John 1:10; 12-13 (NASB)

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him.

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

1 Samuel 2:1-3 (NASB)

1 Then Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
3 Do not go on boasting so very proudly,
Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.

Romans 8:14-23 (NASB)

14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.

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James 1:21-25 (NASB)

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does.

How Christians should respond to the Word of God:

1) Proactively get rid of your sin (1:21)

2) Humbly receive the Word (1:21)

3) Persistently do what God’s Word says (1:22-25)

4) Wholly believe God’s Promise to the obedient (1:25)

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Colossians 3:15-17 (NASB)

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Sermon Theme: The Church should be full of thankful Christians who are completely governed by and focused on their Lord Jesus Christ.

Outline: We are called as Christians and as a Church to lives overflowing with thanksgiving and marked by 3 Christ-centered priorities:

1) The peace of Christ (3:15)

2) The word of Christ (3:16)

3) The name of the Lord Jesus (3:17)

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