be gathering in real fear. And as we may read those
accounts of those in other lands who have been killed and brutally
treated in one way or another, and we can read it and pray for
them and be sorrowful about it and then forget. And yet various
ones have to live with these things continually. Help us to
uphold our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer, and may
they be strengthened mightily in a way that is not understandable
to them, but is known of thee. And Lord, as we look upon not
only thy one church throughout this world, but the churches
that we are connected with, Lord, we pray for the outpouring of
thy spirit. We pray that we may be living
in a time where we may see an increase, where we see those
that are wrought upon to profess their faith, that pillars are
raised up to support the churches, that we may be given eyes to
see where we have erred and strayed and wandered from thy way, and
that we may therefore be given grace to turn back into that
right and narrow way. But Lord, surely thou hast a
problem with us, and we see a real decline. But Lord, it is thy
work, and we pray that we may ever seek to do thy work. But
Lord, if it be thy will, may we live in times of change, where
we see a revival. Lord, whether it be the churches
in the country, where there is much affluence round about, or
whether it be churches in the towns where there is much poverty
and hardship about. May thy word be suitably and
simply set before the people so that all can understand and
come under the power of thy word. We thank thee for the simplicity
of thy word, the simplicity of the teaching of the apostles,
the sermons of our dear Lord Jesus that were preached And
Lord, may it be an encouragement to us all that we may grow in
the gospel through these means. So help us to make more diligent
use of the means of grace, not slavishly, but lovingly because
of that food for our souls. Lord, we would pray for the global
situation where there is real uncertainty. There is upheaval
in the Middle East and on the edges of Europe. There is much
uncertainty in trade disputes and in many other matters throughout
the world. We see the established order
of the developed West for the past 60 or 100 years beginning
to unfold and unravel and powerful nations of the West losing their
power. The Lord, and as these matters
unfold, may it be thy people's prayer and desire not to be kept
wealthy if it is not thy will, but to be kept faithful in times
of trial and difficulty that may well fall upon us all. The
Lord, we do not want to be doom and gloom, for we know that thy
work will carry on and that thy work so frequently carries on
and grows and expands in time of hardship. But whether in times
of hardship times of affluence, Lord may it be that in us we
know that true treasure, we know that unspeakable gift, we know
the giver of that gift and we know that it has been given unto
us. So now as we turn to thy word
this afternoon we pray once more that the people will be given
ears to hear, that we'll be given words to speak, that we may be
thy messenger with thy message this afternoon, and that it may
come forth with no uncertain sound, that we may just be a
deliverer of thy precious word. But Lord, that it may not be
something that we leave at half past three as we leave thy house,
but that it stays with us through this week, that we can think
upon, meditate over, and search the scriptures. So come Holy
Spirit, come, let thy bright beams arise, dispel the darkness
from our minds, open all our eyes, so that today we may see
glorious things and may go on our way knowing that we have
indeed worshipped. So forgive all and everything
that we have asked wrongly and make up in giving where we have
failed, for we ask all for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. and to our service by singing
hymn number 456. The tune is Unity, Houghton, number 808. The good hand of God has brought
us again a favour bestowed we hope not in vain. To hear from
our Saviour the word of His grace, then be our behaviour becoming
the place Remember the ends for which we are met. Alas, my dear
friends, we're apt to forget. The motives that brought us,
the Lord only sees. But if he has taught us, our
ends should be these. In number 456, June Houghton,
number 808. you ? To your temple of hope as close
as I am ? ? And in your wisdom we are not in vain ? ? To thee, O God, saviour, ever
glorious, ? ? To thee, all ye faithful, we are in the place. ? ? Miraculous, how richly adorned
? ? Heaven's joy that fills their hearts to the brim ? ? Father take and hold us ? ? Where
you are leading us ? ? God keep thee and hold us ? ? For ever and be with us ? To worship the Lord, we praise
and we pray. To Christ Jesus true, God's love has to be. Turn away from creation, let
me be the Lord. Come take your religion, for
it is peace now. The Spirit of Christ is in all
of us. Thine servant the Spirit, teach him to teach us. I'll send a sign of joy to each
of you And I'll give you all my joy and spare no effort In need of the Lord to help us
each once again this afternoon, both in the preaching and the
hearing of the word, I'll ask you to turn with me to where
we read in the epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. Ephesians chapter
five and verse 20. Ephesians chapter five and verse
20. giving thanks always for all
things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. But I'll read again from verse
17. Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will
of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine wherein
is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody
in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all
things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of
God. Giving thanks always for all
things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Jesus Christ. Now this is a hard text, isn't
it? We could probably cope with this
