Thanksgiving

Text: Ps. 100:1-3. We are to make a joyful noise, serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing, enter His courts with praise, and be thankful. 1) Thanksgiving requires an action (Heb. 13:15-16). Just like faith needs the action of speaking and also pleases God, so thanksgiving needs a spoken response and pleases God. It strengthens our faith. 2) Thanksgiving provides an entrance into fellowship with God (Ps. 95:1-3). 3) It’s a command (Ps. 50:1; Ps. 107:20-22). It’s not about you, but it’s about God. Prayer, the Word, and praise and worship form a strong balanced foundation in your life. 4) Thanksgiving is wisdom (Eph. 5:17-20; Ps. 92:1). 5) It’s a heart issue. It’s a language of love. 6) It motivates. The person blessing someone else wants to continue to bless more (Phil. 4:6). 7) It’s an endless act (Rev. 7:11). CAUTION: 2 Tim. 3:2-5 These are perilous times when one of the symptoms is being unthankful. Much of our culture is more concerned with self. We need to watch that we don’t allow the Word and our thankfulness to be choked out by the deceitfulness of riches, the lust of the eyes, and the cares of the world. Keep an attitude of gratitude. Be hungry for God.