OceanSide church of Christ

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SOME PEOPLE I NEED TO THANK

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We have begun a study of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi on Wednesday evenings.

1.     One of the purposes Paul has for writing the book is to express his gratitude to the church for all they had done for him in his missionary efforts.

2.    Philippians 1:3-5

 

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

 

B.   Yes, the Philippians played a pivotal role in Paul’s ministry, and he was thankful for them.  In like manner, we have individuals in our lives that assist us, we need to give thanks for them also.

 

C.   The title of my lesson this evening is:  “Some People I Need to Thank.”

 

I.          I NEED TO THANK MY PARENTS

 

A.   It is interesting.  My parents are the reason I am here in the first place. 

 

B.   My dad’s name was Jerald, and my mom’s name is Hazel. 

1.     They were both raised on farms in small towns in Tennessee.

2.    They gave birth to me on October 23, 1959 in Dyersburg, TN.

3.     They were living in Newborn, TN, but moved to Memphis shortly after my birth.

 

C.   There are many things for which I could give thanks to my parents. 

1.     My spiritual life – They sought to do as Paul exhorts in Ephesians 6:4 and brought me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

2.    Respect for authority – My parents did not quote the verse to me, but they taught me very clearly that authority is to be respected and obeyed.  It was Paul who wrote:  Children, obey your parents in the Lord:  for this is right.  Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth (Eph. 6:1-3).

3.     My sense of morality – My parents taught me that there are some things that are right and some things that are wrong.  They also taught me to do the right and refrain from the wrong.  This right and wrong was based upon the standard of God’s holy Word, not my think-so’s and hope-so’s (Tit. 2:11-12).

 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

 

4.    The need for discipline – My parents knew that children need correction.  Sometimes it took the form of conversations.  Sometimes it involved the removal of privileges.  On other occasions, they did not hesitate to use the rod.  I am sure that my parents read and understood Proverbs 23:13-14.

 

Withhold not correction from the child:  for it thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.  Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

 

D.   I am sure that most of us had parents for which we should be thankful.  They may not have been perfect, but they cared for us, provided for us, and help to mold us into the good people were are today in many ways.  We need to give thanks for them.

 

A prayer for parents

 

II.        I NEED TO THANK MY TEACHERS

 

A.   I have had many teachers throughout the years, both secular and spiritual.  Several of them stand out in my mind because of the influence they had in my life.

 

B.   The teachers that stand out the most to me did the following things for which I am thankful.

1.     Took an interest in me as a person.

2.    Taught with enthusiasm.

3.     Were kind.

4.    Pushed me to do the best I could do.

5.    Held me accountable.

 

C.   There is a verse in II Timothy that I think of each time I remember the many teachers that I have had (II Tim. 3:14).

 

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

 

A prayer for our teachers

 

III.      I NEED TO THANK MY SPOUSE

 

A.   Kathleen and I were married on September 24, 1982.  We were married by brother Robert R. Taylor, Jr. at the Knight Arnold church of Christ in Memphis, TN.

 

B.   Over the past 30 years, Kathleen has stood by me as a preacher of the gospel.

1.     We have had our share of church problems with which to deal.

2.    We have moved several times in our life.

3.     I have left her alone to care for the house due to school, meetings, lectureships, or calls from brethren.

4.    She has had to handle my shortcomings and my sins. 

 

C.   Kathleen has embodied many passages of Scripture found in the Bible.

1.     Paul told the older women to teach the young women to love their husbands (Tit. 2:4).  She does this.

2.    Women are commanded to be “keepers at home” (Tit. 2:5).  She does this.

3.     Wives are instructed to “submit to their own husbands” (Eph. 5:22).  She has done this.  Sometimes with reluctance. 

 

D.   I have learned that the wise man was right when he said:  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord” (Prov. 18:22).

 

A prayer for our spouses

 

IV.       I NEED TO THANK OUR MILITARY

 

A.   There is on old saying:  “Freedom is not cheap.”

1.     It costs the sacrifice of other earthly pursuits.

2.    It costs the extremely precious family time.

3.     It can cost the physical and emotional well-being of a soldier.

4.    It can cost the life of a young man or woman.

 

B.   I was not privileged to serve.  It is one area wherein I feel my life has not been completely fulfilled.  I do contribute to various organizations that support our military men and women, especially those who have been hurt in combat (e.g., Wounded Warriors Project).

 

C.   In Romans 13:7, the apostle states:  Render therefore to all their dues:  tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”  I do honor those who have loved their country (the citizens) enough to yield themselves to its service defending and protecting us from those who seek to harm us and enslave us.

 

A prayer for our men and women in uniform

 

V.        I NEED TO THANK THE LOVING GOD OF HEAVEN

 

A.   What God has done is beyond the capability of man to appreciate thoroughly.

 

B.   Things God has done:

1.     God has loved us

2.    God has given His Son for us

3.     God has redeemed us

4.    God made His Son to be sin for us

5.    God washed and cleansed us

6.    God has provided guidance

7.    God has given hope

8.    God has made us victorious

C.   Paul was ever thankful for the blessings that he and those he had converted had received through Jesus Christ.

1.     Romans 7:24-25a

 

O wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

2.    When he thought of the conversion of the Corinthians, a very defiled people, he wrote:  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ (I Cor. 1:4).

 

D.   When we don’t fully understand our redemption, we should give thanks.  When the blessings of salvation seem so distant to us, we should give thanks.  These blessing are eternal.  They will be enjoyed after this world has perished for hundreds of millions of years.

 

A prayer to God for His blessings

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Yes, I have many people that I need to thank:  my parents, my teachers, my wife, the military, and God my Father.  All have made me who I am right now.

 

B.   May I live in such a way as to pay honor to each one of these individuals who has blessed my life, especially the God of heaven (I Thess. 2:11-12).

 

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.