if it said, giving thanks unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we have these words in the
middle or in the first part of the verse, always for all things. And how can we do that? There is only one way. And that
is through what we set before you this morning. Thanks be unto
God for his unspeakable gift. For when and only when we have
that as our foundation in our life, can we be thankful always
for all things by His grace. And as is the case with Paul's
letters, he doesn't just give a list of commands and instructions
without first giving the reason why we can be thankful, we can
be submissive, we can do whatever he sets before us. And we will
just briefly look at the beauty and the foundation to build upon
that we see in this book. Verse seven of chapter one, in whom we have redemption through
his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches
of his grace. Here's something, isn't it? Here's
something to build upon. Paul says to them, The last part
of verse 13, he was sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us, the hope of glory. Chapter two, verse six, he has
raised us up together, made us sit together in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus. Chapter 2, 13, now in Christ
Jesus, you who were sometimes or at one time far off, made
nigh by the blood of Christ. Verse 19, we're no more strangers
and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household
of God. And so we go on through chapter
three. And then we get into chapter
four and we have that, therefore, the implications of being in
the body of Christ, that which should flow from the virtues
that should flow from the Christian, because of what Christ has done
in those previous chapters. There should be that loneliness,
that meekness, that long suffering, that forbearing of one another
in love. And so he goes on throughout
chapter four and into chapter five until we get to this 20th
verse, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear friends, This is the will
of the Lord. Be not unwise, but understand
what the will of the Lord is. So as the Lord will help us this
afternoon, we see in this verse the call to always give thanks. Then we see the call to give
thanks for all things. And we see the thanks where it
flows from, through Christ. And then we'll look lastly at
the effect of this in the life of the believer. But dear friends, how seldom
I am here, giving thanks always for all things. And it's easy to excuse ourselves
and say, well, some people have more of an upbeat,
optimistic character than others. And maybe this was just Paul's
character. He was a very optimistic, upbeat
person. And that was why he could live
in this way. Maybe. But I think if we read
the New Testament, we know it is because of this. His eyes were not on the here
and the now. His eyes were on the future.
His eyes were on eternal realities. Therefore, in the here and the
now, in the good, as we would call it, and the bad, he could
give thanks always for all things because he had a solid and certain
faith that his God was in control. But you could also excuse this
and say, well, maybe it was just the church at Ephesus that needed
this instruction. Maybe they were a particularly
unthankful bunch and he needed to exhort them. Well, then so
was the church at Thessalonica where he said to them, in everything
give thanks. For this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you. And we could look to other examples
where he says similar things to others. The call to always give thanks,
not occasional, but continuous. Always, not just in the happy,
or the easy times. We think of Job. Job knew what
it was to be in deep, deep trouble. All his natural wealth had gone,
his cattle, his sheep, all his servants had gone, all his children
had gone, and then his health had gone. And yet, Yes, he had
those ups and downs, and yes, his faith was greatly tried.
But he could say, couldn't he, though he slay me, yet will I
trust in him. Dear friends, can you say that
this afternoon? Though he slay me, yet will I
trust in him. Though he bring me right down
and take whatever he sees fit from me, I will, as God gives
grace, give thanks always for all things. And you know, I learned a lesson
in this a few years ago. And we can easily write off other
Christians and other denominations and various things. But And I
apologize if any of you have heard this story before. But
a few years ago, it was one Saturday evening, probably, I don't know,
9 o'clock at night. And I had to go and preach the
next day. And my mind was on where I was going and what I
had to say. And I looked out of one of the
back windows on a winter evening, and I could see some blue flashing
lights. And the phone rang. and it was
a neighbor up the road had had a fire in their home and they
didn't have any electrics in their house and they asked me
if I could come round and basically sort out the problem so they
could at least get some power on. Thankfully it was just one
room but the house was damaged from top to bottom with smoke. But this neighbor was the bekar
of the parish church. And we can easily write off the
Church of England, but there are many good men in the Church
of England. And I got round there, managed to rectify the problem,
get the power back on in the house. And we had good and profitable
conversation, as we frequently do. And just before I went, he
said, before we go, let us pray. And it was a prayer of heartfelt
thanksgiving. It wasn't a flippant, casual
thanksgiving. It was from the heart. Thankful that we had spent this
time together and encouraged one another with the Lord's day
before us for me and for him. thankful that through it God
would work and he did and I thought to myself I don't
think I would have done that I think I'd have been troubled
about all the damage the insurance whether it was going to cover
it and all manner of other things what an example Giving thanks
always. Faithful thanksgiving amidst
trials. Does that describe you and me?
