Viva la Vida III: Overcoming Ingratitude
A. Background & Comments:
• a few weeks ago I introduced you to a very popular song from a few years ago performed by Coldplay, called Viva la Vida, Latin for “Live the Life”. The happy, upbeat music is contrary to the lyrics, which lament a life of opportunities missed. It is a musically appealing song, however, the words are depressing, hopeless & fearful. It is truly a sad, discouraging song…
• The title & concept of the song are important because they do speak to the very same issue that is addressed in Philippians 1, although from a highly different perspective! While the song is dire & hopeless, Paul addresses the matter from a positive perspective. In essence, he teaches that Christians who are sincerely intent on “living the life” need to be known as purposeful & joyful in being an “over-comer”. In this regard, we are truly one of two things: either spectators or participants.
• over the last weeks before the church anniversary weekend, we established that to “live the life” means that we can:
Overcome Chains (Phil. 1:7-11)
Overcome Fears (Phil. 1:12-14)
• today, we move on to the third characteristic of a Christian who is living the life that Christ intends for us, once again from the same chapter of the Bible. The focus of the passage, as well as this significant holiday weekend, is the celebration & expression of thanksgiving.
B. Main Thought:
In these verses we see two clear practices that help us understand life through the eyes of thanksgiving, further helping us to overcome a life of ingratitude.
C. Key Question:
What are the reasons that Paul is able to overcome ingratitude in his life? Why does he seem so optimistic about life in spite of being in prison?
There are two key principles & practices that bring us to the point of joyfully giving thanks & overcoming ingratitude:
I. Give Thanks: Long Term Partnership in Items That Really Matter (vs. 3-5)
“ I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…”
A. The Apostle Paul is beaming with joy, primarily because he has chosen to appreciate & accept the partnership of the Philippians. In his mind, the partnership of these Christians in the most important task of their lives – sharing the truth of Christ with people around them – is the greatest reason he can think of to give thanks to God. It becomes a daily, regular, habitual act of giving thanks, real heartfelt thanks.
Paul returns in his thinking to the time when he became a Christian on the road to Damascus, recognizing the ongoing contribution of many people to his life & faith…
Who would you give thanks for… right now?
B. Notice that this area of his life is core to his being! Paul is not talking about some peripheral area of life. He is talking about issues that are central to his life & well being… these are front & centre in his mind. No one is more important to your life than those close to you, who feed your love for Christ & give you the encouragement you need to continue.
Often we are guilty of saying a courteous “thank you” to people in the check-out line, but neglect to express deeper thanks to the most important people in our lives! These are the people who are central…
II. Give Thanks: Confidence in God’s Underlying Work in Life (vs. 6)
“… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
A. Notice in the second place that Paul is driven to be thankful because of the confidence he feels in God’s presence & activity in his life. God is not just some “out there” experience but an intimate, real, meaningful part of his life! He can feel & express thanksgiving in life because he senses a difference in his character, transforming him from a mean-spirited Pharisee to a disciple of Jesus Christ.
B. Some of the most miserable people you will ever meet are those who find no joy to life. Why? Frequently they are those who are not hopeful, nor confident that there is any significant meaning nor activity in life. Sometimes these people are atheists, pagans or – sadly – professing Christians.
Are you confident in the works of God in your life? Or, do you practically believe that every good & perfect thing in your life is by chance or your own doing? Seriously…
Implications for Life
A. If you sense that your life is characterized more by ingratitude than gratitude, then today would be the perfect day to start overcoming that. The principles & practices laid out in this passage are a great place to start the process of change.
B. Not to be simplistic but this matter boils down to what lens we are going to choose to see life through. Will your life be marked as a person who is thankful to God & gives thanks regularly? Or, perhaps your life will be marked by a whiny & complaining spirit, expressed ingratitude about what is “rightfully mine”? Really, it’s a simple choice….
