A Grateful Heart
Notes
Transcript
A Journey from the Old Testament to the New Testament
A Journey from the Old Testament to the New Testament
today as we embark on a journey through the pages of the Old and New Testaments to explore the profound concept of Thanksgiving.
Genesis
Genesis
the beginning of the Old Testament, unfolds a world created by the divine hand.
Yet, as we delve into the narrative, the language and concept of thanksgiving are notably absent.
Adam and Eve, the first recipients of God's grace, don't express gratitude for their existence. Genesis 2:7-25
Cain's offering seems thankless compared to Abel's. Genesis 4:3-5
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
The families of Isaac and Jacob contend / fight for blessings rather than giving thanks.
The turning point emerges in the form of the thank offering, a type of peace or fellowship offering in the Mosaic covenant. Leviticus 7:11–16 Psalms 107:21–22
“ ‘These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord:
“ ‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast. They are to bring one of each kind as an offering, a contribution to the Lord; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar. The meat of their fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; they must leave none of it till morning.
“ ‘If, however, their offering is the result of a vow or is a freewill offering, the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it, but anything left over may be eaten on the next day.
Despite Israel's history of grumbling, God established a way for them to express gratitude for deliverance and acts of love.
As we move through the Psalms, a shift occurs.
Thanksgiving becomes more prominent, with refrains like "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good" echoing through the verses. Psalm 106:1 Psalm 118:1 Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Even in cries for help and laments, gratitude finds its place, reminding us that in our struggles, there is always room for thanksgiving.
Psalm 7:17 (NIV)
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 35:18 (NIV)
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
Psalm 52:9 (NIV)
For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.
Chronicles and Nehemiah
Chronicles and Nehemiah
underscore the importance of thanksgiving in the context of temple worship.
David's psalms resonate with gratitude, and the appointment of Levites to thank God morning and evening demonstrates a commitment to cultivating a thankful spirit.
1 Chronicles 16:4 (NIV)
He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel:
1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV)
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.”
With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.”
They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening
Fast forward to the New Testament, and the landscape of thanksgiving expands.
The verb "eucharisteō" and the noun "eucharistia" appear around 55 times, emphasizing the significance of gratitude in the Christian life.
The Gospels showcase instances of thanksgiving, often linked to meals, with Jesus himself giving thanks on various occasions.
Matthew 15:36 (NIV)
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Paul
Paul
The Epistles, particularly the letters of Paul, expound on the idea that gratitude for God's deliverance in Christ defines the believer.
Gratitude is not merely a response to blessings but a pervasive attitude that shapes how we navigate both trials and triumphs.
In Colossians 3:17, we are reminded, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Paul's letters frequently begin with expressions of thanksgiving, illustrating the interconnectedness of gratitude and prayer. In Colossians 1:12, he writes, "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." Gratitude becomes a wellspring from which flows the themes of his letters, emphasizing the significance of being thankful in all circumstances.
and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
in his letters, becomes a herald of thanksgiving.
Gratitude becomes a motive for Christian conduct, a central component of prayer, and the context for the proper use of material things.
From expressions of thanks for answered prayers to gratitude for God's saving grace, Paul weaves a tapestry of thanksgiving throughout his teachings.
As believers, thanksgiving becomes foundational.
It marks our response to God's deliverance in Christ.
It distinguishes us in both trials and blessings.
We are called to be thankful for every provision, knowing that we have been bought at a price.
1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV)
you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
In the face of challenges, the apostle Paul encourages a spirit of gratitude, reminding us that even in suffering, we can find reasons to give thanks.
Romans 5:3–5 (NIV)
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Thanksgiving, he declares, should permeate our lives, guiding our actions, words, and prayers.
In the Book of Revelation,
In the Book of Revelation,
the redeemed give thanks for the fundamentals of God's reign, a reign that signifies the ultimate overthrow of evil, paving the way for a new heavens and a new earth.
Revelation 4:9–11
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
As we reflect on this journey through the Scriptures, I want to leave you with a call to action.
In a world often marred by ingratitude and discontent, let us be agents of thanksgiving.
Let our lives be a testament to the transformative power of gratitude.
Call to Action:
Call to Action:
In conclusion, my friends, may we carry the spirit of thanksgiving with us beyond these moments.
Let us be known for our grateful hearts, acknowledging God's goodness in all circumstances.
As we celebrate this Thanksgiving season and every day thereafter, let our actions, prayers, and words be infused with gratitude.
Let us cultivate a culture of thanksgiving in our families, communities, and workplaces.
Challenge yourself to find reasons to be thankful, even in the midst of challenges.
As the psalmist says, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good." Embrace a life of gratitude, and watch as it transforms not only your perspective but also the world around you.
May your hearts be filled with thanksgiving, and may your lives be a living testimony to the goodness of our God.
Thank you, and may God bless you abundantly.