Faithful thanksgiving in trials. Dear friends, because if we can
have that heart of thanksgiving by God's grace, Where does it lead us? It strengthens
our trust and our perspective. It gives us an understanding
of what is really important in this life. Like Joe, dear Joe,
at the end of it all, the end of that book, what could he say?
I had heard of him by the hearing of mine ears, but now mine eyes
seethe. a clearer, deeper, fuller understanding
of his God. As Paul says to the church at
Philippi, as it comes to my mind, be careful for nothing or be
not over-concerned with various matters. But in everything, by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known unto God And what flows from that? And the peace
of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. This is the effect, dear friends,
of thanksgiving. Be careful for nothing, but in
all things, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known unto God. Oh, that we could have that right
perspective on our lives. Oh, that we could. Submitting
ourselves to His will and His way. Yes, giving thanks always,
but for all things. It's not to be selected. It's
not to be selective. You know, we can frequently reel
out Romans 8, 28, can't we? All things work together for
good to them that love the Lord, to them who are the called according
to his purpose. But do you believe it? And can
you trust in him? Because if you can, we should
be giving thanks always for all things. And there may be those
of you with a heavy heart here today, and you say, well, you
don't know what I'm in. No, I don't. And I apologize
if this is hard, but you know, it's been hard to me at times.
Giving thanks always for all things. But it was hard for the Apostle
Paul too. It was hard for him. When was the last time that you
were dragged through the street against your will? When was the
last time you were arrested? When was the last time you were
beaten and had many stripes upon your back from the savage whipping
that you had been given? When was the last time You were
thrown into the inner prison, the dark, dank dungeon in the
innermost part of a prison. And your feet had been set fast
in stocks. When was the last time you had
nowhere to lay your head upon? And you had to lay your bloodied,
painful back upon the dust of the earth and try to get comfortable. Have you been there? Well, the
Apostle Paul was. And what was his response? At midnight, we read Paul and Silas prayed
and decried their poor and miserable
state and questioned God as to why these things had happened
to them and how could this be for the furtherance of the gospel?
No. they sang praises unto God. And why is this the will of God
for his people? Because through it, it shows
the world Christ. Giving thanks always for all
things unto God is something which is increasingly foreign
to society today. As we become more and more of
an individualistic society where it is only the individual that
matters and nothing else does, if something doesn't go our way,
it's wrong. And so Paul and Silas prayed.
They sang praises unto God. And the keeper of the prison,
he would have heard those praises. And then in God's providence,
when the earthquake came, when he arose from his sleep and he
saw the prison doors had burst open, and he knew it was his
duty to care for those prisoners, and if any of those prisoners
had escaped, he would be killed, and therefore he tried to kill
himself. The very ones whom he had just
beaten. The very ones who he had put
in that dark and miserable place and set their feet fast in those
stocks, those very ones that foolishly in his eyes were being
thankful for what they were in, were now there to help him. And
what was the result? He cried, sirs, what must I do
to be saved? The jailer was no longer looking
at his mates and his companions. He was looking to these strange
men that were thankful in pain and suffering. And through it, they pointed
to the Lord Jesus Christ. And through it, he was saved. And through it, the jailer went
home and told his family about this great and marvelous God
that he had known and a precious Christ that cleanses from sin
and saves his people and comforts his people. And through it, his
people, his family were saved. And through that great change
in that maybe wicked family, other families saw a change and
saw a thankfulness and saw a love to God. and the church grew. And it's
no different today. As you look in China or North
Korea or parts of Pakistan and India or Iran or other countries
in the Middle East and parts of Africa, this giving thanks
always for all things shines. But you know, It's this giving
thanks which comes out of self. Giving thanks which takes our
eyes away from self, primarily to our God and the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also to others too. And we see that so remarkably
in Paul's writings, again to Timothy, when he was once again
in prison. And we read of him in 2 Timothy
that he was chained up. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of
his chains. And as he wrote this letter to
Timothy, as he had that deep concern for his brother Timothy
in the truth, his heart was going out to him. I thank God, he says,
whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience. He wrote
with his pen. with a chain around his wrist,
thanking his God. Knowing, as we read later on
in that book, that he knew he was about to die, but he was
thanking his God, because his eyes were taken away from the
here and the now. His eyes were firmly fixed by
faith upon his savior, his God, his friend, and he could say
to all and anybody about him, Do what you want to me. You can
take my body, but you cannot touch my soul. Same with dear
old Stephen, wasn't it? As he was being stoned and as
his life was ebbing away, as those sharp and cruel rocks were
being hurled against his body and bouncing off his back and
his head and everything else, what was his concern? He wasn't
worried about himself, was he? He was worried about those about
him. He was worried about those poor men that were hurling those
stones because they knew nothing of his saviour. They were running
headfast into oblivion. Then he kneeled down and he cried
with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And in that prayer, there would have been thankfulness to his
Lord that he knew where he was going. with thankfulness, being
full of the Holy Ghost. He could look up into heaven.
He could see the glory of God. He could see Jesus standing on
the right hand of God, and he could endure all things for his
God. This God is the God we adore,
our faithful, unchangeable friend. Oh, by faith, may we be able
to give thanks always for all You know, and I was reading this
week, I think it was by Thomas Watson, and it so struck me,
it said something along these lines. To the godly, death is basically, it's the
medicine for all our woes. Death takes away. all trouble,
takes away all sorrow. Death is the funeral, I think
he said, of all sorrow. Oh, dear friends, may that be
where we are. Where death is no more a foe. Death is glorious
victory. Death is being nearer the love
of our Father. Death is being able to gaze on
Christ in all the fullness of His glory, giving thanks always
for all things. You know, we've sung, didn't
we? Firstly, this afternoon, hymn number 690. And that last
verse came to my mind. while walking on the gospel way,
I would see Jesus every day and see in all his grace. See him,
my prophet, priest and king. See him by faith and praises
sing. Then see him face to face. This is where the Lord's people
are brought to in times of difficulty and trial to know it's only temporary. And there will be that face-to-face
glory. There is a prospect, there is
a hope. Oh dear friends, do you know
it? Because if you don't, what have you got? You can put on
a stiff upper lip when things go wrong, and you can try and
be bold and brave, but you can't hold it up. And you know, I work with and
have done over the years with many that no longer attend a
place of worship and they are big and they are tough and they
are strong and then trouble comes and they're
like blubbering babies because there's nothing underneath
it all. There's nowhere to turn. The
rug's been pulled out from under their feet and they're flat on
their backside. They've got nothing to turn to,
nothing to hope upon. Is that you this afternoon? Because
this is what troubles me. We've got to get to the root
of the matter. Do we know the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we know God as our Father?
Do we know the indwelling of the Spirit? And do we know the
fruit of it? Oh, if we don't. Time of trouble
is ahead, and when that time of trouble comes, may that be
what makes you turn, turn unto Him, that gratitude for what
He has done, knowing that what He wills is best. Yes, there is that giving thanks
always, Yes, there is that giving thanks for all things unto God
and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is where thanksgiving flows
through Christ. Christ is the conduit that our
thanksgiving flows to the Father. It connects us to the Father. In the book of Colossians, we
read in chapter three, And verse 17, whatsoever ye do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God and the Father by him. This is where our thanksgiving
should flow. For his unspeakable gift, we
thank God through Christ, that through him we can draw near
unto a holy God. That through Christ, we are no
longer under his wrath and condemnation, but can shelter through his precious
blood and righteousness. That we are no longer estranged
from our God, but we are now fellow citizens, joint heirs
with Christ. That he is now a loving father
unto us. Dear friends, Does our thanksgiving
primarily flow through the Lord Jesus Christ? And thanks is given
unto God the Father because of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know,
we often say our prayers as the hymn says, but do we ever pray? Next time you pray, if you pray,
think about what you're praying. Think about whether you mean
what you're praying, and think about what you are giving thanks
for. Yes, you may give thanks for the food you have before
us. Yes, you may give thanks for the strength you have known
through the day, for the good night's sleep that you have had,
and whatever, anything else that may come to your mind. But what
about the Lord Jesus Christ? Because what are you thankful
for, generally? In our lives, we are thankful
for something precious. We are thankful for something
useful. We are thankful for something that assists us. We are thankful
for extraordinary acts of kindness. Do we see that? giving thanks always for all
things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, because it's Christ that enables thanksgiving in every
circumstance, and only him. Paul could also say, couldn't
he, though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed
day by day, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while
we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen. For the things which are seen
are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. And if anything sums this afternoon
up, it's that, isn't it? If we are looking for the things
that are seen continually, we're going to be overcome by our afflictions.
But when through faith, we can look out of self to eternal matters,
the exceeding and eternal weight of glory, everything is in its
right place. But lastly, I must move on. I
said I would, so I must. Touch on the effect of this thanksgiving
in the life of the believer. It strengthens us. As an athlete has to train vigorously
before an event, and Paul frequently uses the illustration of an athlete,
that training is arduous. That training is sometimes brutal. That training sometimes goes
beyond our natural will and desire. But we are called to be thankful.
And when we, by God's grace, are enabled to be thankful, it
strengthens us. It does. It really does. It helps us. It encourages us
and it makes us set everything in its right order in our lives. Daniel knew what that was, didn't
he? When he had that threat of being thrown into the lion's
den, that man knew what it was to
be strengthened because he did what he always did. King Darius
signed that decree Daniel was therefore in great danger. So
what did he do? Go running and saying, oh, what
am I to do? He knew that he was going to
die in all likelihood because of what King Darius had signed.
So what did he do? Did what he always did. Did what
he had become accustomed to do. went into his house, threw his
windows open in the chamber toward Jerusalem, as he did every day,
got down on his knees, as he did three times a day, and he
prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did before time. What he continually did. Daniel
knew what was going to happen. He knew that those men had done
that for his hurt. He knew that those men were assembling
under his window and were watching him praying and making supplication
and giving thanksgiving to his God. And what did it do? It stirred
up an anger in their hearts to harm Daniel. But Daniel didn't care. Not in
a flippant, careless way. But Daniel knew God was in control.
Daniel knew that God would shut the lion's mouths if it was his
will. And Daniel knew that God would
cause the lion's mouths to be open and for him to be eaten
up if it was his will. Daniel knew that he could trust
his God. Daniel knew that all things would
work together for good. Stephen knew that all things
would work together for good. Paul knew that all things work
together for good. The various martyrs that we read
of knew that all things would work together for good. And then
through God's grace, he and they and all the Lord's people, as
grace is given, could give thanks always for all things unto God
and the Father. in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Now as we gather our thoughts
together this afternoon I don't know what will happen
to any of us this week and I may live to be the biggest
hypocrite this week in what may be before me in the unknown pathway
And that's why we need to pray, continue, Lord, give me grace
to hold fast. Hold me up when I will fall.
Give me a stronger, deeper faith that can trust in trouble and
trial as well as in the good times, so that I may do the will
of the Lord, which is to give thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But in closing, that can only be done if we can say what we
spoke from this morning and know it. Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift. If we have been given that gift,
And only if we have been given that gift can we do the will
of the Lord and give thanks always for all things unto God and the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. By his grace may
we be able to do so. our service this afternoon by
singing hymn number 995. The tune is Unity, number 80. From Egypt lately come, where
death and darkness reign. We seek anew a better home, where
we shall rest, when we our rest shall gain. There sin and sorrow
cease and every conflict o'er. There shall we dwell in endless
peace and never hunger more. Hymn number 995, tune Unity,
number 80. ? May we love her ? ? May we love
her still ? ? May she be always our own ? ? And we ever shall be
one ? ? To heaven's sacred ground ? ?
We raise this song of joy ? ? That peace and liberty are found ? ? That peace and
liberty are found ? ? There's heaven on earth peace
? ? Heaven beyond this world ? I shall be happy when there's
peace, Come and walk on the moon. Where in sin is your strength, ? And wonder where you sleep ?
? O holy day ? ? With the dawn's early light ? ? The Christ himself
is born ? ? Is sent down by the Father ?
? And over the flesh was shed ? ? And taken away by the Lord's
hand ? ? So will all the world be saved ? Most holy and almighty God, all
our times are in thy hand and all events at thy command and
pray that all events may lead us to thee, may lead us to trust
thee more fully and to praise thee more deeply. May we have
that sweet hope that we soon shall join the throne and all
their pleasure share and sing the everlasting song with all
the ransomed there. That is what has upheld all thy
people in times past and it will be what holds up thy people in
times to come. So give us those right perspectives
on everything that is given and taken from us. Give us those
right perspectives on the temptations that annoy us. Give us, Lord,
clear eyes to see Thee, a heart made more willing to trust Thee, and feet that are willing to
follow. wherever thou dost take us. So be with us now as we leave
thy house. May thy word not leave us. May it penetrate deep within
by the power of thy spirit. May it have been known today,
Lord, for without that we would have gathered in vain. But through
thy spirit may something remain for our eternal good. Forgive
everything that has been wrong in our worship, and that which
has been of Thee, may it be a sweet savour unto us all. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God the Father, the fellowship and communion of the
Holy Spirit, rest and abide with us each now and for evermore.
Amen.