Thanksgiving To The Glory Of God

Thanksgiving to the Glory of God

Text: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

OPEN WITH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

It almost seems like Thanksgiving is becoming a “forgotten holiday”. Immediately after Halloween is over, the shelves start stocking up with Christmas items, and advertisements tell us that we need to get our Christmas shopping done. Don’t wait until “Black Friday” anymore… order online, and get free shipping now!

It shouldn’t be that way, but it is… and I think part of the reason that it is – is because the act of “Giving Thanks” is becoming a foreign concept to so many folks. I want you to just think about this with me for a second. Way back, when we had our very first Thanksgiving in this nation, it was Pilgrims and Native Americans gathering together – giving thanks for God’s provision, protection, and providence. Those Pilgrims didn’t have electricity… they didn’t have cars… they didn’t have refrigerators filled with turkey and ham, and pumpkin pie. The food they had they had to work for. Either by hunting, or fishing, or farming. It was the result of the sweat of their brow and the labor of their own hands. They didn’t have heaters for the cold winter, they didn’t have healthcare if they got sick… they didn’t have TV to watch the football game on… in-fact; there was no football. They literally had next to nothing – and so… when they did manage to get food, and make it through the winter… they were profoundly thankful.

But the Bible tells us that one of the signs we should expect to see, as we draw nearer to the Day of the Lord is more and more people who are unthankful.

And so; as we draw near the Thanksgiving Holiday, I want to share something with you, and it is my hope and prayer that as we hear God’s Word, our hearts will be filled with thanksgiving and praise – which is the only proper thing.

So… if you will, please take your Bible and open it up to 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 and follow along as I read from God’s Holy Word (READ).

Now I know we’re talking about Thanksgiving this morning… but before we get into that, and into our text, I want to back up just a bit to October 31st… 504 years ago. Not Halloween… but a day that all Christians should remember and celebrate. October 31st 1517, the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis on the doors of Castle Church in Whitenburg Germany. That was the day that most historians like to say kicked off the Protestant Reformation… but another day… that was just as important was a few years down the road… April 18, 1521. That was the 2nd Day that Martin Luther was forced to stand before an inquisition council of the Catholic Church, at a place called “Worms”. They were demanding that he renounce his teachings that Scripture alone is authoritative. Martin Luther knew that if he didn’t do that, he was probably going to be put to death. And he stood before that council and listen to what he said, “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason – for I believe neither Pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves – I consider myself convicted by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. Here is stand – I can do no other… God helm me.” Now to me; that is one of the most inspiring speeches given in all of history. More inspiring that Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” More inspiring than Churchill’s “Never Surrender Speech”. More inspiring than Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbechev, tear down that wall!” Because with Martin Luther, you had a man, who was surrounded by his enemies… and he knew… for all intents and purposes, he was a dead man. In-fact; they were probably going to take him out the next day and execute him… but he stood – bold as a lion, and said, “I will stand on God’s Word!”

Church – my question for you this morning is – What makes a man be able to do that?

Here’s my answer – Apart from faith in Jesus Christ, there is no reason to do something like that.

Let me say that again – Apart from faith in Jesus Christ, there is NO reason to do something like that.

Church… the implications of what we’re talking about today, and what you’re going to be hearing… and what you should be hearing each and every Sunday… the implications of believing in a resurrected Savior who has conquered sin and death, and who has justified us before a Holy and Righteous God – should change EVERYTHING about the way you live.