Thanksgiving is Christian Nature
Thankfulness should always be expressed; in (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) it says
“rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
Thanksgiving is another name for gratitude; thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks.
When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your
attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and
humble.
If you don’t know what to be thankful for; let me remind you that God the Father sent
Jesus Christ to pay the price in full for all of our sins, thereby redeeming mankind to
Himself (II Corinthians 5:17-21) “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all
things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given
to us the ministry of reconciliation. To say, that God was in Christ, reconciling the
world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the
word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God. For He
(God the Father) has made Him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin,
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”.
Beside our forgiveness for sins, there are many other benefits that should make you
thankful. With our salvation Jesus also paid for as it says in Isaiah 53:4-5 “surely He
(Jesus) has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and
with His stripes we are healed”.
God saved us by His special favor (grace) when we believed, and we can’t take
credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-10) “for by grace are you saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, less any
man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good
works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them”. Salvation is not
a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. The
appropriate response to a gift is to say “thank you”.
Now out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to please God and to help and
serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness. We are not saved merely for our
own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up the church. Remember that we are
ambassadors for Christ and have the ministry of reconciliation.
David in I Chronicles 16:4, 7-12 set up a method for us to praise and thank God. It
says “and he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord
Yahweh, and to record, and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel. Then on
that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord Yahweh into the hand of
Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks to the Lord Yahweh, call upon His name, make
known His deeds among the people. Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him, talk you of all
His wondrous works. Glory you in His holy name; let the heart of them rejoice that
seek the Lord Yahweh. Seek the Lord Yahweh and His strength, seek His face
continually. Remember His marvelous works that He has done, His wonders, and
the judgments of His mouth”.
David many times in the psalms expressed his thankfulness to God and we can
learn from him; Psalms 26:6-7 says “I will wash my hands in innocence, so will I
compass Your altar, O Lord Yahweh. That I may publish with the voice of
thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wonders works”.
Psalms 34:1-4, David says “I will bless the Lord Yahweh at all times; His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord Yahweh, the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord Yahweh with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord Yahweh, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears”.
Psalms 69:30-32, David says “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will
magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord Yahweh better than
an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad,
and your heart shall live that seek God”.
Psalms 103:1-5, David says “bless the Lord Yahweh, O my soul, and all that is within
me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord Yahweh, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities; who heal all your diseases. Who redeems
your life from destruction; who crown you with loving kindness and tender mercies.
Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle’s”.
I believe that this is why David is called a man after God’s own heart; although David
went through many things, he remained a thankful person. Praise and thanksgiving
should be a regular part of our routine, not reserved only for celebrations. Praise
God continually, and you will find that you won’t take His blessings for granted.
Jesus showed us His thankful nature; before Jesus multiplied the bread and fish to
feed the multitude, He gave God the Father thanks (Mark 8:6). And He was able to
feed over 5000 men with two fish and five loaves of bread.
In telling of the ten lepers, He commanded them to go and show themselves to the
priest, and as they went, there were healed; Jesus commended the Samaritan who
returned to give thanks (Luke 17:16).
We benefit when we are thankful (Psalms 92:1-2) says “it is a good thing to give
thanks to the Lord Yahweh, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. To
show forth Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night”.
Psalms 100 shows us how to enter in; it says “make a joyful noise to the Lord
Yahweh all you lands. Serve the Lord Yahweh with gladness; come before His
presence with singing. Know you that the Lord Yahweh, He is God; it is He that has
made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to
Him, and bless His name. For the Lord Yahweh is good, His mercy is everlasting,
and His truth endures to all generations”. David says to God in Psalms 16:11 “You
will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand
there are pleasures for evermore”.
The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 13:15 “by Him therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His
name”.
The world observes thanksgiving once a year, and it is good, because we can see
that at that time of year, people are more friendly. But as you read Psalms 107, you
will see that over and over it says “Oh that men would praise the Lord Yahweh for
His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. And let them
sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing”. And in
Psalms 118 it starts out in verse 1 as saying “O give thanks to the Lord Yahweh, for
He is good; because His mercy endures for ever”; and it ends in verse 29 saying the
same thing.
We are warned that when we are not thankful, there is a chance to fall into idolatry.
Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about God, instead of looking to
Him as the Creator and sustainer of life, they see themselves as the center of the
universe. They soon invent “gods” that are convenient projections of their own
selfish plans and decrees. These gods may be wooden figures, but they may also
be goals or things we pursue such as money, power, or comfort.
But let us keep our eyes on the Lord Yahweh, for as we praise and thank Him, we
magnify Him above all things. Philippians 4:4-9 says “rejoice in the Lord always; and
again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest;
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you”.
