Our Focus and reasons for Thankfulness
Notes
Transcript
Psalm 107:1 “1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1 “1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”
Scripture Reading........Psalm 107:1-22 “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”
Scripture Reading........Psalm 107:1-22 “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”
INTRODUCTION: Few students of the Scripture would attempt to deny that King David of Israel said more about giving thanks to God than any other writer of the Bible. David seems to “ransack” every area of life in search of a new reason for giving thanks to God.
INTRODUCTION: Few students of the Scripture would attempt to deny that King David of Israel said more about giving thanks to God than any other writer of the Bible. David seems to “ransack” every area of life in search of a new reason for giving thanks to God.
In this text, David gives his favorite reason for gratitude toward God: “for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever”; that is, God is just in all of His dealing with mankind, and His mercy never ceases to precede His judgment.
In this text, David gives his favorite reason for gratitude toward God: “for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever”; that is, God is just in all of His dealing with mankind, and His mercy never ceases to precede His judgment.
AT THIS SEASON WE MAKE MUCH OF OUR PILGRIM FOREFATHERS.
AT THIS SEASON WE MAKE MUCH OF OUR PILGRIM FOREFATHERS.
Let us be reminded that God’s people are “pilgrims.”
Let us be reminded that God’s people are “pilgrims.”
1. Abraham “looked for a city,”
1. Abraham “looked for a city,”
Hebrews 11:10 “10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”
Hebrews 11:10 “10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.”
2. Many professed to be “strangers,”
2. Many professed to be “strangers,”
Hebrews 11:11–13 “11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. 13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.”
Hebrews 11:11–13 “11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. 13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.”
3. Jesus was the divine pilgrim from heaven,
3. Jesus was the divine pilgrim from heaven,
Matthew 8:20–21 “20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
Matthew 8:20–21 “20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
4. What will you Christians be seeking this New Year?
4. What will you Christians be seeking this New Year?
2 Corinthians 5:1–2 “1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.”
2 Corinthians 5:1–2 “1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.”
5. As Paul nears the end of his pilgrimage, he begins to view heaven—the land of the free, and the home of the brave in Christ!
5. As Paul nears the end of his pilgrimage, he begins to view heaven—the land of the free, and the home of the brave in Christ!
2 Timothy 4:6–8 “6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6–8 “6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
SOME THINGS WHICH MAKE GIVING GOD THANKS A MOCKERY:
SOME THINGS WHICH MAKE GIVING GOD THANKS A MOCKERY:
1. Giving Thanks without living a Thankful life.
1. Giving Thanks without living a Thankful life.
In Luke we read: Luke 18:11 “11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!”
In Luke we read: Luke 18:11 “11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!”
2. Giving thanks without praying our vows,
2. Giving thanks without praying our vows,
Psalm 50:14–15 “14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
Psalm 50:14–15 “14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”
3. Attempting to “be so thankful” or giving our thanks only on Thanksgiving Day—“Are you in constant mind and heart of being thankful to God? Thank God always,” .
3. Attempting to “be so thankful” or giving our thanks only on Thanksgiving Day—“Are you in constant mind and heart of being thankful to God? Thank God always,” .
SOME THINGS FOR WHICH WE SHALL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL:
SOME THINGS FOR WHICH WE SHALL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL:
1. “Thanks … for his unspeakable gift always of Jesus,”
1. “Thanks … for his unspeakable gift always of Jesus,”
2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 “13 As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 “13 As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. We should be giving Thanks for our eternal “inheritance, Heaven”
2. We should be giving Thanks for our eternal “inheritance, Heaven”
Colossians 1:11–1 “11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.”
Colossians 1:11–1 “11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.”
3. As we read scripture, are we thankful for the victory over death,
3. As we read scripture, are we thankful for the victory over death,
1 Corinthians 15:55–56 “55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.”
1 Corinthians 15:55–56 “55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.”
The true thanksgiving spirit, the Spirit of being thankful each and every day must be in our hearts: “
The true thanksgiving spirit, the Spirit of being thankful each and every day must be in our hearts: “
Psalm 116:12–13 “12 What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.”
Psalm 116:12–13 “12 What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.”
So as we enter this new year, 2024...........If you must change your mindset and your hard hearts then do so today. Go to God and ask for a heart to be thankful for His gifts of love, healing, families, homes, well, you get it......
So as we enter this new year, 2024...........If you must change your mindset and your hard hearts then do so today. Go to God and ask for a heart to be thankful for His gifts of love, healing, families, homes, well, you get it......
AMEN
Lets now all stand and turn to page 220 in our Hymnals and sing “Angels From the Realms of Glory.”
Lets now all stand and turn to page 220 in our Hymnals and sing “Angels From the Realms of Glory.”
J. Dean Cameron, Sermon Outlines for Special Occasions, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976), 41.