Thanksgiving

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 STUDY NOTES SUBJECT: THANKSGIVING BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES INTRODUCTION Thanksgiving Day is a legal holiday in the United States in commemoration of and deriving from the harvest feast of the Pilgrims in 1621 The Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their survival and their crops There are three Greek words in the New Testament which refer to thankfulness They are translated into English: Thanks; Thankful; Thankfulness; Thanksgiving They refer to an attitude of thankfulness and express gratitude “Thanksgiving” is an expression of joy: Because of a person; Because of what someone has done Because of something that has happened People normally give thanks because of one of those reasons WHY BE THANKFUL For what God gives, Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 116 is a psalm of personal thanksgiving to the Lord, Psa 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? Psa 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. Because God will work all things for good, Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. OLD TESTAMENT THANKSGIVING Through the sacrificial system of Israel, the Old Testament believer was able to express thanks The fellowship or peace offering was a voluntary offering which symbolized fellowship with God and thanksgiving for blessings, Lev 7:12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. Lev 7:13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. Lev 7:15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning. Lev 22:29 And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will. Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psa 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Thanksgiving is a part of worship and praise in the Old Testament, Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psa 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psa 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 1 Psa 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: NEW TESTAMENT THANKSGIVING The New Testament almost always uses “thanksgiving words” in the act of giving thanks to God Thanksgiving is not a payment for what we have received No payment can be made to God for all His benefits A “true Thanksgiving” for a Christian is to give thanks: For who God is; For what God has done For what God has done in your life; For what God will do in your life Christians are to always, at all-times, give thanks to God through Christ for “all” things 1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. In the context of I Thessalonians 5:18 you find these verses: 1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore; 1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing; 1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit 1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings. 1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. We are to understand these verses this way, only in the spirit of “THANKSGIVING”: Will you rejoice; Will you pray with a faithful heart; Will you walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit; Will you give your undivided attention to the Word of God; Will you desire for your life the things that are good; Will you walk away from even the appearance of evil When we live in the “SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING”, Paul’s prayer for us will be answered, 1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (UNTO THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST) Live for Him today Paul’s prayer is a true prayer of thanksgiving, thank God, Jesus is coming one day If you are having a hard time being thankful for someone because of who they are; because of what they said; because of what they did; because of what happened to you because of them Turn to I Thessalonians 5:23 and read their name into it, pray that prayer just for them And the very God of peace sanctify you (their name) wholly; and I pray God your (their name) whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray it over and over; pray it day after day until you experience a “THANKFUL SPIRIT” Do you know that one person, what one person said, or what one person did? Can keep you from experiencing a great thanksgiving season Thank God for verse 24, “THANKSGIVING CAN BE OURS,” 1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Because God is faithful to His Word when we are faithful to His Word, Thanksgiving will be ours Thanksgiving will be theirs, what a “THANKSGIVING SEASON” this can be UNTHANKFUL PEOPLE Our world does not live in a thankful spirit because people are living in sin People are living ungodly lives and people are walking in wickedness It is foolish not to be thankful to God, Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Jesus cleansed 10 lepers but only one returned to give him thanks, Luk 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Luk 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: Luk 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 2 Luk 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. Luk 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, Luk 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. Luk 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Luk 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luk 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. In the last days people will be unthankful, 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. God’s kindness extends even to the unthankful, Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. THANKFUL PEOPLE Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. In Colossians 3:15-17 Paul gives us three top priorities Three things that are of utmost importance to our daily life: Verse 15--The peace of God Verse 16--The word of Christ Verse 17--Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus The truth of Thanksgiving is very strong in the context of these priorities: Verse 15--Be ye thankful; Verse 16--Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord Verse 17--Giving thanks to God GIVING THANKS Jesus gave thanks for physical food when He fed the 4,000, Mat 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. When He fed more than 5,000, Joh 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples, Luk 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. Paul gave thanks for a meal, Act 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. We are to be thankful for Christ, 2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. We are to be thankful for our blessings through Christ: FOR GRACE 1Co 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 3 2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. ANSWERED PRAYER 2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. FAITH Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Col 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, MINISTRY Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 2Co 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. LOVE 2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; Phm 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; Phm 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Phm 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. SPIRITUAL RICHES Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Col 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: Col 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Col 1:8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 4 Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: FREEDOM FROM SIN Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. VICTORY 1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be thankful for other Christians: FOR THEIR COMMITMENT 1Th 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 1Th 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 1Th 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; FOR THEIR BELIEF IN GOD’S WORD 1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. FOR GIVING BACK TO GOD 2Co 9:11 Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; FOR THOSE WHO WILL SACRIFICE FOR OTHERS Rom 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Rom 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Act 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. Act 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. Christians are commanded to be thankful Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 5 Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; Christians will be thankful to God when Jesus returns Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. Rev 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. CONCLUSION Christians are commanded to be thankful to God, we live in a world of unthankful people Every day between now and Thanksgiving Day read Psalms 100: When you first get up in the morning; When you sit down for lunch or an afternoon break; The last thing you do before you go to sleep at night Read Psalms 100 at least 3 times a day Then Thanksgiving Day will be a real “THANKSGIVING” Day It will not just be a Holiday, it will be a “HOLY-DAY” Psa 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psa 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Listen to the song 6 7