KEYS
TO A THANKFUL HEART
Steve W. Reeves
stevereevesoutlines.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. How many of you are ready to see the year 2020 come to an end?
1. COVID 19 has affected all of us. It has affected everything from how we do school,
how we assemble for worship and how we shop. It has affected people at the local,
state, national and international levels.
2. 2020 has been a contentious year politically. We have seen Civil unrest and a
brutal presidential campaign.
3. It is fair to say that not many people will be looking in the rearview mirror as we
drive into the new year.
B. Are you finding it difficult to be thankful as Thanksgiving approaches?
1. The apostle Paul lived through situations that were far more serious than ours.
Through all of them he maintained a thankful heart.
2. Giving thanks is a common thread in Paul’s letters.
a. In Ephesians 5:20 he wrote, “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father.”
b. I find special comfort in Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses
all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
c. To the Colossians he wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
d. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 he summed it up by writing, “In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
C. Neil Strait said, “He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking
terms with happiness.” A thankful heart does not depend on outward circumstances.
Thankfulness is a mindset, a state of the heart and a pre-determined outlook on life.
D. By investigating Paul’s life we can discover three keys to a thankful heart.
I. THANKFUL FOR PEOPLE
meaning to him.
1. Sometimes this was done in a generic sense.
a. Ephesians 1:16, “Do not cease giving thanks for you while mentioning you in
my prayers.”
b. Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
c. Colossians 1:3 - “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you.”
2. On other occasions Paul mentioned specific individuals by name.
a. The most prominent example of this is in Romans 16. This chapter is not
deep in theology. Rather, it is about relationships. In this chapter Paul
specifically mentions by name 24 people who were precious to him.
b. In Philippians 2 he expressed appreciation for two men who had been
important to him: Timothy (vss. 20-24) and Epaphroditus (vss. 25-29).
B. May I encourage you to look for tangible ways to express thanks to people? One
morning recently when my wife arrived at school she found a small white bag with
a thank you card attached taped to her door. The card was from another teacher
thanking her for the love she shows to her students. In the bag were six “donut
holes.” How special was that?
1. There are so many people who perform tasks for which they never receive
thanks. When I preached at Newport I was talking to one of our deacons who
was in charge of the building. As he changed filters in the furnaces he said,
“You know preacher, it takes a lot of behind the scenes work to have church.”
2. I would like to challenge you with a thirty-nine-day challenge. Each day until
December 31, I challenge you to think of one person who works “behind the
scenes.” It could be someone in a restaurant, someone at school, someone who
works for the power company, someone who delivers your mail, someone who
works in your doctor’s office or in the hospital. Take a moment to send them a
text, make a phone call, write an email or send them a card. It doesn’t have to
be long. It will make a difference in their life – and in yours.
II THANKFUL FOR PROBLEMS
A. If you think you have to have a problem free life in order to be thankful, think
subject is problems. You have ‘em. I have ‘em. Adam had ‘em.”
B. Paul encountered difficulty every step of his way.
1. In Acts 14 during his first missionary journey Paul was stoned and left for dead.
2. In Acts 16 in Philippi he and Silas were arrested and imprisoned.
3. In the opening verses of Acts 17 he had to secretly escape from Thessalonica
because of opposition from the Jews.
4. In Acts 19 he was accused of inciting a riot in Ephesus.
5. He was accused of inciting a riot in Jerusalem and put on trial, ultimately
appealing his case to Caesar. On his way to Rome he was shipwrecked.
6. In the clearest autobiographical sketch we have of Paul he wrote in 2
Corinthians11:24-28, “ Five times I received from the Jews thirty-
nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three
times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have
been on frequent journeys, dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers
the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have
there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”
C. Not only did Paul view his problems with thankfulness, he saw beyond them to
greater opportunity. In Philippians 1:12-18, he wrote about his imprisonment in
Rome and said that his chains had actually worked out for good because the
gospel was preached to the whole palace guard.
D. A five-year old boy was diagnosed with very poor vision and prescribed glasses
with thick, cumbersome lenses. His mother, concerned about what other children
might say, asked him how his first day at kindergarten went with the new glasses.
