[Biblemat] Outline: The Giving of Thanks

[T. Sean Sullivan]

Brethren,

    Here is one for this Sunday. This sermon will work at any time but I was thinking about a certain declared holiday this next Thursday. Also article that compliments this outline and many more articles are available on our congregation's website the URl is in my signature line

Sean

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T. Sean Sullivan
306 B West Main Street
Newbern, TN 38059
My site: www.sullivandrawing.com
Congregation site: www.mainstreetcofc.com
"Abiding in mediocrity will never get you more than half-way to what could have been true success" ~T.S.Sullivan

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The Giving of Thanks

2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Introduction:

A.   This week holds the fourth Thursday of November; in our country this day is official known as Thanksgiving Day. 

1.   There are many things to be thankful for in our blessed place in this world-we are truly blessed.

B.   Have we, however, begun to confuse the essence of Thanksgiving: like so many others? 

1.   Has "Thanksgiving" become a time to remember all that we have amassed, but forget from "whom" those things have come? 

2.   Too many sit back in admiration of their great collections of goods and seem to praise those "things" much more than the God of Heaven who is the source of all blessings.

C.        This Thursday, and everyday, we have a compelling need to remember God. 

1.   When we give thanks it must not be to ourselves or to our admiration of our possessions. 

2.   When we give thanks it must be to God. 

a.   This being said, we also know that God does not simply accept every, or just any, offering.  

b.   God has given us His will so that we can know how to approach Him and successfully "thank" Him for our blessings. 

D.        Let's go to the word of God to seek instruction in the proper giving of thanks.

 

I.          Thankful Singing:

A.         God has always accepted singing in His praise and worship from man. 

1.   The English phrase "giving of thanks" as found in the Old Testament is from the Hebrew yadah -it literally means to extend one's arm toward another (as in throwing or offering something)-it is most often used scripturally as reaching out toward God in a humble appeal and offering of thanks. We must extend ourselves toward God to show our thankfulness to Him.

B.         Singing is a key of communication (or reaching out) to the Lord. 

1.   As early as Exodus 15, in the recorded history of Israel we find the people of God singing in thanksgiving to God.  

2.   We also see in 2 Samuel 22:50 David expressing in a Psalm his giving of thanks to the Lord. 

3.   Throughout the collection of Psalms we see many Psalms of thanksgiving to the Lord (Psalm 30:4; 30:12; 35:18; 79:13; 107:1, etc.) 

4.   Still today we praise (adore, magnify, thank, glorify) God in song. 

a.   Ephesians 5:19 ".speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," 

b.   Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

C.  If we consider the honor and privilege of speaking to God we will cherish the opportunities to thank God. 

1.   When we choose not to sing here in worship we are choosing to not encourage our brethren and we are choosing to not thank God for His care. 

2.   God does not accept just any thing or just any way of thanking; He has told us that He accepts singing so let's say "thank You" to God in song. 

II.         Thankful Supplications:

A.         Supplication is heartfelt prayer. 

1.   We can express our thanks to God through prayer in this life. 

2.   The human voice is a key to revealing the heart's thoughts (Matthew 12:34-37).

a.   When we go to God in prayer we carry our true self, our heart, to God. 

b.   Prayer is a key of communication and enables us to offer thanks to God. 

B.         There are great examples of thanking God in prayer: 

1.   Jesus thanked the Father for simple things like food (Matthew 15:36). 

a.   This teaches us that the most basic of blessings are to be noted and appreciated (1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Timothy 4:4-5). 

2.   Jesus thanked the Father for the remembrance elements (Matthew 26:26-27).  

a.   We continue to partake of those elements in remembrance of Christ and we thank God for them and for the significance they represent-the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

3.   Paul was continual in prayers of thanks to God for:

a.   his brethren (Romans 16:3-4; Ephesians 1:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). 

b.  the spread of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:13). 

c.   all men: ruler, kings, authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-3) 

d.   everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

C.        God does not accept just any thing or just any way of thanking; 

1.   He has told us that He accepts prayer, so let's say "thank You" to God in prayer.  

 

III.        Thankful Service

A.   Everyday that we "walk as we should" we demonstrate appreciation and thankfulness for all that God has provided us. 

1.   Consider once more the phrase "giving of thanks". The English phrase "giving of thanks" as found in the Old Testament is from the Hebrew yadah -it is literally means to extend one's arm toward another (as in throwing or offering something)-it is most often used scripturally as reaching out toward God in a humble appeal and offering of thanks. 

2.   We must extend ourselves toward God to show our thankfulness to Him. 

3.   What will we "give" to God in thanks to Him: 

a.         our self (Romans 12:1-2) 

b.         our time (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16; Hebrews 10:24-25)

c.         our money (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

d.         our praise-worship (Hebrews 13:5). 

B.   What greater way to say "thank You" to God than to walk in His advice. 

1.   God has seen fit to give us direction; He has revealed Himself to us so that we can know His help and hope. 

a.   Consider 2 Peter 1:3 "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue". 

b.   God has provided direction that leads us to "glory" down the road of "virtue". 

2.   Thank God: Listen to His directions. 

a.         Showing appreciation for His direction (Psalm 119:102). 

b.         Walking as we should demonstrates our thanks to God (Colossians 3:17).

c.         Build yourself up toward completion as a fruitful servant (2 Peter 1:5-10).

C.        God does not accept just any thing or just any way of thanking.

1.   He has told us that He accepts proper service through the example of the scriptures, so let's say "thank You" to God in our proper service. 

 

Conclusion:

A.         This Thursday serves as a reminder of our need to offer thanks to God. 

1.   We are truly blessed in this life, in this country, and in this state. 

2.   God offers us the greatest of all that is best. 

3.   What are we offering Him to say "thanks"? 

B.   If you are not yet a Christian, God has provided some advice-some direction for you. 

1.   Will you appreciate His offer and thankfully accept His plan? 

2.   The opportunity of salvation is yours right now. 

C.  If you are a Christian already are you continuing daily to show your appreciation to God by living as you should? 

D.  If not, it is time to repent and seek God forgiveness. 

1.   God has provided all things that pertain to life and godliness. 

2.   His reward is glory. His way is virtue. 

3.   Are you ready? 

(Written by: T. Sean Sullivan: if you use this remember to credit where credit is due).



 
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