Series: Thanksgiving to God and Giving Back – Why Give Back?
Video Illustration: Psalm 118
Thesis: We should want to give back to God and others because of what Jesus has done for us. In appreciation of His blessings and having experienced His love in our struggles. We should want to pass on His blessings to others. Our world needs people to see them, touch them, and invest in them. Why? It will change their lives just like when Jesus showed up in our life at our point of need!
Point: Why is it important to give back to God and others? Because you cannot out give God – I know you have heard me say this phrase before – so it could mean nothing to you because you have heard it before – you may have been desensitized to this phrase – but listen again “You cannot out give God!” We should give to God secondly because of what He has done for us in our point of struggle and battle!
How do I know this? My own story reminds me of How God saved me – delivered me – forgave me – had mercy on me – But I have also listened to many other stories of the Lord intervening in our lives in crisis times!
Introduction:
Illustration: Giving Back what it looks like through the eyes of a father in Christ – to give to God for the sake of another!
There was a Pastor, who after the usual Sunday Evening Hymns, stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in service that evening. In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.
He told this story:
"A father, His son, and a friend of his were sailing off of the Pacific Coast," He began, "When a fast-approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.
The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy he would throw the other end of the lifeline. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son’s friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. "As the father yelled out, ‘I love you son!’ He threw out the lifeline to his son’s friend.
By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of the night. His body was never recovered." By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister’s mouth. "The father," he continued knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and could not bear the thought of his son’s friend stepping into eternity without Jesus.
Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save his son’s friend… With that the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The Pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon… Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man’s side.
"That was a nice story," Politely stated the boys, "But I don’t think it was realistic for a father to give up his son’s life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."
"Well, you’ve got a point there," the old man replied glancing down at the worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn’t realistic, is it? But I’m standing today to tell you that the story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His only son for me. You see… I was the father, and your Pastor was my son’s friend."
We need to know that we should want as Christians to give back to God and others!
(Please note this is not a true story from my research – but it is like a parable with the point of comparing sacrificing Jesus the Son of God for others by God the Father)
Our Key Scripture Passage for today: Psalm 118 (My exegetical thoughts)
Background on this Psalm 118 – from GotQuestions.org Psalm 118:24 (Ideas and concepts used from their article)
This Psalm is a celebratory song of praise often cited or sung in worship services and even in wedding ceremonies. From my research I discovered that the Jewish people would even sing this song as they journeyed to celebrate feast days to God – especially Passover. Passover feast was a celebration by the Jewish people to remember the decisive victory God brought for the Israelites so they could be delivered out of the slavery and bondage of Egypt. If you recall the movie, “The Ten Commandments” with Charleston Heston it specifically recalls when God sent the death angel into Egypt and took the first born of anyone who did not smear the blood of the lamb on the door frames of their homes– after this and many other plagues Pharoah allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. So this feast day and this song recall that miracle of deliverance!
Jesus celebrated Passover! The Last Supper of Jesus was at a Passover celebration, and this is when He introduces the observance of communion – that He would sacrifice His blood and Body for all to be saved. This historical event happened the night Or early morning Jesus was arrested and then crucified the next day “Good Friday”! Once again Passover was a time each year when the Jewish people got together to thank God for His deliverance, protection, mercy, forgiveness, salvation and His love.
This is the last song of thanks to God in this section of Psalms called the “Hallel” or “Praise” songs to God the Father - see Psalms 113-118.
The most famous verse you may notice if you have read this song is Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (ESV) yes, we as the Christian church are still singing this praise to God and Jesus today – it’s been a phrase that has been sung to the Lord for over 2,000’s years!
Question: “How many remember singing this verse in a song or phrase in a service years ago?”
Sing it! Play it on the piano!
This is the day, this is the day.
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
That the Lord has made.
We are the sons, we are the sons,
Of the living God, of the living God.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in Him, and be glad in Him.
We are the sons of the living God.
We will rejoice and be glad in Him.
We are the sons, we are the sons
Of the living God.
I. Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
(Thought: We should give thanks to God – Why He is always good – by the way God’s the standard for goodness – no one else is by the way! But He is Good and filled with a love for us that is everlasting! The Psalmist tells us that these two truths should compel us to give God thanks and I add give back to God and others!
We used to say years ago the phrase “God is good.” And others would respond to that phrase “All the time!”
Let’s try it “God is good” and you say, “All the Time” then I say, “Good is good all the time!”
Do any of you recall that? It was a reminder of the goodness of God! But the truth is God is good and His love is everlasting – Paul said in Romans 8:31-39: New International Version this:
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How good is God? I believe many here could give many testimonies to show His goodness to them and to their families!
How Good is God – John 3:16 comes to my mind – the forgiving of my sins over and over shows me God is so good!
T.S. - Let’s progress to the next few verses.
