Thanksgiving Share Service (2022)

Introduction

Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 107:21 “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

Explanation

Across the nation, families will celebrate Thanksgiving. Whether it is with their family or far away. Whether it is with the traditional Thankgiving spread or take out. The Christmas decorations might already be out, BUT Thanksgiving will be on the table.

The Christian celebrates Thanksgiving differently from any other group of people in the world.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that Christians can celebrate Thanksgiving better than anyone else in the world.

Why? Because those who who do not know God have an incomplete version of Thanksgiving.

While the rest of the world will celebrate what they are thankful FOR, Christians will celebrate who they are thankful TO.

What God has given us is meant to be a means of praising His name.

Now, don’t misunderstand me! I am not going to be sitting here tonight as you share what you are thankful for and nudge Erin and say, “They didn’t thank God for that!”

Tonight is a moment of worship as we share what God has done in our lives.

So, I am not nitpicking our language. But I am steering our hearts.

The reality tonight is that anyone in the world could walk through the doors, eat this food, go home, and say, “That meal was amazing.” Unbelievers could enjoy this food, right?

However, the Christian can enjoy this food in a way that no one else can enjoy it.

How? Because their experience and their gratitude does not terminate on the gift they have been given, but instead, it causes them to praise their Creator who gave it to them.

God gave us good gifts.

God gave us good gifts so that He might be praised.

When we enjoy God’s gifts and we thank Him for them, we have not only enjoyed what He has given, but we have worshipped Him in the process.

Challenge

List five things you are thankful to God for every day until the end of the month.

The first few days will be easy.

Somewhere from day 6-10 will be hard.

Afterwards, it will be easy, because you have created a habit of gratitude.

If that list sits in that piece of paper in your notebook, it won’t ultimately do you much good. Why? Because the blessings of God are meant to be used as a means to praise Him.

Be gratuitous. But remember that it is He who has given us all things.