Thanks Be to God

Intro:

Good morning.

We are rapidly closing in on my favorite holiday this week!

Thanksgiving has been my favorite for as long as I can remember — When I was younger, I just remember meeting at both sets of grandparents’ houses and having the best meals of the year!

And don’t get me wrong, I still love that part!

But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to really appreciate the meaning behind it.

I truly believe that we need to be a lot more grateful — especially Christians, of all people!

The Bible has a lot to say about it, and we are going to look at some of it in a few moments. (If you liked having a two part sermon last week, well, we’ve got another this week!)

But just to illustrate how thankfulness is lost on much of society these days, I always think about how:

Isn’t it a shame that many people on a day that our country has set aside to celebrate Thankfulness, many of them the day after, or some even the day OF ...

Go out and TRAMPLE over each other at the mall or at Walmart just to save 40 or 50% off of their most coveted materialistic items?!

(Don’t get me wrong — I’m not against trying to save some money — Trust me on that! When you have four kids, you become a pro at trying to extend a dollar!)

(I’m not against Black Friday shopping — But I AM against running over people, and screaming and shouting at people in line, making the cashiers miserable, etc.!)

Anyways — We need to be grateful! (Especially those of us who are Christians!)

A HISTORY LESSON:

Thanksgiving has a long and interesting history in this country.

Minds usually go to the Pilgrims of Plymouth Bay Colony and their celebration with the Native Americans in 1621.

Interestingly, there were some Thanksgiving celebrations in America even before that one, and in Europe before that. (I’ll let you look up that history if it interests you).

But what I want to do now is read from President George Washington’s first Presidential Thanksgiving Address, from October 3rd, 1789:

Listen to how great these words are, and take note of the mindset of this particular founding father (shared by many of the others):

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me ‘to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.’ Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.”

If only our leaders would give speeches like that today, right?!

Let’s look at what the Bible says about Thankfulness.

1 Thes. 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We looked at this not too terribly long ago in Wednesday night Bible class …

But notice, “In EVERYTHING give thanks!”

Do you remember the context?

Paul is giving a rapid fire list of things that the Thessalonian Christians needed to keep doing.

(Read 1 Thes. 5:12-22).

So we have this list of things that Christians need to keep in mind and do and …

Remember this — The Thessalonians in particular were dealing with STRONG PERSECUTION from the Jews — We talked about that when we studied through 1 & 2 Thessalonians!

1 Thes. 1:6 says that they had received the Word “IN MUCH AFFLICTION.”

So back to “In EVERYTHING give thanks!”

Including the hard times, including the good times!

Including times of blessing, and times of persecution!

Including times of spiritual highs and times of lows!

“In EVERYTHING give thanks!”

And some people think Thanksgiving is just about engorging on a big meal real quick before watching some football and going out and buying a bunch of stuff! :(

Next verse, and a quick one.

Eph. 5:20

Ephesians 5:20 NKJV

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Same thing we just looked at pretty much, right?!

So let’s look at another … (Some of these are going to be rapid fire — But I hope to show you today that the Bible has a LOT to say about being thankful!).

Col. 3:15-17

Colossians 3:15–17 NKJV

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

“And be thankful!”

Notice the words immediately preceding that in verse 15 - “And let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body ...”

Saved in one body … access to the peace of God because of that!

Which should result in us being? (THANKFUL)!

And then v. 17 follows up is “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving THANKS to God the Father through Him!”

Col. 4:2

Colossians 4:2 NKJV

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

So this one is interesting, because there is a connection between prayer, between being vigilant against sin, and being … THANKFUL!

Could it be the case that a man who has let his guard down to sin over and over again keeps doing so because of a root problem that … … … he’s unthankful?!

Hmmm ...

What about the connection to ANXIETY and unthankfulness?

How about …

Php. 4:6

Philippians 4:6 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Hmmm ...

1 Pet. 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

The ESV says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you!”

Imagine how much money could be saved not having to go to counseling if people would just do that!

There’s a connection to anxiety, and failure to practice prayer and supplication with thanksgiving!

Maybe, just maybe, that’s why we are living amongst the most anxious and mentally unwell society in generations?!

