Part 7: Thanksgiving opens the gate

Introduction:

Timmy and Sarah Learn to Be Thankful

It was a chilly autumn morning, and Timmy and Sarah were walking to school, both grumbling as they trudged through piles of fallen leaves.

“I hate this cold,” Timmy muttered, pulling his scarf tighter. “And we have math first thing today—ugh.”

Sarah nodded, kicking at the leaves. “Yeah, and lunch is probably going to be the same old sandwiches again. Why can’t Mom pack something fun?”

The two kept complaining as they walked, until they reached the schoolyard and saw their friend, James. James waved, but something was different. His usually bright smile wasn’t there, and he was walking slower than usual.

“Hey, James, what’s up?” Sarah asked.

James looked down at the ground. “My mom lost her job yesterday. I’m not sure what’s going to happen now.”

Timmy and Sarah stopped in their tracks. Their complaints about cold weather and boring lunches suddenly seemed small.

“That’s really hard, James,” Timmy said quietly. “We’re sorry. How are you holding up?”

James shrugged. “I’m sad, but my mom says we have to stay thankful for what we do have. We still have each other, and we know God’s going to take care of us. She says it helps to say thanks for the little things, like a roof over our heads or even the fact that we have lunch to eat every day.”

Sarah and Timmy exchanged a glance. They realized they hadn’t been thankful at all that morning, even though there were plenty of things to be grateful for.

After school, Timmy and Sarah talked on the walk home.

“I never thought about how lucky we are,” Sarah said. “Even the boring things like sandwiches or school are actually things we should be thankful for.”

“Yeah,” Timmy agreed. “And being thankful makes everything feel different. I bet if we start thanking God for stuff, we’ll complain less too.”

The next morning, Timmy and Sarah made a pact to start their day by thanking God for five things. It didn’t take long before they realized how much good surrounded them—even in the smallest things. And as they thanked God more, they found that the cold didn’t seem so bad, and their lunches tasted just a little bit better.

Being thankful leads to many advantages

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Here’s 7 things being thanksful does for us~

1. Deepens Our Relationship with God

Gratitude draws us closer to God by helping us recognize His blessings in our lives.

When we focus on what He’s done for us, we naturally become more aware of His presence and goodness, deepening our connection with Him.

Gratitude is an entryway into God's presence, allowing us to experience more of His love, peace, and joy.

2. Improves Our Mental and Emotional Health

Being thankful shifts our focus from negative situations to positive ones.

It encourages us to dwell on what we have, rather than what we lack, which can help reduce anxiety, stress, and depression.

As Pastor Trevor Shared last week studies show that gratitude increases happiness and overall life satisfaction.

When we focus on blessings, it releases "feel-good" hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

3. Strengthens Relationships

Gratitude fosters stronger connections with others.

When we express thankfulness to those around us, it improves communication, trust, and mutual respect.

It helps others feel valued, which in turn strengthens relationships.

Thankfulness reduces conflict, as it encourages a mindset of appreciation rather than entitlement or resentment.

4. Increases Contentment and Joy

Thankfulness leads to contentment by shifting our focus to what we have rather than what we desire.

This helps us appreciate the present moment and reduces the constant desire for more.

Joy flows from a thankful heart.

When we thank God for His blessings, even in difficult times, we find deeper satisfaction and joy in life.

5. Boosts Physical Health

Studies have shown that grateful people tend to experience better physical health.

Thankfulness can lead to lower blood pressure, better immune function, and healthier habits, such as regular exercise and improved sleep.

6. Encourages a Positive Perspective on Life

A thankful attitude shifts our perspective toward positivity.

It helps us see God's hand at work even in tough situations, building faith and resilience.

Gratitude reminds us of God's faithfulness in the past, which gives us hope for the future.

7. Attracts More Blessings

Gratitude often opens the door for more blessings.

Luke 6:38 NASB95

38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

As we practice gratitude, we may find that we notice more of God's blessings and favor in our lives.

Being thankful benefits us greatly in every area of our lives

But the area I want to focus our attention on today is the 1st benefit I mentioned

Deepens Our Relationship with God

Thanksgiving is more than a time for gratitude; it is an entryway into the very presence of God.

Psalm 100 NASB95

A Psalm for Thanksgiving. 1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 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. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

psalm 100 is labelled a "Psalm of Thanksgiving,"

and it paints a beautiful picture of how we can approach God's presence with a heart full of thanks.

The psalmist invites us to

(Psalm 100:4) "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise"

But what does this mean?

How do we, like those in the days of King David, enter into the Holy of Holies, where God's Shekinah glory—the visible manifestation of His presence—dwelt?

Theme

Today, let us explore this psalm in the context of entering the presence of God, the process of worship, and how thanksgiving plays a central role in encountering His glory.

1. Understanding the Tabernacle and the Process of Entering God’s Presence

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In the time of David, the tabernacle was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.

The design of the tabernacle was intentional, with a clear process of how one could approach the Holy of Holies—the place where God's Shekinah glory rested.

Exodus 25:40 NASB95

40 “See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.

Exodus 25:32–35 NASB95

32 “Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side. 33 “Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower—so for six branches going out from the lampstand; 34 and in the lampstand four cups shaped like almond blossoms, its bulbs and its flowers. 35 “A bulb shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand.

‌Hebrews 8:5

Hebrews 8:5 NASB95

5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”

The earthly tabernacle served as a prototype of heaven

So even though the earthly tabernacle is no longer with us, what it represented Is still available for us today

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Three Stages of the Tabernacle:

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Outer Court:

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This was the first place where the people would gather.

It was open to everyone and symbolized a place of initial approach.

Here, the priests would offer sacrifices for sin on the bronze altar, and there was a washing at the bronze basin.

This represents the need for cleansing and the acknowledgment of our sin as we approach God.

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Inner Court (Holy Place):

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After passing through the outer court, the priests would enter the Holy Place.

Here,

they tended to the golden lampstand (symbolizing the light of God’s Word),

the table of showbread (representing communion with God),

and the altar of incense (representing prayers ascending to heaven).

Only the priests could enter this space, emphasizing that a deeper communion with God requires consecration and devotion.

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Holy of Holies:

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Behind the veil lay the Holy of Holies,

the innermost sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.

This was where God's Shekinah glory dwelt.

Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement,

and only after meticulous cleansing and sacrifice.

This was the most intimate place of God’s presence—His glory was manifest in this place.

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Psalm 100 and Entering the Gates with Thanksgiving

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Psalm 100

gives us a roadmap for how we can approach God.

It mirrors the process of entering the tabernacle.

Psalm 100:1 NASB95

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship begins with joy!

The psalmist calls for all the earth to shout joyfully to God.

This is an invitation for everyone, no matter their background or situation, to come before the Lord with exuberant praise.

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Psalm 100:2 NASB95

2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

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The next step is worship, specifically worship through service and song

In the outer court of the tabernacle, the people would bring sacrifices as acts of worship.

Likewise, we come before God with gladness, serving Him through our praise, acknowledging Him as our Lord.

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Psalm 100:3 NASB95

3 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.

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This verse emphasizes understanding our relationship with God.

As we move deeper into His courts, we recognize that we are His creation, His people.

The sheep in David’s time would enter the sheepfold through a gate,

just as we enter God's presence through the "gates" of thanksgiving.

Acknowledging Him as Creator and Shepherd positions our hearts in humility and surrender.

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Psalm 100:4 NASB95

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

The gates mentioned here correspond to the outer court of the tabernacle.

Thanksgiving is the key to entering into God’s presence.

Before we experience His Shekinah glory, we must approach Him with a heart full of gratitude.

This isn’t simply saying "thank you" but expressing a deep sense of acknowledgment for all He has done,

even in difficult seasons.

Praise then leads us further into His courts,

where we experience more of His presence,

like the priests tending the lamps and offering incense.

As we give thanks and praise, our hearts are prepared for a deeper encounter with God.

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Psalm 100:5 NASB95

5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

Finally, we come to the Holy of Holies.

This verse speaks of the enduring nature of God's love and faithfulness.

When we approach God with thanksgiving, we are reminded that His goodness transcends time and circumstances.

It is here, in the presence of His glory, that we encounter the fullness of His faithfulness and love.

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The Shekinah Glory and Thanksgiving

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The Shekinah glory, the manifest presence of God, rested in the Holy of Holies.

Today, we no longer need to go through the physical structure of the tabernacle to experience this.

Through Christ, the veil has been torn, giving us direct access to God’s presence

Hebrews 10:19–20 NASB95

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,

But the process of thanksgiving and praise is still the entryway.

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Before we can experience God’s manifest glory in our lives,

we must cultivate a heart of thanksgiving.

We must start by entering the gates

approaching Him with humility, gratitude, and reverence.

This prepares our hearts for deeper communion and intimacy.

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Conclusion:

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As we gather for Thanksgiving, let’s remember that it’s more than a holiday; it’s a spiritual discipline.

Thanksgiving is the doorway into God’s presence.

Like the High priest who entered the Holy of Holies, we too can experience His Shekinah glory,

but first, we must enter His gates with thanksgiving.

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Let this Thanksgiving be a reminder to approach God with a heart of gratitude,

knowing that as we do, we are ushered into His courts of praise and ultimately into His glorious presence.

May our worship this season be a reflection of the joy and love that comes from being in His presence.

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Call to Action:

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As we go into a time of worship and thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to reflect on the goodness of God.

What are the "gates" you need to enter with thanksgiving today?

What areas of your life can you surrender in praise, trusting that as you do, you will encounter His Shekinah glory?

On the practical side. Let’s follow Timmy and Sarah lesson

and every day begin with thanking God for 5 things

Let’s try it right now

Soaking Music

Close in prayer