Always Thankful

Introduction

Upon the pilgrim’s arrival at Plymouth in 1620, a storehouse had to be erected, and dwellings had to be built. As the winter advanced and the weather became more severe. They were exposed to chilling rains, snow and winds. Hunger, fatigue and cold soon took a heavy toll and by spring half of the brave little band of settlers were dead. Almost daily the burial ground was inhabited by a new body.

But they were staunch people. When the Mayflower returned to England that Spring not a single Pilgrim went back on it. They had come to America to establish homes where they could be free and where they could worship God as they pleased, and they intended to stay and fight it out and conquer the trials before them.

In the face of countless sore trials and temptations, the Lord was with them. After the harvest in the fall of 1621 there was a time of great thanksgiving to God for His grace mercy, help, and guidance. Bradford, in speaking of their blessing, says: “for which mercy they also set apart a day of thanksgiving.” This was the first Thanksgiving Day celebration in America. - God in American History

In spite of the difficult conditions, and the devastating loss of life, the pilgrims gave thanks, and praised the Lord.

They came as His servants, to do His will, and they were able to see the Lord at work, rather than the obstacles before them. For this, they were thankful!

It is easy to focus on the obstacles that lay in front of us, rather than the God who goes before us. The Lord is far bigger than anything that satan can throw in your path.

For this reason, we should be thanking God, rather than making excuses in a state of self-pity. (i.e. Pastor Larry)

Thanksgiving is a must for a Christian:

God Desires Thanksgiving, It is His will

1 Thessalonians 5:18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

If giving thanks were not desired by God, it wouldn’t be His will.

Why shouldn’t He desire thanks? He is always working on our behalf.

Our God is not some impersonal force. He is highly involved in our lives.

Jesus sits at the right hand of the father, constantly making intercession for us.

Hebrews 7:25

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

He is always at work, and He wants us, He wants our love and devotion. One big way in which that is manifested in our lives, is by giving thanks to Him.

God Demands Thanksgiving, It is not a request

1 Chronicles 16:8-10

1 Chronicles 16:8-10 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!”

Notice that the Lord is not asking us to give thanks, He is telling us, and when God has spoken, that is all that needs to be said.

At this point, the discussion is over, God’s Word is final!

God desires thanksgiving and praise, and what God wants, God gets!

Psalm 66:4

Psalm 66:4 “All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah”

Luke 19:39-40

Luke 19:39-40 “And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.””

The giving of thanks will happen, God will be praised!

It is always best if we willingly get on board with His plan.

God Deserves Thanksgiving, He is worthy

Psalm 18:3

Psalm 18:3 “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.”

Psalm 106:1

Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

If you are a born again believer, then you are proof that God deserves thanksgiving.

Your salvation was an impossible task, but with God all things are possible. Without God, we are hopeless.

The heart is desperately wicked

All have sinned and fall short Of the glory of God. In fact, there is none righteous, not even one! And the wages of sin is death (Meaning hell).

But…

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He did all the work.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

It’s as simple as this:

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

He did what you could never have done. He had no obligation to do it. We don’t deserve it, and He doesn’t owe us anything.

Our God is a God of salvation:

He saved Noah’s family of eight from the flood

He saved Lott from Sodom and Gomorrah

He saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace.

He saved Daniel from the Lion’s Den

He saved Mordecai from the gallows

He saved the Israelites from slavery

He has saved countless souls from Hell

For that reason alone, God deserves our thanksgiving. And because He deserves it, is perhaps the best reason of all to give it.

In fact, Giving thanks is totally appropriate for a just and Holy God.

When we conduct ourselves otherwise, it is neither appropriate or becoming of someone who claims to be His child.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving:

God Desires it

God Demands it

God Deserves it

Therefore, it is not optional!

Being thankful is a deliberate act. Its not based on whether or not you feel thankful.

being thankful is a deliberate act.

Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Every day, in every circumstance, you will make a choice. You will choose to be thankful, or you will choose to be bitter.

What will you choose today?

How about tomorrow?

Or Thanksgiving Day?

What will you choose when times get tough?

What will you choose every single day, regardless of your circumstances?

The only correct answer is to choose to honor your Lord by choosing to be thankful.