Thanksgiving is one of the few American holidays remaining that give at least a semblance of acknowledging Almighty God. Our Provider and Sustainer.

The first Thanksgiving in America was observed in 1621, best I can tell. It was a Pilgrim thing. Then much later in 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed that day one of National gratitude. President Roosevelt still later in 1941 declared the Holiday to be observed on the fourth Thursday in November.

It’s been a Custom ever since. (How much longer, no one knows!)

But today I’d like to show you a verse of Scripture that says, for us Christians, thanksgiving is more than a just once-a-year holiday. More than just an annual festivity.

Paul wrote it long ago: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I was in a couple of bookstores earlier this week. And in both locations I saw books (not just single titles) on the “Will of God.” I mean God’s “best” for each of our lives! God’s ideal “desire” or plan” for us.

That’s a noble topic, indeed.

But my verse today gives us one facet of God’s Will for our lives that is stable, never-changing, and equally applicable to every man, woman, boy and girl!

“This IS the Will of God” … in Christ Jesus, Paul wrote.

And what might that be?

The Giving of Thanks!

Tell us again, Paul: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

See that verb?

“Give thanks.”

It is spelled “eucharisteo” in Greek, literally the English word “eucharist.”

It technically means “good Grace!”

(I’d say if we ever see truly the magnitude of the Good Grace of God … we would give thanks forevermore! Or if we ever experience that Good Grace!)

But this is what I am trying to say.

This verb (“give thanks” or “eucharisteo”) is written in the imperative mood!

That means we are being COMMANDED, ORDERED, MANDATED to give thanks to God!

Maybe even to each other, when appropriate!

Bottom line, the heart of today’s Lesson … thanksgiving for you and me is more (much more) than just going along with a national custom. Or observing a Holiday. Or eating a lavish meal, for those blessed enough do enjoy such.

It is a DUTY before God.

It is a part of our fulfilling God’s Will for our lives!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

We are under constraint to give thanks every day!

What did Paul say, tell me again?

“IN EVERY THING” … give  thanks!

Technically he did not say “for” everything.

But “in” everything.

There may be a shade of difference there.

 

No Lesson yet … just keep reading to know why.

I’ve been preaching on Jesus all week! (Various Texts, approached in an expository manner, verse by verse.) Here is Brother Bud Stiltner reading the “Jesus Booklet” to us all. A total of 106 Verses … all about our Darling Saviour!

***

It’s an early preaching morning and I am preparing for the Message.

For that reason, I’ll write our Bible Study later today. At least, that’s my plan.

If not, tomorrow morning I’ll announce the new Series.

The Lord willing.

Today after the Morning (Camp Meeting, Jubilee) Service we will drive home.

Then I’ll preach at Faith Baptist Camp (Moderator Brother Sammy Allen) a time or two after Thanskgiving. Then Saturday we drive to North Carolina for another Meeting.

Our “Calendar Page” here on the Website will give you the details.

Pray for us please.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

If I have counted correctly, a total of 203 Galatians Lessons have been written and posted here for your Bible study pleasure (and profit). I have not included, of course, the travel days when writing a lesson was impossible, due to time restraints. (Nor do I any longer write a Lesson on Sunday Mornings. Already Preaching two or three times on the Lord’s Day is enough, in all likelihood!)

The first of these Lessons was written March 26, 2018 … according to my records. This is the longest chain of studies I have ever attempted on-line.

In one way I am thankful it is over. So we can go further in our daily Bible Lessons. So much “Law versus Grace!” So much contention, so much of Paul having to defend blatant Truth!

In another way, I am sad! Galatians has become one of my favorite Books of the New Testament! I plan to preach from its rich Pages soon, in a Revival Meeting! I mean every single Sermon for that week … taken from a amazing chapter in Galatians! The Lord willing, anyway. Including what was the “hardest” chapter to me, number 4. Including what was the most delightful, practical chapter to me, number 6. And including what was the most informative chapter to me, in regards to Paul’s life story, chapter 1.

Wow!

I am also currently preaching through another Book of the Bible, that of the Old Testament Prophet Hosea. And I mean verse by verse! These Sermons are being recorded, so far 10 chapters (of 14 chapters) have been covered, and mailed to our financial supporters … month by month. I told you that, rather private information in a way, to tell you this … I love that method of Bible Study! What was called in Isaiah’s great prophecy … “line upon line, precept upon precept!” And I plan to do some more, either via the pen or via the microphone, as the Lord gives me heath and strength to study and declare His precious Word.

Well, there are  my concluding remarks on the pivotal Book of Galatians.

