THANKFUL
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Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Gratitude is formed in a heart of contentment.
Thankfulness is found amidst peace and satisfaction.
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Definition of discontent. : lack of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.
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Discontentment was at the heart of the fall of man.
Eve was tempted by the devil to think that her current state was not sufficient. He tricked her into believing that there had to be more and she could have it if she took matters into her own hands.
Satan used her discontentment to motivate her to step over the boundary of her authority, making her believe she had a right to resolve her discontentment.
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Genesis 3:4
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
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Mankinds Discontentment
When mankind takes authority over things that God has authority over, he establishes a false sense of contentment.
It is not contentment based out of thankfulness, but it is a contentment based on self-achievement.
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Don Postema – Space For God
“Not much in our society stimulates us to such appreciation. Instead of suggesting that we give thanks, TV advertising encourages us to be greedy for more gifts. Periodicals tell us of the many things we could own but don’t. And our neighbors describe their latest purchases in detail. If we listen to all these voices, we won’t feel much gratitude. Instead we’ll start thinking that we have practically nothing and need to get more … and more.”
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2 Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
The Boundaries of our authority and the boundless authority provided by Christ.
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Human Authority
We have been given certain authority by simply being human. We have been given a superiority over animals, we can grow and cultivate crops. We have intellect that no other species has. We have been given authority and stewardship over this earth. When we accept the limits of our human authority (when we accept our current situation and are content with it) we have peace that pushes out the anger and disgruntlement that the world has as they wrestle for the more that they think they need.
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Stepping over the boundaries
The world has tried to take authority over things they have no right to take authority over. They are discontent, ungrateful for Gods definition of marriage, so they have over stepped the boundaries of their authority, defining for themselves what marriage should be.
They were discontent with Gods definition of life. They felt they had the authority to define when life started and when it could be terminated.
They were not happy with how God said He would lead and govern, so they demanded a king and a political system.
In the words of Pastor Duane… “and on and on I could go…”
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You and I
Every time you and I try to take matters that do not belong to us to resolve into our own hands we are demonstrating our discontentment, our unthankfulness to Gods authority and His provision.
When I judge others – I have taken authority over something I have no authority over. The result, unforgiveness, hurt and hate.
I had never seen this link between authority and gratitude and as a result, my hearts state of peace.
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SERENTIY PRAYER
(some theology in this prayer that you may not agree with but it makes this point)
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; (the limits of my authority)
courage to change the things I can; (the authority I have been given)
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
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JESUS KIND OF AUTHORITY
There is only one way to true peace, gratitude and thankfulness. Through the one who has full authority.
Matthew 28:18 – All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth
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Jesus has more authority than we do…
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
John Piper
“So, yes, the Son of God always had total authority in heaven and on earth. But when he had done the great work of redemption once for all, God exalted him as the God-man, the Redeemer, the Risen One to his right hand and now, as never before, put the rule of the universe, and the mission of the church, into the hands of a man, Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, Son of God.” John Piper
Authority over all including eternal life.
For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. John 17:2
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Luke 9:1 Given us the right to use His power.
“He called the twelve together and gave them power (dunamis) and authority (exousia) over all the demons” (Lk 9.1)
Note that the Greek differentiates between the authority to use God’s power (‘exousia’) and the power itself (‘dunamis’).
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Earthly authority is the use of the power God gave us.
Spiritual authority is the right to use God’s power.
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We need to be content with that which is our authority and what authority we are given through Christ. When we operate IN His authority, we have a peace a contentment and a gratitude.
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When we find that contentment we find peace. We find the strength to rest in Him.
When we accept His authority and are content with how He aligns the universe instead of trying to take control ourselves, it unlocks a power that changes our lives. The power of peace in Him unleashes a hope-filled, bold and joyful life, not a disgruntled insecure power hungry disillusioned hopeless one.
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1. Submitting to Jesus authority gives us power over emotional healing (sound mind).
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
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2. Submitting to Jesus authority gives us power over physical healing.
Ps 103:3 – Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases,
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3. Submitting to Jesus authority gives us a power over the shame, condemnation and guilt that sin and this world tries to impose on us.
Romans 8:1 – So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
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4. Submitting to Jesus authority gives us power over the demons and Satans attacks.
Luke 10:19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
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5. Submitting to Jesus authority gives us a power to achieve behind our human abilities through the Holy Spirit:
1 Cor 12:6 – God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
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So we have a lot to be thankful for.
This thanksgiving give thanks for the Peace that comes from being content with Christ – active and alive within us. His authority in us.
We do not have to strive and drive to solve and rectify.
We have earthly authority, and have been given spiritual authority though him… Most assuredly a peace that surpasses our understanding.
We have much to be thankful for.
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Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
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