It’s important to remember that Psalms has a lot to do with singing praises to God – this Psalm was sung whenever the Israelites celebrated Passover – remember many would sing it as they journeyed to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover!
Many churches emphasize “Preaching and Teaching” today which is good, but they have trimmed worship back to like 10 -15 minutes only! But the best way I know to give God thanks is by coming together and singing to Him during our worship time on Sundays.
Let me ask you a question – how many sang praises to God this week with your voice by yourself – no seriously – I mean really sang out to God? I find for most people it only happens in a Worship service where we take the time to worship praise and thank God for His many blessings!
Marlon tells me these next few verses are called “a round” singing:
2 Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the LORD say:
“His love endures forever.”
(Let Christian Hills say: His love endures forever!)
Great job - You got the idea of what they did in the ancient days of Israel – they would sing praise and thanksgiving to the Lord to recall God’s goodness.
T.S. - Let’s progress on to the next few verses!
5In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. (Seems like a great reason to thank God and Give back to Him and others!)
6The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
(The psalmist or song writer acknowledges the times when God showed up in a time of crisis (Israel in slavery to Egypt). They recall in song how God delivered them and set them free! I wonder if the writer of this song was amazed at Moses and how he came fearless before the throne of Pharoah of Egypt? I am sure people were amazed at him when he spoke for God and said Let God’s people go!” I recall Johns words “Perfect love casts out fear!
8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
(I think a Selah should have been placed here – which means “pause and think calmly on this thought!) I also think this should be a bumper sticker!
9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. (I add governments or even presidents).
10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (Some translations say - I cut them down!)
(I look at this as the anti-biblical societies or nations opposed to God and His ways – Like the oppressors of Israel – like Egypt which had surround the believer’s and enslaved them! But they prayed in the name of God – Elohim – Yeshua – I Am and they cried for help and God responded and delivered them. The same is true of God sending Jesus’ to deliver us from sin and bondage – He through his sacrifice removed the surrounding power and crushed their opposition on us and shattered, cut off, cut down and broke the grip of evil on us)
11 They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (I cut them down ESV – I destroyed them NKJV)
(This line of the song points to what happens when you, with the strength and might of the Lord attack in battle – when you go on the offensive with the help of the Lord – in the name of the Lord – When you choose to swing the sword in battle! It is the NT idea of using “The Sword of the Spirit” (Galatians 6) in spiritual battle – it cuts down, destroys, cuts off the opposition of the evil forces)
12They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
13I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.
14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
(Have you ever been attacked by a swarm of bees! I have - share the story of working on Pastor Nate’s front porch! I was losing the battle with the bees but then I cried out to the Lord and the bees flew away – in the end I had one sting in the corner of my eye – which turned into a black eye – but it could have been worse! This is why I give thanks to the Lord – he delivered me – he protected me – Why? Because He loves me! He is my salvation.)
KJV says - 14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
T.S. - Let’s look at the next few verses!
15Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
16The LORD’s right hand is lifted high: the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
(They were singing and recalling all the miracles God did to get them set free from Egypt. They recalled the 10 plagues, when the armies of Pharoah came to crush them at the Red Sea but God opened the Red Sea so they could cross on dry ground. They remembered their safe deliverance to other side God of the sea but then God allowed the water to crash back on Pharaohs army crushing them.)
(Note the National Geographic special you watched on the Red Sea and how they discovered chariot parts and swords and shields which were found at the bottom of this sea)
(They praised and sang to God for this victory in this song. We too do the same today when we praise songs to Jesus – we do this because of what He has done for us today – I praise Him in song for the healing from my Cancer! Why do you sing to God! What has He done for you? Jesus – God still bring victory’s therefore we should shout and praise His name.)
And Give Back to God and Others!
18The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
21I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.
(The song writer moves to a Messianic prophecy in his psalm. Pointing to who opens the door to right standing with God – I have failed and sinned says the writer, but He has not given me over to death! This is a great reason to Give back to God and Others! He will still open the door to heaven for me. God has become the one who opens the door to salvation. The Lord directs us and corrects us and opens the gates for right standing with God and gives us salvation (Thru Jesus) – this is why we give God thanks – this is why we give back to others and God. We have another reason to give back to God it is because of our gift of salvation).
22The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; (some versions say cornerstone – but capstone was the large stone over the doorway of a building – if you recall in the Passover night - God told the Israelites to smear the blood of the lamb over their doorway to protect them from the death angel. When Jesus died His blood protects us from death and gives us eternal life through Him – because of His sacrifice – but we still must believe and embrace this truth).
23the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(KJV) (NASB) vs 24 - “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” This verse in KJV is the most famous phrase out of our text and song today!
(Peter points to this song and text and makes the connection to Jesus in Acts 3:11-26; also in 1 Peter 2:7 and Moses himself said in Dt. 18:15 that God would raise up another prophet like himself – Jesus in the parable of the Vineyard makes this connection see Mt 21:42; Mark 12:10-11- Jesus is that Messiah and deliverer!)
