Community Thanksgiving

What are we thankful for?

Why are we really thankful for it?

Do you ever remember in school around this time you were also asked, “what are you thankful for?”

Let’s do that now

Turn to the person on your left and tell them 1 thing you are thankful for

Turn to the person on your right and tell them 1 thing you are thankful for

Someone give me something someone told you

Take a few responses.

Growing up the answer I never gave was the “Sunday School” answer… I never said “Jesus” but now as I have grown older I realize that is the first answer and the only answer.

Our text tonight comes from

Luke 22:14–23 ESV

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

—> In taking Communion or the Lord’s Supper in the United Methodist Church we have a liturgy that comes from our Book of Worship. Part of that liturgy is known as “The Great Thanksgiving” it is that portion that we acknowledge and give thanks to God the Father for the gift of the Son, we give thanks to Jesus Christ for His sacrifice and death on the cross, and we praise the fact that Jesus conquered the grave and rose again on the 3rd day to give us a new life, a new hope, and a new sense of love, acceptance, and joy.

—> This meal that Christ ate with his disciples some 2,000 years ago may have been the last supper but it was the first Thanksgiving meal.

—>It was a meal that we as Christians now enjoy together. No matter if you enjoy Communion or the Lord’s Supper annually, seasonally, monthly, weekly, or daily. Every time we enjoy the Supper we remember the gift that we have been freely given.

So let me ask my first question again… What are we/you really thankful for this Thanksgiving?

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Now I want to ask a follow up question…WHY are you thankful for Jesus? Why does this meal, His life, His death, and His resurrection matter?

Are we thankful for our “get out of hell free card?”

—> When I really start to think about this I have to step back and take inventory of my life. Why am I thankful for Jesus? why is that the first thing, the first name that comes to mind?

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

—> Our world today needs to know our “why” just as much as the world Peter was living in 2000 years ago.

—> Why am I thankful?

—> I’m thankful for hope. I’m able to not simply give answers but to give hope when I talk about Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

—>

—> I’m thankful for mercy. I’m able to show mercy to others because I have not recieved what I deserve.

—> I’m thankful for grace. Grace that is showered on me day after day, time after time. Grace that wasn’t cheap, but is free to those that cry out for it.

—> I’m thankful for love. Love that I don’t deserve, can’t earn, won’t ever merit, but that I can share because it has been given to me.

Why are you thankful for Jesus tonight?

I would guess you will get to answer that question at some point this week.

I would guess you will get the opportunity to give someone some hope this week, to pass on some love to someone who desperately needs it. Will you take that opportunity?

Maybe tonight its you that needs some hope, its you that needs to know you are loved.

I’m here to tell you that you are loved, you are treasured, and that you matter.

I know this because God told the same thing to me that the Apostle Paul wrote so long ago.

Philippians 3:12 ESV

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:12–16 ESV

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

philippians 3:

Phillipians 3:

1 Timothy 1:15–16 ESV

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

1 tim

As we go into this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season don’t leave here tonight without the heart knowledge of knowing you are loved by a God that is greater than your doubts, fears, and sins.