WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.500 Okay, there we go. Perfect. 00:00:03.060 --> 00:00:07.500 Alright, well it's Thanksgiving weekend as we've said numerous times already today. 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:15.099 ! Many will be gathering with family and friends for special meals today and tomorrow. 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:25.960 ! And a lot of what we do around this time of year is owing to tradition, to what we see in our culture or maybe to what we grew up with. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:39.179 And of course, for most, turkey, pumpkin pie, a celebratory gathering, maybe even going around the table and saying something that you are thankful for. 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:50.260 Interestingly though, as we look around in our culture today, we notice that Thanksgiving is marked similarly by both Christians and non-Christians. 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:56.739 It's a public, national holiday in a now very secular culture. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:03.879 And because of that, it can be difficult to know, maybe, a little bit of what to do with Thanksgiving. 00:01:04.980 --> 00:01:07.120 Must we keep all the traditions going? 00:01:08.479 --> 00:01:10.680 What if our loved ones are far away? 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:13.620 What if our family is fractured? 00:01:13.620 --> 00:01:17.780 Is there a true meaning to Thanksgiving? 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:21.219 Is it even a Christian holiday? 00:01:21.880 --> 00:01:22.520 Some ask. 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:27.040 Or does it have its roots in pagan harvest festivals? 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.680 And then as we think about the gathering that we have, year after year, 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:36.400 does our family gathering at this time 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:38.180 honor Christ? 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:47.460 Does our celebration acknowledge God as the giver of all the good things that we have? 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:52.440 Or could it be that we've settled into just going through the motions, 00:01:53.380 --> 00:01:56.000 enjoying some good food with family or friends, 00:01:56.160 --> 00:02:01.860 and reflecting to ourselves about how the glass is half full rather than half empty? 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:06.900 As Christians, we like to trace out the origins of holidays. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:10.639 And for some, if its origin is pagan, 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:13.219 they may choose to shun the holiday. 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:17.159 But if its origins are in the Bible or from God, from Jesus, 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:20.039 then we may try and get back to that meaning. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:24.180 But tracing out the origin of Thanksgiving is no easy task. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:26.879 As we look back into history, 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:30.280 since the fall of man in the garden, 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:35.020 there has been the problem of idolatry and false religion. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:38.420 There's been the mistake of giving credit 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:44.259 for the good things that we have to false gods and idols. 00:02:45.659 --> 00:02:48.979 There are cuneiform tablets dating back to the time of Abraham, 00:02:49.420 --> 00:02:55.060 which contain hymns and prayers and temple rituals related to harvest. 00:02:55.960 --> 00:02:59.759 But these are not hymns and prayers and rituals to the Lord. 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:01.740 The God of Abraham. 00:03:02.180 --> 00:03:07.080 But to fertility and grain gods like Tammuz and Ishtar. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:12.180 Similarly, in ancient Egypt, people worshipped the Nile River. 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:16.039 They saw it as the divine gift of the gods. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:19.759 We still have floating around somewheres out there 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:22.819 the text today of the ancient hymn to the Nile, 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:24.199 which says, 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:50.919 Those are the words they used to sing to the Nile long ago. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:53.959 As we look back into history, 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:55.919 since the fall of man in the garden, 00:03:56.359 --> 00:03:59.819 there has been the problem of idolatry and false religion. 00:04:00.239 --> 00:04:02.279 There's been the mistake of giving credit 00:04:02.279 --> 00:04:03.919 for the good things that we have 00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:06.919 to false gods. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.039 Paul said it this way 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:13.500 in his letter to the church at Rome. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:20.160 I'm reading from Romans 1, verse 21. 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:22.899 For although they knew God, 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:26.319 they neither glorified him as God, 00:04:26.540 --> 00:04:29.899 nor gave thanks to him. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:33.759 But their thinking became futile, 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:37.459 and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:40.379 Although they claimed to be wise, 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:41.519 they became fools, 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:44.799 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God 00:04:44.799 --> 00:04:47.019 for images made to look 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:49.159 like a mortal human being, 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:50.779 and birds, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:52.180 and animals, 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:54.199 and reptiles. 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:56.740 Those words really stood out to me. 00:04:56.859 --> 00:04:59.139 They neither glorified him as God, 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:01.759 nor gave thanks to him. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:05.819 Just a little bit down the page, 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:06.719 in verse 25. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:10.560 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, 00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:14.560 and worshipped and served created things, 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:16.379 rather than the creator. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:21.159 What these verses reveal to us 00:05:21.159 --> 00:05:24.480 is that we were meant to give thanks to God. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:27.120 The one true God, 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:28.740 to Yahweh, our creator. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:31.060 We were meant to give thanks to him 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.720 for everything that we have. 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:35.540 All the good things in life, 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:37.100 and even life itself. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:39.160 But, 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:42.160 when man rebelled against God, 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:44.759 and was corrupted by sin, 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:48.000 our hearts were darkened. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:49.519 As Paul said, 00:05:50.340 --> 00:05:51.480 we became fools, 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:53.399 giving credit, 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:55.220 and thanks, 00:05:55.699 --> 00:05:56.840 that God deserves, 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:00.459 to anything and anyone but him. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:03.319 worshipping the river, 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:03.319 worshipping the river, 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:06.720 because it gives us the water for our crops, 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:08.480 which sustain us. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:10.220 Worshipping Tammuz, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.120 and Ishtar. 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:13.399 Now who are they anyway? 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.840 Probably fallen angels, 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:17.120 posing as deities, 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:20.240 attempting to steal worship away from, 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:21.340 the one true God, 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:24.379 whom they have rebelled against as well. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:27.279 It was in the midst of all this, 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:30.019 that God chose one man, 00:06:30.659 --> 00:06:32.860 a man to bless, 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:35.339 a man to reveal himself to, 00:06:36.159 --> 00:06:38.519 a man to make a special covenant with. 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:41.240 God chose Abraham. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.240 He made promises, 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:44.379 to Abraham, 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:45.439 that his descendants, 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:46.839 would become a great nation, 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:49.759 and that he would be the God, 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:51.159 of this people. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:53.019 That they would belong to him. 00:06:53.339 --> 00:06:54.979 We can read all about this in the Bible, 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:56.000 in the book of Genesis. 00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:58.159 God did indeed, 00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.279 bless Abraham, 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:00.719 in all kinds of ways, 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:02.399 giving all kinds of good things, 00:07:02.859 --> 00:07:04.579 to him as gifts of his grace. 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:08.300 And not because Abraham was deserving, 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:09.800 or worthy. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:12.439 Abraham came from Ur. 00:07:13.300 --> 00:07:14.439 Abraham's dad, 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.199 worshipped the false gods, 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:17.740 of the Chaldeans. 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:20.939 But because God is merciful, 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:22.399 and kind, 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:23.219 and gracious, 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:24.839 he chose Abraham, 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:26.259 and he began to bless him, 00:07:26.299 --> 00:07:27.439 in all kinds of ways. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:29.699 Abraham became a worshiper, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:30.339 of the Lord. 00:07:30.979 --> 00:07:32.659 He became one of the very few, 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:34.079 in his day, 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:35.800 to acknowledge God, 00:07:36.219 --> 00:07:37.319 the true God, 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:38.359 as the giver, 00:07:38.459 --> 00:07:39.259 of everything good. 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:42.259 We might even say, 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:43.639 that giving thanks to God, 00:07:44.599 --> 00:07:46.099 the God who deserves it, 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:48.079 was reestablished, 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:48.639 on the earth, 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:50.000 in Abraham's day. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:52.919 Well as the story goes, 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:54.060 Abraham's descendants, 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:55.240 went down to Egypt, 00:07:55.719 --> 00:07:56.259 and, 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:58.279 became very numerous. 00:07:58.439 --> 00:07:59.299 If you know the story, 00:07:59.299 --> 00:08:00.259 they went to Egypt, 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:02.240 to avoid, 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:03.479 to survive, 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:04.100 the famine. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:05.660 There were 70 of them, 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:06.040 in all. 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:07.120 And of course, 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:08.220 they survived the famine, 00:08:08.220 --> 00:08:09.319 because of that dream, 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:11.040 that Yahweh gave to Pharaoh, 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:12.700 which Joseph, 00:08:13.140 --> 00:08:14.000 the great grandson, 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:14.700 of Abraham, 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:15.939 interpreted. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.920 Even just pausing, 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:18.740 to think about that, 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:19.420 for a second. 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:22.319 God proved, 00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:23.600 that he is Lord, 00:08:23.960 --> 00:08:24.800 of the harvest. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:27.340 Seven years, 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:28.759 of plentiful harvests, 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:29.640 God decreed. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:31.219 And that's what happened. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:33.299 Seven years of famine, 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:34.679 God decreed. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:36.439 And that's what happened. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:38.000 Yahweh, 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:39.360 is Lord of the harvest. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:40.179 Not the Nile, 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:41.620 not the Egyptian, 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:42.819 fertility gods. 00:08:44.319 --> 00:08:45.139 Well there in Egypt, 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:45.659 the Israelites, 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.419 grew in number, 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:47.120 from 70, 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:48.299 to about 2 million, 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:49.480 over a period, 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:50.899 of 430 years. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:52.059 And they were, 00:08:52.059 --> 00:08:52.559 immersed, 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:53.840 in Egyptian culture. 00:08:54.319 --> 00:08:55.240 They were surrounded, 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:57.060 by Egyptian religion, 00:08:57.560 --> 00:08:58.200 and the worship, 00:08:58.200 --> 00:08:59.159 of false gods. 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:00.580 And then in a stunning, 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:01.779 display of power, 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:03.299 Yahweh, 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:04.980 brought them all, 00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:05.820 out of Egypt. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:07.480 Which, 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:09.000 at that time, 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:10.220 was one of the most, 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:11.080 powerful nations, 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:11.560 on earth. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:13.139 The Lord, 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:13.820 delivered them, 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:14.419 from Egypt. 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:15.320 He led them out, 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:16.080 into the desert, 00:09:16.560 --> 00:09:17.759 where he formalized, 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:18.299 a covenant, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.940 with them at Mount Sinai. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:21.740 And there at Sinai, 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:22.960 God revealed himself, 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:24.080 to the whole nation. 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:26.280 He gave them, 00:09:26.280 --> 00:09:27.639 a glimpse of his glory, 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:29.120 and his power. 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:30.860 And you can read, 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.820 all this in the Bible, 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:32.780 in the book of Exodus. 00:09:34.540 --> 00:09:35.680 And God, 00:09:35.920 --> 00:09:36.720 as the one who, 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:37.879 rescued them, 00:09:38.020 --> 00:09:38.800 from captivity, 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:39.720 and slavery, 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:40.240 said, 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:41.620 you are now free. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.420 And you shall belong, 00:09:44.540 --> 00:09:44.860 to me. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:46.460 You shall be, 00:09:46.900 --> 00:09:47.420 my people. 00:09:47.900 --> 00:09:48.900 I will bless you. 00:09:49.020 --> 00:09:49.480 I will keep, 00:09:49.700 --> 00:09:50.320 all the promises, 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:51.620 that I made to Abraham, 00:09:52.660 --> 00:09:53.320 and to Isaac, 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:53.900 and to Jacob. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:54.559 I will keep them, 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:55.019 to you. 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:57.860 He entered, 00:09:57.899 --> 00:09:58.559 into a covenant, 00:09:58.559 --> 00:09:59.039 with them, 00:09:59.100 --> 00:09:59.860 there at Sinai. 00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:00.600 And he gave them, 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:01.639 a law to live by, 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:02.279 as a nation. 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:04.039 And instructions, 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:04.959 about how they were, 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:05.720 to serve him, 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.559 and worship him. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.259 And one of the things, 00:10:09.319 --> 00:10:10.120 God instituted, 00:10:10.179 --> 00:10:11.139 for the people of Israel, 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:12.199 was a thanksgiving, 00:10:12.199 --> 00:10:13.480 like festival. 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:15.500 We read about this, 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.139 in Exodus, 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:17.720 chapter 23. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:20.960 in verse 14, 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.000 God is, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.720 speaking there, 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:24.360 and he says, 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:25.580 three times a year, 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.540 you are to celebrate, 00:10:26.540 --> 00:10:27.680 a festival to me. 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.180 Celebrate the festival, 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:31.960 of unleavened bread. 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:34.960 Celebrate the festival, 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:35.920 of harvest, 00:10:36.540 --> 00:10:37.600 with the first fruits, 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:38.240 of the crops, 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:38.779 you sow, 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.680 in your field. 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:42.180 Celebrate the festival, 00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:43.460 of ingathering, 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:45.000 at the end of the year, 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.399 when you gather, 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.159 in your crops, 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:48.580 from the field. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:50.740 Bring the best, 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:51.620 of the first fruits, 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:52.340 of your soil, 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:53.740 to the house, 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:54.879 of the Lord, 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.679 your God. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.860 As I said before, 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.039 there were already, 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:00.500 songs, 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:01.440 and worship, 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.419 and sacrifices, 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:03.179 being given, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:04.419 to false gods, 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.360 in connection, 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:06.679 with harvest. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.639 That was in Egypt, 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.340 that was in the, 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.539 Mesopotamian regions. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.480 But here, 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.500 God seems to be, 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:14.399 reclaiming, 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:16.679 and reorienting, 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:18.879 those annual celebrations, 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:19.740 to himself, 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.840 for his people. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.279 After all, 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.340 he is the one, 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:26.100 who rules, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.279 over all creation, 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.159 who governs, 00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:29.240 the natural world. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:32.019 As we heard earlier, 00:11:32.459 --> 00:11:32.959 he's the one, 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:34.139 who sends the rain, 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.980 and waters the land, 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:37.699 and causes the crops, 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:38.199 to grow, 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.259 supplying food, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.100 for animals, 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:41.259 and for man. 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.620 And so he says, 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:44.200 celebrate, 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:45.799 these festivals, 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.120 to me. 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:50.039 In other words, 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.620 bring the first fruits, 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:52.560 of the crops, 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:53.879 you reap from your field, 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:54.440 to me. 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:56.220 To my tabernacle, 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:57.759 my temple, 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:00.039 when harvest begins. 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:01.779 Celebrate to me, 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:03.299 all that you have, 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.080 gathered in, 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:06.480 at the end of the harvest. 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:06.560 harvest. 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:08.600 That increase, 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.279 that provision, 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.920 that you get, 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.659 at harvest, 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:11.700 says the Lord, 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.519 is my doing. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.720 So acknowledge me, 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.600 give thanks to me, 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.320 celebrate, 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:18.379 my provision, 00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:19.060 to you. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.420 For Israel, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.740 back in those days, 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:26.740 on the surface, 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.899 it might look like, 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.279 God commandeered, 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:31.440 the harvest celebrations, 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.360 of the nations, 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:32.980 around them. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.440 We might even think, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:35.940 in a sense, 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.860 that he stole, 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:37.840 thanksgiving, 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:38.980 and harvest celebration, 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:40.039 from them. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.480 But no, 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:42.840 stole, 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:44.120 isn't the right word. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.560 Because the credit, 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.120 and the thanks, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.220 and the praise, 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.139 for the increase, 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:49.759 of the harvest, 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.840 was always, 00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:52.399 rightfully his. 00:12:53.180 --> 00:12:54.320 Right from the start. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:56.159 He took back, 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:57.460 among his own people, 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.340 what already belonged, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:12:59.779 to him. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.799 In a manner of speaking, 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.240 he said, 00:13:02.339 --> 00:13:02.919 it's good, 00:13:03.079 --> 00:13:04.019 it's right for you, 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.639 to feast, 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.939 and to celebrate, 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:07.439 at the beginning, 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.779 and at the end of harvest, 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.579 giving thanks, 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:11.419 for it, 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:12.139 to me. 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.139 Because what you get, 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:14.759 out of the fields, 00:13:14.939 --> 00:13:16.379 is my good gift, 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:16.980 to you. 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.639 I gave the waters, 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.480 I gave the rain, 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.259 I made the plants, 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.959 I made the sun, 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.699 I made those plants, 00:13:25.699 --> 00:13:26.220 grow, 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:28.179 I made all the pollinators, 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.839 it all comes, 00:13:29.839 --> 00:13:30.239 from me. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.779 And so come, 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:32.719 and offer worship, 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.459 and thanks, 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.000 to me, 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.799 at my house, 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:36.859 each year. 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.879 Celebrate, 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:39.959 and feast with me, 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:42.039 at the tabernacle, 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:43.299 each harvest. 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.539 When we hear that, 00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:48.179 being instituted, 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:48.979 back in Exodus, 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.979 at the mountain there, 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:50.659 in one sense, 00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:51.519 it's not too hard, 00:13:51.599 --> 00:13:52.219 to draw a line, 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:53.539 straight from these festivals, 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:55.859 to modern day, 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:56.559 Thanksgiving. 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.219 If it was good, 00:13:59.299 --> 00:13:59.679 to feast, 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:00.299 and celebrate, 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:01.179 the gifts of God, 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:02.359 to Israel back then, 00:14:02.719 --> 00:14:03.399 isn't it good, 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:04.120 to feast, 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:05.019 and celebrate, 00:14:05.359 --> 00:14:06.439 the gifts of God today, 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:08.139 for us, 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.679 all over the world. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.639 Even in our modern times, 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:14.459 with all our advanced technology, 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.819 we still eat, 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:16.639 what grows, 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:18.500 and what lives, 00:14:19.359 --> 00:14:20.039 on the earth. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:21.759 The plants, 00:14:21.859 --> 00:14:22.459 and the creatures, 00:14:22.859 --> 00:14:23.919 that God has made, 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.240 for food. 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.279 food. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.620 Were God, 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.620 to remove, 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.120 one of the essential, 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:30.799 ingredients, 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.460 that he has supplied, 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.180 be it rain, 00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:34.919 water, 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.100 sunlight, 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:38.360 as we heard earlier, 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.519 everything on earth, 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:40.799 would die. 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:42.919 And so, 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.720 what a fitting thing, 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:44.259 it is then, 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.100 to take a day, 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.220 or even a whole weekend, 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:49.200 to celebrate, 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:50.460 God's gracious blessings, 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.120 to us. 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.799 He is, 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:53.399 worthy, 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.699 of our thanks, 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.220 is he not? 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:59.199 Have you ever given somebody, 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.819 a generous gift, 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.740 and they take it, 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.459 from your hand, 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:04.819 and yet, 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.100 surprisingly, 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:07.819 show little appreciation, 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.740 for it? 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.699 Say nothing to you, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.559 about it, 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.220 from then on. 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.379 Not even a simple, 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:15.899 thank you. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.139 We almost, 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.299 feel wronged. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:21.179 Not that we, 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:21.919 gave it, 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:22.720 in order to get, 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.379 their thanks, 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:24.960 but we saw, 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:25.519 their need, 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.080 or we saw, 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.740 a desire they had, 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.100 for what was given, 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.180 and we just acted, 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:30.680 in love, 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.639 to meet that need. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.500 And maybe, 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.040 they don't even, 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:34.920 look you in the eye, 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:37.320 or say thank you. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:39.360 Probably, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:39.920 that's happened, 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:40.800 to most of us, 00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:42.360 at least one time, 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:42.759 or another. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.960 What is it like, 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.740 for God then, 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.240 the one who made us, 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.160 and gave us, 00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:49.040 everything good, 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.620 we have, 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:49.679 love, 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.720 and yet, 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.379 the people, 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.919 he has made, 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:55.179 on the whole, 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:57.580 do not return thanks. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.560 Even worse, 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.279 attribute, 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.299 the good things, 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.200 that he has given, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:04.980 and done, 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.000 to anyone, 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:07.919 but him, 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.000 anything, 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.639 but him. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.919 Back, 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.460 to Israel, 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.060 for a moment, 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:14.559 we could, 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.619 dig more, 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.539 into the details, 00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:17.819 of how those, 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:18.959 feasts of harvest, 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.439 and in gathering, 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:21.279 were celebrated. 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.719 I think, 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:23.299 as we do, 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:24.000 we would see, 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.679 that they really, 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.439 only fit, 00:16:25.859 --> 00:16:26.619 for Israel, 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:27.759 in that time, 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:28.799 and place, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.939 before Jesus came. 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:31.939 Their society, 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.759 revolved around, 00:16:32.839 --> 00:16:33.399 agriculture. 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:34.819 Their worship, 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.399 had the tabernacle, 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:36.939 and then later, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.519 the temple, 00:16:37.719 --> 00:16:38.559 at the center, 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.159 in Jerusalem. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.359 Sacrifices, 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:42.879 and offerings, 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.759 were part of those, 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.360 festivals, 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:44.980 bringing, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.259 your animals, 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.820 bringing grain offerings, 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.620 sacrificing them, 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.200 to the Lord. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.360 All of it, 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.299 was very tangible. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.200 A very, 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.539 physical way, 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.019 of acknowledging, 00:16:58.439 --> 00:16:59.320 God is the giver, 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.399 of the harvest. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.899 But as the story, 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.380 goes on, 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.079 we also see, 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.700 that Israel, 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.099 by and large, 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.039 did not fulfill, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.500 this covenant, 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.220 obligation, 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:11.740 to give thanks, 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.180 to God, 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.859 and to worship, 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:13.620 him in the way, 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.780 that he laid out, 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.460 in this covenant, 00:17:15.620 --> 00:17:16.260 at Sinai. 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.640 There was a remnant, 00:17:19.300 --> 00:17:20.140 there were a few, 00:17:20.560 --> 00:17:20.780 who, 00:17:21.020 --> 00:17:22.140 had true faith, 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.520 in God, 00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.440 in each generation, 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:23.800 and, 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:24.460 and, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:26.000 tried to honor God, 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:26.900 as best they could. 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:28.600 But as the story, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.060 goes on, 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.900 we watch things, 00:17:30.040 --> 00:17:30.500 with Israel, 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.040 sadly, 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.500 spiral downwards. 00:17:33.560 --> 00:17:34.360 Israel chooses, 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.680 to be unfaithful. 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.700 God goes so far, 00:17:37.780 --> 00:17:38.900 as to remove them, 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.980 from their land, 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:42.140 and destroy Jerusalem, 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:44.180 and destroy the temple. 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.299 He sends them off, 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.599 as captives, 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.980 to Assyria, 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.500 and to Babylon. 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.980 Even though Israel, 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.380 had all the reason, 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.079 in the world, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.599 to give thanks to God, 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.620 and even instruction, 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.960 about how to do it, 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:01.480 it didn't happen much, 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:03.360 as it should have. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:05.439 because the problem, 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.019 was deeper. 00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:08.379 Our problem, 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:12.099 is a humanity whole, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:14.179 is that we have, 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.199 an ungrateful heart. 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.879 Because of sin, 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.139 we have become, 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.159 bent away, 00:18:21.959 --> 00:18:23.039 from giving thanks, 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:23.859 to God. 00:18:25.139 --> 00:18:26.219 Just as Paul said, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.799 in the passage, 00:18:26.959 --> 00:18:27.679 we read earlier, 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.559 our hearts, 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.279 have become, 00:18:29.479 --> 00:18:30.479 darkened, 00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:31.899 and foolish. 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:35.800 Imagine for a moment, 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.600 that you give a gift, 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.140 to someone, 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.700 and as I said before, 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:39.860 they show little appreciation, 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.560 for it. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.560 Maybe they just, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.360 shove it in a drawer, 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.660 and forget about it. 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.400 And then you see them, 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:45.980 in need again, 00:18:46.040 --> 00:18:46.600 and you give them, 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.220 another gift. 00:18:47.780 --> 00:18:49.060 And they do the same thing, 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.660 and this cycle, 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:50.759 just keeps going on, 00:18:50.820 --> 00:18:51.160 and on. 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.480 You're moved, 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.200 with compassion, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.060 for the struggle, 00:18:54.060 --> 00:18:55.100 that they're going through, 00:18:56.040 --> 00:18:57.420 a need that they have, 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:57.880 and so you, 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.080 generously give them, 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.240 something to meet that need. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.800 But they either act, 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.180 as if they're entitled to it, 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.700 and got it for themselves, 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.819 or they ignore the gift, 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.319 altogether, 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.099 and don't bother, 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.339 to do anything with it. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.419 Maybe they chuck it, 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.240 in the value village, 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.200 donation box. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.139 Well there comes a point, 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.680 when we naturally feel like, 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.480 enough is enough, 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.359 I'm not going to give you, 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.039 anything more. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.720 That's kind of, 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.539 how things go, 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.480 between, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:29.019 God and Israel, 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.039 in the Old Testament. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:33.019 He gives his gifts, 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.440 again, 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:33.980 and again, 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.579 and again, 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.839 and it's met, 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.900 with ungratefulness, 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.120 met with no response, 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.120 or worse, 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.980 they give thanks, 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.480 and praise, 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.599 to the false gods, 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.299 instead of, 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.000 to him. 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.059 And if it was you, 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.339 or me, 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:48.559 we'd probably just get angry, 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.039 and tired, 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.420 and say, 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.180 well that's enough, 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.960 no more. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:53.140 But amazingly, 00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:54.220 all through this time, 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.200 God continued, 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.059 to promise, 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.980 the greatest of blessings, 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.500 in the future, 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.039 for his people, 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:02.779 for those who drew near, 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.259 to him, 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.600 by faith. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.539 God was preparing, 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.519 the ultimate gift. 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.019 And that gift, 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.500 of course, 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.480 we all know, 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.180 was Jesus, 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:14.860 his son. 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.620 It's really hard, 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.480 in a few moments, 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.579 to capture, 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.679 the greatness, 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.359 of the gift, 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.299 that Jesus is, 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.500 to us. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.419 I was trying to think, 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.059 of an analogy, 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.819 and it's probably, 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.799 not a very good one, 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.480 but you know how, 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.779 sometimes you go to the store, 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.240 to get a new appliance, 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.639 maybe a crock pot, 00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.159 or something, 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.199 and what used to be, 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.759 a crock pot, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.519 is now new, 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.399 and improved. 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:39.500 Now it does 12 things, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.659 it's a 12 in one, 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.960 crock pot, 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.819 pressure cooker, 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:43.599 canner, 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.319 air fryer, 00:20:44.439 --> 00:20:45.139 you get the picture. 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.619 How can we resist, 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.980 I'm getting 12 in one. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.599 Well Jesus, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.559 is to us, 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:52.639 someone who is, 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:55.179 10,000 in one. 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:58.779 10,000 in one. 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.500 He's our king. 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.220 He's our shepherd. 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:03.980 He's our life. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.720 He's the light. 00:21:06.439 --> 00:21:07.899 He's wisdom incarnate. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.419 As we were talking about, 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.599 this morning in Sunday school, 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.699 he has ultimate authority, 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.500 and power. 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.480 He is gentle, 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:17.139 and patient with us. 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.939 He's our great high priest, 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:21.180 representing us to the father. 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.900 He's the sacrifice, 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.660 offered to God, 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.720 that we needed. 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.980 He's our savior. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.080 He's our redeemer. 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.400 He's God himself, 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.480 come in the flesh, 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:32.080 to rescue us. 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:33.440 And the list could go on, 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.519 for the rest of the morning. 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.000 Through the ages, 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.640 God has been preparing a gift, 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.539 for the ungrateful. 00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:43.039 And the gift is Jesus, 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:46.759 and every blessing imaginable, 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.099 God has purposed, 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.359 to give us, 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.000 in and through, 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.399 Christ Jesus. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.619 A new covenant, 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:56.980 through Jesus. 00:21:58.139 --> 00:22:00.099 A new kind of relationship, 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.960 to God, 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.500 through Jesus. 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.680 No more altars, 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.319 no more sacrifices, 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.559 no more temple. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:09.700 In this covenant relationship, 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.720 God's even promised, 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.099 to deal with the problem, 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.359 of our unfaithfulness, 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.579 and the ungratefulness, 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.759 in our hearts. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.740 He will fix, 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.139 what's broken in here, 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.980 which causes us, 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.179 to turn away from him. 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.059 In this covenant, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.019 we get forgiveness, 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.359 of all of our sins, 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.379 for free. 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.919 Jesus pays the cost, 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.000 and all we need to do, 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.599 is believe. 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:37.119 Under this arrangement, 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.659 we get a resurrection, 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.099 from the dead, 00:22:40.719 --> 00:22:41.779 and life forever, 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.519 with Christ. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.659 With God, 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:46.259 in an eternal kingdom, 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.619 which is coming. 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:51.500 Jesus is the ultimate gift, 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:53.740 and this gift, 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.379 has been given. 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.959 And this changes everything, 00:22:57.219 --> 00:22:57.639 for us, 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.959 who believe, 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.319 and who belong to Christ. 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:04.859 God's own spirit, 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.379 to live in us, 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.179 is part of, 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.019 this gift. 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.079 And now it's not just, 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:12.200 the good stuff of earth, 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.819 that we have to give thanks for, 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.980 but the stuff of heaven, 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.259 as well. 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.980 Paul says it, 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.740 this way, 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.899 in his letter, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.779 to the Ephesians, 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.159 which, 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.359 we were looking at, 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:26.919 this morning. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:29.080 Praise be to the God, 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.600 and Father, 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.060 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.480 who has blessed us, 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.700 in the heavenly realms, 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:36.180 with every spiritual blessing, 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.580 in Christ. 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.440 He goes on from there, 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.500 for another ten verses, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.680 just to list out, 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:43.660 all the spiritual blessings, 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:45.420 that we have in Christ. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:48.720 God has done so much, 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.539 he has given us so much, 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.880 in and through Jesus. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:55.240 We can hardly even think, 00:23:55.280 --> 00:23:56.440 of just having one day, 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.600 to give thanks, 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.180 or one weekend. 00:24:02.020 --> 00:24:03.520 What God has done for us, 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.020 in Christ, 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.100 moves us from a day, 00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:05.780 of thanksgiving, 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.900 to a whole life, 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.000 of thanksgiving. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.340 It moves us, 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.160 from occasional, 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.120 thanksgiving, 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.820 to continual, 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.100 thanksgiving. 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.540 Moment by moment, 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.620 throughout every day. 00:24:19.300 --> 00:24:20.220 Let's look quickly, 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.600 at just a couple places, 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.480 in the New Testament, 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.620 where it speaks, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.339 of thanksgiving. 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.140 In this same letter, 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.799 of Ephesians, 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.740 chapter five, 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.579 verse 18, 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.519 Paul says this, 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:35.240 Do not get drunk, 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.079 on wine, 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.019 which leads, 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.900 to debauchery. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.360 Instead, 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.039 be filled, 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.720 with the spirit, 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:42.599 speaking to one another, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.480 with psalms, 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.160 hymns, 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.759 and songs, 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.500 from the spirit, 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.660 singing, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.960 and making music, 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.759 from your heart, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.960 to the Lord. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.640 always, 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.900 giving thanks, 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:54.579 to God the Father, 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.140 for everything, 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:58.240 in the name of our Lord, 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.240 Jesus Christ. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.240 Always, 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.460 giving thanks, 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.299 to God, 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.240 for everything, 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.360 in the name of our Lord, 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.200 Jesus Christ. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:09.759 Or, 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.420 we could flip over, 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.319 to Colossians, 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:13.679 3, 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.339 verse, 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.240 16 and 17. 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:19.419 It's a very similar passage, 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.279 let the message, 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.859 of Christ, 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.059 dwell among you richly, 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.700 as you teach, 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.740 and admonish one another, 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.619 with all wisdom, 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.059 through psalms, 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.519 hymns, 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.000 and songs, 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.700 from the spirit, 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.939 singing to God, 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.779 with gratitude, 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.099 in your hearts, 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:33.299 and whatever you do, 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.079 whether in word, 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.519 or deed, 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.159 do it all, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.679 in the name, 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.599 of the Lord Jesus, 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:37.839 giving thanks, 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:40.159 to God the Father, 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.799 through him. 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:43.700 So not just for everything, 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:45.119 but in everything, 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.559 whatever you do, 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.039 any situation, 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.680 whether you're opening your mouth, 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.240 to speak, 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:51.659 or doing a deed, 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.639 some kind of action, 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.799 it's a time, 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:55.740 for giving thanks to God, 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.839 through Jesus. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:01.399 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.259 verse 18. 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.180 Rejoice always, 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.559 pray continually, 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.399 give thanks, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.779 in all circumstances, 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:12.680 for this, 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.680 is God's will, 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.139 for you, 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.960 in Christ Jesus, 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:17.819 in all circumstances, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:20.220 and one more, 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:21.759 Philippians, 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.000 4, 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:23.720 verse 6, 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:29.859 do not be anxious, 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.619 about anything, 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.980 but in every situation, 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.500 by prayer, 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.519 and petition, 00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:36.799 with, 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:38.119 thanksgiving, 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:39.199 present, 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:39.819 present your request, 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.339 to God, 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:42.000 and the peace of God, 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.819 which transcends, 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.879 all understanding, 00:26:44.439 --> 00:26:45.759 will guard your hearts, 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:47.199 and your minds, 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.819 in Christ Jesus. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.119 I hope what we see, 00:26:52.239 --> 00:26:52.859 through all of those, 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.779 is that thanksgiving, 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.159 is to be a part of, 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.199 our lives, 00:26:57.459 --> 00:26:57.879 everything, 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.839 in our lives, 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.959 we're to give thanks, 00:27:00.959 --> 00:27:01.759 for everything, 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:02.619 we're to give thanks, 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:03.879 in every situation, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.740 and circumstance, 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:07.279 even in our, 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:08.699 anxiousness, 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.679 our worries, 00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:11.259 our stress, 00:27:11.959 --> 00:27:12.959 pray, 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.959 and ask God, 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.720 for what you need, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.720 with thanksgiving. 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:20.740 there's nowhere, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.600 in the New Testament, 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.480 where Christ's people, 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.400 are commanded to, 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:25.160 feast on a particular day, 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.259 at harvest, 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.420 or to observe, 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.240 a special day, 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.600 of giving thanks, 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.740 it's not a, 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.579 Christian holiday, 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.160 in the sense, 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.400 that it's right in the Bible, 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.200 in fact, 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.960 we're prohibited, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.220 from requiring people, 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.019 to observe, 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.440 particular days, 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.120 or feasts, 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.799 these kinds of things, 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.980 God leaves up, 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:44.759 to the individual, 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:46.700 and to each family, 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.740 to do according to, 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.440 conscience, 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.819 between them, 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:50.900 and God, 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:53.180 we have freedom, 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:53.920 in Christ, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.599 to worship, 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.859 and give thanks, 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:57.099 in a variety of ways, 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.339 we could have a church, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.799 banquet, 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:02.160 and kill the fattened calf, 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.539 or not, 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.720 we could gather with family, 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.559 or not, 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.440 because of the spiritual blessings, 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.599 that we have in Christ, 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.920 we need not be rich, 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.359 or have had a great, 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.500 and prosperous year, 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.919 to give thanks, 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.819 we can give thanks, 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:19.059 in all kinds of ways, 00:28:19.219 --> 00:28:20.479 even if we're hard pressed, 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.259 or going through, 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.279 the worst of times, 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:26.639 the important thing, 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.779 is that however, 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.119 we choose to celebrate, 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:29.779 thanksgiving, 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:31.159 we do it to the Lord, 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:34.299 we do it to the Lord, 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:36.259 celebrate to me, 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.879 these festivals, 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:41.740 and I think it should, 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.480 look and feel, 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.240 different, 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.800 for us as Christians, 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.920 to celebrate, 00:28:46.340 --> 00:28:47.300 thanksgiving, 00:28:47.520 --> 00:28:48.080 than for people, 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.200 who don't believe in God, 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.520 shouldn't there be, 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:53.080 some verbal acknowledgement, 00:28:53.080 --> 00:28:53.800 of God, 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.360 in our celebrations, 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.940 of the things, 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.940 he has given and done, 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.260 shouldn't there be, 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.920 some mention, 00:29:00.020 --> 00:29:01.180 of the spiritual blessings, 00:29:01.300 --> 00:29:02.540 which are ours in Christ, 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:04.879 in our celebrations, 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:07.359 if there isn't, 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.759 then what are we celebrating, 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:13.079 and who are we giving thanks to, 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:16.940 are we at the gathering, 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.799 just for the food, 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:21.359 just for the family, 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.279 or are we there, 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.779 for the one, 00:29:23.899 --> 00:29:24.599 who has fed us, 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.559 all our lives, 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.200 with daily bread, 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:29.460 are we gathered, 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.839 because it's tradition, 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:33.379 or because our God, 00:29:33.459 --> 00:29:34.699 is worthy of celebration, 00:29:35.419 --> 00:29:36.819 for all he has given and done, 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.639 now I know, 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:40.059 that doesn't always make it easy, 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:41.099 when it comes to, 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:43.500 being invited over, 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.279 to the house of, 00:29:44.659 --> 00:29:45.339 someone else, 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.500 for thanksgiving, 00:29:46.959 --> 00:29:48.159 maybe they're not a Christian, 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.859 maybe they're not celebrating, 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.079 the same thing that you are, 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.939 when you gather with them, 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.579 you may even choose, 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.740 to pass on a gathering, 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.559 if it's little more, 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.759 than a time to get together, 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.859 and gorge, 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.240 and get drunk, 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.940 that certainly doesn't, 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.539 honor Christ, 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:09.799 this is where we need wisdom, 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.480 from the Lord, 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.680 and we can ask him for it, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.099 but let's not, 00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:14.119 whatever we do, 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.000 whatever we choose, 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:16.839 however we mark this occasion, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.099 let's not allow the world, 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.940 or the wicked, 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:22.099 to keep us from giving thanks, 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:24.519 and celebrating in some way, 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.339 the God who has, 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:28.460 given us our daily bread, 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:30.480 and who has given us, 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.720 the ultimate gift, 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.319 his son, 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:35.660 we have so much, 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.720 to give thanks for, 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.579 and so let nothing, 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.500 stop us, 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.920 let's pray, 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:50.640 Lord Jesus, 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:54.500 we're mindful, 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.380 of the brokenness, 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:55.960 in our world, 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.700 and, 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:59.140 many who do not, 00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.900 acknowledge you, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.759 as they should, 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.120 especially, 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.039 at this time of year, 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:06.019 and maybe, 00:31:06.300 --> 00:31:07.140 some of us, 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.660 even are, 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.460 are headed over, 00:31:08.600 --> 00:31:09.420 to someone's house, 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.080 later today, 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.659 or tomorrow, 00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:12.059 to be with them, 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.500 and, 00:31:13.659 --> 00:31:15.099 we feel that tension, 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.939 in the relationship, 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.859 we pray, 00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:18.819 and ask for your help, 00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.579 help us to be people, 00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:21.259 who proclaim, 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.000 and declare, 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.220 you, 00:31:23.919 --> 00:31:24.699 acknowledge you, 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:26.039 as the giver, 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.659 of all good, 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:27.980 who point, 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.500 others to you, 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:32.059 sometimes that's hard, 00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:32.319 Lord, 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.519 sometimes people, 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.480 don't want to hear it again, 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.740 give us courage, 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.679 give us boldness, 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.119 you deserve the praise, 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.119 you deserve the credit, 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:41.559 pray this in Jesus name, 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.679 Amen.