Thanksgiving In Knowing God

Appreciate the first message, as well as a number of the comments and the announcements, as well as the songs, as well as the cards that were read. They're a very good introduction to what I'd like to talk about today. I'll start out with a question, and I would assume it's a conclusion that you would know the answer readily, but, brethren, who are the most thankful people on earth? Or maybe I'll reword that a little bit to prompt our response in our minds. Who should be the most thankful people on the face of the earth? Who should be? Who should be? This last week I received an email from Jiffy Lube. Jiffy Lube is a major oil change chain of companies. I think they're probably national, and they do other automotive repairs, as well. And Jiffy Lube sent me an email, and in the subject line it said, we are so thankful for you. You know, Paul Moody, you drive a lot of miles, you get your oil changed off, and you're a great guy. We are so thankful for you. Does Jiffy Lube win the award for being the most thankful people on the face of the earth? What about Americans? We just had our national holiday of Thanksgiving, and as Mr. Wills read at the end of his message, the words of George Washington, and the thanks that we give to God for his blessing, for his hand in our life, his guidance of this nation. We have many abundant blessings, just simply being citizens of this nation, as well. You and I in the United States of America live in a country of great physical abundance and wealth, compared to the vast majority of the world. It's a land of opportunity, it's a land of abundance. Whatever you want to put your hand to, and whatever you would conceive that you want to do with your life, just put the effort into it, and it would be, as it would seem, in reach with the blessings and the abundance that we have in this nation and the freedoms. Shouldn't that make us Americans the most thankful people on the face of the earth? Well, I think those things do add to our Thanksgiving. We should be thankful for them and what it is that God provides. But today I'd like to remind us of just who it is that should be the most thankful people on earth. And as we'll come to see that those individuals who are of such thanks, their thankfulness isn't dependent on any specific physical nationality. It's not dependent on freedoms. It's not dependent on any particular economic status. For this group of people, their thankfulness is based on a very special relationship. Again, the people who should be the most thankful people on the face of the earth. That thankfulness must be based on a very special relationship. To better understand who should be the most thankful people, let's begin by understanding who the Bible shows will be among the unthankful people of the world. And what it is that lends itself to being unthankful. Because that condition does exist as well. It's what we would call an attitude of ingratitude. And the Bible addresses that. So what would be a factor in ingratitude and unthankfulness? And if we understand that, it will lead into us understanding what should make those people who are so thankful such. Let's begin today in 2 Timothy chapter 3.

2 Timothy chapter 3, the words of the Apostle Paul. Here beginning in verse 1, again we're beginning with what contributes as a factor towards unthankfulness. 2 Timothy 3 verse 1, Paul says, But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters proud of blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, right in the middle of this listing, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, and from such people turn away. So one of the detestable attitudes that will pervade mankind at the end of the age, just prior to the return of Jesus Christ, will be an unthankful attitude. It's among the listing of other attitudes here, but an unthankful attitude. People who are not grateful for the blessings they've received. And Paul says, for those of us today, have nothing to do with that attitude, have nothing to do with an unthankful person or a person that exemplifies these various attitudes. But let's notice here, you know, what contributes to that? What sort of the book ends to this collection of attitudes? Well, beginning in verse 2 at the beginning, it says, For men will be lovers of themselves. And that's one book end. You can imagine in your mind a bookshelf, and you have these two weighted bookends that kind of keep those books together on a shelf. These are the bookends that have kept these attitudes here together in this listing. So one book end is, men will be lovers of themselves. And the other book end, if we jump down to the end of verse 4, it says, rather than lovers of God. So those are the two ends, the two bookends, to this listing of attitudes. And what this tells us is that those who display these attitudes, such as unthankfulness, will be people who are lovers of themselves rather than lovers of God. An unthankful, an ungracious, an ungrateful attitude is a very selfish attitude. It's a self-centered, self-focused attitude. It's a lifted up and it's a proud attitude, and it's one that stands in opposition to acknowledging the works or the involvement of God. Paul says, don't be like that. Don't learn from those individuals. Don't absorb their behaviors, their habits, or their attitudes, because it will be prevalent at the end of the age, a people who do not value a relationship with God. That's what leads to unthankfulness in part, a people who do not value a relationship with God. Now, unfortunately, the mindset was not unique to the end of the age, as Paul laid out this prophecy, and the fact is, he could recognize the same attitude as being prevalent in the lifetime in which he lived as well. Let's go to Romans 1 and verse 18.

