Sermon Central
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Giving Thanks To God!
Contributed by Derek Geldart on Oct 9, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: The following sermon is a prayer reflecting but a mere ten things from God’s holy word that we as His people want to offer as a “sweet fragrance” unto our Lord, Savior, King!
Giving Thanks to God!
Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
Thanksgiving is yet upon us and though we desperately want to express an “attitude of gratitude” for all our Lord has done, painfully and filled with great shame we must admit we struggle to present to our Creator words, thoughts, and deeds that “rejoice rightly” for all the blessings we have received! To One who in grace has provided clothing, food, shelter (Matthew 6:25-33), comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-11), atonement (John 3:16), and every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3) how are we the mere “dust of the earth” (Genesis 1:27) to say “thanks” in a manner that pleases Him? Surely God expects those who have been entrusted (Luke 12:48) with the “milk and honey” of this modern age to offer Him in return more than the rags of (Isaiah 64:6) the lust of the eyes, flesh, pride of life (1 John 2:16-17), and mere passing thoughts of indifference or worst yet entitlement? We approach His throne of grace boldly (Hebrews 4:16) but with great humility that we might reflect rightly on the Pearl and Treasure (Matthew 13:44-345) and in doing so ask that the Father might grant us but a mere scrap from His table (Matthew 15:21-28) so that we might be fed and transformed by every word that proceeds from His mouth (Matthew 4:1-4)! The following sermon is a prayer reflecting but a mere ten things from God’s holy word that we as His people want to offer as a “sweet fragrance” unto our Lord, Savior, King!
Giving Thanks for Creation. How we rejoice in You Lord that day after day the heavens, skies, mountains, valleys, trees, and all of creation declare the glory of our God (Psalms 19)! Not only can Your eternal power and divine nature be seen (Romans 1:20) in the beauty that surrounds us but above all we rejoice that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:13-14) a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7) and in Your very image (Genesis 1:27)! How it fills our hearts with unspeakable joy (1 Peter 1:7-9) knowing that You did not create us out of loneliness, for the Father, Son and Spirit have always been in commune with each other (Habakkuk 1:2; John 1:1); or out of necessity of service (Acts 17:25), but out of pure love!
Giving Thanks for the Basic Necessities of Life. Though we be mere jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7) and destined to return to the dust of the earth in which we were formed (Genesis 3:19), we rejoice that we need not be anxious (Philippians 4:6) or worry about finding enough food to eat, enough water to drink or sufficient shelter from the storms of this fallen world (Matthew 6:25-34) for Thy loving hands provide for our every need! By taking refuge under Your everlasting arms, we are at peace because in seeking first the kingdom of He who is sovereign over all things seen and unseen (Colossians 1:16) we are divinely promised the necessities of life so that we might be freed up to focus on doing the good works which You Lord have in advance have prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:9)!
Giving Thanks for the Land of Milk and Honey. Not only do we thank You for providing for our basic needs, but we also give thanks to You God for giving us a country to live in filled with more than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)! We pray that You will extend Your mercy (Romans 9:14) and forgiveness (1 John 1:9) when we covet what our “richer neighbor” has (Exodus 20:17). May we learn to be content (Philippians 4:11-13) and rejoice with whatever You have entrusted to us (Luke 12:42-43) with the unshakeable belief that You as our portion (Psalms 73:26) are more than we deserve (Ephesians 2:8) and more precious than gold or silver! With thanksgiving in our hearts may we “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which You have called us heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)!
Giving Thanks for God as our Refuge. How we thank You Lord that though we are bombarded by Satan’s fiery darts and constantly wrestle with the flesh that wants what is contrary to the spirit (Galatians 5:16), with the Holy Spirit’s aid we can “take captive every thought to make it obedient to You (2 Corinthians 10:5). We rejoice that when we struggle against the “powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” with the belt of truth buckled around our waists, the breastplate of righteousness on our chests, the gospel of peace for our sandals, the helmet of salvation on our heads, and the sword of the Spirit in one hand and the shield of faith in the other (Ephesians 6), we can not only take refuge in Your loving arms (Psalms 46) but can also stand firm, be victorious (1 John 4:4) and perform miracles in the Your holy name (John 14:12-13)!