Because there’s not very much prayer and supplication and thanksgiving going on!

How about we look at …

2 Cor. 9:15

2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Have you ever read those words and really let them sink in?!

(By the way, the context of that chapter is Christian giving).

You show me a Christian who is truly THANKFUL for what Christ did for him, you’ll show me a Christian who doesn’t need a reminder to keep giving faithfully to the church, because he’ll already be doing it out of gratitude to God!

That’s why a few verses up from this you’ll read in v. 11 - “While you are enriched in everything for all LIBERALITY — (God entrusts a certain level of riches to you so that you will hopefully learn to GIVE BACK in all liberality) — and then it goes on to say “which causes THANKSGIVING through us to God!”

You show me a Christian who only gives half a percent, or one or two percent to God, literally not sacrificing much of anything through his giving, and I suspect you are going to be showing me a Christian who isn’t truly very THANKFUL for what God has done!

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Speaking of giving …

1 Chr. 29:13

1 Chronicles 29:13 NKJV

“Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.

Those are the words of David near the very close of his life!

He was making preparations for Solomon to end up building the temple, so they were collection offerings from the people in order to build it.

And David offers a beautiful prayer as they did so.

He says, “Now therefore, our God, We THANK YOU and praise your glorious name!”

Again, there is ALWAYS a connection between God-honoring sacrificial giving, and thankfulness!

Let’s examine that by reading David’s prayer!

(Read 1 Chr. 29:10-20). (Please follow along in 1 Chr. 29:10-20 in your Bible).

Oh, if only our elected leaders spoke like that today!!

(By the way, you can read the surrounding texts to see just what all the people brought in these offerings — It was a lot! A TON!)

Well, let’s look at one more passage for this first part this morning …

1 Tim. 4:4-5

1 Timothy 4:4–5 NKJV

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

In context, this is talking about how certain false teachers were going to come along and were going to deceive Christians into thinking they were not allowed to eat certain things, and forbidding to marry.

(I fully believe it is a reference to Catholicism that was forthcoming, or perhaps the Judaizing false teachers).

But notice this last part - “Nothing is to be refused IF IT IS RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer!”

I imagine we have all done it — I know I have — Where we take that big plate of food which God has so abundantly provided for us and, instead of acknowledging that and giving God thanks for it first, we immediately start chomping down!

You know, there was a time in our nation’s history in which that was unheard of by many — It was just a given that before a family sat down for a meal together that they were going to pray “the blessing,” as we call it — Or “say grace.”

When is the last time you were out at a restaurant and saw another family beside you bow their heads in prayer before they ate? (It happens sometimes, but not nearly as much as it used to!)

You kind of stick out like a sore thumb if you do it nowadays!

(By the way, evangelism tip - “Waiter/waitress, we are about to have a prayer before our meal and were just wondering if there is anything you would like for us to pray with you about?”) (It can work!)

Well, anyways, I think we overlook this sometimes sadly, but is this not what this verse is talking about, essentially? (Praying before we partake in the blessing of a meal that the Lord has provided us?)

So think about that when you’re about to eat that big holiday meal later this week (and think about it and act on it before EVERY meal I would say!)

Conclusion:

We have looked at just a smidgen of what God’s Word has to say about the subject of thankfulness this morning!

Lord willing, tonight, we will look at it some more, and I hope you’ll be here!

Sometimes our Sunday night attendance drops off quite a bit — I hope maybe this will entice you to come back and hear the rest of this lesson!

We’re going to look at a lot of Psalms, and we’re also going to talk a bit more about UNTHANKFULNESS as well, so you don’t want to miss it!

(Give invitation — End of part 1)

(Start of Part 2)

Good evening.

We are continuing our two part sermon on Thankfulness tonight.

This morning, we looked at a lot of sections of Scripture, mostly from the New Testament, dealing with the subject of thankfulness.

Hopefully we impressed upon us all the fact that having an outlet to cast our anxieties upon (casting them upon the Lord) is directly connected to our thankfulness (again, Php. 4:6 and 1 Pet. 5:7).

We talked about how thankfulness is directly proportional to faithfulness in Christian giving (from 2 Cor. chapter 9).

