Young Adults' Group

The Kingdom Practice Of Giving Thanks

by Pastor Mark
April 21, 2022

Kingdom truths and practices

A special lesson learnt during Easter Sunday was about kingdom truths and practices. The Lord Jesus taught many such truths and practices for us to discover and fulfil. One such practice is to learn to forgive someone even when he has sinned against us 7 times in a single day. If he repents each time, we should forgive him (Luke 17:4). This was a most challenging truth to practise. In response, the disciples asked the Lord to increase their faith…recognising the need for greater faith to forgive as the Lord Jesus had taught (Luke 17:5).

Faith and the giving of thanks

Another kingdom truth and practice is the giving of thanks. The writer Luke wrote of the story of how the Lord Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only 1 returned to give thanks to Him (Luke 17:15). What was significant was that he was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16). Jews and Samaritans did not mix, yet this Samaritan showed humility and gratitude by bowing before the Lord Jesus, a Jew, and gave glory and thanks to Him. On the other hand, we have the other 9 lepers who took things for granted and did not return to show their appreciation to the Lord Jesus. The Lord confirmed the faith of the Samaritan for showing his thanksgiving to Him.

Post-Easter reflection

The celebration of Easter was a most significant event for us in Bethany. It was a memorable time for all and it should not be just another event that is easily forgotten. As we enter the post-Easter weeks, let us take time to reflect and give thanks.

Giving thanks to God

1. Christ is risen…Easter Sunday was indeed a wonderful time for us to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. We thank God for this powerful and significant event that gave us the triumph over the death (1 Corinthians 15:55–57). Let us not take the Lord for granted.

2. Holy Communion…On Maundy Thursday, we were able to partake of the Lord’s Supper after a 2-year absence. It was a joy that we could all gather together as one to partake of Holy Communion together and remember the death of the Lord Jesus. It was moving to be in fellowship with the Lord Jesus at His table. Let us be thankful for this great privilege once again.

3. Worship…To be able to sing songs of worship, remembering the Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection was meaningful and uplifting. We thank God that we are allowed to sing and praise the Lord over the last few weeks after more than 2 years of absence. May our hearts continue to be filled with songs of joy and praise.

4. The kingdom of God is within us…We learnt of another kingdom truth that the kingdom of God is within us…in our hearts which is truly profound (Luke 17:21). We thank God that we are part of the kingdom of God and the kingdom is within us. Through our faith, the kingdom of God has become so much more real to us.

5. YAG…One thing that we can look forward to post-Easter is that we will be resuming our fellowship groups this Saturday. At YAG, we will be learning how we may study the Word of God and grow our faith to face the challenges of life. The meeting will be held at the Fellowship Hall at 2 pm. Let us be thankful and look forward to meeting together again as a YAG. Let us make this kingdom truth and practice of giving thanks a real part of our lives.

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