Intro: It’s the holiday season! And the bible tells us that…
Ecclesiastes 3: 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. -NIV
God has made us seasonal creatures, and as a result we annually celebrate and commemorate certain events and things. Thanksgiving, Christmas, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc.
Illustration: Another thing that I annually do is have a physical. My doctor will examine me checking for problems by observing me not only “outwardly”, but will always have my blood drawn and tested in order to determine whether there are any deficiencies or potential diseases within.
The reason?
Leviticus 17:11a for the life of every living thing is in the blood. -NET
He discovered that I had a Vitamin D deficiency which could lead to a compromised immune system, one that is unable to fight off virus, infections, etc. He therefore advised that I take 5,000 units per day!
Point: Just as we can appear to be physically healthy on the surface, but have a deficiency within which makes us susceptible to sickness, it is also true that spiritually we can appear to be healthy on the surface but have a deficiency within that can make us susceptible to spiritual viruses, such as distress, depression, anxiety, faithlessness, etc.
Proposition: I believe the scripture shows us that at the core of every healthy, vibrant, overcoming, productive, victorious Christian is a heart of gratitude! It is in their “spiritual system.” It keeps them spiritually healthy and well in the most difficult of times.
And so as a “spiritual practitioner” I am prescribing that each one of us practice a healthy dose of thanksgiving! The annual holiday of Thanksgiving serves as a necessary reminder that without gratitude in our system, deep within our hearts, we will be spiritually weakened to the point of being susceptible to devil’s attacks and schemes!
And so I’ve entitled today’s message:
Title: The Prescription of Thanksgiving!
Believing that a healthy dose of gratitude cn keep us spiritual safe and strong!
Let’s delve into the:
I. Why Prescribe Thanksgiving?
Using the medical illustration again – it can be likened to being something that is a..
A) Preventative therapy!
1. Against what is the most dangerous “spiritual disease’s” called- Apostasy!
a) Apostasy is to abandon, denounce, reject, or fall away from one’s faith.
B) Produce?
1. Death!
2. Damnation!
a) In the letter to the Hebrew believers, the writer warns:
Hebrews 6: 4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. 7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned. -NET
C) Point?
1. I believe that ingratitude is at the heart of why people “fall away” and/or ignore God!
D) Proof?
1. Paul’s argument in Romans:
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness,
2. Reason?
Romans 1:21a For although they knew God,-NET
a) Those are some of the saddest words in the Bible - "They knew God!"
b) Paul is saying that men are conscious of God’s existence, power, and divine nature through His Creation, His General Revelation:
Romans 1:21b they did not glorify him as God,-NET
c) To glorify Him is to honor Him, to acknowledge His attributes (which a clearly understood by what had been made), and to praise Him for His perfections!
Romans 1:21b or give him thanks, ,-NET
d) Natural creation was intended to lead man to glorify God and to express gratitude to Him.
e) Cessation from praise and thanksgiving to God leads to disastrous consequences, which the apostle now enumerates.
Romans 1:21c but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. ,-NET
Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. ,-NET
Romans 1:26 aFor this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. -NET
Romans 1:28b God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. 29 They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness,
Romans 1:32 Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them. ,-NET
3. Root cause?
Romans 1:21b they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, ,-NET
a) INGRATITUDE!!
Bruce Hurst-Every human being knows he ought to give his being over to his Creator’s worship and glory, and ought to be continually thankful for life itself, and for its blessings; but men refused both worship and gratitude: and as a result became godless and thankless!
b) Godlessness and thanklessness go hand in hand!
E) Problem today?
2 Timothy 3:1b In the last days difficult times will come.
4. Reason?
2 Timothy 3:2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy- -NET
a) Gratitude deficiency leads to an unholy life!
Albert Barnes - Ingratitude has always been regarded as one of the worst of crimes. It is said here (2 Timothy 3) that it would characterize the wicked age of which the apostle speaks, (Ours!) and its prevalence would, as it always does, indicate a decline of religion. Religion makes us grateful to every benefactor - to God, and to man.
F) Prescribed? Why?
1. A Christian is to be overflowing with gratitude!
Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. -NIV
a) Overflowing - pe??sse?? – perisseuo
i. To exceed a fixed number of measure
ii. A continual flowing, present tense, super abounding measure…
2. There is be a “fountain” a “stream” or “river” of gratitude continually flowing from our hearts!
II. How would you know if your gratitude has dropped to dangerously low levels?
A) Proof?
B) Picture: (Physical Illustration)
1. Heart
a) The primary function of the human heart is to pump blood throughout the body.
b) The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body.
C) Perspective:
Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life-NASB
D) Point?
1. If gratitude is in your heart, it will come out of your mouth?
a) Do a self – diagnosis, a breath test?
b) What comes out of your mouth?
i. Carbon dioxide of COMPLAINTS?
ii. Pure air of PRAISE?
iii. Primarily your PROBLEMS?
iv. Or APPRECIATION, PRAISE and THANKSGIVING TO God?
v. Words of WORRY?
vi. Words of WORSHIP?
vii. The oder of GRUMBLING?
viii. The sweet breath of REJOICING?
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
a. Unwholesome - sap??? -sapros
i) Rotten, putrefied
ii) Corrupted, not fit for use
iii) Of poor quality, bad, worthless
b. Ungodly?
Romans 3:14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
2. With regards to thanksgiving and praise the Psalmist says:
Psalm 9:1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
Psalm 51:14b O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise -NIV
Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. -NIV
E) Problem?
James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it?-NET
1. With his mouth Peter confessed Christ:
Matthew 16:15 He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? 16 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. -AMP
2. With the same mouth he called down curses on himself!!
Matthew 26: 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.- ESV
3. This should not be!!
Hebrews 13: 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name- NIV
4. Thanksgiving and praise is the ATMOSPHERE OF HEAVEN!
Revelation 4:1a After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, -NIV
Revelation 4:2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
Revelation 4:6b In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
Revelation 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. -NIV
Revelation 7: 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!” -NIV
5. Thanksgiving and praise is the ATMOSPHERE OF HEAVEN….THEREFORE
6. Thanksgiving and praise is to be the ATTITUDE OF THE SAINT ON EARTH!
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. -NET
Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -NIV
Hebrews 12: 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe-NIV
7. Thanksgiving is not only a way of life for the Christian - it is the Christian life!!
2 Corinthians 2:14a But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9: 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
a) CALLED - SALVATION!!
Ok maybe you are thinking….you convinced me – I’ve got a deficiency so….
III. What do I do to raise my gratitude level?
It all starts with..
A) Perspective!
1. A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
a) Toward what?
B) Problems!!
1. A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome
a) I could only find the word “problems” 3 times in the bible!!
b) Regarding only two different situations!
c) It is not a dominant biblical theme!
d) The word “ungrateful” I only found twice in the New Testament- it is a rarity!
C) Point?
1. What is the bases of my gratitude and joy?
a) A problem free life? - God NEVER PROMISED THAT!
D) Providence!!!
1. "What is providence?"
a) Got Questions -[Divine] providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. The doctrine of divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things. He is sovereign over the universe as a whole (Psalm 103:19), the physical world (Matthew 5:45), the affairs of nations (Psalm 66:7), human destiny (Galatians 1:15), human successes and failures (Luke 1:52), and the protection of His people (Psalm 4:8). This doctrine stands in direct opposition to the idea that the universe is governed by chance or fate. Through divine providence God accomplishes His will!
Romans 12:2b God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Easton's Bible Dictionary - As in regards to sinful actions of men, they are represented as occurring by God's permission under providence (Gen. 45:5; 50:20; 1 Sam. 6:6; Ex. 7:13; 14:17; Acts 2:3; 3:18; 4:27, 28), and as controlled (Ps. 76:10) and overruled for good by providence (Gen. 50:20; Acts 3:13). God by his providence does not cause or approve of sin, but only limits, restrains, overrules it for good.
