Thanksgiving Sunday Message

Valley – November 24, 2002 a.m.

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRACE TO BE THANKFUL?

Valley Baptist normally shares the Sunday before Thanksgiving with the saints at Family Baptist Church in Tigard with Thanksgiving dinner and afternoon service. We met for Sunday School and the Morning Service and then headed for Tigard for that time of fellowship together. I shared this material in our Morning Service.

The title of this message is How Much Do You Need to Know About Grace to Be Thankful? The Greek terms for "thanksgiving" are comprised of two elements: good (eu) and grace (charis). These compound terms demonstrate a connection of thanksgiving as a response to the manifestations of God's grace when thanksgiving is presented to God. Some have defined thanksgiving as an expression of gratitude to God for something He has done. The term gratitude is directly linked to the English word "grace." Some find the derivation of grace in the Greek word for joy (cheiro) and so make thanksgiving a joyous response to a benefit provided. Most now accept the direct relationship to God's grace (in thanksgiving made to God) and so see it as a response to the favor of God which has provided a benefit. Thanksgiving is the expression of appreciation to God for benefits provided. D. in the introduction lists all of the forms of "grace" and "thanksgiving." Notice that charis or "grace" is translated "thank" in 13 passages where it is used in relation to God. God never needs grace or unmerited favor since the perfections of deity prevent a need for any favor on the part of any of the Three Persons. It is interesting that only 15 of the 200 occurrences of "grace" are found in the Gospels. When one reads the New Testament and observes the extensive usage of "grace," it becomes evident why calls this "the dispensation of the grace from the God (Eph. 3:2)."

The first question is "What is grace in grace revelation?" Grace revelation is revelation given to the Church which is Christ's Body. It is revelation generally given from John 13 to Revelation 3. The simple definition of grace is sufficient. It is unmerited favor in the dispensation of grace. In early classical Greek eucharistia ("thanksgiving") meant to bestow a favor as well as to appreciate a favor. John 1:17 clearly states that the grace and the truth are by Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:7 describes what grace is: "That in the ages that are coming he might show forth the surpassing riches of the grace of Him by kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (my translation)." Notice the link between grace and kindness here. Christians see this in all they are and have in Christ. Grace is not of oneself and it is not a work (Eph. 2:8, 9). Titus 3:4 views grace where it is indirectly linked to kindness and fondness for man: "But when the kindness and the fondness for man of our Savior God appeared" in a positive way. While 3:5 emphasizes that regeneration does not come by works of righteousness. I have included C. I. Scofield's and Lewis S. Chafer's definitions of grace in I. A. 4. & 5. It is important to remember that grace is different from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Under Law there were certain conditions that when met provided divine favor. In that sense it was merited to a small degree in some instances. Under grace it is pure unadulterated unmerited favor. The list under C. is self explanatory concerning the directions of grace. Ephesians 1:7, 8 refer to the riches of grace in Christ Jesus. These are in the realm of spiritual things. In Christ Jesus grace believers share in an imputed spiritual position in Christ and spiritual possessions in Christ. Grace most often is pervenient in the realm of physical things. That is to say the sun shines on the godly as well as the ungodly. It rains on the godly as well as the ungodly. A believer can see God's favor in His provision of physical things while the unbeliever is unthankful. True, God does provide some physical benefits in time specifically to the believer.

The next two sections involve the study of passages that include "grace" with "thanksgiving" in either the same verse or in adjacent verses. Three verse have grace and thanksgiving together in the same verse. 1 Cor. 1:4 finds Paul expressing thanksgiving for the provisions of grace in the salvation of the Corinthian believers. "By Christ Jesus" is better translated locative "in Christ Jesus" focusing on the provisions of grace that pertain to all three tenses of salvation because one is in Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. 10:30 deals with the fact that Paul could partake of physical things that may cause a brother to stumble. The brother may blaspheme him for that thing for which he can be thankful which has been provided by grace. Verse 31 simply says, "Whether therefore you are eating, or are drinking or whatever you are doing, be doing all things to the glory of God." Paul anticipates the coming of the resurrection (vs. 14). In all of his suffering he anticipates that abundant grace might increase so that thanksgiving might abound into the glory of God through the greatest number possible (2 Cor. 4:15). "For this cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (vs. 16)."

Many of the occurrences of grace with thanksgiving are found in salutations introducing Paul's letters. This is true in Romans 1:7, 8 where Paul expresses gratitude for the manifestation of faith, a part of the fruit of the Spirit, in the lives of the Roman Christians. In 2 Cor. 1:11 the grace gift provided for Paul produces thanksgiving by many on behalf of Paul. His whole testimony is based on the provisions of the grace of God which affectively provided for his manner of life (vs. 12). In Phil. 1:2, 3 again grace and thanksgiving are linked because of the divine provision for spiritual living which was manifested in the lives of the Philippian believers as they shared in common so great salvation with Paul and one another. In Colossians 1:2, 3 the grace of God is manifested to the Colossian believers as was evidenced in their faith, love and hope. This produces thanksgiving on Paul's part. Colossians 3:16, 17 describes the grace that is manifested concerning the Christ as that which produces personal thanksgiving. The punch here is that grace is manifested in the hearts of spiritual believers and so a song is sung in the heart and thanksgiving persists in word and deed. 1 Thess. 1:1-3 finds grace manifested in their work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope of the Thessalonian saints. Paul is thankful for these manifestations of their knowledge of the spiritual life and the resulting spirituality and spiritual growth. 2 Thess. 1:2, 3 sees grace and peace active in the lives of the Thessalonian saints. As a result, their faith has grown extremely, their love abounds toward each other and they are filled with joy (vs. 6). Paul is thankful for the visible manifestation for these parts of the fruit of the spirit which the Thessalonian believers were properly directing. Philemon 3, 4 is very similar in that the man Philemon is the recipient of God's grace and he has a consistent spiritual life manifesting love and faith (vss. 5, 6) which brings thanksgiving from Paul. Notice the links of grace to thanksgiving in these passages that involve who and what a believer is in Christ and how these truths make possible the Spirit's production of His fruit to the glory of God and to the thanks of other saints.

IV. considers the four key passages for understanding the divine standards for the spiritual believer in the matter of thanksgiving. A believer must be mentally capable and spiritually able to be thankful for all things (Eph. 5:20), at all times (Eph. 5:20), in all things (1 Thess. 5:18) and for all men (1 Tim. 2:1). Without an understanding of grace this is impossible.

The conclusion has the points I used to drive this home. Dwell on the importance of D.

Thanksgiving Sunday Message

Valley – November 24, 2002 a.m.

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRACE TO BE THANKFUL?

Ephesians 5:20

Proposition: To show the links between the believer's understanding of the grace of God and its correlation with the concepts inherent in "thanksgiving."

Introduction

A. The Connection of Grace with Thanksgiving

B. The Composition of the Word "Thanksgiving"

1. eu = Good

2. carij = Grace

C. The Concepts of the Word

1. Reaction to a Benefit Provided

2. Response in Joy for Benefit = View #1

3. Response to Grace for Benefit = View #2

D. The Contents of Scripture and Its Terms

1. Grace – All Forms = 200 times

a. Noun – ca,rij (charis) = 156 times

b. Verb – cari,zomai (charidzomai) = 23 times

c. Verb -- carito,w (charitoo) = 2 times (Eph. 1:6; Lu. 1:28)

d. Noun – ca,risma (charisma) = 17 times

e. Noun – avca,ristoj (acharistos) = 2 times (2 Tim. 3:2; Lu. 6:35)

f. The Noun ca,rij Is Translated "Thank" in AV 13 times (Lu. 6:32, 33, 34;

17:9; 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14; 8:16; 9:15; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:3; 1 Pe.

2:19)

2. Thanksgiving – All Forms = 55 times

a. Noun – euvcaristi,a (eucharistia) = 15 times

b. Verb -- euvcariste,w (eucharisteo) = 39 times

c. Noun – euvca,ristoj (eucharistos) = 1 time (Col. 3:15)

TRANS: The government of the world system is designed so those who have power in it on any level easily intensify the need for more power. This occurs in any kind of government and on any level. Christ describes this as an attitude inherent in worldly government versus a different attitude in his kingdom government.

I. WHAT IS GRACE IN GRACE REVELATION? – THE IDENTIFICATION OF GRACE IN THIS DISPENSATION

A. The Definition of the Term

1. Simple Definition: Unmerited Favor

2. Unmerited, undeserved, unearned, unearnable

3. Essential Concepts:

a. What It Is: Eph. 2:7

b. What It Is Not: Eph. 2:8, 9

4. Scofield's Definition: ". . . Charis, which means "favor," without recompense or

equivalent. If there is any compensatory act or payment, however slight or

inadequate, it is "no more grace" – Charis." (Fundamentals, vol. XI, pg. 43)

5. Chafer's Definition: "Grace means pure unrecompensed kindness and favor." (Grace,

pg. 5)

B. The Distinction in Meanings

1. Old Testament – Merited (to a Degree) or Unmerited Favor

2. New Testament – Unmerited Favor

C. The Directions of Grace in the Dispensation

1. Grace Cannot Be Earned – Eph. 2:8, 9

2. Grace Cannot Be Affected by One's Behavior

a. Action Will Not Prevent Its Application

b. Action Cannot Limit the Extent of Its Application

c. Actions Cannot Cause Its Application

3. Grace Is Not Conditional – Eph. 2:8, 9

4. Grace Does Not Involve Payment of a Debt – Rom. 4:4

5. Grace Is Equal for All Grace Believers

a. None Receive More

b. None Receive Less

D. The Direction of God's Grace Most Evident to the Grace Believer

1. Provisions in Christ = Spiritual Realm

2. Possessions in Christ=Spiritual Realm

3. Pervenient in Realms of the Physical

TRANS: Has the world in past history been simply looking for a word for thanksgiving and chosen to make eucharistia the word without considering any link to its root idea of grace. Is the definition "thanksgiving is a appreciative response to the good grace of God" a legitimate definition? Grace and thanksgiving are found in the same verse several times in the Greek New Testament.

