Thanks-Giving

Thanks-Giving

Selected Scriptures

Introduction-

This morning we are only a few days away from a lot of people suffering from over-eating and blaming the turkey we ate as the reason we had to take an all day nap on Thanksgiving.

Really, that is a myth. Turkey does contain Tryptophan, an amino acid that produces Serophan, a neurotransmitter that helps you sleep, but so does a lot of other foods.

Truth is, you over ate, got comfortable, crawled up into your lazyboy and took 8000 Z’s…all by yourself!

I want to look at being grateful. Thanks-giving.

Thanksgiving the holiday is mostly a United States holiday. The words evokes images of football, family get-togethers, turkey, stuffing, lots of desserts, sleeping in the chair for some, lots of work for others.

Turkey was not even on the menu at the first Thanksgivng. It was probably deer meat, lobster, wild berries, corn. No pumpkin pie and no potatoes!

The food and the get together are good, but this morning we cannot forget the reason for it.

Pilgrims were giving God thanks for seeing them through tough times, 66 days, 2750 miles heading for what is now New York City, blowing off course and landed in the cape of Massachusetts.

We as Americans ought to give God thanks everyday, at every meal, and for every gift that we have received because we are a blessed nation.

The poorest person in America lives better than most in other countries. It is the reason that they risk their lives floating in makeshift rafts and rubber tires across an ocean to get here to be free.

Lots of debate and for sure America is not free of problems, but I am glad that I live here and not anywhere else in the world today. Amen.

As a kid growing up, my thanksgiving was food and people- little of gratitude. One time I remember taking a moment of thanks, but that turned into one line jokes that quickly went south.

Henry Ward Beecher-

“Pride slays Thanksgivng, but a humble mind is the soil of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. (Think about that a moment)

We see 2 elements to thankful- humbleness and gratefulness.

1 Peter 5:5-

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

God comes against the haughty and give grace to the humble.

I think on e of the biggest sins of America is being ungrateful.

So much has been given to us, and a long time ago we decided that we don’t have to say thank you.

To God or each other.

Please and thank you were words as a kid I was use too.

If you needed something it began with “May I please” and when someone gave you something, it ended with “Thank you.”

You looked that person right in the eyes and you meant every word that you said.

If your parents had to remind you to respond correctly you were in trouble.

Culture today struggles with humbleness and gratefulness. The two things that will keep you from being thankful.

There is a song that goes “Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings see what God has done”

We need to do that this morning! Everyone of us everyday of our lives!

We have a vision team here at Rosedale. We met this week to look at ways the church can move in God’s direction and His will.

We see middleclass Americans comfortable in their own little world. We also see poverty raise its ugly head. I see two groups, not one, who, if they are not careful will forget to give thanks to God.

Hear me out!

One comfortable, basic needs met and trying to keep up with the Jones.

One group , basic needs not met but focused so much on what they don’t have they miss what God has given them.

Both groups not thankful for what they have and living with ungrateful hearts.

Matthew tells us “Seek the Kingdom of God first”

Doesn’t matter where you are on the economical scale, we are to seek God first.

He also tells us that “Where our treasures are, there our hearts will be also.”

If we are seeking God first, then our treasures will be in the right place also. I assure you they won’t be material things.

Good to have stuff, but stuff cannot have us!

Someone said,

“ If you have nothing to be thankful for then make up your mind there is something wrong with you.”

This seems harsh when I think of what some of you are going through. Some have hit rock bottom.

Listen to these words

I Thess 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”