Tag: Word of Life

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Thanks and Giving – From Gratitude to Generosity

Summary of my sermon, based on Colossians 3:15-17. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on October 13, 2024.

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” and moving on—it’s an active response that shapes our actions. I’ve been thinking about this while remembering a particular flight I took many years ago. Normally, I’m the type to wear shorts on a flight, even in the middle of winter, as I did when I used to fly from the frozen streets of Fort McMurray to tropical destinations. But on one flight back from a mission trip in the Philippines, my attire changed thanks to an unexpected upgrade to business class. Out of gratitude for the experience, I swapped my casual shorts for proper pants. It was a small action, but it reflected my appreciation for the generosity I’d received.

This story reminds me of what Paul teaches in Colossians 3:15-17, where he connects gratitude to specific actions three times. First, he writes, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, ESV). The “peace of Christ” isn’t just about individual calm or the absence of conflict. It’s much deeper—rooted in the biblical concept of shalom, which encompasses welfare, harmony, and completeness. This peace comes from Jesus, who reconciled us to God through His sacrifice, as Paul explains in Ephesians 2:13-14: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.”

Knowing this, how can we not feel gratitude? But more importantly, what does that gratitude inspire in us? Paul says this peace should unite us, binding us together as one body. Gratitude for salvation isn’t a passive emotion—it motivates us to live in harmony with others, reflecting the unity Christ calls us to.

Paul goes further in Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Gratitude should also lead us to immerse ourselves in Scripture, not just for our own sake but to share it with others. This sharing happens through teaching, correcting, and even worshiping together in song. It’s a communal expression of thanksgiving, as we gather in unity, centered on the Word of Christ.

Finally, Paul sums it up in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This is where gratitude transforms everything—our words, actions, and even our attitude. It’s no longer about obligation but about joyfully responding to God’s grace. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you.”

True gratitude is more than a polite acknowledgment; it’s a life-altering force. It moves us to unity, to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, and to act generously in all that we do. If we truly understand the peace and salvation Jesus has given us, then our gratitude will be visible—not just in our words but in the way we live each day.

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Jesus At The Center

Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 1:1-4. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 18, 2022.

In a world that continually pushes Jesus aside, it is vital for us to keep Him at the center of our lives. Just like the recent news of the absence of a Christmas tree at the Eaton Centre, society often tries to minimize the importance of Jesus during significant occasions. However, as believers, we must resist the temptation to let other things distract us and instead focus on keeping Jesus as the center of our attention. The first letter of John addresses a similar struggle faced by the believers at that time, as false teachers spread heretical claims about Jesus. John reaffirms Jesus’ divinity and aims to confirm and encourage the believers in their faith. In this passage, John emphasizes the importance of encountering, sharing, and enjoying the Word of Life, which is Jesus Himself.

Jesus is at the center when we encounter the Word of Life

John highlights the significance of encountering Jesus, both through his personal experience and the written Word. By sharing his own encounters with Jesus, John assures believers that Jesus is real and life-changing. He draws attention to the eternal nature and incarnation of Jesus, emphasizing that encountering Him is the basis for fellowship and joy. While John had the privilege of physically encountering Jesus, we can encounter Him through the Written Word, the Bible. The Scriptures testify about Jesus and serve as a means for us to have a personal encounter with Him. It is crucial for us to regularly engage with the Bible, using the resources available to us, and set aside time to encounter Jesus through His Word.

Jesus is at the center when we share the Word of Life

John reminds us that sharing Jesus is not limited to evangelism but also extends to sharing Him with fellow believers. By testifying and proclaiming Jesus, we encourage and build up one another in faith. Sharing Jesus within the community of believers is essential for our ongoing sanctification, as the Gospel continues to shape and transform our lives. The basis of our fellowship with one another is Jesus Himself, and sharing Him strengthens the bond we have as a community. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to encourage one another, meet together, and build each other up. By sharing Jesus, we deepen our fellowship and help one another grow in faith.

Jesus is at the center when we enjoy the Word of Life

Lastly, John emphasizes that Jesus is the source of true and unending joy. When Jesus is at the center of our lives, we can experience complete joy. While worldly joys are temporary and fleeting, the joy we find in Jesus is eternal. Christmas celebrations often bring us joy through various aspects like family, gifts, or food. However, it is essential to recognize that these temporal joys cannot compare to the joy we find in Jesus. The joy we experience from worldly things serves as a glimpse of the greater joy we find in Christ. By enjoying Jesus, we discover the fullness of joy that only He can provide.

In a world that tries to cast Jesus aside, it is our responsibility as believers to keep Him at the center of our lives. We do this by regularly encountering Him through the Written Word, sharing Him with one another within the community of believers, and enjoying Him as the ultimate source of joy. As we maintain Jesus at the center, we deepen our relationship with Him, strengthen our fellowship with other believers, and experience true and lasting joy. Let us commit to keeping Jesus at the center of our lives and continuously grow in our encounter, sharing, and enjoyment of Him.