Romans 1 and verse 18, again acknowledging what leads to a mindset of ingratitude, unthankfulness. Romans 1 and verse 18, Paul says, Paul says, Paul says, Paul says, It's evident in not only the physical creation we see around us, it's evident in mankind whom God has created in his image. And Paul says, some refuse to see it. And that refusal to acknowledge God leads to specific mindsets. Verse 21, he says, So clearly, being unthankful can be linked to an underlying rejection of God. If we don't acknowledge all of what who and what God is and all that he's done for us, then we'll be putting something else in its place as a substitute. If we don't look to God as a source for all blessings, the source of what was referenced, every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of Lights. With whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, that's the source of these blessings. That's who we give thanks to. But without an acknowledgment of that supreme being and his involvement in our life, the thanksgiving, in that sense, is missing. Because if I'm the source of all the good in my life and I can rely on myself, well, pat myself on the back. Good job, Paul. But who would I express that thanksgiving to? So again, we don't want to be among this group, brethren, those who are unthankful. We want to be among the group who are the most thankful on the face of the earth. And so if unthankfulness comes as a result of rejecting God, then it stands to reason that thankfulness will be the result of maintaining and growing an intimate relationship with God. I'll say that again. If unthankfulness comes as a result of rejecting God, then it stands to reason that thankfulness will be the result of maintaining and growing a personal and intimate relationship with God. So that is what we must do. I'd like to propose to you that those who know God and maintain a proper relationship with Him will be among the most thankful people on the face of the earth, because they'll be thankful recognizing the incredible blessings, the incredible opportunities that have been poured out in their life, not just by their own hand in what they could accomplish, but by what it is that is brought to us by relationship with God and the blessings of knowing Him. So the title for the message today is, Thanksgiving in Knowing God. Thanksgiving in Knowing God, or we could maybe even phrase it at Thanksgiving, that springs forth from knowing God. Brother, knowing God results in thanksgiving. And so for the remainder of the message, I'd like to consider five points pertaining to our relationship with God that ought to be producing such thanksgiving in us that we are among the most thankful on the face of the earth. Five points of our relationship with God that shouldn't just sort of be, you know, common knowledge to the point that, yeah, I'm comfortable with that, it's no big deal, you know, heard that 30 years ago. Now, these are things that we do know, we do understand, but they are such incredible blessings in our life that they must never be taken for granted, and they must always lead to thanksgiving before God. So point number one, let's give thanks for God's personal calling.

Let's give thanks for God's personal calling. You know, have you ever wondered what you're doing here in the Church of God? I'm not talking corporate, United Church of God, but among the body of Jesus Christ in the Church of God, have you ever wondered what you're doing here? I've talked to people who have, you know, walked in the door, been newer, began maybe to counsel for baptism, and it's kind of like, well, I look around and there's all these spiritual giants around me, and who am I, you know? And I'm nobody special. Am I actually supposed to be here? Or maybe it was a mistake that I was even brought here, because when I look around, you know, again, who am I? But the point is, our calling was no mistake, brethren. The beautiful thing about God's Word is that it tells us why we were here, why we came in the door, what it is that brought us here, and the fact is, it is because it is God who personally extends the invitation for a relationship with Him. We didn't just wander in by accident. We're here because it is God who extends an invitation for personal relationship with Him. Let's notice John 6 and beginning in verse 44. Words of Jesus Christ, John 6 and verse 44.

Here Jesus said, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him, and I will raise Him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be taught by God. Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. And so what we see is that it is God the Father who has personally extended a calling to us. An invitation. It's an invitation for a relationship, and He's asked us to engage in that personal relationship with Him. We understand that relationship doesn't happen apart from coming under the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Again, He said, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him. So the Father initiates the calling and brings us to Jesus Christ, but we must come under that sacrifice in order to be reconciled in direct relationship with God. But again, the invitation for that personal relationship is instigated by God the Father. He's building His family. He's created us for the purpose of being a part of His eternal family. And He has extended an invitation to us, brethren, and that is no mistake. John 14, verse 6.

