WEBVTT

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 right now because people are already getting into the Christmas mood and it's still 28 days away.

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 How many of you put up a Christmas tree or some decorations this weekend already? Raise your hand.

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 A lot of people. I've been married for 38 years now and just as sure as Thursday is Thanksgiving

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 Day, Saturday after Thanksgiving is when we put up our tree. I don't have a choice. That's what

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 Elisa wants to do and that's what we do. We put up that tree Saturday after Thanksgiving

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 always. If holidays were people, Christmas would just be smiling. But if holidays were people,

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 Thanksgiving would be hurt, even depressed right now. That's because most people it seems only

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 to give passing notice to Thanksgiving. A lot of people this past Thursday didn't really

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 think a whole lot about Thanksgiving. They ate their turkey and dressing and planned their

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 Black Friday shopping or their football watching schedule for this weekend. Thanksgiving would

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 also be angry because more and more people have elevated Halloween to holiday status and put

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 less emphasis on Thanksgiving. But think about that. Halloween is basically a pagan notion.

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 But Thanksgiving is the national holiday created to express heartfelt gratitude to God for the

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 way he has blessed us in this country. Even though we are three days removed from Thanksgiving Day,

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 I want us to give our attention to this forgotten holiday this morning, Thanksgiving. But more importantly,

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 I want us to see how giving thanks to God is found throughout the Bible as an ever-present attitude

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 among God's people. What I want us to do is answer four questions this morning related to thanks,

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 thanksgiving. First, are you a thankful person? Are you a thankful person? Some people really are not.

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 In fact, there's a lot of people, they think more along the lines of being entitled.

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 A lot of people. I want you to check yourself. Do you believe that you deserve special treatment? At least

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 from certain people in your life. Do you think that I'm entitled to this or that from my parents or from my

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 teachers or from my employer? Do you even really expect to be blessed by God?

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 A lot of people have this entitlement mentality today. But that is contrary to what the Bible teaches

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 about us, about who we are and really what we should suspect. The Bible is very clear and we've talked

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 about it a lot over the years and we will always talk about it. The Bible talks about us being sinners by

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 nature and by choice. And the only thing that we really and truly deserve is death and hell.

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 The Bible says it like this in Romans chapter 3,

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 None is righteous. None is righteous. No, not one. No one understands. No one seeks for God. All have turned aside.

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 Together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one.

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 Now as Paul is quoting from the Old Testament, he is not saying that every person is as bad as they can possibly be.

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 But he is saying that before God, we are rebels. We are lawbreakers. We are not in any way as we stand before God,

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 right with Him. We're self-centered people, not God-centered as we should be if He is our Creator.

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 He really is Almighty God. Paul goes on in Romans chapter 3 to say,

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 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

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 And then in Romans 6, 23, For the wages of sin is death.

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 Here's the point.

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 To think that you are entitled

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 to God's blessings

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 is contrary to every single thing

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 the Bible teaches

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 about what we truly deserve

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 from God.

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 You know, we should never

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 we should never stop thinking about

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 the fact that

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 we don't deserve God's blessings.

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 We really and truly

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 it should never become just

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 old news to us

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 that we are sinners

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 separated from God by our sin.

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 In fact,

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 if we really know ourselves

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 we know this is true.

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 I mean, if you know yourself

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 you know what's

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 in your mind sometimes.

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 You know what's really

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 some of the desires that you have at times.

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 We know

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 from experience

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 not just from what

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 the Scripture says

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 that we really are

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 sinners by nature.

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 as well as by choice.

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 We need to learn

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 to think of all the good things

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 that we experience in life

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 as being gifts

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 of God's grace.

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 Just like Richard was singing about

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 a moment ago.

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 That means they are totally

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 undeserved

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 and they're unearned.

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 You know,

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 Paul contrasted

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 what we deserve

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 with what God has graciously

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 given us

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 through faith in Jesus

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 in two of those passages

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 that you see on the screen there.

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 Let's expand the first one.

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 Romans 3.23

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 to include verse 24.

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 He said,

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 For all have sinned

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 and fall short of the glory of God

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 and are justified

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 declared righteous

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 declared right with Him

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 by His grace

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 as a gift

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 through the redemption

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 that is in Christ Jesus.

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 While we've all sinned

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 and come short of the glory of God,

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 we who are truly believers in Jesus,

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 through faith in Him,

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 God declares,

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 You're right with me

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 because Jesus has paid the penalty

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 for our sins.

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 This is a gift

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 from God

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 through Jesus Christ.

