Race Cars and Empty Cups
Series: Christ Alone
April 06, 2025
Pastor Brandon Whitford
Episode Notes
Race Cars and Empty Cups.
“...that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy
that he powerfully works within me.”
Colossians 1:28-29
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be
filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a
manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing
in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for
all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to
share in the inheritance of the saints in light....Colossians 1:9-14 ESV
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him
and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Chapter 3:17
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.”
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Overflowing thankfulness is a key marker of Spiritual maturity.
Thankfulness can never overflow out of me, if thankfulness does not first fill my heart.
When you’re full of God, thanksgiving spills out, in all your circumstances.
Ingratitude or a lack of thanksgiving is a key marker in spiritual immaturity.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Unexpressed gratitude or unexpressed thankfulness is experienced as ingratitude.
Thankfulness is not a decision, its a response.
Thanksgiving or gratitude is thankfulness in our heart expressed.
Christian Thankfulness — It’s a feeling, an affection and emotion in the heart that rises
spontaneously in response to receiving something that will increase our enjoyment of Christ.
Saying thank you is not the same as being thankful.
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him,
but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. and
exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds
and animals and creeping things.”
Romans 1:21, 23 ESV
“Thankfulness, even when it involves tears is a welcomed experience, a gratifying
experience. In fact the human soul is deeply made for this experience so when it comes
we feel like we have become human as we ought to be — humbly receptive and
sweetly thankful.” - John Piper
Facts about Thankfulness.
1. You can’t grow without thankfulness.
2. Thanksgiving is a blessing from God.
3. Thankfulness guards us.
4. Thankfulness helps us remember and helps our children know the goodness of God.
5. Thankfulness keeps our prayers on target.
The more spiritually mature we become, the more deeply thankful we are capable of being, and the
more it will be expressed in all circumstances.
RACE CAR STORY:
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 ESV
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I
worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
1 Corinthians 15:10
Psalm 116:12 “what can I render to the Lord for all of his benefits to me? [Answer:] I will lift up the cup
of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and
established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who
are called according to his purpose.”
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2 ESV
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. do not be anxious about anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4, 6-7 ESV
Reflection:
What spills out when you get shaken?
What’s the thing off to the side in your heart that you have yet to give God thanks in?
What’s your race car?
When’s the last time you raised your empty cup to the Lord and asked him to fill it again?
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