John 14, verse 6. Here again, Jesus Christ said to them, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If He had known Me, He would have known My Father also. And from now on, you know Him and have seen Him. He says, you know, I'm displaying the character, the attributes, I'm speaking the words, living according to the standard of God. If you've seen Me, you've seen Him if you're wondering what indeed He is like. But the point is, God draws us to Jesus Christ in this calling, and then through Christ we're granted direct access and a reconciled relationship to God. Again, it's important to understand that as God who initiates the relationship, He extended the calling to us, we did not extend the invitation to God. As in, hey God, I really think you could benefit from getting to know Me a little better. I'm a really great guy, and I've got connections, and I really think that you would have a value if you came and hung out with Me for a while. That's not the point. We need to understand which way this road runs. It is God who extended the invitation to us to have a relationship with Him. 1 John 4, verse 19 says, We love Him because He first loved us. We love Him because He first loved us. He initiated what He did out of love for us, and then in response, we love Him. Sometimes people might wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg, and clearly in our case it was God who first extended the hand of a relationship in our direction. It wasn't by our own strength, not by our own power or choosing that we could reach out and connect with God. It was by Him reaching across and connecting very personally with us, and we love Him because He first loved us. So, brethren, from that perspective, we should all be the most thankful people on the face of the earth, giving thanks to God for His calling, for His personal involvement at this time in our life, for His personal attention and direct relationship with Him. Point number two, let us give thanks for the sacrifice God provided to make this relationship possible. Let us give thanks for the sacrifice God provided to make this relationship possible. Again, our relationship with God begins by His calling. That's the starting point. However, the condition we were all in at the time of our calling was not suitable for an intimate relationship with God. You and I, and all of mankind, are God's creation, so He does yearn for that relationship. And He yearn for it in our case. It's the purpose of our creation, but you see, we weren't in the position necessarily to be in that intimate relationship because we all had the stench of death upon us. I don't know if you've ever smelled anything that died and laid out in the sun for hours. It's not very pleasant. And I would just say this is my terminology, but we all had the stench of death on us, as in the wages of sin hung over our head. That penalty and the consequences. And we were marked for death, and it was in that condition that we had no power of our own to overcome the obstacle. To overcome that wall of separation by our sin and death in order to be reconciled to God. But God, in His mercy, literally had to reach across the gulf between Himself and humanity and provide the instrument by which we could be reconciled to Him. And that instrument of reconciliation is Jesus Christ. Romans 5 and 6.

Romans 5 and 6. It reflects our condition apart from God's mercy, apart from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And it's where God found us when He called us. Romans 5 and 6 says, For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. So when we were unable to do anything for ourselves in terms of reaching out in a relationship that was reconciled to God without strength, struggling in our own sins, it says, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. Verse 7, For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, and that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Are you thankful for that, brethren? That while we were still sinners? You know, God didn't wait until, alright, they've improved their behavior just enough that I think now I'll enter into a relationship with them. Now I'll send my son because they've, you know, kind of reached the minimum bar of qualification. That has nothing to do with it. While we were in our sins, while we were enemies of God, He sent His Son. And I hope we are most thankful for that. The sacrifice that was provided for our sins was an expression of God's love for us. Again, verse 8, God demonstrates His own love towards us, and that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. So He demonstrated that while we were in that condition of opposition to Him. John chapter 3, verse 16, probably the most quoted Scripture in all of Christianity in the world around us, it is a perfectly valid Scripture we must not forget either. John 3, 16, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. So is an act of supreme love that God had for mankind by which He sent His Son. God willingly offered His Son, Jesus Christ willingly lay down His life and came as our sacrifice, both of them doing what they did out of love for us, all for people who were still drowning in their own sins, without strength, with the ship listing taking on water without the ability to right itself. That is when God sent His Son, and personally, directly into our lives. Verse 9, still in Romans chapter 5, Much more than having been justified, made right, by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. Much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we shall rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Reconciliation is the form of relationship whereby we've come together with God in an intimate relationship. That reconciliation comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And there's no other way. There's no other way under, around, bypassing the sacrifice of Christ. You cannot make an end run around Jesus Christ and expect to have a direct relationship with God the Father. It does not work. That's called self-justification. We cannot justify ourselves. We can only be justified by the blood of Jesus Christ and reconcile the God in that relationship. So God sent His only begotten Son to die in our place while we were still enemies. And to me, that's an incredible concept to consider. To just think about, while we were still enemies, somebody died for us. And for me, it helps me to process some of the Scriptures that tell us to do things like, Love your enemy. Pray for your enemy. Because, you see, that is what God Himself extended towards us while we were in our sins. He gave His only Son, His only begotten Son, while we were enemies. And it is a matter of godly nature to express those same things as well. Do you thank God for that? Do you express gratitude to God daily? Or is it just sort of, Yes, I've known this forever. Christ died for me. He sent His Son. I'm reconciled to God. Is it something we take for granted? Or is it something that we thank God for? And we are the most grateful to God for on a daily basis? Indeed, this reconciled relationship, because of it, we ought to be the most thankful people on the face of the earth. God has brought us from death to life and into relationship with Him. Colossians 1 and verse 19.