“Great,” he said! “Now the boys won’t hit me and the girls won’t kiss me.” In every
difficulty there is always an opportunity.
III. THANKFUL FOR PROMISES
previous imprisonment during which the letters of Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians and Philemon had been written, this imprisonment was not “house
arrest.” Persecution of Christians in Rome was now intense and harsh. Paul spent
his final days in a dark, dreary, desolate cell. Yet, in his final letter there is no hint
of gloom or grumbling.
1. Rather, there was a renewed sense of expectation. Earlier in Philippians 1:21
Paul stated, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
2. Now, notice his departing words from 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already
being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in
the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also
to all who have loved His appearing.”
B. Poem: “God Has Not Promised.”
God has not promised skies always blue. Flower strewn pathways all our lives through.
God has not promised sun without rain. Joy without sorrow peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day. Rest from the labor, light for the way. Grace for the trials, help from above. Unfailing mercy, undying love.”
CONCLUSION:
A. The year was about 1991 or 1992. It had been a few years since the collapse of the
Soviet Union and the lifting of the iron curtain across eastern Europe. Tami and I
along with our four children were at her aunt and uncle’s house in North Carolina
along with a large number of family members. Tami’s uncle, Don, served for several
years as a member of the North Carolina legislature. That particular year a group of
Russians had come to the United States on an international exchange program and
one of these couples were special guests at our Thanksgiving meal. They spoke very
little English and none of us were fluent in Russian so communication was
difficult. After the food had been placed on the buffet line with various salads, meats,
vegetables, breads, and a separate table for desserts the family gathered as Uncle
Don led the prayer. Suddenly, the Russian woman left the room in tears with her
husband following her. What had happened? Had we offended them? Was she ill? It
was none of those. She was overwhelmed. She told Tami’s aunt , “We have never
seen so much food in one place.”
B. Before you begin to moan about hardships like a lack of paper goods in the store or
the requirement to wear a mask or do something that is different from your normal
routine I hope you will consider how very small our inconveniences are – even during
this time – and turn the keys to a thankful heart.
A. How many of you are ready to see the year 2020 come to an end?
1. COVID 19 has affected all of us. It has affected everything from how we do school,
how we assemble for worship and how we shop. It has affected people at the local,
state, national and international levels.
2. 2020 has been a contentious year politically. We have seen Civil unrest and a
brutal presidential campaign.
3. It is fair to say that not many people will be looking in the rearview mirror as we
drive into the new year.
B. Are you finding it difficult to be thankful as Thanksgiving approaches?
1. The apostle Paul lived through situations that were far more serious than ours.
Through all of them he maintained a thankful heart.
2. Giving thanks is a common thread in Paul’s letters.
a. In Ephesians 5:20 he wrote, “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father.”
b. I find special comfort in Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses
all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
c. To the Colossians he wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
d. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 he summed it up by writing, “In everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
C. Neil Strait said, “He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking
terms with happiness.” A thankful heart does not depend on outward circumstances.
Thankfulness is a mindset, a state of the heart and a pre-determined outlook on life.
D. By investigating Paul’s life we can discover three keys to a thankful heart.
meaning to him.
1. Sometimes this was done in a generic sense.
a. Ephesians 1:16, “Do not cease giving thanks for you while mentioning you in
my prayers.”
b. Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
c. Colossians 1:3 - “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you.”
2. On other occasions Paul mentioned specific individuals by name.
a. The most prominent example of this is in Romans 16. This chapter is not
deep in theology. Rather, it is about relationships. In this chapter Paul
specifically mentions by name 24 people who were precious to him.
b. In Philippians 2 he expressed appreciation for two men who had been
important to him: Timothy (vss. 20-24) and Epaphroditus (vss. 25-29).
B. May I encourage you to look for tangible ways to express thanks to people? One
morning recently when my wife arrived at school she found a small white bag with
a thank you card attached taped to her door. The card was from another teacher
thanking her for the love she shows to her students. In the bag were six “donut
holes.” How special was that?