(This section of the song also speaks of “The Day of the Lord” – Isaiah speaks of it – Daniel speaks of it – Zachariah speaks of it! Joel speaks of it - 1 Corinthians speaks of it – 1 Thessalonians speaks of it – Revelation speaks of it!)
What is the Day of The Lord?
Answer: The occasion of God’s final intervention in human affairs to punish sin, restore the faithful of his people and establish his rule over the nations. It is linked with the Messianic hope and will be fulfilled at Jesus Christ’s return. (Logos)
(Jesus has become the cornerstone or capstone of our Christianity – what He did on the cross is marvelous and this should cause us to rejoice and be willing to give back to God for His mercy – grace and goodness.)
25O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.
26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.
(The Hebrew word here is “Hosanna” – these words were shouted by the crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday – see Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9-10; John 12:13. But the crowd is fickle because they turn on Jesus by the end of the week – Why? Because He does not use His power to deliver Israel from the Romans).
The people wanted God’s Will their way – not God’s will His way – you could also say they wanted things their way not God’s way!
(In this song is a prayer for success vs 25 – Have you ever prayed for success? –
I am going to do so right now: “Lord, I pray that Christian Hills will be blessed with success and revival – Lord use us to reach those who are hurting and in need you – bring new life this week in our outreach to these immigrants Jesus and use the donations to the food shelf!)
27The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.
28You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
(Today I want to challenge you to Give God thanks for His marvelous gift, Jesus – for His guidance, intervention, protection, deliverance, and sacrifice for us – because of all the things Jesus has done for us we should be driven to Give back to God- with wholehearted sacrifice!)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
The following thought is from house of harvest:
Some today may be thinking - Paul, this is not humanly possible you are crazy! To which Paul would probably most likely reply "You're right. It's not. It's only superhumanly possible!" Okay I see it now -
It's impossible!
But it is...
Him-possible!
There is only one way to obey Paul's charge to continually be thankful and that is by jettisoning self-reliance and relying wholly on the Holy Spirit. And note that we don't just need a little help (like we are moving in the right direction in our natural strength and we just need a little spiritual push), for our natural man does not seek to give gratitude (but goes for "grabbing!"). In short, we don't need a "little help" from our Friend, the Spirit. We need Him to enable (see English definition) us, to give us the "want to," or the desire to give thanks and praise, and then the spiritual energy to follow through and give back to God and others because of what God has done.
Conclusion:
Illustration: The Biggest Misconception about Giving
What’s the biggest misconception Christians have about giving? That when we give money away to a church or ministry, or to help the needy, it’s gone. While we hope others will benefit from it, we’re quite sure we won’t. We think we’re divesting ourselves of money, disassociating from it. Once it leaves our hands, we imagine, it has no connection to us, no future implications relevant to our lives. We couldn’t be more wrong…
Randy Alcorn, The Law of Rewards: Giving what you can’t keep to gain what you can’t lose, Tyndale Momentum, 2003.
Summary:
1. We give back because of what God has done for us through Jesus!
a. It’s a sign (Giving Back with money, time and talents) shows thanks and appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice!
i. Do you give out of gratitude for what you have received from God?
1. For His salvation?
2. His blessings?
3. His peace?
4. His love?
5. His hope?
6. His healing?
7. His gift of life?
8. His deliverance?
b. It’s a heart action! It’s not giving to get – it’s not giving to be seen by others – we give out of our heartfelt love for Jesus and God the Father!
2. We should give back because Scripture challenges us to give without restraint!
a. Jesus himself spoke about the importance of giving back to God, stating in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
b. The apostle Paul also encouraged giving back to God in his letters, stating in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The apostle Paul frequently challenges his readers, the followers of Jesus and his students to give back to God.
c. Quote: If one first gives himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy. — Robert Harris
Quote. (John Maxwell) But people will Not appreciate it - Do It Anyway!
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. – Love them anyway!
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. – Do good anyway!
If you are successful you will win false friends and true enemies. – Succeed anyway!
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. – Do good anyway!
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. – Be honest and frank anyway!
The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds. – Think big anyway!
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. – Fight for an underdog anyway!
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight, - Build anyway!
People that really need help often attack you if you help them. – Help people anyway!
Give the world the best you’ve got and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. – Give your best anyway!
Application: How to give back to God! Summary
• We do so through worship, as we sing, we thank Him for His blessings, deliverance, love, provision and salvation.
• We do so through acts of kindness and service to others, as we seek to reflect God’s love and generosity.
• We do so through financial contributions, which is an important aspect of expressing gratitude and obedience to God’s Word.
• We do so through serving others, as we know that when we serve others, we are in fact serving God.
o Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
• We do so through telling others about Jesus.