Colossians 1 and verse 19, again, we're not breaking ground in any new territory today, brethren, but we're walking through the most dramatic thing that has ever happened in our life. Let us never take it for granted. Colossians chapter 1 and verse 19, And the body of His flesh through death to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight. If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

So if we've repented of our sins, we've accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and we've come under that sacrifice through baptism, we are presented as holy, as blameless, and as above reproach in the sight of God. And it's only in that standing, brethren, that the fullest extent of reconciliation can take place when we are justified and made right in the sight of God through the blood of His dear Son.

So again, let's understand which way this street runs. We did not reconcile God to ourselves. We were here in our sins. God is here in a position of righteousness. We didn't say, God, come on over here and join me where I am. God took us from where we were by His mercy, by the sacrifice of His Son. And it's not even like we met in the middle. But God brought us over to the point of His righteousness now being imputed to us. The blessing of the relationship that we can have to Him. And it's a relationship that is personal and direct. And again, it's an incredible blessing that we must give thanks to God for each and every day.

Point number three, again, in expressing thanksgiving regarding this relationship. Point three, let us give thanks for the close and intimate relationship that we have with God. Let us give thanks for the close and intimate relationship we have with God. Brethren, God is a personal and an intimate God. You know, He's not far off by any means. He's not out of touch. He's not unreachable. He's not distant. He's not detached. He's not involved in our lives.

He is, in fact, intimate and personal. I've actually heard the phrase used in terms of describing how we in the Church of God describe our relationship or relate with God the Father or His role. I've heard the term actually used before, Deadbeat Dad, as it's been used in reference to God the Father and what we teach regarding the Father, Deadbeat Dad.

And I thought, you know, what a very sad concept. What a very sad thought that if anyone should ever view God in that way as a Deadbeat Dad, as one who's detached from His children, again, sitting off at a distance, uninvolved, missing out on all the important events in their kids' lives, you know, just waiting to get involved someday. A Deadbeat Dad.

And again, I say that as a sad concept to consider if we ever, in our mind, connect such a thought with God in Heaven. The Church of God has always taught that at our baptism we enter into a covenant relationship with God that is personal, it's direct, and it is intimate. And it's not just a common acquaintance. This is a relationship of a father-child relationship, whereby we approach God as our Father at any time, and He hears us.

And His response to us is as a loving Father expressing Himself towards His children, who He cares for and whom He is bringing along in His image. God is not far off or distant by any means, and the reality is He's availed Himself to us to get to know Him personally and directly. So let's notice a description of that close and loving relationship. Let's go to 1 John chapter 3, verse 1. Again, let us never think of God as distant or detached in any way. 1 John chapter 3, verse 1. 1 John 3, 1 Behold what manner of love the Father is bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.

Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him, and we will see Him as He is. The day is coming that we will be in the same form, the same likeness of God, a being of that level. And we will see Him as He is.

Verse 3, So here John is describing the nature of the relationship that we have with God. Again, it's as a loving Father towards us, His children, and we interact in this relationship with God at a very intimate level.