II. ARE THERE VERSES WHERE GRACE AND THANKSGIVING ARE LINKED? – THE INTERCONNECTION OF THE TWO CONCEPTS IN THE SAME VERSE

A. The Appreciation for the Application of the Grace of God Given to You in Christ Jesus –

1 Corinthians 1:4

1. Past Tense Salvation

2. Present Tense Salvation

3. Future Tense Salvation

B. The Question Concerning Grace and Blasphemy for Giving Thanks – 1 Corinthians 10:30

C. The Stimulation of Increased Grace for Abundant Thanksgiving – 2 Corinthains 4:15

TRANS: The next element of grace and thanksgiving is found in the occurrences of grace in one verse and thanksgiving in the immediate context (i. e. the verse before or the verse after). This further established the link between grace and thanksgiving. Notice that these are primarily linked in spiritual things that are a part of our present tense salvation.

III. ARE THERE PAIRS OF VERSES WHERE GRACE AND THANKSGIVING ARE LINKED? – THE INTERCONNECTION OF THE TWO CONCEPTS IN ADJACENT VERSES

A. Grace Manifested in a Reputation Produces Thanksgiving – Romans 1:7, 8

1. The Ongoing Condition of the Roman Saints to Grace

a. From God the Father

b. From the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The Ongoing Reputation of the Roman Saints by God's Grace

B. Grace Manifested in a Manner of Life in the World – 2 Corinthians 1:11, 12

1. The Thing of Grace Provided for Paul Who Suffered

2. The Thanksgiving Through Many on Behalf of Paul

3. The Testimony to the Grace of God that Preceded Thanksgiving

C. Grace Manifested in Fond Memories of the Philippian Believers – Philippians 1:2, 3

1. The Reality of the Presence of Grace

a. From God the Father

b. From the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The Remembrance of the Fellowship with the Philippian Saints (cf. vs. 5)

D. Grace Manifested in the Faith and Love of the Colossian Saints – Colossians 1:2, 3

1. The Reality of the Presence of Grace

a. From God our Father

b. From the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The Representation of Their Spirituality Produces Thanksgiving

E. Grace Manifested in the Word Concerning the Christ Produces Personal Thanksgiving – Colossians 3:16, 17

1. The Presence of Grace Produces Song

2. The Persistence of Thanksgiving in Word and Deed

F. Grace Manifested in Work of Faith, Labor of Love and Patience of Hope in the Thessalonian Saints – 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 (3)

1. The Presence of Grace and Peace

2. The Presentation of Thanksgiving for Manifestations of Spirituality and Growth

G. Grace Manifested in Spiritual Growth and the Use of the Fruit of the Spirit by the Thessalonian Saints – 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3

1. The Reality of Grace and Peace – 1b

2. The Responsibility for Thanksgiving – 2, 3

a. Faith That Grows Extremely

b. Love That Abounds Toward Each Other

H. Grace Manifested in Love and Faith Toward the Lord Jesus and Unto All the Saints – Philemon 3, 4

1. The Certainty of Grace and Peace Toward Philemon

2. The Consistency of Spiritual Life Brings Thanksgiving

TRANS: Thanksgiving requires knowledge of the grace of God and the provisions of the grace of God. It may be a simple knowledge. One's view on one's self will affect thanksgiving. Less thanksgiving will be given when one thinks he or she actually deserves the provisions of grace. When all of the elements of grace are understood, on has an unlimited potential to be thankful in all things, for all things, for all men at all times.

IV. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS THAT A BELIEVER CAN EXPECT IN HIS OR HER COMMUNICATION OF THANKSGIVING? -- THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF GRACE FOR THANKSGIVING

A. Mentally Capable of Being Thankful for All Things – Ephesians 5:20

B. Mentally Capable of Being Thankful at All Times – Ephesians 5:20

C. Mentally Capable for Being Thankful in All Things – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

D. Mentally Capable of Being Thankful for All Men – 1 Timothy 2:1

TRANS: Do you understand grace well enough to really enjoy thanksgiving. Present tense salvation provides the believer with great revelation of the grace of God so that the immediate response will be thanksgiving. Thanksgiving involves reveling in the good grace of God as evident in the benefits that He provides.

Conclusion

A. If you think that you have earned something, it's hard to be thankful

B. If you think that you deserve a benefit, it's hard to be thankful

C. If you think that you are owed something, it's hard to be thankful

D. If you know that you don't deserve anything, it's easy to be thankful

Valley Baptist Church

P. O. Box 99, Gaston, OR 97119