Some have called it a “miniature” Romans, just appearing a little later in the New Testament! And it does discuss and emphasize many of the same issues, the same truths, that the larger (Romans) Book does.

So I shall begin praying and seeking God’s Will for our next Study here on the Website, the “Blog” I think they now call them.

Join me please in seeking such Wisdom from our Lord.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Paul ends the Book of Galatians with a “benediction.” In fact, he does this in most of his Letters. Here’s what I mean, Galatians 6:18 … “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen..”

A benediction, a blessing, and perhaps even a prayer for their “good?”

Yes, yes and yes!

To say the least, this sort of closing is surprising, in a way.

Because Paul, throughout Galatians, has had some rather “strong” things to say about these (wild) people, these once heathen Galatians. These people far too tolerant to the erroneous doctrines of the Judaizers from Jerusalem! Judiazers? False teachers who had infiltrated some (if not all) of the Galatian Assemblies. Men who believed Moses was of far greater importance that Jesus!

Strong things like: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” Galatians 1:6

Again, like this bold statement: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth.” Galatians 3:1, “foolish!” 

And what about Galatians 4:10-11? “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” He is close to doubting their salvation! Is all the Apostle’s work in Galatia … empty, useless, fruitless, “in vain?”

Galatians 5:4 may be even stronger! “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

Then again, just three verses later … “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” Galatians 5:7, not a “good report!”

But … and this is my point today … with all those “doubts” … Paul still “blesses” his dear converts in that distant Roman Province!

Yes … “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen..”

True, this is not as full a benediction as he pronounced (prayed) upon the Corinthians. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 16:23-24, no mention of such “love” to the Galatians!

And certainly is not a vast (as full) a benediction as his ending words in 2nd Corinthians (13:14) … “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

But it is still a benediction, blessing!

Even to the Galatians!

Again … “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen..” Galatians 6:18

Two more quick observations in closing.

“With your spirit,” may be included (worded in this exact way) because of the heavy emphasis Paul has placed on living “in the Spirit” and walking “in the Spirit” and producing the “fruit of the Spirit” here at the end of Galatians! (Particularly in chapter 5.)

And then this, only in Galatians is the vocative “brethren” included in a Pauline benediction! As if here (particularly here) Paul needed to assure them (those wavering Christians) that (at least) he considered them truly saved! Genuine “brethren” in the Lord!

And that fact (alone) would be a real blessing indeed!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

I’d like to teach you a new word today.

Taken from a verse that reveals Paul’s character in an amazing way, to a depth (perhaps) previously unknown. (He is “fed up” so to speak, with those Judiazers!)

As he finishes his written Galatian correspondence, he finally vents: “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Galatians 6:17

That verb “let trouble” is “parecho,” (obviously a blend of “para” and “echo”) plus “kopos,” quite a compound construction, quite an expression! If you will trust my loose definition: Let no man “come beside me and hound me and cause me pain” any longer! (This is a imperative verb, as well!)

“QUIT IT,” Paul demands.

“Para” plus “echo” is to come alongside and “hold on” and never “let go” and pester and pester and pester! 

“Kopos” is hardship to the point of aggravation, literally to the point of exhaustion! (Even to the point of pain!)

As I said earlier, Paul has had ENOUGH! 

“Henceforth” means “hereafter,” or “for the future,” nearly “never again.”

Paul is already quite “scarred” enough, thank you! (Not “scared,” but “scarred.”)

Yes, this is our new word for the day. “… for I (Paul) bear in my body the MARKS of the Lord Jesus.”

The noun is “stigma,” meaning a “brand” burned into one’s body, as was done to cattle in bygone days. Or to slaves back in the days of the Roman Empire. Marks of servitude, PAINFUL marks, I would imagine!

Paul is using this word picture as proof of the many persecutions and trials (beatings, times stoned, shipwrecks, imprisonments, etc.) he had endured for Jesus’ Sake!

He needs no more such scars, especially the emotional kind the misguided Judiazers have been inflicting on him lately! Doctrinally damaging his beloved converts in that Roman Province. (This “battle” is why Galatians was written in the first place!)

For the third time today, the Apostle has had enough!

And for the verb in that last clause, “to bear,” the Greek “bastazo” is used. Implying (actually saying) the “toting” of something very “HEAVY!”

Wow!

Yes … Paul was yet (still) pained every single day … from all those scars (“stigma” or “marks”), proving all those battles he had faced … irrefutably illustrating his manly dedication to the Lord.

Wow!

He has said his piece!

Eloquently so, I believe.

What a man of God he was!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

No wonder God “traded” Stephen … to get Paul!