So let us make every day thanksgiving day.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: November 25, 2011
Thankfulness should always be expressed; in (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) it says
“rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”.
Thanksgiving is another name for gratitude; thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks.
When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your
attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and
humble.
If you don’t know what to be thankful for; let me remind you that God the Father sent
Jesus Christ to pay the price in full for all of our sins, thereby redeeming mankind to
Himself (II Corinthians 5:17-21) “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all
things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given
to us the ministry of reconciliation. To say, that God was in Christ, reconciling the
world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the
word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God. For He
(God the Father) has made Him (Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin,
that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”.
Beside our forgiveness for sins, there are many other benefits that should make you
thankful. With our salvation Jesus also paid for as it says in Isaiah 53:4-5 “surely He
(Jesus) has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and
with His stripes we are healed”.
God saved us by His special favor (grace) when we believed, and we can’t take
credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-10) “for by grace are you saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, less any
man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good
works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them”. Salvation is not
a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. The
appropriate response to a gift is to say “thank you”.
Now out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to please God and to help and
serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness. We are not saved merely for our
own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up the church. Remember that we are
ambassadors for Christ and have the ministry of reconciliation.
David in I Chronicles 16:4, 7-12 set up a method for us to praise and thank God. It
says “and he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord
Yahweh, and to record, and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel. Then on
that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord Yahweh into the hand of
Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks to the Lord Yahweh, call upon His name, make
known His deeds among the people. Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him, talk you of all
His wondrous works. Glory you in His holy name; let the heart of them rejoice that
seek the Lord Yahweh. Seek the Lord Yahweh and His strength, seek His face
continually. Remember His marvelous works that He has done, His wonders, and
the judgments of His mouth”.
David many times in the psalms expressed his thankfulness to God and we can
learn from him; Psalms 26:6-7 says “I will wash my hands in innocence, so will I
compass Your altar, O Lord Yahweh. That I may publish with the voice of
thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wonders works”.
Psalms 34:1-4, David says “I will bless the Lord Yahweh at all times; His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord Yahweh, the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord Yahweh with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord Yahweh, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears”.
Psalms 69:30-32, David says “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will
magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord Yahweh better than
an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad,
and your heart shall live that seek God”.
Psalms 103:1-5, David says “bless the Lord Yahweh, O my soul, and all that is within
me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord Yahweh, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities; who heal all your diseases. Who redeems
your life from destruction; who crown you with loving kindness and tender mercies.
Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the
eagle’s”.
I believe that this is why David is called a man after God’s own heart; although David
went through many things, he remained a thankful person. Praise and thanksgiving
should be a regular part of our routine, not reserved only for celebrations. Praise
God continually, and you will find that you won’t take His blessings for granted.
Jesus showed us His thankful nature; before Jesus multiplied the bread and fish to
feed the multitude, He gave God the Father thanks (Mark 8:6). And He was able to
feed over 5000 men with two fish and five loaves of bread.
In telling of the ten lepers, He commanded them to go and show themselves to the
priest, and as they went, there were healed; Jesus commended the Samaritan who
returned to give thanks (Luke 17:16).
We benefit when we are thankful (Psalms 92:1-2) says “it is a good thing to give
thanks to the Lord Yahweh, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. To
show forth Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night”.
Psalms 100 shows us how to enter in; it says “make a joyful noise to the Lord
Yahweh all you lands. Serve the Lord Yahweh with gladness; come before His
presence with singing. Know you that the Lord Yahweh, He is God; it is He that has
made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to
Him, and bless His name. For the Lord Yahweh is good, His mercy is everlasting,
and His truth endures to all generations”. David says to God in Psalms 16:11 “You
will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand
there are pleasures for evermore”.
The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 13:15 “by Him therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His
name”.
The world observes thanksgiving once a year, and it is good, because we can see
that at that time of year, people are more friendly. But as you read Psalms 107, you
will see that over and over it says “Oh that men would praise the Lord Yahweh for
His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. And let them
sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing”. And in
Psalms 118 it starts out in verse 1 as saying “O give thanks to the Lord Yahweh, for
He is good; because His mercy endures for ever”; and it ends in verse 29 saying the
same thing.
We are warned that when we are not thankful, there is a chance to fall into idolatry.
Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about God, instead of looking to
Him as the Creator and sustainer of life, they see themselves as the center of the
universe. They soon invent “gods” that are convenient projections of their own
selfish plans and decrees. These gods may be wooden figures, but they may also
be goals or things we pursue such as money, power, or comfort.
But let us keep our eyes on the Lord Yahweh, for as we praise and thank Him, we
magnify Him above all things. Philippians 4:4-9 says “rejoice in the Lord always; and
again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest;
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you”.
So let us make every day thanksgiving day.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: November 25, 2011
