A Tribute to the Almighty
1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 25, 34
The old Hymn, "My Tribute," says,
"How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me? Things so undeserved yet you give to prove your love for me."
I. How does God say "I love you?"
A. With the peace you realize in times of sorrow and grief.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
B. With the strength you require in times of uncertainty.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Ps 46.1)
C. With the joy you live with through salvation.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (Job 19:25-26)
II. How does God "show His love?"
A. He thought of me long before I was born.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Eph. 1:4)
B. He made provision for my sin while I was yet unworthy.
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Pet 3:18)
C. He gave me a new identity and a new family.
I am now "child of God" and I am adopted into "His family."
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Rom 8:17)
D. He gave His most precious possession for my soul.
"For God so loved the world [your name], that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
III. Our Thanks to Him
The song goes on to say, "The voices of a million angels could not express my gratituede. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee... To God be the glory!"
A. We are to lift our voices to Him in praise.
"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms." (Psa 95:2)
B. We are to offer hands to Him in service.
"...rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Eph. 4:28)
C. We are to offer our very being to Him in sacrifice.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom 12:1)
The song continues, "With His blood he has saved me, with His power he has raised me, To God be the glory for the things He has done."
Every person is born into this world with a sin nature... "what can we do?" Nothing within ourselves.
What will wash away our sins? "Nothing but the blood of Jesus"
This should be a day of thanksgiving for all of us.... It can be!
Where does it begin? ... "At the cross"
Jesus Christ established the source of supreme thanksgiving.
He carried the cross up the hill. He supplied the blood for the sacrifice.
All that is left is for us to apply it to our heart.
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15:57)
