The Spirit Of Thanksgiving

Thesis: The spirit of thanksgiving is found in thanks-living.

Intro.:

1. Psalm 116 was most likely written by King David.

2. From the content it appears to have been written after some great act of deliverance by the Lord.

I. THE LORD DELIVERS THOSE WHO DEPEND ON HIM (verses 1-11).

A. Verses 1-2 sum up the psalm; the rest of the psalm "unpacks" the ideas found in these first two verses.

1. I was in great need.

2. The Lord responded to my great need.

3. I am grateful for what the Lord has done.

B. Emphasis on simple trust in God:

1. Verse 4--"O Lord, save me!" (simple, non-theological idea!)

2. Verse 6--"Simplehearted" (not simpleminded--simple trust).

3. Verse 11--"All men are liars" (hyperbole--men cannot ultimately be trusted).

II. HOW CAN I REPAY THE LORD? (verses 12-19).

A. You can't! (cf. Psalm 50:7-12).

B. Thanksgiving must become thanks-living; you respond, not in obligation, but in gratitude:

1. Accepting his salvation (13a).

2. Continual dependence on him (13b).

3. Keep promises to God (14).

Conclusion: Psalm 116 is an example of grace in the OT (cf. Eph. 2:8-10).