Sermons on First Thanksgiving:

Being Thankful In Difficult Times

Contributed by George Alves on Oct 6, 2001

In the midst of chaos there is hope, there is One who is our strength and refuge.

How can we be thankful during difficult times? When our world is falling apart… When we have more questions than answers… When bad things happen to good people… When evil seems to be gaining ground… When the last penny is spent and retirement is decades away… When your retirement savings ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-7

Denomination: Brethren

"Jesus Lives In East Ridge"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 13, 2017

A sermon for a Community Thanksgiving Service

“Jesus Lives in East Ridge” Matthew 25:31-46 Some of you are involved in a Monday Evening Feeding Program, where at 4 p.m. we meet in the gym at East Ridge United Methodist Church and make sack lunches to take out to our hungry friends and neighbors. We mostly take the meals to the extended ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

Thank God He Let Me Play Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

That is the number one basis for Thanksgiving. It is just the fact that God has let you play the game. All of us are only here today because God has let us play the game of life.

William F. Kirk was a columnist who loved baseball, and just before his death he wrote this poem couched in baseball terms to express his thanks for life. "The doctor knows what his trained eyes see, And he says it is the last of the 9th for me; One more swing while the clouds loom dark, And ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-11

Thankful From The Soul

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 26, 2022

The challenge for us today is to make sure when we thank God for our blessings that it is not flippant, but thankfulness that comes from our very soul.

THANKSGIVING 2022: THANKFUL FROM THE SOUL PSALM 103:1-22 #thanksgiving2022 INTRODUCTION Apparently when I read Psalm 103, my heart likes it. I say I like it because as I sat down to prepare this sermon I noticed, by way of how I save my sermons, that I had already preached a sermon on Psalm 103 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace Grants Gratefulness

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Nov 18, 2008

Ephesians is a letter from Paul that tells about all we have as part of the Family of God. In it seven times he talks about our walk. As God’s children our life should be charactirized by a walk of gratefullness/thanksgiving. Grace is what grants a gra

Intro: Ephesians is a wonderful letter written by Paul that talks about us being part of the family of God. One of the main themes of the letter is the Lordship or headship of Christ. The only way the body will ever be truly united in missions, evangelism, praise, and thanksgiving is to be under ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

If You Only Knew The Reason Why I Praise Him Like I Do

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on Nov 16, 2025

“If You Only Knew why I praise him like I do ” a testimony of what the Lord has done for you

Psalm 34:1 (KJV) 1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. TOPIC- IF YOU ONLY KNEW THE REASON WHY I PRAISE HIM LIKE I DO My brothers and sisters When we stop and think of the phrase “If You Only Knew” We come to the conclusion that it is letting ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1

Denomination: Baptist

Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 21, 2025

Paul is urging believers to live out their new identity in Christ by cultivating hearts overflowing with thankfulness. Why? Because gratitude is a response to God’s grace. It reminds us of His faithfulness, aligns our hearts with His will, and demonstrates that we trust in His sovereign goodness.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thank God For Rights Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

Jesus paid the ultimate price for the ultimate right, which was the right to become a child of God. As Christians we have a right to confess our sins, be forgiven, and become children of God. As Americans we have a right to share this good news with anyone.

On Sept. 17, 1787 the leaders of our nation signed a document, which is to our freedom as Americans what the New Testament is to our freedom in Christ. They signed the Constitution Of The United States, and that is now the longest lasting Constitution every drawn up by leaders of a major nation. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:22-29

A Thankful Heart Is Not Optional

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Nov 25, 2008

This message looks at the importance of having a thankful heart.

“A Thankful Heart is not Optional” Romans 1:16-25 Several years back the Peanuts comic strip pictured Charlie Brown bringing out Snoopy’s dinner on Thanksgiving Day. But it was just his usual dog food in a bowl. Snoopy took one look at the dog food and said, "This isn’t fair. The rest of the world ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gratitude Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 16, 2022

Gratitude Series: Spiritual Practices: Developing Life with God November 28, 2021

Gratitude Series: Spiritual Practices: Developing Life with God November 28, 2021 Welcome...each of you here...and online... so thankful for this time. Today... continue to let God show us how we can connect with him... through spiritual practices... and today... a little briefer exploration of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

So Many Reasons For Thanks

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Nov 25, 2024

Based on Psalm 100 - Encourages hearers to give God exuberant thanks for His blessings.

“SO MANY REASONS FOR THANKS!” Psalm 100 FBCF – 11/24/24 Jon Daniels INTRO – Let’s get after it, Church! It’s time to rise up & give God the thanks that He deserves. Not only is Thanksgiving a uniquely American holiday; it is truly a uniquely Christian holiday b/c every blessing that we enjoy ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Harvest Is A Time Of Thanksgiving And Reflecting On God’s Provision. Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 26, 2024

Harvest is more than just food, it’s a time of thanksgiving and reflecting on God’s provision.

Harvest is a time of thanksgiving and reflecting on God’s provision. Today, we’re talking about harvest. And I don’t know about you, but the word "harvest" brings to mind images of golden fields, ripe fruit, and, let’s be honest, lots of food! Who doesn’t love a good meal? But harvest is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:37-38

Denomination: Pentecostal

Thank God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

People can even take a miracle for granted, and not be thankful. Not being thankful is one of mankind's greatest sins. It shows that man is blind to the grace of God. To go through life and never say thank you to God is to live the ultimate in the cursed life.

Ed Spencer was a hero of one of the worst shipwrecks ever on Lake Michigan. He was studying for the ministry at the Methodist Seminary in Evanston, Ill. On the night of Sept. 8, 1860 he was awakened by the shouts of other students in the dormitory. A shipwreck had taken place not far away. And ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-21

"Giving Thanks In Uncertain Times"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 20, 2008

A Thanksgiving sermon in the midst of economic hardship.

Psalm 118:1-6, 15-17 “Giving Thanks in Uncertain Times” by: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Soddy Daisy, TN www.graceumcsd.org It’s just about time for the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and my favorite—pumpkin pie. Most of us will be celebrating ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

There's No Peanut Butter!

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 22, 2008

Our ability to be grateful to God is largely dependent on the perspective we bring to life.

Title: There’s No Peanut Butter Text: Psalm 100 The Big Idea: Our ability to be grateful to God is largely dependent on the perspective we bring to life. Introduction The painting you see on the screen is a familiar one. Bovey, Minnesota is a small community in south central Minnesota. In ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational