Title: A THANKSGIVING DAY

SECRET

Focus: The secret of contentment centers on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of our strength and the recipient of our thanksgiving.

Function: To encourage the people to look beyond their current circumstances and draw strength from Christ. For in Christ we learn to cultivate a thankful spirit.

Text: Philippians 4:10-20

A few days ago, our Council met and one of our elders raised the question during our opening devotions: “How do you give thanks to God in the context of a funeral?” It turned out that an extended family member of this elder had died, and thus the family is dealing with loss and sadness. That question about thanksgiving in the context of sorrow and loss is relevant to many of us today.

Some of us have lost loved ones in recent weeks or even years. And the pain of such losses have a way of pressing upon our hearts especially during such times as Thanksgiving and Christmas—during times when family and friends come together and enjoy each other’s company. How do you give thanks in the context of sadness?

Others have experienced different kinds of losses in our midst. Some have lost their jobs and are being tested in terms of patience and job searches. Some live with anxiety, wondering if they will still have a job by the end of this year. The economy, after all, has a long way to go before the unemployment rate will go down—so it seems. Again, others have lost parts of their retirement savings, and they wonder how they can do with less to stretch out their resources. How do you give thanks in circumstances that weigh heavy on your spirit?

Before we turn to the Scripture to discover the secret or source of contentment and thanksgiving, let me emphasize that there is no need to fake things, or to pretend that our feelings of sadness or anxiety or loss are imaginary or wrong. Some may be tempted to quote Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:5 and 6 when he says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” “Rejoice in the Lord always” does not mean that we should suppress our feelings of anxiety or sorrow and put on a happy smile at all times. God knows our hearts and there is no need to pretend before God.

The Scriptures, however, do speak to us today words of encouragement. In fact, the apostle Paul points us to the secret of contentment, the source of our thanksgiving. Today, therefore, I want to encourage us all to look beyond ourselves and our current circumstances—whether good or bad—and draw strength from Christ. For in Christ Jesus we learn to cultivate a thankful spirit.

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First of all, from Philippians 4:10-20 we note that Paul writes about contentment, and we observe that Paul concludes this passage with thanksgiving. Listen: (vs.11b) “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances….” (vs.12b) “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation….” And then we note vs. 20 where Paul cries out: “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.” For Paul, then, contentment leads to thanksgiving.

This emphasis on contentment and thanksgiving is very striking when you consider that Paul writes this letter to the church in Philippi from prison. Paul finds himself in a troublesome situation; yet, he points us to the way of contentment and thanksgiving. What is his secret?

The secret of contentment and thanksgiving centers on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul expresses that secret in very personal terms; he says: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” The One who gives Paul strength is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God in the flesh. He is our Savior and Lord. He is our ever-present help in trouble.

As a pastor, I have been with many Christians in various painful circumstances; working with people, walking with them through the valleys of temptations, losses—especially the valley of the shadow of death, I’ve encountered numerous anxious moments, where people would say: “I’m carried by God’s strength.” “I’m so thankful for God’s presence.” And a common refrain that I’ve picked up time and time again is this: “I don’t understand how people who do not know Jesus deal with the loss of loved ones and death.” Like the apostle Paul, you and I may draw upon the secret of contentment and thanksgiving—that is, we may draw upon the strength of Jesus Christ—in good times and in bad times!

How is it possible for you and me to draw strength from Christ? It is because of our union with Christ. Through faith and through the workings of Christ’s Spirit, Christians find themselves united—inseparably—to Jesus. He lives in us through his Word and Spirit. And we live in him through that Word and Spirit of God. And it’s that spiritual union with Christ that enables us to experience the grace or power of God at all times. The secret of contentment and thanksgiving centers on Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Secondly, Paul reminds us that living with contentment and thanksgiving involves a process. I may tell you, for example, that Jesus is the secret of thanksgiving and contentment, but how do you know and experience that truth? You discover that truth over time. Note, what Paul says: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Where did Paul learn that secret? It’s in the “school of hard knocks”—in daily circumstances, in times of affliction, and in times of hardship—that Paul discovered the secret that Christ is there to strengthen him. “When I am weak, then I’m strong,” wrote Paul elsewhere.

Literally, the word that Paul uses, translates something like this: “I have been initiated in the secret of being content.” Through hardship and struggles and challenges, Paul discovered the power of God that enables him to deal with circumstances and that leads Paul to express thanks and gratitude—even while being in prison.

Most young men and women who sign up for the military and enter boot camp have no idea what they are getting into. Nor do they really know where their limits of endurance and strength are. But after 13 weeks of training and hardships and stress, they have found inner and outer resources—they have learned things about themselves and their fellow soldiers--that will help them not only in battles but also throughout the rest of their lives. Thus military recruits are initiated to hardships in the school or boot camp of hard knocks.

So it is also with us: through the challenges and hardships of life, we discover that our strength is found—NOT in ourselves or in other people, but in the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is through the strength or grace of Christ that we can give thanks—also today.

Take heart! Look up to Jesus. And give thanks!