Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

November 21, 2004

Introduction

This Thursday has been established as a national holiday: a day of Thanksgiving. It will be a day of many good meals, and many family get togethers. It will be a day of football for some, and other activities. In all of our celebrating this Thanksgiving, may we not forget God, and may we not forget to be thankful.

Body

I. We are to always remember God, and to be thankful.

As God blessed Israel with the promised land, He asked them to remember Him.

(Deu 8:10-18 NKJV) "When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. {11} "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, {12} "lest; when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; {13} "and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; {14} "when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; {15} "who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; {16} "who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end; {17} "then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' {18} "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Being thankful helps us keep a right attitude.

(Rom 1:21-23 NKJV) 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. {22} Professing to be wise, they became fools, {23} and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man; and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

II. Thanks and praise go hand in hand.

A. David was one who was great to praise God.

(Psa 100 NKJV) Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! {2} Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. {3} Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. {4} Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {5} For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

B. David practiced what he taught.

(1 Chr 16:4 NKJV) And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel:

(1 Chr 16:4 NASB) And he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, even to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

C. Thankfulness and praise create a good, positive attitude for people.

III. We have much for which to be thankful.

A. We need to thank God for our material blessings.

1. Our food which we often take for granted.

2. Our comfortable homes.

3. Our transportation.

4. Other blessings too numerous to mention

B. Our relationships.

1. Our husbands or wives.

2. Our children.

3. Our relationship to God.

4. Our thankfulness to Jesus for making it all possible.

(2 Cor 9:15 NKJV) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

IV. Thanks should be more than just words.

A. God told the children of Israel that He expected their obedience.

Deut 8:11 "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,

B. We need to be thankful to others as well as to our God.

1. We can thank others with words.

2. We thank each other indirectly with words of appreciation and encouragement.

Conclusion

I. This Thursday is designated as a special day of Thanksgiving, but may it remind us that we need to be thankful every day.

II. Without our obedience, our thanksgiving is somewhat empty. Is your life right with God?

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