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 And then the next one.

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 Romans 6.23

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 The full verse says this,

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 For the wages of sin is death,

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 but the free gift of God

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 is eternal life

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 in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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 We've got a lot to be thankful for

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 every day of our lives.

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 You know, a lot of times

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 we spend our time

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 thinking about what we don't have,

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 complaining about what's wrong

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 in our life.

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 We need to spend more time

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 thinking about

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 how we have been blessed

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 and thinking about

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 what is right

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 in our life

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 and really thinking about

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 how we don't,

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 a lot of times,

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 we don't get what we deserve.

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 Our salvation is a gift

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 of God's grace.

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 You didn't deserve it.

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 Our salvation is God's free gift

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 that you could never earn.

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 That leads to the next question.

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 What are you thankful for?

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 What are you,

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 right now,

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 thankful for?

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 If we're Christians,

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 we need to be

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 the most thankful people

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 on earth,

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 not just on Thanksgiving Day,

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 but every day

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 because of what God

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 has done for us

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 in Christ.

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 Calling us to Himself

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 through faith in Jesus,

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 forgiving us,

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 making us His child.

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 That's at the top of the list.

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 But what else

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 are you thankful for?

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 What are you thankful for

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 right now?

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 We really need to

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 give thanks

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 for all that we have

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 because it has been

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 given to us

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 by God.

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 I want you to look

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 at something that Paul

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 said to the people

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 in the church at Corinth.

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 1 Corinthians chapter 4

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 and verse 7.

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 They were having

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 problems in the church.

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 There was divisions.

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 There was a lot of pride

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 over being a part

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 of this group

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 or that group

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 following this leader

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 or that leader.

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 And the way Paul

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 sought to combat that

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 is to remind them

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 it's all,

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 whatever you have,

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 whoever you are,

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 it's a gift from God.

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 Look at it.

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 1 Corinthians 4 verse 7.

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 What do you have

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 that you did not receive?

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 If you received it,

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 why do you boast

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 as if you did not receive it?

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 When I read that first statement,

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 what do you have

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 that you did not receive?

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 That's one of the most

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 humbling statements

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 found in the Bible.

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 Paul was trying to put

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 these people in their place.

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 He was trying to tell them,

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 you have no reason

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 to be proud.

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 You have no reason

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 to elevate certain leaders

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 and think that

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 because you're a part

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 of their group,

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 you're someone special.

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 Everything that we are,

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 everything that you are,

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 that you're glad

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 that you are,

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 as well as everything

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 that you have,

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 comes from God.

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 Our abilities,

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 our talents,

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 our gifts,

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 our opportunities,

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 our blessings,

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 they've all been given

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 to us by God.

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 I want you to think about that.

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 Every one of us,

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 there's something in your life

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 that you're extremely proud of.

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 I can look around,

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 some of you men,

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 you greatly

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 outmarried yourself.

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 Some of you who,

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 that I know

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 are going to get married,

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 you're engaged,

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 you're close to it.

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 You really outpunted

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 your coverage, boy.

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 One in particular

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 I'm looking at right there.

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 You need to understand,

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 it's not because

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 you're so good looking.

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 Maybe because she's blind.

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 But it may be,

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 it's not because

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 you're good looking,

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 not because of

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 this or that.

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 In the big scheme of things,

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 God has blessed you

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 that way.

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 If you've got a job

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 that you just

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 are thrilled to have,

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 thank God

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 for the ability

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 that you have,

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 for the opportunity,

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 for whatever it is

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 that He worked out

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 to put you there.

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 Thank Him.

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 Paul is asking

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 this question

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 with the obvious answer.

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 What do you have

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 that you did not receive?

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 Obviously nothing.

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 If you received it,

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 why do you boast

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 as if you did not receive it?

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 If we'll think deeply

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 about this.

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 I mean,

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 let it really sink in.

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 This will help us

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 to avoid being arrogant,

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 being prideful.

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 It will also help us

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 to really and truly

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 be thankful

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 for whatever it is

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 that we have

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 because it's a gift

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 from God.

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 That's how God

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 wants us to think.

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 He wants us

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 to be thankful

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 for all of life's

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 good gifts,

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 which leads us

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 to the third question

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 this morning.

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 Who are you thankful to?

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 Who are you thankful to?

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 Now here's where

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 we come to the real difference

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 between Christians

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 and unbelievers.

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 There's a lot of people

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 in the world

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 who would consider themselves

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 to be atheists

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 or agnostics,

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 but they're thankful

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 to someone.

