Thankful to Whom?
November 20, 2011 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must be careful to acknowledge and express gratitude to GOD.
Focus Passage: Psalm 103:1-5
Supplemental Passage: Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB)
Introduction: In his book FOLK PSALMS OF FAITH, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H.A. Ironside had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited his to have a seat. Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, "Do you have a headache?" Ironside replied, "No, I don’t." The other man asked, "Well, is there something wrong with your food?" Ironside replied, "No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat."
The man said, "Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!"
Ironside said, "Yes, you’re just like my dog. That’s what he does too!"
Ray Stedman, Folk Psalms of Faith.
I. Give Thanks to the Right Person
a. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Ps 103:1)
b. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NASB)
c. O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. (Isaiah 25:1 NASB)
d. A WARNING: “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21 NASB)
II. Give Thanks for the Right Reason
a. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; (Psalms 103:2 NASB)
b. Who pardons all your iniquities Ps 103:3
c. But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18 NASB)
d. but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 NASB)
e. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB)
f. A WARNING: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. (Proverbs 24:17-18 NASB)
III. Give Thanks at the Right Time
a. always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (Ephesians 5:20 NASB)
b. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15 NASB)
c. Luke 17:12-19 Jesus healed 10 lepers, but only one (a foreigner) came back to give thanks
d. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. (Psalms 100:4 NASB)
e. In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah. (Psalms 44:8 NASB)
f. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17 NASB)
Invitation: As believers, no matter the circumstance, we can give thanks to God for our salvation through Jesus Christ. (and should do so often) If you are not able to say thank you to God for the forgiveness of your sins because you have not yet trusted Jesus to be your Savior and to forgive you of your sins, in a moment we are going to sing a hymn of invitation. As soon as we begin to sing, come to the front and talk with me about it and we’ll explain to you how to find forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ and you’ll have the opportunity to ask for that forgiveness.
Perhaps God has spoken to you about your attitude. Perhaps you need to be thankful for the many blessings He has given you. Come and kneel at the prayer pews and offer thanks to God.
Perhaps God has spoken to you about some other thing. Perhaps you have been attending here and God is prompting you to join with us. Come on the first verse and we’ll begin the process.
Perhaps God has spoken to you about being biblically baptized.
Perhaps God has spoken to you about something else. No matter the subject, just be obedient to what God is telling you to do!
