“The more thankfulness is present in us, the less vulnerable we are to sin. That’s why the Bible talks so much about thanksgiving. Thankful people have set their eyes on God, recognizing to some degree how much grace we are receiving right now, trusting him to cover all our sin and work our painful past for good, and looking to him for all we need tomorrow and into eternity. Souls that learn to be content in God “in whatever situation” are souls that are the least vulnerable to temptation” – Jon Bloom
Small Things
2 Timothy 3:1-2
[1] But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Before we start in our text today, it’s important to recall how much the giving of thanks is emphasized in all of Scripture (NOTE: thanksgiving as a command isn’t a one time occurrence).
The Psalms encourage God’s people to “come before him with thanksgiving” and to “give thanks to him and praise his name” (Ps. 95:2; 100:4).
Jesus gave thanks for God’s provision when he fed the multitudes and at the last supper (Luke 9:16; Matt. 26:26-27).
Paul regularly expressed gratitude to God (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14), and instructed believers to give thanks in all circumstances, as well as in our prayers (1 Thess. 5:18; Phil. 4:6).
Our text today is. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Let’s start at the end of 2 Timothy 2 to help us with context. (Paul’s last words to Timothy)
2 Timothy 2:22-26
[22] So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. [23] Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. [24] And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, [25] correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
[1] But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Interesting list? Ungrateful?
Chris Reese said,
“Ingratitude often stems from forgetfulness—of who God is, as we just saw, or what he has done for us. As Bernard of Clairvaux observed, “Ingratitude is a searing wind which dries up the springs of pity, the dew of mercy, the streams of grace.” Yet, we can reawaken our sense of thankfulness to God by remembering some of the amazingly gracious things he has done for us, especially in relation to salvation. Meditating on the following points, to which many more could be added, can remind us of the multitude of ways God has blessed us—even when we experience life’s trials.” We can give thanks for/that:
- God’s goodness and mercy (Ps. 106:1; 107:1; 136:1–3)
- The nearness of God’s presence (Ps. 139:8)
- The supply of our physical needs (Phil. 4:19)
- Jesus’ sacrifice to reconcile us with God (1 Peter 3:18)
- Victory over death and the grave (1 Cor. 15:20-22)
- Deliverance from indwelling sin (Rom. 7:23-25)
- Being more than conquers (Rom. 8:37)
- We are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
- The very hairs of our head are numbered (Luke 12:7).
What else would you add to this list?
Your health
Your family (spouse, kids, brothers and sisters, momma and daddy)
Your job
Your freedom
Your salvation
Is it good to be thankful? Of course, but aside from just obeying the command or the good feeling it gives us to indeed be grateful or thankful, it does something else.
It keeps us focused upon the right things. It keeps us from being focused upon the wrong things. If we’re not careful we can slip into being ungrateful and that leads to being low on pity and grace for others. We’re less mercy filled. We’re self centered and judgmental. A life filled with gratefulness has little room for sin and self and more room for mercy and thanksgiving.
Gratitude grows from humility. Isn’t it interesting that just last week we heard
1 Peter 5:6
[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
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If we are proud (lack humility) we surely aren’t grateful because we think it’s all us. Pride blinds us to the works of God and our utter dependency upon Him.
The difficult thing is not being thankful for the moment. It’s learning to live our lives that way. We’re naturally ungrateful.
Luke 17:11-19
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
[11] On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance [13] and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” [14] When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. [15] Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; [16] and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. [17] Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? [18] Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” [19] And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
So here are two habits that can help us develop gratitude.
- Remembering God’s Blessings – We just worked on that a bit when I asked you what you were thankful for today.
How about if you have nothing else, how about prayers answered this year?
- Appreciating the everyday blessings (the ordinary small things)
Zechariah 4:10a
[10] For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
The oracle is addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor, who along with Joshua the high priest had been charged by the prophet Haggai with the task of rebuilding the temple.
The growth of the building begun under Zerubbabel would be a challenge to those who thought of their times as a day of small things. God’s work may start in small and unobtrusive ways, yet reach a glorious conclusion
Small things
Do we think of the small things? Are we thankful for the small things? The ordinary days?
Or are we always wondering what the next big thing is? I’ve done that. I’ve done that a lot in life. Always the next big thing. The big promotion, the big idea, the new house….if I just get that I’ll be good right? Married people….. we even do that early in marriage. It’s like life will end if we don’t get a house, have a nice job, have a bunch of kids, etc.
When we look closely we see that God is telling us all along that He’s got this and that we need to trust Him. There’s several blessings in what I just listed, it’s not like it’s wrong to want some of those, the issue is that we think “if I just get that” it will fix everything or fulfill every want or fill that hole inside of us that only God can fill.
- Do you think Moses’ 40 years in the desert was exciting everyday?
- How about Joseph’s time in slavery? Or Prison?
- What about Paul’s 3 years in the desert after he came to know the Lord? Or Paul’s time in prison? Everyday exciting?
- What about the first 30 years of Jesus life?
I’ve missed things because I hurry. How about just slowing down…that helps us see things we’ve missed. It helps us look closely and watch for blessings (things to be grateful for).
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Pastor Joshua Kang notes,
When we experience God’s grace, our perspective is changed, and we are able to recognize the good in the ordinary. We see the good side of the people we meet, and the light in the midst of darkness. We learn to appreciate any kind of person and any circumstance, often being impressed and touched by nearly everything around us. When that happens, we notice God’s love in every situation. We become grateful for everything we enjoy, seeing how undeserving we are.
Philippians 4:6
[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Revelation 7:9-12
[9] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, [10] and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” [11] And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
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The absolute greatest thing we should be thankful for is the mercy of God in the person of Jesus. Do you understand that today? That… in no way do we earn heaven or salvation or any part of that. It was a free gift offered by Jesus to save us. “He became sin who knew no sin, that we might be called his righteousness”
