Giving Back To God

Intro

Text - Psalm 116.12

Psalm 116:12 NKJV

12 What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Title - Giving Back To God

Unthankfulness is a worldly behavior

Romans 1:21 NKJV

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

2 Timothy 3:1–2 NKJV

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Unthankful spirits deny God of His glory

Unthankful spirits refuse to recognize God for Who He is

“Thankful” attitudes today

what are they thankful for?

the world is only thankful for the things that expect to gain

what are WE thankful for?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

God’s “blessing”

the pronouncement of what God intends to do

God blessed the man and woman…

God blessed Abraham…

when God blessed Abraham we were part of that blessing

Galatians 3:8–9 NKJV

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Christ died to break the curse, so that the blessing of Abraham might come to us

Galatians 3:13–14 NKJV

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The right way to “thank” God

The parable of the 10 lepers

Luke 17:11–19 NKJV

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

ten were healed, but only 1 returned to give thanks

no doubt all ten expressed “thanks”

BUT was expecting more - expression of true thankfulness

The ONE returned, glorified God with a loud voice, worshipped

The Psalmist’s formula

Psalm 116:12–19 NKJV

12 What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord. 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people. 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints. 16 O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the Lord’s house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

render - give back

take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord

Receive the salvation

celebrate the salvation

offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving

an offering that is given to the Lord and consumed by the priests

Pay my vows to the Lord

Fulfil your promises to God

a commitment to fulfilled all the days of your life

Conclusion