If you don't see God as a compassionate Father who is there for you, who has invested Himself in your upbringing, literally, our spiritual upbringing, by sending our older brother to bring us along the way as well, if you don't consider God in that compassionate Father role that you can run to at any minute, brethren, you're missing out on the reality of who this being is and the opportunity to have the deep and personal relationship with Him that He desires. Remember, it's He who is reaching out to us out of His love, and we have responded then to Him. But He wants this relationship. Also, our relationship with God goes beyond surface familiarity, because again, at our baptism, what happened? Well, we went under the water, we had our sins washed away, but we also had the laying on of hands through which God gave His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God that literally is an indwelling presence in our life. Romans 8, verse 14. Romans 8, verse 14. We serve a God and Father who has invested everything of most value to Him in us. Romans 8, verse 14. It says, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption or sonship, by whom we cry out, Abba Father, Daddy. Abba Father is a very intimate and personal communication between a child and their parent, between their child and their father. And he says, By that Spirit within us, we can cry out, Abba Father, because we are children of God. Verse 16. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if children then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. So God's Spirit gives us the connection with Him as our Father, with Jesus Christ as our elder brother, and that connection goes beyond anything that we could ever experience in the flesh with another human being. Because it's the indwelling of God's Spirit, of His very presence. And with His Spirit combined with our Spirit, it is then a fellowship that takes place. And as nature begins to be formed in us, as we yield ourselves to Him. And we become, as Romans 12 says, transformed by the renewing of our minds. Peter called it being partakers of the divine nature. As in the very nature and essence of God dwells in you as His children. And as you yield to Him, you're putting off more and more of your carnal nature, right? And you're taking on more and more of the character and the nature of God, the divine nature that we are partakers of. So again, how thankful are we for that?

In addition to God's Spirit, He has also granted us His children access to His very throne of grace in Heaven. At any time, as was mentioned in the first message, anything that we would want to bring to God, any need, any desire, any care, any distress, any weakness, whatever it is, we would wish to cry out to our Father. Abba Father, in Heaven, we can approach His throne of grace at any time. Hebrews 4, verse 14.

Hebrews 4, verse 14.

Jesus Christ is our High Priest, our Elder Brother, our Mediator. He sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us. And through His sacrifice, by this reconciliation, the way has been made clear for us to have a direct audience in the presence of God. Come boldly before His throne of grace. How thankful are we for that? Brethren, how grateful are we to have the ear of the highest authority in the universe, the Creator God, the Supreme Being of the universe. We can go directly, come directly to His feet at His throne and express ourselves to Him and have Him listen and have Him respond. Knowing that He wants to hear from us. Knowing He wants us to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us. That is 1 Peter 5, verse 7. So again, God does want to hear what's on our minds. He wants to hear our hopes, our dreams, our difficulties, our challenges, whatever it is. Just as a loving Father wants to hear what it is that our children have to express to them. God wants to hear from us. He wants to hear from us regularly. And it's His desire for us to draw near to Him and He draws near to us. As a loving God, He has made way clear for us to come boldly into His presence at any time. Hebrews chapter 10, verse 19.

Hebrews 10, verse 19. It says, Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus Christ. This isn't just, let's tiptoe up timidly because we don't want to bug God or have Him get angry at us or be pestered by our presence. No, this says, Therefore, having boldness, enter into His presence with, yes, thanksgiving with praise, but not with shame. This is boldness entering into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us through the veil, that is His flesh.

And having a high priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

So again, through this covenant relationship we've entered into a baptism, brethren, we can now have direct access to our Father in Heaven without restriction, without timidity, without obstacle or anything that would come between us. We can go boldly behind what was the veil, and to the holiest of all, God's throne in Heaven.

And we can pour our heart, our thoughts, our prayers out to Him. We can address Him as Abba Father because we are His children. We can be continually developing His mind and His nature because we have His Spirit dwelling in us.

Brethren, God is not a deadbeat dad. He's a loving Father. He's our Creator, and we are His children. And He's attentive and loving and intimately involved with us, and I hope we are of the most thankful people on the face of the earth, again, knowing He has brought us into His presence. And He's brought us into this deep and personal relationship with Him. Point number four. Let us give thanks for the blessing of God's Word. Let us give thanks for the blessing of God's Word. I want to read to you a quote from our Fundamental Beliefs booklet of the United Church of God.

