The Meaning of Thanksgiving, part 2

Introduction

After the 1623 drought, prayer and fasting from the pilgrims, and answer to prayers, prayer and fasting became a regular part of the celebration we know today as Thanksgiving.

1789, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government, but

1817, New York was the first official state to adopt annual Thanksgiving holiday

Thanksgiving holiday and the concept of Thanksgiving are not necessarily the same

(https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving)

Last week

Thanksgiving is a response to:

God’s deeds / actions

God’s character / identity

Thanksgiving is an attitude revealed in your:

Today

Thanksgiving is an attitude attitude — noun, a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior

not listed among fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)

thanksgiving is a human response

in the Bible, NT particularly, thanksgiving is connected with the concept of grace. The Grk eucharist means grace, to give thanks or to be thankful

Speech / words

What attitude is reflected in your words?

Gossip & backbiting?

Negativity?

Vile or course speech?

Hebrews 13:15 NASB 95

15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

James tells us that the tongue (our words) are powerful.

Like horses bits, small rudders on large ships, and small fires

Both having tremendous impact

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 7:17 “17 I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”

Psalm 35:18 “18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.”

Hearts

True thanksgiving is a matter of the heart. What you on the inside will be evident on the outside

Luke 6:45 NASB 95

45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

What’s in the heart comes out of the mouth. A person who is thankful will declare thankfulness.

In Scripture, the heart is that innermost part of man, a combination of emotions, intellect, and morality. The heart is who you are on the inside.

This is where thanksgiving should dwell.

Colossians 2:7 “7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Colossians 3:15 “15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Psalm 9:1 “1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.”

Psalm 28:7 “7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.”

Conclusion