A Life Of Ingratitude (Thanksgiving Sermon)

We all know a great deal about REJECTION and rejection can be very painful. We normally learn about rejection when we are a child, but if we do not learn anything about it as a child, we probably learned something about it when we began dating.

Illus: I read this list of the top rejection lines given by men (and what they really mean).

• I think of you as a sister - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• There's a slight difference in our ages - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• I'm not attracted to you in 'that' way - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• My life is too complicated right now - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• I've got a girlfriend - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• I don't date women where I work - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• It's not you, it's me - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

• I'm concentrating on my career - (what he really means is - You're ugly.)

•(Number one) Let's be friends - (what he really means is - You're the ugliest person that has ever existed on this planet.)

Illus: A woman also has her rejection lines when a young man wants to date her but she does not want to date him, such as:

• I don't date men where I work - (What she really means is - Hey, bud, I wouldn't date you if you were in the same solar system, much less the same building.)

• It's not you, it's me - (What she really means is - It's not me, it's you.)

• I'm concentrating on my career - (What she really means is - Even something as boring as my job is better than dating you.)

• Let's be friends - (What she really means is - I want you to stay around because I might need my car washed!)

We all know something about rejection, but the Lord Jesus knows more about rejection than anyone. Why? Because He has been rejected by millions.

In fact, the Word of God says, in John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

The next time you are rejected, remember the Lord knows all about the pain of REJECTION you feel.

• As Christians, we can not REJECT Him because we have received Him.

• As Christians who have this wonderful salvation, we can NEGLECT HIM.

HOW CAN WE BE NEGLECTFUL IN OUR SALVATION?

We can neglect our salvation:

I. BY NEGLECTING TO BE THANKFUL

If there is one sin that is most prevalent in our society, it is the sin of ingratitude. Our indebtedness to Him is enormous and yet we rarely or at least infrequently offer thanks for what He has done.

Illus: We are a lot like the little boy who was given an orange by a man. The boy’s mother asked, “What do you say to the nice man?” The little boy thought, and handed the orange back and said, “Peel it.”

We have Christians today who will not even bow their heads and says THANKS for the food God provides for them and their family.

It is a wonder that God does not withdraw His blessings and bring some things into our life to make us appreciate His blessings.

Illus: The story is told of two men who were walking through a field one day, when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn’t make it. Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We’re in for it!" John answered, "I can’t. I’ve never made a public prayer in my life." "But you must! The bull is catching up to us." "All right," panted John, "I’ll say the only prayer I know; the one my father used to repeat at the table: ’O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.’"

For a child of God, gratitude is not confined to a day or a season, it is an attitude that we should have every day and every hour.

• In Psalm 100:4, we read, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

• In Psalm 147:7, we read, “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:”

Many enjoy the blessings God has bestowed on their life and never look up to say, THANKS! God has been so good to all of us! How dare any of us go through life just complaining when there is so much to be thankful for?