Thankfulness and Faith

— Romans 1:21

 

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Romans 1

  1. For the anger of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness,
  2. because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
  3. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.
  4. For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give him thanks,…

Romans 1 cont’d

  1. …but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.
  2. Claiming to be wise they became fools,
  3. and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.

Morocco v. Senegal, 2003

Soccer in Morocco

Four World Views

  1. Secular, materialism
  2. God who is angry, vindictive, uncaring, impersonal
  3. Some other god, pagan or distorted
  4. A Loving Father

The Rich Man: Luke 12

  1. He then told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop,
  2. so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’
  3. Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
  4. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”
  5. But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
  6. So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12 cont’d

  1. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
  2. For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing.
  3. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!
  4. And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life?
  5. So if you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest?

Luke 12 cont’d

  1. Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!
  2. And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you people of little faith!
  3. So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things.
  4. For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
  5. Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
  6. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

Nebuchadnezzar

Ishtar Gate from Babylon

Thankfulness and Faith

Now for a good example:

At the core of our covenant relationship

An example: Psalm 107