Thanksgiving
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Benjamin Kreps:
Hey everyone. And welcome to the Mark Prater podcast, where our aim is to connect our global family of churches with our Executive Director. Mark, here in the States, we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving and actually a historic mark of our gospel culture in Sovereign Grace throughout the years has been a culture marked by thanksgiving, gratitude, and gratefulness. So, thinking about this topic of thanksgiving, what thoughts do you have?
Mark Prater:
I'm so glad you mentioned our gospel culture, because that is one of the aspects that marks our gospel culture beyond joy and humility and generosity. And that is thanksgiving. And it really flows from Scripture, doesn't it? It's one of the gospel imperatives. And I think a great verse for us this year, in particular, is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
So, this is a great year to be a pastor. I mentioned that last week during our live stream. But I think for us as Christians, this is a great year for us to be people who are giving thanks for how God has worked in our lives and in our church and even through our family of churches during a most challenging year. We want to give thanks in all circumstances. Paul modeled that so well. He gave thanks. As he wrote letters while he was in prison. He gave thanks to God for people and for churches. He gave thanks to God that he spoke in tongues more than anyone else! So, he just found all kinds of reasons to be a thankful man, which marks a gospel person I believe.
Benjamin Kreps:
Wonderful reminder, especially in this year which has had unique temptations in gratitude, grumbling, and complaining. But rather as we're marked by gratefulness and thanksgiving, in light of the gospel, we shine as lights. That's what Paul says when we don't grumble and complain. So great reminder. What kinds of things are you thankful for as you think about this past year?
Mark Prater:
I'm thankful for a number of things. We could really make several podcasts where we could go through a list. But I'll limit my list. As I've interacted with members of our churches this year, I hear a consistent theme where the pandemic has slowed life down a little bit. And because of that, they've really taken time to reflect. And many people have really experienced a personal spiritual renewal. They feel like they've grown in their relationship with Christ because the pandemic has caused them to step back and sort of evaluate life. And they realize that their relationship with Christ is the most important thing they have. And so I've just seen people talk about how they've grown in Christ this year. That's been wonderful to hear people talk about that on a personal level.
Second, I think God has used 2020 in a very unique way to test the unity that we have in our churches. And I think so far we're passing that test. It's not been easy, but we can thank God for the gospel unity that we have in our churches and among our churches in our small denomination. Last week, Jeff, Purswell preached a message on unity in our live stream event for our pastors and wives. And he not only talked about the gospel unity and the theological unity, but it's also a felt unity where relationally we actually do ministry together and that strengthens our unity. He, in particular, mentioned the roll call vote on our Statement of Faith and how it affected him personally, that as each man voted, he thought about and knew about situations going on in their lives. And yet these are faithful pastors. So I just thought it was a wonderful illustration on Jeff's part.
I'm thankful that the pandemic has not stopped our gospel mission. Yes, I'm thankful how this year has uniquely revealed that the power of the gospel to reach the lost can't be stopped by a virus. It's just so encouraging to see and hear about new believers coming to Christ in our churches, which I could tell a number of stories about it. I just thank God for the gospel and the power of the gospel.
And then, you know, what's happening outside of the United States globally in Sovereign Grace is just beyond anybody's expectations. Another illustration is what Dave Taylor said last week, “Jesus can't be stopped by the coronavirus.” And Jesus is at work in our world today. I'm grateful that we are truly sojourners and exiles making our way through this land, this world. And this year has uniquely highlighted the fact that we're headed to our eternal home.
I'm so thankful for that and that we have that in the gospel. And the last thing—I could go on and on. I'm thankful for the pastors in Sovereign Grace who have been faithful men this year to lead carefully, to pastor comfort, to just help, just love on their church during a most difficult year. So, I'm very grateful for that. These are some of the things I'm thankful for.
I do want to mention one resource. If you haven't read it, there's a book in the NSBT series, New Studies in Biblical Theology. It's a book entitled Thanksgiving written by David Pao. It's a biblical theology on thanksgiving. One that I've read and benefited from. So do some study on this, as well, if you're a pastor. I think you'd really enjoy that book.
Benjamin Kreps:
Amen. Thanks for the recommendation. And let me add my thanksgiving to all of the men watching this podcast from Sovereign Grace Churches. So grateful to be in partnership with all of you. What a joy it is. Thanks, Mark, for sharing your thoughts and thank you everyone for watching. We'll see you here real soon. Bye for now.