D) Prescription when you incur a problem?
Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6a Do not be anxious about anything,
1. Stop being anxious about anything (ALT)
2. Anxiety is a satanic attack!
1 Peter 5: 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9a Resist him, steadfast in the faith,
a) What does he devour us with -anxiety, worry, cares and concerns!
1 Peter 5: 7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.-AMP
Martin Vincent - "Casting… upon" is in the aorist tense which denotes "an act once for all; throwing the whole life with its care on Him." We must once and for all give all of our cares—past, present, and future—to the Lord.
Dwight Pentecost –Do you ever find yourself worrying? Do you know that Scripture calls worry a sin? When you realized that you were worrying, did you go to God and confess it as a sin? Worry is just as much a sin as adultery, or murder, or theft. Yet how often we as believers treat it lightly when we find our stomachs tied in knots because we have worried ourselves into a nervous frenzy. We don’t realize that we have fallen into sin.
Q: Why do we fall into this sin?
E) Perspective!
A. W. Tozer – “The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshiping men. This she has done not deliberately, but little by little and without her knowledge; and her very unawareness only makes her situation all the more tragic. The low view of God entertained almost universally among Christians is the cause of a hundred lesser evils everywhere among us."
1. We lose sight of His Providence!
2. Don't believe in His Power!
3. Don't trust IN OUR HEARTS trust His Personality/Person!
4. Worry is worshipping the adversary!
O. Chambers – Worry is an indication that we think God cannot look after us.
J R Rice - Worry is putting question marks where God has put periods.
J Haggai- Worry is an intrusion into God's providence.
J Haggai- Worry is a guest admitted which quickly turns to be master.
A J Cronin - Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its strength
R. H. Mounce- Worry is practical atheism and an affront to God!
a) I’m a worrier what do I do?
Philippians 4:6b but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
b) Oh I do that you say, I pray, pray, pray!
c) But do you pray, the right way?
d) Here is the key that unlocks the door of blessing:
Philippians 4:6c with thanksgiving?
e) Do you present your request to God with complaining, questioning, lamenting, or thanksgiving?
Philippians 4:6d present your requests to - God.
God - ?e?? -theos
1. The Godhead, trinity
a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity
b) Christ, the second person of the trinity
c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity
2. The only and true God
a) The one who promised that no trial a believer faces will be too difficult for them to handle
1Corinthian 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.-NKJV
b) The one who promised that all He would allow and ordain to come into our lives would be used for our ultimate good
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
c) The one who proclaimed to those He has chosen before the creation of the world, that He would work out everything in our lives to the conformity of the purpose of his will!
Ephesians 1: 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
d) When I pray thankfully it delivers me from the anxiety, fear, doubt and worry, that is trying to overtake my soul!
e) AND IT OPENS THE DOOR TO SOMETHING SUPERNATUAL THAT RESTS WITHIN MY SOUL!
Philippians 4: 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus- AMP
a. God is a God of Peace
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
b. Jesus is the Prince of Peace
c. Who told us he would give us his peace
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
d. To know God is to know, experience, and bask in His Peace!
Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
As one author put it…
Living in peace can be compared to the petals of a flower unfolding in the morning sunlight. The petals of peace in our lives unfold as we learn more about God. We discover that His character is always faithful. We experience His continual goodness. We read more of His promises (Psalm 100:5; 115:11; Isaiah 26:4). We learn to bask in His overwhelming love for us (Romans 8:38–39). We refuse to allow ever-changing circumstances to determine our level of contentment, relying instead upon the character of God that never changes (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6). When we develop a lifestyle of making the Lord our refuge, we begin to live in the peace of God (Psalm 46:1; 62:8).
1. Grateful or grumbling?
2. Peaceful or perturbed?
3. Practice the therapy of thanksgiving!
