BE THANKFUL
PSALM 79:13
I. HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING
A. Puritans celebrated thanksgiving for the first time in 1621 with a group of Indians for freedom from the government run Church of England
B. Since then it became a day to give thanks to God for his blessings
C. Today Thanksgiving has lost it’s original meaning
-just a day off, family get togethers, good food
-it is more than words,
D. The spirit of thanksgiving does not begin in 1621 but goes back to man’s first breath
II. THE DEMISE OF THE THANKSGIVING SPIRIT
A. The spirit of thankfulness was a natural response from people toward God
B. The human race has slowly been losing the spirit of thanksgiving until it is almost gone
-some may express thankfulness but its not expressed toward God
C. Thanksgiving has lost it’s spiritual siginificance in our society
-it’s another day off, a time for families to come together, a time of feasting
D. This trend is another sign that marks the days in which we live
-we have heard much talk about the signs of the times
-Paul described these days in 2 Tim 3 (dangerous, men loving themselves, lovers of money, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, no self control, lovers of pleasures, having a form of godliness
E. Another sign is that people would be "Unthankful"
-we must remember that these things describe man’s condition in relation to God
-Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
III. KEEPING THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING ALIVE
A. It is up to the church to keep the things of God alive - including the spirit of thankfulness
-the fire on the alter was to be maintained by the priests.
B. We must find ways to express thankfulness to God, while the world forgets God or blames Him for their troubles
C. Our actions and attitudes must not be based on the response of the unbeliever toward God. It must be based upon our experience with God
-Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
-if we have the faith of God in us it will show in many ways including a spirit of thankfulness
-Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
IV. CONCLUSION
A. Keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive in you life. Remember that "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father above"
B. Thank you God for your blessings and goodness toward your people!
