Introduction

This morning we begin our thoughts with a simple question: “Are you a thoughtful person?” How do you define thoughtful? One dictionary definition is this:

thought·ful 3. Having or showing heed for the well-being or happiness of others and a propensity for anticipating their needs or wishes.”

That fits well the definition of thoughtfulness that we would like to discuss this morning. If we begin our study by doing a search for all the words containing thoughtful, our study will not take long. The NKJV, KJV, NIV, NASV, and NCV do not contain the word “thoughtful;” There is one version which does use the word “thoughtful”: the Living Bible. In 1 Pet 3:7 TLB, we have these words, “You husbands must be careful of your wives, being thoughtful of their needs and honoring them as the weaker sex. Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God's blessings, and if you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not get ready answers.

The ( NKJV) ends this way, “that your prayers may not be hindered.” I think our prayers may be hindered in that we cannot even pray as we should, much less get the answers that we want.

In 1 Tim 3:2 TLB, We have these words, concerning elders, “For a pastor (or elder), must be a good man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must have only one wife, and he must be hard working and thoughtful, orderly, and full of good deeds. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be a good Bible teacher.”

Body

I. Who were the thoughtful people of the Bible? – They were many.

A. Let’s begin with Abraham.

1. He was very hospitable to the three men who came to visit him.

(Gen 18:1-5 NKJV) Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. {2} So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, {3} and said, "My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. {4} "Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. {5} "And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."

B. Timothy was a thoughtful person.

(Phil 2:19-21 NKJV) But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. {20} For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. {21} For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

C. Barnabus was a thoughtful person.

(Acts 4:36-37 NKJV) And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, {37} having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

1. Being an encourager is one way of being a thoughtful person.

2. He became the great encourager of the apostle Paul.

(Acts 11:25-26 NKJV) Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. {26} And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

3. He became the great encourager of John Mark.

(Acts 15:39-40) Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; {40} but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

D. Dorcas was a thoughtful person as shown by making clothing for others.

(Acts 9:36-39 NKJV) At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. {37} But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. {38} And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. {39} Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

E. There was Onesiphorus who encouraged Paul.

(2 Tim 1:16-18 NKJV) The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; {17} but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. {18} The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day; and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

II. There was a thoughtful church -- The church at Phillipi.

(Phil 4:14-17 NKJV) Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. {15} Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. {16} For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

A. Paul reminds them, and us, that this is one way we put value into our heavenly account.

Phil 4:17 “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”

B. And the list goes on and on.

III. But we must add the most thoughtful Person of all – Our Lord!

A. He sympathized. -- He wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

(John 11:35-36) Jesus wept. {36} Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

B. He cared.

1. He raised the dead.

2. He healed the sick.

3. He calmed the sea.

(Mat 11:4-5 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: {5} "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

(a) We cannot raise the dead, but we can preach the gospel to the poor.

(b) In the end, which one is more important?

C. After He healed a deaf man, the crowd gave this summary of His work.

(Mark 7:37 NKJV) And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Conclusion

I. Thoughtful! While the word is not found in any of the main translations of the Bible, the idea is throughout the Bible in many forms:!

Acts of encouragement.
Extending sympathy.
Helping others with their needs.

II. Some of us are much more thoughtful than others, but it is an area where most, if not all of us, can do better

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