Biblical Thanksgiving November 18, 2012

Biblical Thanksgiving The Key Issue: Thankfulness is critically important because of the supreme worthiness of God to receive thanks. Thankfulness is critically important because of the supreme worthiness of God to receive thanks.

Biblical Thanksgiving Ephesians 5:19,20 “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Biblical Thanksgiving Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Biblical Thanksgiving I Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Biblical Thanksgiving I Timothy 2:1 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…for kings and all those in authority.”

Biblical Thanksgiving Thankfulness is a command of God, always, for everything, in all circumstances: this is His will for His people.

Biblical Thanksgiving Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer Proclamation, 1789: “Wheras 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 implore His protection and favor…” “Wheras 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 implore His protection and favor…” -President George Washington

Biblical Thanksgiving Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer Proclamation, 1865: “…I…do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next…as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator of the Universe.” -President Abraham Lincoln

“Secular” Thanksgiving Simple gladness for what we have/ positive circumstances Simple gladness for what we have/ positive circumstances A polite gesture to those who give us things, to avoid appearing rude A polite gesture to those who give us things, to avoid appearing rude An attempt not to hurt the feelings of those who give gifts An attempt not to hurt the feelings of those who give gifts Perhaps a way of encouraging more gifts next time! Perhaps a way of encouraging more gifts next time!

II Corinthians 4:15 “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God!” “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God!”

Biblical Thanksgiving Our Thanks God’s Grace The Glory of God! NOT: The Glory of God Dispenses Grace We give thanks, in hope of more

Psalm 69:30 “I will praise God’s name in song, and glorify Him with my thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.” “I will praise God’s name in song, and glorify Him with my thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.”

II Corinthians 9:11-15 “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…”

Biblical Model of Service? God Blesses Us So we will help others

II Corinthians 9:11-15 “…your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. “…your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. …others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…”

Biblical Model of Service Blesses Us God Many Thanks Go to God! NOT: God Blesses Us So we will help others God (in us) Blesses Others

Biblical Thanksgiving Thankfulness is a command of God, always, for everything, in ALL circumstances: this is His will for His people.

Psalm 95:2,3 “Let us come before God with thanksgiving… …for the LORD is the great God!”

II Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

Biblical Thanksgiving Blessings, service, difficulty, thanks…ALL for the glory of God. Blessings, service, difficulty, thanks…ALL for the glory of God. “… that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God!” “… that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God!”