"Building a Church Through Outreach"
Give Thanks
ELCOG 11/18/07
Text: 1 Thess. 5:18
This morning I want to keep everything real simple. As we prepare to celebrate thanksgiving this Thursday I want to remind you to be thankful. I know that the world that we live in and the situations of our lives often cause us to worry, fret and complain. Many times during the holiday seasons people become depressed and lonely because of loved ones that have already passed or because of a lack of money to really give to someone a special gift or maybe it’s a lack of assurance. Either way; problems pile up and situations seem to be so over-bearing that we forget the simplicity of giving thanks. This morning let me give you some reason to be thankful. Let me tell you of some things that I am thankful for. All of us have reasons to be thankful. Sometimes we just have to look over the mountain or around the pile to see the things we are truly thankful for.
1. My Family. I am very thankful for family. I realize that I am blessed with great people who surround me and support me. The older I get the more important I realize family is. I am sure that you can also be thankful for your family you might remember all the laughs and for all the cries. You might have great stories of reunions and Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gathers. But I also know that there are a lot of dysfunctional families. I know that some of you have more horror stories than love stories and you don’t feel like you have any reason to be thankful for family. But this morning I want to remind you of one important fact. If you are a Christian, then you have a greater family to be grateful for than anyone.
Gal. 4:4
4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal. 4:5
5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal. 4:6
6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal. 4:7
7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Rom. 8:14
14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom. 8:15
15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom. 8:16
16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom. 8:17
17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom. 8:18
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
a. We have a father who spoke the world into existence. We have a father that loves us unconditionally. He loved you so much that he was willing to send his only begotten son to die for us. You have a real reason to be thankful this year, because you are a child of God and you are loved by God. God longs to be your father and to hold you in his strong arms. He wants to help you with your problems and he wants to help you through your difficult situation, but you must be willing to call on his name.
2. I am thankful for my health. I have great health. I am thankful that God gives me the ability to work and to exercise. As I look around the room I know that many of you have reasons to be thankful over your health. You are here this morning instead of a hospital. You look to be well feed. Remember to give thanks for your health. I also know that there are many of you that are not well in body or you have family members that are sick and in hospitals…. I have news for you too. News that should give you reason to be thankful.
Isa. 53:5
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Jer. 30:17
17For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
1 Pet. 2:24
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Rom. 8:26
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom. 8:27
27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom. 8:28
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Pet. 2:24
24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Pet. 2:25
25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
This scripture leads me to my third point…
3. I am thankful for my salvation. I am a sinner saved by grace. I am not perfect, just forgiven. But I realize that I have so much to be thankful for because at one time in my life I was going to hell, but then I heard the call of grace and I surrendered by life to Jesus and he saved me of all my sins. Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross so that he could pay the price to free me from my sins. He made it possible for me to live a life of righteousness.
2 Cor. 5:17
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor. 5:18
18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Tim. 1:9
9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2 Tim. 1:10
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Eph. 2:5
5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph. 2:6
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph. 2:7
7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph. 2:8
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph. 2:9
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph. 2:10
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Rom. 10:9
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom. 10:13
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Today, if you feel like there is no reason to give thanks, look again. You can be thankful for your salvation, health, and family. If you have not recognized this in your life let me encourage you to call on His name and give thanks.