GIVE THANKS: FOR FAMILY

Sermon Notes, November 25, 2018

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

Pastor Garry continued in the Thanksgiving mode with his sermon titled “Give Thanks: for Family.”  It was based on scriptures from Colossians 2:6-10 and 3:18-25.  He told about a family who hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for family and friends on March 20, a Saturday, to celebrate the husband’s cancer-free status.  This family would have up to ten Thanksgiving Dinners a year for the whole family to celebrate important events in the family: graduations, weddings, births of babies, new houses, new jobs, etc. 

According to Colossians 3:17, maybe ten celebrations a year was not enough!  It says “Whatever you do. . . give thanks.”  Colossians 2:7 says we are to overflow with thankfulness.  And Ephesians 5:20 says to give thanks for everything, in the name of the Lord.  We should be known as thankful people. 

One of the characteristics of a healthy, strong family is a deep appreciation for each other, for what they do and for who they are.  When you get irritated with something a loved one does, pause and look at it from a different perspective.  Pastor told the story of a college student who wrote to her parents about why she hadn’t written: there was a fire in the dorm, and one of the volunteer firemen, who worked at as gas station, had been extra nice to her, inviting her to move in with him. She said she was now pregnant, but that they were going to get married after his divorce was final.  Then she went on.  “None of the above is true.  But I did get a C on my final exam, and I knew it would upset you.  I just wanted to put it in perspective.”

Studies have shown that the ratio of praise to criticism ought to be four-to-one.  People need four praises to one criticism.  Even the best of homes have hard words and hard feeling.  We need to keep things in their proper perspective.  Ask ourselves What or Who is most important; the object, or the child who broke it? 

Why are we so negative?  We seem to make critical comments unconsciously.  Negative comments are the first thing many of us do to modify behavior.  But are they effective?  James 3:9-10 asks us if praise and cursing can come from the same mouth.  Can we praise God on Sunday then curse others the rest of the week? 

We need to develop a thankful spirit.  Be appreciative.  Someone has said “The grass is only greener where you water it.  Practice thankfulness in God’s presence.  Focus on things and people you are thankful for.  If you’re always critical, people don’t want to be around you.

An attitude of gratitude helps change another’s attitude.  It can benefit us even if it doesn’t change anything but us.  We need to be people who are thankful at home.  Give thanks!