And we looked at that great passage in 1 Chronicles chapter 29 where David expressed thankfulness to God as they were bringing offerings for the temple that his son Solomon would build shortly thereafter.

We looked at several other verses dealing with thankfulness as well, but tonight, most of the verses we are going to look at come from the Psalms, actually.

So let’s begin.

Psalm 7:17

Psalm 7:17 ESV

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

We’ve talked about thankfulness tied to casting our cares and anxieties upon the Lord.

We’ve talked about thankfulness tied to our giving.

And now we get to talk about thankfulness tied to singing.

Worship!

David the sweet Psalmist of Israel says - “I will give to the Lord the THANKS … … … DUE!!!

“The thanks DUE … to His righteousness! And I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High!”

Listen to the following questions I came across recently — These are good questions:

“Who is God?” (He’s holy, righteous and just)

“Who is Man?” (Not holy, righteous, or just by comparison)

“What should God do with us?” (In other words, what do we DESERVE? Punishment/Hell)

But “What has God done for us?” (Sent His Son Jesus to die in our place)

“What must man do to be saved?” (Repent, and be converted — Believe and obey the Gospel!)

Now … Upon reflecting on all of that, can you truly say, “I will give to the Lord the THANKS that He is DUE because of His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High?!”

David could! And so should we!

Next verse:

Psalm 9:1-2

Psalm 9:1–2 ESV

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Very similar to what we just read.

So let’s move on to the next one.

Psalm 30:12

Psalm 30:12 NKJV

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Again, same concept!

Next verse!

Psalm 69:30

Psalm 69:30 NKJV

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

We’re seeing this over and over again, aren’t we?

In fact, this is one of the major themes in the Psalms — Praising God with thankfulness!

How much time do you spend in the Psalms?

Not enough? (Maybe you need to spend some more time in them!)

The Psalms in particular are incredibly useful for us to teach us how to praise God in worshipful song!

Psalm 95:2

Psalm 95:2 NKJV

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us … Cross our arms, scowl and just sit there during the singing?!”

“Bring my voice to an almost inaudible whisper, and maybe if I move my lips enough people around me will THINK that I’m singing?!”

No!

“Let us SHOUT JOYFULLY to Him with Psalms!”

In other words, sing out, we would say!

Why? Because we are THANKFUL for what Jesus did for us!

Psalm 100:4

Psalm 100:4 NKJV

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 105:1

Psalm 105:1 NKJV

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Psalm 106:1

Psalm 106:1 NKJV

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Psalm 107:1 NKJV

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

There seems to be a recurring theme, here, isn’t there?!

(Definitely)

Psalm 118:28

Psalm 118:28 ESV

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.

Let’s actually back up and look at this Psalm in its entirety.

We’ll try to go fairly quickly because there are some other verses I want to get to as we wrap up tonight.

(Read Psalm 118:1-29 in Bible). (Please follow along in Psalm 118 in your Bible).

Well, I want to look at a couple of verses that deal with the subject of UNTHANKFULNESS as we wrap up tonight.

Unthankfulness

We mentioned this a little this morning — I think we are living in a deeply ungrateful (for the most part) society.

A couple of quick verses, and then a longer section for us as we finish!

These first two are within some lists in Scripture of people who will not be found in heaven:

Rom. 1:21

Romans 1:21 NKJV

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

2 Tim. 3:1-2

2 Timothy 3:1–2 NKJV

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Alright, last section — I think I’ve preached this section before, so will just read through it with a little bit of comment.

(Read Luke 17:11-19). (Please follow along in your Bible in Luke 17:11-19).

Conclusion:

Only One out of Ten came back and thanked Jesus for curing them from one of the most terrible diseases ever known to man - Leprosy!

How many out of Ten come back and thank Jesus for His sacrifice to set us free from the ultimate disease — Sin!

Are you the ONE who will come back and tell Jesus — “Thank you!” ?

Ungratefulness is a sin!

Ungratefulness is rampant in much of our complacent, spoiled society today!

But a truly faithful Christian will be the most grateful person in the room, because he knows what Jesus has done for him!

What about you?!

(Give Invitation).