1. There are so many people who perform tasks for which they never receive
thanks. When I preached at Newport I was talking to one of our deacons who
was in charge of the building. As he changed filters in the furnaces he said,
“You know preacher, it takes a lot of behind the scenes work to have church.”
2. I would like to challenge you with a thirty-nine-day challenge. Each day until
December 31, I challenge you to think of one person who works “behind the
scenes.” It could be someone in a restaurant, someone at school, someone who
works for the power company, someone who delivers your mail, someone who
works in your doctor’s office or in the hospital. Take a moment to send them a
text, make a phone call, write an email or send them a card. It doesn’t have to
be long. It will make a difference in their life – and in yours.
II THANKFUL FOR PROBLEMS
A. If you think you have to have a problem free life in order to be thankful, think
subject is problems. You have ‘em. I have ‘em. Adam had ‘em.”
B. Paul encountered difficulty every step of his way.
1. In Acts 14 during his first missionary journey Paul was stoned and left for dead.
2. In Acts 16 in Philippi he and Silas were arrested and imprisoned.
3. In the opening verses of Acts 17 he had to secretly escape from Thessalonica
because of opposition from the Jews.
4. In Acts 19 he was accused of inciting a riot in Ephesus.
5. He was accused of inciting a riot in Jerusalem and put on trial, ultimately
appealing his case to Caesar. On his way to Rome he was shipwrecked.
6. In the clearest autobiographical sketch we have of Paul he wrote in 2
Corinthians11:24-28, “ Five times I received from the Jews thirty-
nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three
times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have
been on frequent journeys, dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers
the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have
there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”
C. Not only did Paul view his problems with thankfulness, he saw beyond them to
greater opportunity. In Philippians 1:12-18, he wrote about his imprisonment in
Rome and said that his chains had actually worked out for good because the
gospel was preached to the whole palace guard.
D. A five-year old boy was diagnosed with very poor vision and prescribed glasses
with thick, cumbersome lenses. His mother, concerned about what other children
might say, asked him how his first day at kindergarten went with the new glasses.
“Great,” he said! “Now the boys won’t hit me and the girls won’t kiss me.” In every
difficulty there is always an opportunity.
previous imprisonment during which the letters of Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians and Philemon had been written, this imprisonment was not “house
arrest.” Persecution of Christians in Rome was now intense and harsh. Paul spent
his final days in a dark, dreary, desolate cell. Yet, in his final letter there is no hint
of gloom or grumbling.
1. Rather, there was a renewed sense of expectation. Earlier in Philippians 1:21
Paul stated, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
2. Now, notice his departing words from 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already
being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in
the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also
to all who have loved His appearing.”
B. Poem: “God Has Not Promised.”
God has not promised skies always blue. Flower strewn pathways all our lives through.
God has not promised sun without rain. Joy without sorrow peace without pain. But God has promised strength for the day. Rest from the labor, light for the way. Grace for the trials, help from above. Unfailing mercy, undying love.”
A. The year was about 1991 or 1992. It had been a few years since the collapse of the
Soviet Union and the lifting of the iron curtain across eastern Europe. Tami and I
along with our four children were at her aunt and uncle’s house in North Carolina
along with a large number of family members. Tami’s uncle, Don, served for several
years as a member of the North Carolina legislature. That particular year a group of
Russians had come to the United States on an international exchange program and
one of these couples were special guests at our Thanksgiving meal. They spoke very
little English and none of us were fluent in Russian so communication was
difficult. After the food had been placed on the buffet line with various salads, meats,
vegetables, breads, and a separate table for desserts the family gathered as Uncle
Don led the prayer. Suddenly, the Russian woman left the room in tears with her
husband following her. What had happened? Had we offended them? Was she ill? It
was none of those. She was overwhelmed. She told Tami’s aunt , “We have never
seen so much food in one place.”
B. Before you begin to moan about hardships like a lack of paper goods in the store or
the requirement to wear a mask or do something that is different from your normal
routine I hope you will consider how very small our inconveniences are – even during
this time – and turn the keys to a thankful heart.
