Give Thanks and then Give

1. Give Thanks for WHO God Is

1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:

For his mercy endureth for ever.

The mistake of only thanking God for His works

a. Limited by the good times

Limited by the good times

b. Limited by our definition of good

Limited by our definition of good

b. The mistake of only thanking God for what we see

The mistake of only thanking God for what we see

The mistake of only thanking God for what we see

a. Limited by our definition of good

Limited by our definition of good

b. Limited by our understanding

Limited by our understanding

c. Limited by our knowledge

Limited by our knowledge

c. The joy of praising God for WHO He is

The joy of praising God for WHO He is

The joy of praising God for WHO He is

a. Consistent praise

Consistent praise

b. Constant praise

Constant praise

c. Selfless praise

Selfless praise

i. Truly God-centered worship

Truly God-centered worship

ii. Not distracted by anyone or anything

Not distracted by anyone or anything

God Is

d. God Is

God Is

i. God is – ; AM

God is – ; AM

ii. Love –

Love –

But confident in self-despair;

Speak to my heart, in blessings speak,

Be conquered by my instant prayer;

Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move,

And tell me if Thy name is Love.

’Tis Love! ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me!

I hear Thy whisper in my heart;

The morning breaks, the shadows flee,

Pure, universal love Thou art;

To me, to all Thy bowels move;

Holy –

Thy nature and Thy name is Love.

I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art.

Jesus, the feeble sinner’s friend;

Nor wilt Thou with the night depart.

But stay and love me to the end,

Thy mercies never shall remove;

Thy nature and Thy name is Love.

Holy –

iv. Light –

Light –

v. Faithful –

Faithful –

e. God’s mercy

God’s mercy

i.

ii. How is God’s mercy seen? Look at the rest of

How is God’s mercy seen? Look at the rest of

1. 7-12 - Unbelief

7-12 - Unbelief

2. 13-15 - Discontent/Unthankful

13-15 - Discontent/Unthankful

3. 16-18 - Jealousy/Rebellion

16-18 - Jealousy/Rebellion

4. 19-23 - Idolatry

19-23 - Idolatry

5. 24-27 - Drawing Back/Backsliding

24-27 - Drawing Back/Backsliding

6. 28-31 - Apostasy

28-31 - Apostasy

7. 32-33 - Anger in actions and words

32-33 - Anger in actions and words

8. 34-39 - Paganization/Compromise

34-39 - Paganization/Compromise

2. Give Thanks for What God Has Done

2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can shew forth all his praise?

Who can shew forth all his praise?

God’s Mighty Acts Revealed

a.God’s Mighty Acts Revealed

Creation

a. Creation

The Flood

b. The Flood

Salvation - He who is mighty! – (verse 4)

c. Salvation - He who is mighty! – (verse 4)

His promises (verse 5)

d. His promises (verse 5)

God’s Mighty Acts Unseen

b. God’s Mighty Acts Unseen

More than can be told –

a. More than can be told –

The things we take for granted

b. The things we take for granted

3

3. Give Thanks for Each Other

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.

And he that doeth righteousness at all times.

Thankfulness leads to obedience

i. Those who praise in verses 1 and 2 seem to be in mind in

Those who praise in verses 1 and 2 seem to be in mind in verse 3

verse 3

When we see God’s goodness we will want to obey Him

ii. When we see God’s goodness we will want to obey Him

Give thanks for one another

b. Give thanks for one another

i. Seek out fellowship with one another

Seek out fellowship with one another

ii. When you’re busy being thankful for others

When you’re busy being thankful for others you’re less likely to tear them down

1. you’re less likely to tear them down

2. You’ll observe their burdens and get alongside

You’ll observe their burdens and get alongside them

them

Application:

What happens to the unthankful?

Self-Pity – Why me?

Bitterness – Why them?

Ingratitude – no perception of what they do have.

Selfishness – I have so little, I can’t spare anything

Become distant from God

Give Thanks

What happens to the thankful?

They become more thankful

Thankfulness leads to thankfulness

Thankfulness can be a habit

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” – William Blake

“The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” – William Blake

Their faith grows stronger

They recognise God working and it excites them

They remember because they give thanks and so they look forward to the future

look forward to the future

They anticipate more because they’ve seen God work already

already

They become more joyful

When you feel blessed you will know joy

When you focus on the blessings you’ll suppress the discouragements.

discouragements.

Thankfulness leads to generosity

The people who think themselves wealthy will find many worse off around them.

many worse off around them.

If you feel wealthy and can see others going without and feel no compulsion to help them, then there is a cold heart that needs revival.

without and feel no compulsion to help them,

then there is a cold heart that needs revival.

They edify others

They see the good in others

They tell others of the good they see

They grow closer to God

They see more of God’s goodness

They see more of God’s works

They want to know God better