This is the heading under the Word of God. So this is the actual fundamental belief. That's not only the heading in the booklet, but it is in the Constitution of the United Church of God. Again, the Word of God. Quote, We believe that Scripture, both the Old and New Testament, is God's revelation and His complete expressed will to humanity. Scripture is inspired in thought, in word. It is infallible in the original writings. Scripture is the supreme and final authority in faith and in life, and it is the foundation of all truth.

You and I today have been incredibly blessed to have access to the Word of God and the means and the readily access that we have. Probably all of us have multiple copies of the Bible in our home. It's been arranged for us in chapter and verse. You can find and go directly to what you're looking for. There's multiple translations. Again, some are better than others, but again, more study resources and the ability to have access to the Word of God in a way that is unparalleled in human history.

We have the Word of God on our smartphones. We have the Word of God on our computers. You can jump online. You can pull up Bible Hub. Multiple parallel translations. Hebrew, Greek. You can go in and do intensive studies on any topic that you would seek to do. We have the Bible even in our car. I just finished up the book of Revelation on my way back up from Lewiston this morning.

I did not technically read through the entire Bible in the year, but I read through and listened to the Bible in 11 months. I'm anxious to start again. But we have opportunity just to have access and be immersed in this Word easily and readily. What a blessing it is! As we study the Word of God, it reveals to us the mind of God. These are His words. His mind is here. His expressions for us are here.

Through our studies of the Word, we learn about God, about who He is. We learn that He is the supreme, all-powerful Being in the universe. We learn about His nature. We learn about His character. We learn about His plan of salvation for all of mankind. And by studying through this Word, we learn our responsibility in response to Him as well. Incredible things we discover in the Word of God. God's Word is the ultimate guidebook for this Christian life because God is the authority and the inspiration behind it. I'm going to repeat that, and I'll actually be repeating a few things as we go through this section.

Because it's important, brother, and we grasp these things, and I know we know these things. I'm not preaching to a bunch of newbies here. We know these things, but we need to be reminded of these things on a regular basis. God's Word is the ultimate guidebook for this Christian life because God is the authority and the inspiration behind it. So, notice 2 Timothy 3, verse 16. Again, in another Scripture we could probably, I'll quote without turning there, 2 Timothy 3, verse 16 and 17.

It says, Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it's profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. And notice why, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. So, we can all have assurance that this Bible that's in our lap is the God-breathed Word of God. Because that's literally what the phrase translated, given by inspiration of God. It's in the Greek, it's theonustos. Don't ask me to spell it because I don't have it in my notes. It's theonustos. It's theos for God, nustos for breathed out or expelled out or breathed.

This word is God-breathed. And as we have it translated into the English, it is given by inspiration of God. And He's directly inspired it for us to study and to live by. Again, it's not just for the sake of academic knowledge, it's there so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. And so, we do live this Word. No matter who the messenger or the deliverer of these words were, the inspiration and authority behind them come from none other than the supreme Creator God of the universe.

I'll repeat that again. No matter the messenger or the deliverer of these words, the inspiration and authority behind them comes from no other than the supreme Creator God of the universe. So, the words that Moses delivered and recorded for us were inspired by God. The words of the Apostle Paul, the words of Matthew, the words of John, the words of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the words of Jesus Christ. Those things that we have expressed, that we have recorded, that have been preserved here for us from Genesis to Revelation. Again, it is on the inspiration and the authority of God.

And that's the common thread that ties the whole book together. How is it you can start in the book of Genesis and go to the book of Revelation and you can follow these threads clear through from beginning to end? With dozens of authors, thousands of years of expansive time between the first and the last being written. How does that package all tie together? Well, it comes together in no other way but by the authority and the inspiration of God who inspired these things. So, at times, God's words were delivered by human messengers.

