WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.759 Verse 30, Psalm 69, verse 30, I will praise the name of God with a song, I will magnify Him 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:19.920 ! I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:29.920 ! Let's pray. Our Father God, this morning as we take the word in 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:42.820 hand, we are mindful that you have given to us scriptures as a blessing, as an incredible 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:55.520 encouragement, as instruction that we who are your children may be fully equipped for all good works. 00:00:55.520 --> 00:01:02.740 And we want to be a people that this morning, through the enabling of the Spirit of God, both 00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:14.240 cure the word and also apply the word in practical, daily, Christ-honoring behavior and thinking. 00:01:15.659 --> 00:01:21.700 Furthermore, and it is our heart together, that those who are here this morning that do not know 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:31.180 Christ, who at this moment have no eternal reason to be thankful by the working of your Spirit would 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:36.939 be drawn to the cross and leave here, knowing Christ as their Savior, rejoicing forevermore 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:45.100 in the blessing of complete forgiveness for sins and for the joy of knowing you as their God and Savior. 00:01:45.099 --> 00:01:50.199 We ask this this morning for the glory of Christ. Amen. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:55.899 So here we are. This is the Thanksgiving service that we do before Thanksgiving. 00:01:56.119 --> 00:02:01.959 And the reason we do that is because we want to kind of remind you, not that you'd forget about Thanksgiving. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:05.179 I mean, it's all out there, right? Everybody knows about Thanksgiving. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:11.200 Thanksgiving, I am getting slammed in my inbox with all kinds of announcements about how important 00:02:11.200 --> 00:02:17.240 not actually Thanksgiving is, but Black Friday. It's like, give me a break, you know? 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:24.680 And it's all, we're aware of that. And so one of the things that we have done over the years is 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:30.280 we've taken the time, this service in particular, to kind of focus our hearts and remind ourselves 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:35.500 of just how significant the issue of Thanksgiving is in the believer's life. 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:41.340 And so in addition to the dinner that we're going to enjoy, we take the time in a service to look 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:45.719 at the Word of God and say, well, okay, how important is Thanksgiving to the believer? 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:49.900 And so we're going to think this morning, we're going to step away from the book of John that we 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:55.780 have been working our way through, and we're going to just think in practical, in a topical fashion, 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:58.099 looking at the subject of Thanksgiving. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:04.359 Thanksgiving. And so let me draw attention, first of all, to the fact that a characteristic of the 00:03:04.359 --> 00:03:10.419 believer's faith and worship is this attitude of Thanksgiving. So keep in your mind, a characteristic, 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:15.900 if I'm a believer, then Thanksgiving is to be one of the markers of my life. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:27.579 I'm a parent. And thankfully, I'm past the stage. By the way, being an empty nester is not all that bad, 00:03:27.580 --> 00:03:35.260 just in case you're wondering. I'm past the stage where I am coaching my children on a regular basis 00:03:35.260 --> 00:03:38.900 to say thank you, thank you, thank you. How many of you are still doing that? You know, it's like, 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:46.080 and they didn't get it the first or the second or third or, you know, and you just keep on doing it. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:57.320 It reminds me of a situation that I heard about once where a grandmother was in a room and happened 00:03:57.320 --> 00:04:02.439 to be tottering around in the kitchen, and a little granddaughter came in and said, 00:04:02.600 --> 00:04:07.800 give me a glass of water. Well, you know how it is with parents, you know. Grandparents are about the 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:12.820 same way. It's like, give me a glass of water. No, that doesn't work. And so grandmother just kind of 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:16.819 played on loud. She didn't hear it. And so the little girl dialed it up a little bit. Get me 00:04:16.819 --> 00:04:23.800 a glass of water. Grandmother just didn't respond. And so the grandmother thought it would be appropriate 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:27.759 to coach. And what kind of things would you coach? It's like, what's the magic word? How many of you 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:32.860 use that magic word? Anybody ever done that? Okay. I'm waiting for something, you know, and you're kind 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:36.259 of trying to nurture it out so you don't have to get right in the face. You know, it's like, 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:42.039 trying to be gentle. And finally, it got to the point that grandmother said, so 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:50.360 what should you say? A little granddaughter turned towards one of the brothers and said, 00:04:50.580 --> 00:04:58.860 give me a glass of water right now, pointing to the brother. The expectation was, hey, I don't need 00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:03.820 to be coached on the issue of thankfulness and was unwilling to accommodate the grandmother in this 00:05:03.820 --> 00:05:09.040 particular case. And we can kind of identify, we who are parents, we've been there. We're trying to 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:15.680 work on that because being thankful is something that good parents try to weave into the fabric of 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:24.740 their children's lives. Am I right or wrong? Now, this morning, I am not interested in weaving 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:33.920 thankfulness into your life as a matter of good behavior. That's pretty important to understand. 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:43.220 You see, when we really think about the matter of thankfulness, I want you to understand that 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:49.520 biblical thankfulness is more than good manners. And the truth of the matter is, if you're sitting 00:05:49.520 --> 00:05:55.020 here this morning and the truth is, and you can kind of nudge your wife or your husband and say, 00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:59.680 hey, how am I doing at this later on? In fact, if you're really nervy, do you know what I mean by 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:05.519 really nervy? If you've got the guts to hear the truth, say to those who are fairly close to you 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:15.060 after the service, so how thankful am I as a general rule? Write that down in the margin somewhere so you 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:21.660 don't forget it. It's not a little bad takeaway. How thankful am I as a general rule? Write that down. 00:06:21.660 --> 00:06:30.780 Back we come. Biblical thankfulness is more than good manners. Thankfulness really is a reflection 00:06:30.780 --> 00:06:36.840 of our view of God. Remember I said, I'm not interested in kind of coaching you manners so 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:44.220 that you go around, oh, thank you. I'm looking for a change in the way you think about God that 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:52.360 produces a thankful spirit on a consistent basis without coaching. I want to go a little further 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:57.240 on this issue and help you understand that thankfulness really is also a reflection of 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:04.460 our relationship with God. For one, it says what we think about God, but it also shows our relationship 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:13.700 with God. Do you understand that? Thankfulness shows relationship. Would you agree with that? 00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:20.500 Thankfulness shows relationship. Let me illustrate it this way, and I'm hesitant to use this illustration, 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:30.120 but it serves well, and my wife is in Texas. I am very thankful for Judith. I am very thankful to 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:38.880 Judith. I thank her for the fact that she is who she is and the blessings that she is to me, and I thank 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:46.379 her all the time. I thank her for the meals she cooks. I thank her for the organization that she 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:52.860 brings to our home. I almost sent her a picture of the kitchen counter this morning to show her 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:58.879 that the kitchen counter is in relatively the same shape as when she left. She went to Texas on Saturday, 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:03.439 and I thought, you know, I probably should just run the camera like this so that she sees that when 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:10.139 she comes back. It's not a disaster yet. I'm thankful that she makes the bed in the morning. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:16.819 I get up quite a bit earlier than she does, but I thank her for that. I thank her for doing my laundry. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:23.800 It's an amazing thing. We have a clothes shoot on the second floor, and I put the things. It drops 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:29.120 down there. It's gone, and then it comes back in a basket that I have to carry up, but it comes back 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:38.100 folded. And every now and then, she goes back through, and I'm an organizational disaster. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:44.039 She goes back through and organizes my sock drawer. Do you know how it gets organized? Colors. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:49.960 She organizes my underwear. You don't need to know about that, okay? 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:58.820 But organization. I got to tell you, the first thing I thanked Judith for when we were dating 00:08:58.820 --> 00:09:07.960 was her laundry skills. I was in college, and I don't want to talk about my dressing behavior and 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:14.680 habits, but let me tell you, it was very limited. And I remember that laundry was done. It got thrown 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:20.740 into a net bag, and then the net bag, without unpacking, got thrown into a heavy-duty washer and 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:25.620 just kind of thumped its way through, and whatever came out, that's what it was. Now, I know, 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:32.399 none of you ever there, but when Judith came into my life, the first thing she did is that she took 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:38.580 my laundry, and things went from dark, dull gray to actual white. I didn't know they made shirts that 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:47.019 way. And I got to thinking the other day as I was studying and praying about this, why is it? 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:58.240 Why is it that I am consistently thankful to Judith? I got to tell you, for one reason, it is because of who 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:04.379 she is, but another is because of the relationship we have. And so, if you're sitting here this morning, 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:13.840 and the fact of the matter is this, you do not have a very thankful spirit. Part of the problem really is 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:19.340 your relationship. Let's just cut to the chase. That's where it's at. Part of the problem is your 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:24.639 relationship. And in relationship to this matter of thanksgiving, I do want you to understand that 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:31.379 the Bible has a lot to say about it. It's filled with examples. This passage that I read there in 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.860 Psalm 69, verse 30, 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:39.259 I will praise the name of God with a song. I will magnify Him with thanksgiving, 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:44.740 is just one of many, many verses that have to do with the matter of thanksgiving. 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:54.539 When we think about the matter of thanks, I do want you to understand that it really is a central 00:10:54.539 --> 00:11:02.639 feature of our faith. In fact, it is one of the things that is a marker of where you are. Let's 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:08.539 try it this way. So, how are you doing in your walk? Well, I read the Bible. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:19.100 Eleven minutes. I pray over a list that has 15 items on it. I remember our missionaries once a 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:23.860 month. You know how we tend to be very compartmentalized with how we're doing at our 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:31.600 walk. Am I right or wrong? How are you doing in your relationship with Christ? I am incredibly 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:38.220 thankful. Well, let's think about this a little bit more. Actually, in the Old Testament, 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:44.500 there were some sacrifices that were required. Does anybody have an idea what kind of sacrifices 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:55.060 were required? Sin sacrifices. You sin, you sacrifice. Thanksgiving sacrifices were not 00:11:55.059 --> 00:12:00.299 obligations. Let me have you look just for a moment. Turn back, if you would, to Leviticus. You are there 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:10.479 in Psalms. But go back to Leviticus chapter 7, verse 12 and 13. If, what does if mean? 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:18.700 Not an obligation. If you do this, if he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:25.039 thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:31.659 of fine flour. The issue that I draw attention to here is that in the Old Testament, there were 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:43.679 thanksgiving offerings. Giving thanks was a part of corporate worship. It's something that was actually 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:50.839 woven into the order of service. People came together, and one of the things that they did 00:12:50.839 --> 00:12:58.039 was they offered thanks to God. You're there in Psalm 69. I want you to turn over to Psalm 95, verse 2. 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:01.159 Let me begin there in verse 1. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:06.259 O come, let us sing to the Lord. Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:13.159 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving. Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise. 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:17.719 What do you think? 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:27.139 This passage is telling us one of the characteristics of the true worship of people 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.799 who know Christ. 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:36.159 Not only was it a characteristic of corporate worship, but there were actually individuals 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:42.480 who were appointed with the formal responsibility of offering songs of thanksgiving. 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:49.460 John, we will sing three thanksgiving songs. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:54.439 That's David appointed people to sing songs of thanksgiving. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:59.540 Nehemiah appointed specific named individuals in the Old Testament. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:04.940 Your responsibility is to have thanksgiving songs. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:07.360 They could be recognized as that. 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:12.980 There were songs that expressed thanks specifically. 00:14:14.880 --> 00:14:21.980 It's interesting also to see that giving thanks to God was a command in some portions of the text. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:24.620 Over in Psalm 50, verse 14, it says, 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:30.120 You, you, offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving. 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:33.480 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving. 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:35.240 Here's what you should do. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:45.139 I want you to understand, moving into the New Testament, recognizing this continuing theme, 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:49.519 we see that in the New Testament, thanksgiving is to be the lifestyle of the believer. 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.940 It is the lifestyle of the believer. 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:57.720 You're there in Psalms, but I want you to turn now, if you will, to Colossians chapter 2. 00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:00.799 It is the lifestyle of the believer. 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:07.459 Hey, what is it that really characterizes you to the neighbors that you have? 00:15:08.719 --> 00:15:10.500 I hope you don't tell me it's your hairstyle. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:18.679 Colossians chapter 2, verse 6 and 7. 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:34.299 What's abounding mean? 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:38.259 Abounding means it just happens all the time. 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:44.319 How many of you have been around people that are abounding with enthusiasm over their first grandchild? 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.939 You ever been there? 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:49.800 I mean, you try to avoid them in the lobby because you're showing the same pictures. 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:53.120 They forgot they showed you last week and the week before and the week before. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.820 Hey, I have one, finally. 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.760 Here it is. 00:15:56.880 --> 00:16:00.760 They're abounding with enthusiasm for that particular thing they're really interested in. 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:04.220 Here's the Bible telling us, hey, listen, guys. 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:10.760 The characteristic of the believer is to be abounding, abounding in thanksgiving. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:16.559 Abounding means that it's happening all the time. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.759 It's part of who you are. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:25.559 It's the lifestyle of the believer. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:33.340 Furthermore, I want you to understand that thanksgiving is also woven in and inseparable from our prayer life. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:36.660 By the way, how important is a prayer life for a believer? 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.519 Answer is what? 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.820 It's essential. 00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:47.660 In fact, I got to tell you, you don't get to start being a believer apart from prayer. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.420 Am I right? 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:51.000 How do you come to Christ? 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.940 You just think deep thoughts. 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:53.259 No. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:59.059 Hey, I am a sinner who has been destroyed by my own heart and sinfulness. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:01.080 I need forgiveness for my sins. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.460 Will you please? 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:03.799 You pray. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:13.319 Thanksgiving is woven, woven, and is inseparable in our prayer life. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.619 A couple passages to kind of hammer that point home. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:20.759 You're there in Colossians 2, but look over, if you will, at Colossians 4, verse 2. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:27.079 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:32.039 Now, that's an interesting combination, and because of the significance of the combination, 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.940 I want you to turn back. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.759 You're there in Colossians. 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:37.619 Just skip back a couple books to Philippians. 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.920 One book. 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:42.680 Philippians 4, verse 6. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.879 Philippians 4, verse 6. 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:48.279 Do not be anxious about everything. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:52.500 How many of you are anxiety specialists? 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.740 You know, you don't have to warm up. 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:59.220 You're right up to speed immediately, and you can kind of circle the drain without any practice. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.399 Oh, here we go. 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:07.440 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, what? 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:08.920 Look at that. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.259 Look at that. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:14.700 With thanksgiving, the let your requests be made known unto God. 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:17.400 Now, how does prayer and thanksgiving go together? 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:20.039 Here's how our prayers usually are. 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:22.700 I mean, I'm not talking about you, but I'm talking about me. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.980 You know, it's like, oh, Lord, I'm really having a problem with this. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.400 I really need you to do something about it. 00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:28.660 You know, are you aware of this problem going on? 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:32.279 I've been thinking about this a lot, and I'm not sure you're picking up on this. 00:18:34.100 --> 00:18:35.299 You guys don't pray that way. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.920 I understand. 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:37.779 But my point is what? 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:40.779 You're not doing the other part of it. 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:44.279 Lord, I'm having a problem here. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.579 This is a mess. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.339 But you know what? 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.660 I'm really glad you're on the throne. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.559 And you know what? 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.859 I haven't figured out how this is going to work out, but I know how the story ends, 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:57.639 so I really don't need to be overworked about the detail. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.299 Is that right? 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:09.579 But I've got to tell you, if we were biblical in our prayer life, 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:19.220 Thanksgiving would be integrated in more often than it is. 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:27.440 And so I want to challenge you to kind of think carefully about the matter of where Thanksgiving is in your prayers. 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.319 Well, let's go beyond that. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:34.359 Let's talk about not only is it woven into our prayer life, but Thanksgiving is to flavor our conversations. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.859 Stop just for a moment. 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:46.200 Replay the audio on the last dozen conversations you've had. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.700 Think about it. 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:52.939 Thanksgiving is to flavor our conversations. 00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:55.359 And so you're thinking to yourself, can you prove that, Pastor? 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.359 Or are you just kind of making this up? 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:59.899 Well, let's go to Ephesians 5, verse 4. 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.179 I want you to look at the passage. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.859 I don't want you to take my word for it. 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:09.500 Ephesians 5, verse 4. 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:13.019 Let there be no filthiness, no foolish talk, nor crude joking. 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.859 We're pretty good with that for the most part, right? 