AM THANKING THE LORD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. 1 Thess. 5:18

Transcription

1 AM THANKING THE LORD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES 1 Thess. 5:18

2 What is our Source of Thanksgiving Anyway? On the October 3, 1863, the then President of the United States, the former Senator from Illinois, in the midst of a great civil war, offered an executive order in which he said in part The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies [and] to these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added, which are

3 What is our Source of Thanksgiving Anyway? of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God [He then went on to say that while America was still] in the midst of a Civil War of unequaled magnitude and severity We must not forget the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

4 What is our Source of Thanksgiving Anyway? [and that] It has seemed to [him] fit and proper that [we] should solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledge [that God] as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands,

5 What is our Source of Thanksgiving Anyway? to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans,

6 What is our Source of Thanksgiving Anyway? mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union. Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three,

7 But is that OUR Source? And, that s why all Government offices will be closed next Thursday, (like we could tell the difference) It s also why the mail won t be delivered and why the kids will be out of school. But NOT for FALL Recess. But so that we might solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledge [that God] as with one heart and one voice for His remembered Mercies.

8 But is that OUR Source? And that s truly sad because we NEED a Day of Thanksgiving at least once a year. NOT because it gets us out of school or offers us a long weekend, but because GOD DESERVES TO BE THANKED, FOR ALL OF HIS BLESSINGS, solemnly, reverently, gratefully and constantly, lest we AS A NATION DO FORGET THE SOURCE from which they come.

9 Our Divine Source We NEED a day of Thanksgiving in which we might exemplify to our neighbors sincere GRATITUDE to that source of all of our fruitful fields and healthful skies. The One source Lincoln was talking about.

10 Our Divine Source That watchful, providential, and gracious Source of ALL Life who has graciously remembered us in His mercy and to whom we owe humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience.

11 Our Divine Source Friends, now more than ever, we need to have days like next Thursday. Indeed, we need many more days in which honor God and Thank God Because somewhere along the timeline we as a people HAVE forgotten our absolute dependence upon God.

12 Our Divine Source In this most blessed of nations, on the very day set aside for honoring our God many, perhaps majority of our citizens, will not even take a single moment of silence to give Thanks to God NOT even for the food, not even on Thanksgiving.. That saddens me. Can t we even have one day a year to show Reverence toward God?

13 Sound Theology So, let me remind us all of what is really at stake here and it isn t political and it isn t traditional, it s quite Spiritual. Saying Thank you, especially to God, isn t just good manners. It isn t just tradition. It s sound Theology.

14 Sound Theology Ps. 95:1-2 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving. Ps. 100:4-5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his Truth endures to all generations."

15 Sound Theology Ps. 107:1; 118:1; 136:1; 1 Chron. 16:34 "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love (mercies) endure forever. How simple and yet profoundly needful is the humble recognition of God as our Divine Benefactor.

16 Thank You says I recognize You for who you are I recognize what You do for me I appreciate You I love You How few times a year do so many of us ever TRULY THANK GOD for His remembered mercies.

17 1 Thess. 5:18 In everything give thanks. For this Will for you in Christ. is God s What he meant (as our sign out front says) is that God deserves our Thanks ALWAYS - in ALL circumstances!

18 2 Thess. 3:2; Rom.1:21 lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy... although many in Rome [technically] knew of God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

19 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Giving Thanks to God isn t just a nicety, it is a FAITHFUL ATTITUDE that reveals a genuine maturity in our walk with the Lord. The world sees gratitude as weakness NOT the Bible. IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL, IN THE MIDST OF SORROW, IN THE MIDST OF THINGS TOO EXTRAORDINARY TO EVEN COMPREHEND God s faithful ALWAYS remembered God s mercies and told Him so

20 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Job was not a perfect man, no one is, but he was a man of GREAT patience and faith My Bible says he experienced some of the very worst conditions life can offer Yet he never lost his respect and gratitude toward God.he lost his wealth, he lost his children, and he lost his health. All this, in spite of the fact he knew he had been faithful to God

21 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Job13:15 - "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." He means he will never doubt nor turn his back on God not even unto death. Job. 1:21 - Naked I came from my mother s womb, and naked shall I return The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

22 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Why Thank God? Remember Job. Remember how he struggled and yet never gave up on God. Remember how He never forgot that GOD was and is the true source of all that he had. That, my friends, is a mature man who understands the True Source of life and of our gratitude.

23 Thankfulness is Faithfulness King David. Again, an imperfect man, but a man who loved God and honored him [as we ve already read from the Psalms] But what I m especially impressed with is his heart in 2 Samuel 15-17, when his own son, Absalom, makes a serious attempt to steal his throne and the nation of Israel and what does David say - Would to God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

24 Thankfulness is Faithfulness King David. Psalm 28:6-7- Blessed be the LORD! For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give Thanks to Him.

25 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Why Thank God? I know that in many families those who will be at the table next Thursday, are not presently living in ideal circumstances in fact they re a bit testy But to that man or woman I say, Remember David's family circumstances were far from ideal, but His love and gratitude never wavered

26 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Mary, Jesus' mother. She s was what, tops when an angel appears to her while she was an engaged but unmarried virgin tells her she s going to be a mother. Mary not only accepts the role of the mother of the Christ, but cherishes it as a privilege from God and is grateful for it. I am impressed

27 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Mary, Jesus' mother. Luke 1:38 - Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your Word. ( Not my will but Thine )

28 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Mary, Jesus' mother. Luke 1: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is His name.

29 Thankfulness is Faithfulness She s saying, Thank you, Lord, for this enormous honor of being your servant. You are great. I am humbled and yet you have given me this tremendous opportunity to serve you Thank you and may Your Will always be done in my life. That s the kind of thing that we need to Remember to say today, and tomorrow, next Thursday and every day.

30 Thankfulness is Faithfulness Mostly what we want to Thank God for on Thanksgiving and [every day in-between] is for His Goodness, His Mercy, and His Love which are poured out upon us every day of our lives. And for the great privilege of being His Job, or His David, or His Mary today who, in spite of the trials, the tests, & the challenges of life, still THANKED GOD for His goodness.

31 Sound Theology Paul s instruction in 1 Thess. 5:13 is Sound Theology In everything [we should ] give thanks. For this is God s Will for us in Christ.

32 Sound Theology America still needs the sincerest prayers of its believing citizens We still need to be grateful to God for His remembered mercies and His infinite grace.

33 Sound Theology This year, if never before, let us Pray Fervently that God might once again grant to us, [as Lincoln implored, over 150 years ago] His peace, His harmony, His tranquility and His Union, which He so desire in our lives, and may we never forget the Source from which they come.

34 A Simple Prayer Heavenly Father, on this Thanksgiving Day, We bow our hearts to You and pray. We give You thanks for all You ve done, Especially for Jesus, Your Only Son. For beauty in nature, Your glory we see, For joy and health, friends and family. For daily provision, Your mercy and care, These are the blessings You graciously share. So today, we offer this response of praise. With a promise to follow You all of our days. In Jesus Name, Amen.