There's times His words were delivered by angelic messengers and even a divine messenger. And there's various ways as well, in dreams, in visions. God's words were expressed. They're expressed at times in ways that were written down and sent to others. They're expressed in ways where one received the Word of God and spoke it and it was heard and it was recorded. Various ways. But again, the inspiration behind it, the mind behind it all, the authority behind the instruction of the book is God. We won't turn there for time, but Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 and 2 says, God, who at various times and various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, as in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.

Hebrews chapter 1, verse 1 and 2. So, brethren, sometimes questions arise as to who delivered the message. You know, who was it that literally spoke? Who was it that literally breathed out the message? And sometimes there's questions about those things. Sometimes there's even heated debates that can erupt over such questions as who literally spoke the message or the commandment.

And those questions sometimes are debated back and forth. Question for you to consider, brethren. Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Who wrote the book of Hebrews? You can go to the book of Hebrews. There's no author attributed to the book of Hebrews. Now, it's largely the church's position that it would seem that was likely the Apostle Paul, and you could build a case on that for specific reasons.

But, you know, it does not literally say who spoke the message. There's others that say it could not have possibly been the Apostle Paul for this reason, that reason, or that reason. Okay? So there's actually debate in some circles over the book of Hebrews as to who the author is. So why do we in the Church of God accept the book of Hebrews as part of the Bible and even consider it?

I read from it today. Why would we give it authority or standing without absolute proof of who it was that recorded those words to be expressed? Well, the reason that we consider the book of Hebrews to be authentic is because we can all agree that the inspiration behind the message is the Almighty God. And it's His Word. And it agrees with the Scripture. So I'd ask all of us to consider this point carefully. Give it some thought. Believe the Bible when it says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, no matter the mode of delivery or who the messenger was. Believe that it is God's words for us and live it.

I'll say it again. Believe the Bible when it says that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, no matter the mode of delivery or who the messenger was. Believe it as such. This is God's words. And live it. That's the instruction. And if we can all agree that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and I do believe we can come to that agreement, and that we must live it, then we're going to find that there's some consequences that we will have in common. I've made my list. I'll share some of it with you. You can make your list. But if we all can agree that all Scripture is given by the inspiration and the authority of God, and that we must live it, we will find ourselves assembled here together on the same Sabbath day, on the same Holy Days. If we can agree that all Scripture is given by inspiration and authority of God, and we must live it, we will find ourselves keeping the same laws and the same commandments. If we can agree that all Scripture is given by the inspiration and authority of God, and we must live it, we will find ourselves worshiping the same God and Father who has called us into relationship unto Himself. If we can all agree that this word is given by the inspiration and authority of God, and we must live it, we will find ourselves living according to the same example of our high priest, our mediator, our elder brother, Jesus Christ. If we find ourselves agreeing again that all Scripture is by inspiration of God, His authority, and we must live it, we will find ourselves possessing the very same Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit of God. If we agree that God's word is by inspiration and authority of God, and we must live it, we will find ourselves assembled together as the same spiritual body, which is the bride of Jesus Christ.

You know, brethren, Jesus Christ is not going to return and marry a bride with a multiple personality disorder. Alright? We must be of the same mind and the same Spirit of what it is God has given us to live, and we must live it. If we believe that all word is given by the authority and the inspiration of God, and we must live it, we will find ourselves looking forward to the establishment of the very same kingdom of God. If we believe that the word of God was given by inspiration of God and the authority of God, and we must live it, we will find ourselves waking up together in the same resurrection to meet Jesus Christ in the air. All these things can be ours if we simply accept the entirety of Scripture as the inspired word of God, and we do what it says together. There may be times where there may be opinions or differences over the mode in which the message was delivered or even the messenger, but brethren, let us always never lose sight of the fact that this is the inspired word of God, and we must live it. In the past three years, I've not talked to anyone who felt that, you shall have no other gods before me, rises to the level of Jesus Christ and stops.

All would agree, we do as Christ did, as He pointed us to the Father, that we worship our Father in Heaven, and that there are no other gods before Him. That is the message, that is the inspiration, and that is the mind before Him, and Jesus Christ Himself as well is worthy of worship and praise.