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.399 Smile. 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.899 Yeah, you are. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.300 Okay. 00:20:18.300 --> 00:20:18.380 Okay. 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:25.100 No filthiness, no foolish talk, no crude joking, which is out of place. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:29.800 But instead, let there be Thanksgiving. 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.540 Is that the way it is with you? 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.460 I like being around him. 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:42.160 Most of the time when we talk, he's thankful. 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:50.400 How many of you have been around people that are just incessantly down? 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:58.640 I mean, which one of the Peanuts individuals was it that just pigpen? 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.440 Remember pigpen? 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.800 No matter where he went, there was a cloud of dust. 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:04.860 I mean, there are some people that kind of carry an aura. 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:06.400 I mean, you know what I mean? 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:13.120 They carry an aura of just depressive, moody thinking. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.080 And they're always unhappy. 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:21.259 You know, sometimes you have to talk to him, but you know how it's going to go, right? 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:27.480 Here's what the Bible says to all of us. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.519 Let me read it again. 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:34.759 Let there be no filthiness, no foolish talk, no crude joking, which is out of place, but 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:37.759 instead, let there be Thanksgiving. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:43.539 Now, I know some of you are going to give a temporary run at this in the church dinner. 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.859 I know Pastor said this. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.859 Hey, I'm really thankful for pie. 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:52.240 Stretch it out a little bit beyond the meal, okay? 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.779 Will you please? 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:57.000 But here, point, it's to be a part of our conversation. 00:21:58.139 --> 00:22:02.839 Another point in relationship to this is Thanksgiving is to be part of our eternal worship. 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:09.259 One of the things I'll never forget, forget who was the one that made the comment, but well 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:14.000 placed said that what we're doing here is just warm up for the main event, right? 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.859 Isn't that true? 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:21.519 When we get together to worship, and I enjoy our time together, I'm blessed by it. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:24.559 I don't know if you ever noticed I kind of turn around sometimes. 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.599 I just want to see your faces. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:29.759 And I just enjoy listening to our fellowship as we're together. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:36.420 But this place is not the main event. 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.740 It's warm-ups. 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:42.660 The day is coming when we're going to enjoy the very presence of Christ. 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:49.180 We're going to enjoy eternity forever, and we will worship Him and delight in Him, and 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:51.700 we will be absolutely fully satisfied. 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.740 We'll be thankful. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:55.180 So think with me just for a moment. 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:58.240 Turn in your Bible back to Revelation chapter 11. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:02.120 Revelation chapter 11, verse 17. 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.740 Begin there in verse 16. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:13.299 And the 24 elders who sat on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:23.599 God, saying, We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who was, for 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:26.480 you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:32.980 Now, just a little sidebar here, because I suppose it's going to happen. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:42.339 There are different perspectives on the issue of what we have to say about God. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.779 For one, we can praise Him. 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.680 For another, we can thank Him. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:48.519 And I don't want to overly complicate life. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:54.639 But as a general rule, we thank God for things He's done, and we praise God for who He is. 00:23:55.440 --> 00:24:02.019 But there are also times in Scripture where, because of who God is, it's pretty hard to 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:04.519 separate from what He's doing or has done. 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.339 Does that make sense? 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:11.319 I mean, it's a little bit like, go back to that very simplistic illustration of my relationship 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.859 with Judith. 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:15.899 You know, I thank her all the time for lots of things. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:19.759 But it's not just, you know what, I don't care about you. 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.259 I'm just really happy about laundry. 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:23.419 It's just too complex. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:28.720 And so I don't get wrapped up about, well, you should have thanked Him in that case. 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.720 You shouldn't have praised Him. 