"A Thanksgiving to Celebrate"

  • Derek Staples
  • | Nov 24, 2008
  • | Series: Monday Morning Manna

"A Thanksgiving to Celebrate"

 
“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Colossians 1: 12-13)
 
 
I cannot believe Thanksgiving is upon us.  This is my second Thanksgiving in Jacksonville.  My how time flies and how life has unfolded for us in these days of blessing.  Thanksgiving is a time for us to celebrate with our families and focus on what’s really important.  As I reflect on this Thanksgiving, there are some truths that matter most in my life:  
 
My Salvation
Paul says the Father has qualified us, or enabled us to share in our glorious inheritance.  God has made us worthy.  He has rescued us from the empty way of life handed down to us by our forefathers.  Before our salvation, we were dominated by Satan and our fallen, sinful human nature.  We were cut off from the life of God.  Yet, He has declared us righteous in Christ.  He has placed within us a new heart, and has made us to be partakers of glory.  I am thankful for the God I serve. 
 
My Calling
This is my twenty-eighth year to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  As a seventeen year-old, I had no idea what God had in mind when He called me to proclaim His Word.  I remember those days in 1980 of serving Smallhouse Baptist Church, of teaching Sunday school, leading music, preaching the Word, and collecting the offering.  They (all 7 members when we started) are the only church I have served that allowed me the pastor to collect the offering.  
 
I am thankful that God has used every church that I have served to mold me into His servant.  I am also very thankful that He is still molding my life.  I am so thankful that He has given me His Word as my (our) guide, His Spirit as my (our) teacher, and His Son as my (our) Savior.  What greater message could I possibly proclaim to a lost and dying world?          
 
My Family
I wish that every husband and father could enjoy the experiences of a life shared through intimacy at home.  My wife is the most selfless and understanding partner any pastor could desire.  She never complains when I am called out late at night, or when church meetings last for several hours.  Last night at a meeting someone said she looked like Sarah Palin.  I say she is more beautiful than Sarah Palin could ever hope to be.  She is, outside of Jesus Christ, the greatest love of my life.  She is more than I ever dreamed a companion could be!  
 
My three boys are a gift from above.  I can’t believe I get to be their earthly shepherd.  They have grown so much over the past year.  Josh is driving, Jordan is excelling on the electric guitar, and Andrew is a part of the Alabama Parks and Recreation state champion soccer team from Jacksonville.  Sometimes, I just want my boys to stop growing up but grow up they will.  I pray the biblical worldview implanted in their minds will be their companion through life.  My, how I love each of them so much!   
 
This year has seen several health problems for my mom.  She has been hospitalized with a stroke due to high blood pressure, and it looks as if only surgery will correct the damage done to her right eye.  Then a second hospital stay was needed due to heart problems.  Now she faces another hospital stay on December 1 to have stints put into her kidneys to correct damage done because of high blood pressure.  She is still waiting for the doctors to schedule a date for her to receive a pacemaker.  
 
In the midst of these issues, we will gather as a family in my parents’ home this Thanksgiving to celebrate God’s goodness.  My parents will have four children, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren surrounding them with love, and one son observing from heaven.  In the Old Testament a man was considered rich that possessed a large family.  Therefore, biblically speaking, my parents are filthy rich.  What an incredible heritage!  
 
My Church
Two years ago (November 17, 2006) Julie and I officially closed on the sale of our home in Missouri, wondering where and when God would open a place of service for us.  Little did I know that God would confirm His call later that same day when Dr. Shan Young called to say I was supposed to be his pastor.  Now I look back over these last two years in utter amazement of what has done.  
 
We have grown to love each other and you have stepped out in great faith with the opening of a second campus to allow us to connect more people to Christ.  We have seen over a 30% increase in attendance since the opening of EaglePoint.  More importantly, we are seeing men and women come to personal faith in Jesus Christ.  God is doing an incredible work in Jacksonville, and I am so grateful to be a part of God’s work with my First Baptist family.  
 
 
My Eternal Hope
God has by His grace qualified us to share in the inheritance.  The Bible has much to say about our inheritance.  It consists of eternal life.  Eternal life is far more than endless existence.  It is a quality of life; Christ's life lived in the believer.  When do we receive our inheritance?  The present tense participle "qualified" indicates that we have it now.  
 
We have already been transferred from the domain of darkness into Christ's Kingdom.  We are already fellow heirs with Christ.  And we know that the full possession of that inheritance is yet to come.  Peter referred to it as "an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away—reserved in heaven for you" (I Peter 1:4).  It will be ours forever.
Do you see why Paul talks about their giving thanks to the Father?  Move past the stuff of Thanksgiving and rejoice in the Savior of Thanksgiving!  All through this holiday season sing “Oh!  What a Savior!”
 
Celebrating the Goodness of God,
 
 
Dr. Derek