There are a couple of scriptures that I've been kind of ping-ponging back and forth in my head for some time now. I'll just share them with you. They're contrasting scriptures in my mind. One says, the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. That's James 1.20. You know, the wrath of man, war, we could say, perhaps, does not produce the righteousness of God. What does? What brings forth righteousness? What atmosphere brings forth righteousness? Well, James as well, chapter 3, verse 18, tells us that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. So those who know me know that I tend to be more peace-loving than war-loving, okay? Although there are times we must stand up and fight for the truth of God. But the fact is, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. In war, there are things that get destroyed. A lot of innocent lives get ruined. A lot of starvation happens. Up in northern Nigeria, northeastern, the Boko Haram wars have produced after-effect of the fighting tens of thousands of people starving to death. Because these farmers couldn't even get out in their field for two, three years to plant crops. And then they're starving and they're dying, simply the effects of war. You don't grow a crop in the middle of war. The farmers were getting killed in their field simply for trying to survive. The fruit of righteousness, which is what is produced, a fruit is what is produced. You grow a crop, or you have fruit trees, and the fruit is what is produced. So righteousness is what we're talking about here. The fruit of righteousness, it is sown in peace, is planted. The field is planted in peace by those who make peace. And then the abundance, the crop that springs forth by God's blessing, is righteousness. So peace is important, brethren, and I would just say James 3.18 has been my focus scripture for quite a while now. And it doesn't set aside the hard set truth of God that we must stand for and live by, but it is my perspective. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Again, the United Church of God, fundamental belief on the Word of God. We believe that scripture, both the Old and New Testament, is God's revelation and His complete expressed will to humanity. Scripture is inspired in thought and word. It's infallible in the original writings. It is the supreme and final authority in faith and in life, and it is the foundation of all truth. And I say, brethren, let's live it and let's give thanks to God for it. We embrace this word and we apply it. We will be among the most thankful people on the face of the earth. Fifth and final point, let us give thanks knowing that God finishes what He starts. Let's give thanks knowing that God finishes what He starts. Taking you back to the first point, remember it is God who first began this process in our life by extending the personal calling to us. And Scripture shows that God puts the bow on the package, and He finishes what He starts. Luke 12 and verse 30.

Luke 12 and verse 30. Again, the words of Jesus Christ. And He says, all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. He's talking about food, shelter, clothing, our daily needs, those things that we spend so much of our life pursuing after. Christ said, your Father knows you need these things, so what's your priority? What's your focus? Father knows that you need these things, but seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Verse 32. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. It's your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Brethren, God's called us for a purpose. Back it up even before that, He created us for a purpose. To be in His image, His likeness, as children of His eternal family. That's the purpose of our life. He's now called us for a purpose, and it's His pleasure to fulfill that purpose in our lives. As long as we remain steadfast, we remain dedicated to Him, seeking Him. Draw near to God, He will draw near to you, and He will fulfill what it is He started. Philippians chapter 1 and verse 6. Philippians 1 and verse 6, breaking into the thought here of the Apostle Paul, he says, being confident of this very thing, as in, you can take this to the bank. You can trust in this. You can stake all on this. Being confident in this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Brethren, God always finishes what He begins, and we can take confidence in that. Right alongside that, let us as a people rejoice in that as well. Let us give Him the thanks, knowing that what He started with our calling, if we remain steadfast, He will finish until the end. Brethren, God has extended to us a calling to become a part of His eternal family. He has provided a sacrifice to make this direct relationship with Him possible, and He maintains a close and intimate relationship with us, helping us along the way. God allows us to approach His throne of grace at any time. He has given us His Holy Spirit, which is of His mind, His presence, His essence in our life to help us along. He has given us His inspired word of truth, and He will see through to the end the work of righteousness that He has begun in us. Brethren, I do hope in light of these things that you and I can be accounted among the most thankful people on the face of the earth. Never take these things for granted, never forget them. God has called us by His mercy and His grace, and He has opened the doors of opportunity that we can't even possibly imagine. This was simply a draw near to Him. Again, the thanksgiving that we celebrated in this country is a result of blessing He's poured out on us as a land. And we come together annually, and we remember those things, and it is a blessing. But even above and beyond that, brethren, let us never forget the blessing that God has extended to us, whereby we can call Him Father. He can call us sons and daughters, and we have the opportunity now to spend eternity in His family with Him.