In this season of thanksgiving it is good to be reminded of how we are to be thankful. Our thankfulness is based on our status in Jesus Christ. We are raised with him, which means we are to put away sin and put on an attitude of thankfulness. This thankfulness then leads to fruit in how we treat others. And out thankfulness should lead to thankful worship as the word enters our hearts and is expressed in praise.

God’s people have a holy calling to declare to all the nations what an awesome king we have. He reigns and rules over all things!

God revitalizes his church through discipleship. This is a discipleship that begins with the glory of God himself. Jesus reflected the glory of God the Father perfectly, even as he submitted himself unto death. God gives a new commandment to his church - a commandment to love. This love is one that is recognized by all people.

Today we see that Christ gives leaders to equip and build up the church. It is Christ himself who gives this gift of leaders to his church. The goal is to help members to attain the unity of the faith as they are built up into maturity. This guards them from being swayed by the latest wind of doctrine but presents to them the truth in love.

The Great Commission is not some optional command. The church does not get to “opt out” of these marching orders from Jesus. This commission arises out of the great authority that Jesus has as risen, ascended king. It is a commission to make disciples, baptizing and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. He ends the commission with a word of comfort as he promises to be with his people to the very end of the age.

Paul’s letter to Timothy was all about church revitalization. The reason for church decline is often due to the preaching. Preaching needs to be Christ-centered, Scripture-saturated, and life transforming. Let us pray that preaching would be for the equipping of the saints and that it would be effective to accomplish the purpose for which Christ sent it.

God’s people are called to pray persistently. The prayers of the early church were a great example of the way churches should pray. Our prayers should be filled with praise for the sovereign God. They should be bold prayers that God would remove enemies, that his servants would speak with boldness, and that he would work powerfully in his church.

What we find in today’s message is that God’s grace leads to a transformed life by conforming us to his will.

The goal of the Christian life is glorification, when our faith becomes sight and when the new creation comes. God will one day transform our lowly body to become like Christ’s glorious body. We will be freed from sin in both body and soul and dwell with him forever in the new heavens and new earth.

God grants and credits salvation to his people. The gospel is only about what is done to us. It’s all on Christ and his work. And yet the gospel is also worked out in us. We have been redeemed by Christ, but now the Holy Spirit applies the benefits of our redemption to us. That means that we are sanctified. We are free in order to serve him, conforming to the image of Christ as we walk after him in holiness.