Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Do you have a attitude of giving Thanks?

This week we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving.

In the past several decades it has become a day of turkey with all the trimmings, the Macy’s parade, football, take an afternoon nap, and prepare for Black Friday shopping the next day.

Yet, it is a day where we should be counting our blessings.

This day has roots going back to the founding of our nation.

On October 3, 1789 George Washington made the first Thanksgiving proclamation.

He wrote:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Yet, the act of Giving Thanks to God goes way back into the Old Testament.

Let us look at a few examples as we ask the question of ourselves: do I/we have an attitude of giving thanks?

Thanksgiving Offering (Physical Act of Giving Thanks)

In the Pentateuch on of the sacrifices God tells Moses/Aaron about is the Thanksgiving/Peace/Fellowship offering.

While we do not go to the temple or the Tent of Meeting.

What are ways we in the next year (as individuals and as church) have physical acts of thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Words / Songs

Nehemiah 12:8 “Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah who led the thanksgiving psalms, he and his brethren.”

These Psalm were written and then they were proclaimed by the people of God when the temple and wall were rebuilt in Jerusalem.

What are ways you praise the LORD?

How often do we give thanks for what He has done?

Not Just Old Testament

If you think that it is just an Old Testament examples (which there are others).

No The Apostle Paul echoes Thanksgiving through his letters.

Do you thank God for the relationships and the people in your life as the Apostle Paul did?

Spirit of Thanksgiving

Do you have the spirit of Thanksgiving?

When we pray are we giving God just our shopping list or are we praising His name?

Bring the sacrifice of Praise to the LORD!

Conclusion

When you fall asleep tonight praise the LORD and thank Him for the day.

Tomorrow when you wake up, praise His name and give Him thanks.

Let us have an attitude of giving thanks all year long every day.