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:31.759 Oh, that should have been praised. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.059 That's not thanks. 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.460 Give it a rake. 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.879 Here it is. 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.460 Read it. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:45.680 Man, I, is that the way it is for you? 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:51.759 That the Spirit, now I got to say, I want you to think about this. 00:24:54.940 --> 00:25:03.259 Ask yourself the question, the last five conversations I've had, 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:10.900 was there anything in them that had anything to do with thankfulness? 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:23.819 Thanksgiving is more than a holiday. 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:36.379 It's the lifestyle and mindset of the believer in sweet communion and relationship with the Lord Jesus. 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:37.879 You got that, right? 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:45.299 Well, let me take it a little further and say that Thanksgiving really is a reflection of our view of God. 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:50.960 Let's start by reminding ourselves of where we all were prior to our conversion. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:53.740 And I want you to turn in your Bibles to Romans 1. 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:55.200 How did it used to be? 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:58.539 How did it used to be before we were saved? 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.039 We all started in the same place. 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:04.480 Romans 1, verse 23 says this. 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:07.899 Just a second. 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:12.320 Verse 21. 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:16.580 For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, nor give Him what? 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.800 What's it say? 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.780 Romans 1. 00:26:20.060 --> 00:26:22.360 You can scratch a line through the 23. 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.940 That's my typo error. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.660 It's 21. 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.220 321. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.840 They didn't thank Him. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:32.640 That's where we were prior to our conversion. 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:39.360 We were unthankful people most of the time, except for occasions. 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.940 We weren't thankful. 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:46.380 We started out that way. 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:52.700 For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:57.620 but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:26:57.619 --> 00:27:05.539 And so here's a little pop quiz that it's unexpected, but I think it'll be beneficial. 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.899 Let's just ask a couple questions. 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:09.359 I want you to ask them. 00:27:09.739 --> 00:27:10.559 I want you to write them down. 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.639 I want you to think about these. 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:15.500 How often do I thank God in my prayer life? 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:21.819 How often do I thank God in my prayer life? 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.839 How often do I do that? 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:34.319 Second, how often do others who know me hear me thank God? 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:40.619 How often do those who know me hear me thank God? 00:27:40.619 --> 00:28:00.519 Third, when was the last time someone commented on my joy and spirit of thankfulness? 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:09.539 When was the last time someone commented on my joy and spirit of thankfulness? 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:13.639 Listen to me. 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:20.939 A genuinely thankful spirit is very unusual. 00:28:21.459 --> 00:28:24.739 It is atypical in an unbelieving world. 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:25.619 Am I right or wrong? 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.859 How many of you? 00:28:28.199 --> 00:28:28.979 Where you work? 00:28:29.699 --> 00:28:30.659 Most of you work. 00:28:31.439 --> 00:28:33.799 Do you work around people that are just usually pretty thankful? 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:35.379 I mean, you know, come in Monday. 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.859 It's a woohoo, Monday. 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.700 It's I'm here. 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.879 I'm happy. 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:42.419 You know, how many are going to have that happen on Monday? 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.740 Maybe not. 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.399 Tuesday? 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.359 They're better, right? 00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:49.659 And by Friday, they're on top of it. 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:53.019 They're so full of exuberant thankfulness that it's infectious. 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:54.519 Everybody wants to be thankful. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:58.319 Is that that way? 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.039 Come back again. 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.480 When was the last time? 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:10.579 When was the last time someone else commented on your spirit and thankfulness? 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:18.139 Now, listen, we can bend over backwards to be good witnesses. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:27.139 We can roll out all kinds of things to show kindness, and I'm in favor of that. 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:39.220 But if you want people to ask you a reason for the hope that lies within you, you cannot be a grumpy, unhappy person. 00:29:41.280 --> 00:29:45.500 And all God's people said, it just doesn't work. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:52.800 You know, people are looking at the way you live your life, and they're thinking, you know, that may get them to heaven, 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:54.580 but it sure doesn't look like fun. 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.820 Right? 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:18.000 I got to tell you, I love, I love being around unbelievers because for the most part, 00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:24.420 you don't have to listen very long before they share with you that the wheels are coming off. 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:29.400 I mean, you don't have to tell me your deep, dark secrets. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:33.160 You just have to be willing to listen with a heart, and it comes out. 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:38.680 They are blown away. 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:45.420 The unbelieving world is blown away by genuine, persistent thankfulness. 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.060 Isn't that right? 00:30:47.060 --> 00:30:47.160 Right? 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:54.240 So thankfulness is really a reflection of our view of God. 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:56.080 Let me come to the last point here. 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.720 Thankfulness makes much of God. 00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:01.680 You wonder, why do you start with Psalm 69 and then just not stay there? 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.440 Well, change of plans. 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:09.000 I'll do that next week when we get back into John, but I just wanted to kind of give you something to hold on to, 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.900 but we're coming back to it. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.880 Psalm 69, verse 30. 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:14.880 I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:19.599 I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.799 Question. 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:23.099 Can I make God bigger? 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:26.160 There is a sense in which, no. 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:27.839 No. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:31.339 You know, God's not up there in heaven wringing his hands, saying, 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:36.879 you know, I need 17 more people to really help me with how big I need to be today. 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:41.599 How many of you have ever been around people that have come to you and said, 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:45.459 I'm really having a real deep problem, and I need 20 people to pray for me? 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:48.500 I mean, is 20 better than one good man? 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.639 I mean, you know what it says? 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:52.220 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:56.279 One can get it done. 00:31:56.379 --> 00:32:00.319 Now, don't dismiss this and go off the page on me, but here's my point. 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:06.980 There's an aspect to which you and I can't make God bigger. 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:11.179 But the text says you magnify God with thanksgiving. 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:15.119 How is it that we magnify God? 00:32:16.459 --> 00:32:22.559 Well, it helps to understand that what the word means is that we amplify, 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:29.259 we draw further attention to, we make much of him. 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:35.160 And so you stop and realize that he is indeed glorious. 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:37.539 He is worthy of all adoration and praise. 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:42.859 And when we admit that and we say that, what we do is we help people see who he is. 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:46.579 We lift him up in the eyes of broken and hurting people, 00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:53.319 and we let them know there is hope and there is joy in God and in Christ. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:33:00.720 I got to tell you, I'm hesitant to do this, but I will. 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:07.559 One of the things that I really enjoy about ministry is being around people that are hurting. 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:16.579 And the main reason I like being around people that are hurting is because I know the one who can make a difference. 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.919 I know the one. 00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:26.159 Talking with a guy yesterday, he'd spent the night outside. 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:35.100 And as I was talking with him, he came out, here's a guy that has a brother that lives here in town in Columbus. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:41.220 If I had the choice to choose between staying in my brother's house and sleeping under the bridge, 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.500 you know, guess what I would do? 00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:46.740 How many of you know how cold it was last night? 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:52.480 You went outside to let the dog out, and you came back in and you said to yourself, 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:55.180 Oh, I'm really glad, you know. 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.720 Would you stay with your brother? 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:04.700 Has a daughter that lives in Worthington or, yeah, lives in Worthington, 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:07.440 and the other one is in Grandview. 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:10.219 A daughter in Worthington and a son in Grandview. 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.360 Outside. 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.980 Do you know what I can say to that man? 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:21.819 I can say I know the only person who can change your life. 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.919 I love saying that. 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:29.339 And do you know why I can say it? 00:34:30.899 --> 00:34:33.359 It's not a line that I learned in seminary. 