Thanksgiving
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ILLUST: See people cheering, “worshiping” someone” and you have no idea who it is?
What questions do you ask?
1 - Who is it?
2 - Why are you celebrating this person
1978 - H.S. champions - parade
Who is this?
Why the parade?
Psalm 100 - theme is one of God’s greatness, His goodness, and because of these all the world should worship Him
All the world should be thankful
First Question - Who is this?
Second Question - Why worship, praise, thank Him?
FIRST ANSWER - The LORD - Yahweh, the great I AM
SECOND ANSWER - Because of what He’s done!
What’s that, you say? Let’s see...
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
“Shout triumphantly” - everyone
Let your voice be heard - EVERYONE
The praise and thanks goes to the LORD< Yahweh, specifically
Not some generic god or whoever or whatever you feel like worshiping
Worship and praise belongs to the LORD
SO SHOUT IT! Sense of triumph!
Image here is one of a conquering king entering the city, taking His throne
Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.
Public worship is in mind here, this is not some secret activity
We can approach the Creator of the universe with our praise, our singing
Serving the LORD is not dreary, boring, or mechanical
With gladness - wholeheartedly
Those who have experienced His grace can (and should) worship Him, gladly
Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
WHY PRAISE HIM - Again, good question
He made us, we are His, we belong to Him
He is the Shepherd, we are sheep
We are indeed His people
God’s intent is for the whole world to be part of the sheepfold, to hear his voice and follow Him
His mission has ALWAYS been inclusive of the whole world
Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
WE UNDERSTAND WHO HE IS, HOW WE ARE TO RELATE TO HIM, THAT WE BELONG TO HIM
So…a Call to Praise
The whole world, the entire earth, is invited to enter His gates, the gates of the LORD
AND…When you enter, you enter with
Thanksgiving
Praise
regardless of
world’s condition
current trials
things going well (so that you do not forget Him)
Enter with thanksgiving and praise - because you CAN
Enter with thanksgiving and praise - because He is GOD, He loves you, and when you understand that, thanks and praise will flow from you
How do we bless His name?
Speak well of God
As you bow down in worship to Him (this is picture of your ongoing surrender to Him, which people see and know, and hear.
Great image here:
People of the whole earth come with thanks
presenting a thanks offering
and bowing down in worship
What is your thanks offering?
He would love surrender, and thanks, and praise - they all work together seamlessly
For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.
WE PRAISE THE LORD BECAUSE HE IS GOOD!
his grace is not because He was in a good mood one day
His grace and mercy are because He is good!
His very nature is goodness
His mercy flows from His goodness
This grace and mercy are everlasting, eternal, forever, always present
SO…people everywhere ALWAYS have reason to praise Him
This goodness will NEVER end, “to all generations”
Nations respond to His call to worship Him, and they enter into this worship, joyfully, in relationship with Him
PSALM 100 - Overall
There is only YAHWEH who is worthy of worship
He made all people, He cares for you as a Shepherd, He is good, and that goodness is extended to you, always.
THE EXPECTED, COMMANDED RESPONSE
Love Him, Serve Him
Serve others, but from the perspective that your service and allegiance is to the LORD
Others will benefit from your allegiance to the LORD
Commit to the KING - Bless His name
And always, ALWAYS, thank Him for His goodness
Take time to recognize His goodness
Speak your thanks to Him and tell others
Shout it, joyfully!