From the Table to Thanksgiving

In October, I got the privilege of studying and preaching on Colossians 3.  Each time I prepare a sermon, I am struck by how much cannot be said.  What starts as, “how will I possibly have enough to say?” quickly turns to, “what am I possibly going to leave out?”  Every passage of scripture has so much depth, so many cross-references, and so many places for application.  A pastor simply has to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide what needs to be said for the sake of that sermon, and what can be saved for another time. 

One place my sermon did not explore was the theme of thanksgiving that permeates Colossians 3:15-17.  These verses conclude Paul’s call to “put off” sin and “put on” Christlikeness, and they culminate in singing with gratitude. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

- Colossians 3:15-17

There is a progression of gratitude that creates this overflowing, all-encompassing posture of joyful thanksgiving. 

•    Verse 15: This starts in our hearts.  Not the blood-pumping organ in our chest, but the very center of our thoughts and desires.  We have peace with God through Jesus Christ, and that peace stirs an acute sense of gratitude. 

•    Verse 16: This gratitude overflows into community. This gospel message is shared by others in our faith, and this thanksgiving bursts forth as we gather as a church and sing praise. 

•    Verse 17: Finally, it covers every aspect of our lives. Our whole lives oriented through the lens of “In Jesus Name” for which we are thankful. 

From our hearts -> with others -> to our whole lives. 

In the original Greek, the words translated as thanksgiving or gratitude share the same root as Eucharist - or what we Baptists would call Communion.  This is a picture of the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion.  Each month as we take a bite of bread and small portion of juice, we participate in an act of Thanksgiving for Jesus’ atoning work on the cross.  

So as you look ahead towards meals with friends and family this holiday season, let those remind you of the greater feast we share as Chosen, Holy, and Dearly Loved’ members of  God’s family. 

-John Day, Worship Pastor