Introduction:
In our world of today, we live in a thankless society. The word thank you is something of ancient times. We have thankless jobs, thankless associates and friends, and even thankless relatives. When you are having lunch or just out having a meal in a restaurant, how many people do you see bow their heads and give thanks over their food? Putting a footnote here brings me to my first point.
Development:
Point #1: In All Things Give Thanks
In Webster’s dictionary, the word bless means to thank somebody: to express heartfelt thanks to somebody, often expressing a wish. For example, Bless you for speaking up for my child. In everything we do we should always give thanks. Whenever we get a promotion on the job, we should be gracious enough to say thank you to the one that provided the opportunity to come our way.
Some people feel that certain things should come to them automatically because of who they are or who they may be associated with.
But in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 it says In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
We should always be thankful in everything. One thing I have learned in life and my parents taught me, whenever someone does something for you or gives you something, you should always say thank you. Even if you receive a present that you don’t particularly want, take it with a smile on your face and still say thank you.
The mentality of a lot of people is that they feel that the world owes them something for just being here. Well the world doesn’t owe us anything and it’s not going to give us anything either.
We as Christians can sometimes be ungrateful with others and even ungrateful to God. When it comes to God, we take Him for granted. When it comes to God, the only time we seek Him is when we want something from Him. The only time we seek the face of God is when we are in trouble. The only time we seek the face of God is when we are sick or a loved one is sick.
The only time we seek the face of God is when our children get into trouble. The only time we seek the face the face of God is when we end up in trouble.
When it comes to God we pimp Him for what we want. Prostitutes have pimps who only come to them when they want them to go out on the street to make money.
We need to seek the face of God sometimes without begging. Some of us are worse than the panhandlers on the street with a cup. We’re begging God all the time.
Some of are asking the Lord for financial blessing and He at times gives them to us. But what do we do? We squander our blessings foolishly. If we were to do as the bible says in Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you we would not have the problems that we have.
Point #2: Remembering Your Benefits
The psalmist says in verse 2 of Psalm 103, Bless the Lord oh my soul, and forgets not all His benefits. Some Christians seem to forget what God has done for them. They get this disease called “Spiritual Alzheimer’s.” Let’s look at some of His benefits we shouldn’t forget.
1. When you opened your eyes this morning and you knew you were in the land of the living that’s a benefit.
2. If you were able to swing yourself out of bed without assistance that’s a benefit.
3. If you were able to walk to the bathroom and take care of your personal needs without assistance, that’s a benefit.
4. If you are able to put on your clothes without assistance, that’s a benefit.
5. If you are able to fix your own food and feed yourself, that’s a benefit.
6. If you are able to maintain a roof over your head, that’s a benefit.
7. If you are able to handle day-to-day problems and not loose your mind because God has regulated your mind, that’s a benefit.
8. When you were sick, and you called on Jehovah Rapha, the God that healeth, that’s a benefit.
9. When you needed God to show up and show out, you called on Jehovah Elohim, the one true God, that’s a benefit.
10. When you had to go to court, and you needed someone to step in for you, you called on Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is your banner, that’s a benefit.
11. When your money was acting funny and you needed to provide for your family, you called on Jehovah Jireh, the Lord that will provide, that’s a benefit.
12. When you need someone to fight your battles for you, you can call on El Shaddai, the almighty God, that’s a benefit.
13. When hell is braking out all around you and you need some peace, you can call on Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of peace, that’s a benefit.
Conclusion:
Just before I take my seat, I want to point out the most important benefit of them all, the benefit of Salvation. That man by the name of Jesus the Christ came 40 and 2 generations to save a dying dead world from sin.
John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for me, my soul cries out. And when I think of the goodness of Jesus of how He set me free.
On that Friday, Jesus the Christ took that walk up to the hill called the Skull, better known as Cavalry. They hung Him high and stretched Him wide.
He died on that old rugged cross, but on the third day. Early Sunday morning that man named Jesus the Christ got up from that old barred tomb. When He got up He had all power in His hands. Hallelujah.