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:37.339 It's something I know Jesus did for me. 00:34:38.399 --> 00:34:38.599 Yeah. 00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:44.699 I go to bed at night thankful. 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:49.219 And it's not my nature. 00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:50.119 Do you understand that? 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:58.199 If Tim Kenoyer is ever on occasion a little dismissive of being a naturally depressed person, 00:34:58.299 --> 00:34:58.759 I am. 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.899 But I can tell you this. 00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:08.659 I know what it is to enjoy the power of the Spirit of God and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:10.579 And I love talking about Him. 00:35:16.819 --> 00:35:21.639 I got to tell you that our great duty of thankfulness is not a dull obligation 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:26.899 or a device to get a glass of water in the kitchen 00:35:26.899 --> 00:35:29.779 or a means of getting blessing. 00:35:29.780 --> 00:35:40.840 But biblical thankfulness is seeing our God properly and saying so truthfully. 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:47.740 So, a practical question and I'll close with this. 00:35:48.680 --> 00:35:52.800 Is your life marked by thankfulness? 00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:56.600 Here's what I want you to do. 00:35:57.140 --> 00:36:01.580 I want you to ask someone really close to you and say this, 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:04.580 really be honest with me. 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:11.360 See, until you get the diagnosis from the physician, 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:17.299 you probably aren't going to practice the protocol or follow the prescription, right? 00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:19.819 So, you say to someone pretty close to you, 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:23.099 am I really a pretty thankful person? 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:25.699 Am I a thankful person? 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.759 Tell me the truth, right? 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:31.380 And if the person looks up at you and says, 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:34.640 well, I'm a little hesitant to tell you, you got the idea. 00:36:36.660 --> 00:36:37.360 Oh, yeah. 00:36:37.580 --> 00:36:38.720 I like being around you. 00:36:38.720 --> 00:36:39.460 You're always thankful. 00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:41.500 You're not grumpy. 00:36:42.520 --> 00:36:46.620 You find the neatest things to be thankful for. 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:50.340 I mean, you know, and if you are a believer here, listen to me carefully, 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:53.500 if you're a believer here that has much to thank Christ for 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:55.640 and you've kind of lost your way, 00:36:55.639 --> 00:37:02.099 today's the day to repent. 00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:06.879 And go ahead and add this to your prayer line. 00:37:07.159 --> 00:37:11.339 Lord, drive home the point that thankfulness 00:37:11.339 --> 00:37:18.000 is the characteristic of a thoughtful and appreciative believer. 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:21.420 And go ahead and do whatever it takes. 00:37:21.739 --> 00:37:25.480 Change me from being a self-focused, unhappy believer 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.940 to one who is thankful. 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:32.559 There are some of you here today that don't know Christ. 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:36.599 I've got to tell you, you have no reason to be thankful at this moment. 00:37:36.599 --> 00:37:47.779 The fact of the matter is, is that you have a cloud that hangs just over your shoulder. 00:37:48.779 --> 00:37:54.360 It's a cloud of shame and sin, of a fear of judgment. 00:37:54.360 --> 00:38:03.980 It's a cloud of impending doom and there is no remedy for that in anything you may ever do. 00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:09.920 But Christ Jesus came into the world. 00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:11.019 Do you know why He came? 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.940 To save sinners. 00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:18.019 And the Bible makes it undeniably plain and clear 00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:24.579 that the Spirit of God, first of all, works to convict us of our sin. 00:38:24.579 --> 00:38:31.599 And I would pray that there is no need for further evidence of the nastiness of your heart. 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.860 How many of you understood what I just said? 00:38:33.480 --> 00:38:39.880 You don't need anybody else or any other experience to help you understand just how dark and hopeless you are. 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:45.019 And when you come to the place that you understand that, here's what you do. 00:38:45.460 --> 00:38:46.640 You cry out and say, 00:38:46.780 --> 00:38:50.160 Jesus, I believe you died for my sins upon the cross. 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:52.559 You satisfied the judgment of God. 00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:57.920 And you offer me salvation to whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord. 00:39:01.340 --> 00:39:01.860 Listen. 00:39:03.380 --> 00:39:04.400 Don't go out of here. 00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:10.760 Don't go out of here as an unrepentant and hardened sinner who refuses the grace of God. 00:39:12.599 --> 00:39:15.820 Don't go out of here as a believer who knows better. 00:39:18.260 --> 00:39:23.760 Because if you are a believer, He is bound and determined to help you grow to be a more, guess what? 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:25.720 Like Jesus person. 00:39:26.220 --> 00:39:27.599 Come at it a little easier. 00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:28.780 Amen? 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:31.000 Let's close in prayer. 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:33.539 John's going to come and lead us. 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:37.579 Father God, take your word. 00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:39.160 Drive it home. 00:39:40.260 --> 00:39:40.960 Make us thankful. 00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:42.119 Amen. 00:39:43.240 --> 00:39:43.720 John. 00:39:43.720 --> 00:39:43.780 John.