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I’ve gone well out of my way several times while driving through the country of modern-day Turkey, to visit the ruins of the old city of Colossae. I enjoy its place in New Testament history so much that I have also taken perhaps 75 or so of our congregation members to climb the almost 100 foot high, 22-acre hill on which the city sat prior to the devastating earthquake in the AD60’s. Huge columns can still be seen at this as yet unexcavated, history rich site situated by the Lycos River about 10 miles from Laodicea.
I often prefer to visit places where tourism and treasure hunters have not yet claimed and messed up the experience. There is a natural beauty to an obscure site. Colossae is a quiet place where the adventurer is free to explore and enjoy while pondering the words written by the Apostle Paul to both the whole congregation of Colossae and specifically to his friend, Philemon. Both of these letters were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit while Paul was in prison in Rome.
One of the reasons why I feel drawn to the book of Colossians and to the Biblical site of Colossae is because of its constant reminder to be thankful. Paul admonishes the Church and each member of the congregation in Colossae to be thankful in each chapterof the Epistle.
This evening, on the eve of Thanksgiving in America, we are going to begin our study by reading a short exhortation from Paul to the Church at Colossae from:
Colossians 3 NKJV
12 ¶ Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
This passage is clearly one of the best and most concise pieces of Godly advice a Christian can find in the Bible. Paul encourages everyone who has been chosen by God to put on:
And above all these things …
And be thankful!
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Leviticus 22:29 “And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the LORD, offer it of your own free will.”
2 Corinthians 8: 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
If you don’t have a willing mind, ask God to give you one.
Above all these things, put on love.
Choose to put love on like a garment so that all you say and all you do is done in the name of Jesus, bringing glory to God!
Happy Thanksgiving.