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 They're thankful

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 for certain things.

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 We who are Christians,

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 we need to learn

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 at the top of the list

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 to be thankful to God

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 because He really is

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 the source of all the good

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 that we experience in life.

00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.679
 Look at it as James tells us

00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.079
 in chapter 1, verse 17.

00:13:04.859 --> 00:13:06.120
 Every good gift

00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:07.379
 and every perfect gift

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:09.059
 is from above

00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:10.239
 coming down

00:13:10.239 --> 00:13:11.699
 from the Father of lights

00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:13.259
 with whom there is

00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:14.879
 no variation or shadow

00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.519
 due to change.

00:13:17.739 --> 00:13:18.859
 The Father of lights.

00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.739
 He's talking about how

00:13:19.739 --> 00:13:21.439
 the heavenly bodies,

00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.359
 the sun, the moon,

00:13:23.359 --> 00:13:24.579
 they change.

00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.759
 At least we perceive change.

00:13:26.839 --> 00:13:28.199
 The sun rises and sets.

00:13:28.479 --> 00:13:29.139
 The moon goes

00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.199
 through different phases.

00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:32.639
 But God is constant.

00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:35.419
 God does not change.

00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.339
 We can count on Him

00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:39.439
 because of who He is

00:13:39.439 --> 00:13:40.339
 and what He does.

00:13:41.239 --> 00:13:41.879
 God is good

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.620
 in terms of who He is.

00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.819
 In James chapter 1

00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.819
 in verse 13,

00:13:47.479 --> 00:13:48.639
 prior to talking about

00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.639
 how every good and gift

00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.419
 comes from God,

00:13:51.479 --> 00:13:52.639
 James had tried

00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.339
 to help these people

00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:55.239
 understand you never

00:13:55.239 --> 00:13:56.439
 blame God for evil.

00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:59.379
 God is not the source

00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:01.079
 of temptation in your life.

00:14:01.080 --> 00:14:02.780
 Here's how He says it

00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:04.020
 in James 1.13.

00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:05.639
 Let no one say

00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.440
 when he is tempted,

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.540
 I am being tempted

00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:08.259
 by God.

00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:10.360
 For God cannot be tempted

00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:10.980
 with evil

00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.800
 and He Himself

00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:14.820
 tempts no one.

00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:17.180
 God cannot be tempted

00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.580
 by evil

00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.500
 and He cannot tempt

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.780
 anyone with evil

00:14:21.780 --> 00:14:23.080
 because it's just contrary

00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.020
 to who He is.

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.180
 It's contrary to His nature.

00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.479
 God is holy.

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.479
 He is above sin.

00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:29.620
 He is immune

00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.099
 to sin.

00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.199
 And so evil

00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:34.639
 is present in this world

00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:37.019
 but we can't say

00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.459
 this comes from God.

00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:40.359
 He's to blame for it.

00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:42.039
 God is good

00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.120
 in terms of who He is

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.120
 and God is good

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:46.019
 in terms of what He gives.

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.099
 He's never the source of evil,

00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.319
 verse 13,

00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:52.159
 and He only gives good gifts,

00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:53.259
 verse 17,

00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:53.879
 that you see.

00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:56.320
 Because God is good like this,

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.679
 we can trust Him.

00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.679
 He can be trusted

00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:03.559
 as our Heavenly Father.

00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:06.480
 We can have confidence in Him.

00:15:06.580 --> 00:15:07.879
 He's for us

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:09.439
 as His children.

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.559
 That brings up a question,

00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.139
 doesn't it?

00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.360
 It makes me think as well,

00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.600
 what about all the things

00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.860
 that happen in our lives

00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.980
 that are not good?

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:23.879
 There is plenty of evil

00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.560
 in this world

00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:25.980
 and you cannot deny it.

00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:27.840
 Christians,

00:15:28.300 --> 00:15:29.940
 a lot of times,

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.460
 suffer,

00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:35.560
 experience all kinds of pain.

00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:39.200
 Well, Paul answers the question,

00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:42.000
 what about all these kind of things

00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:44.360
 in relation to God being good?

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:46.080
 Paul answers that question

00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.960
 in various ways

00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.080
 throughout his writings

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.279
 as well as the whole Bible.

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:51.959
 But Paul answers that question

00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.939
 in the context

00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:55.179
 in 1 Thessalonians 5

00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:58.360
 of telling us to be thankful.

00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.459
 I want you to look at it.

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:01.079
 1 Thessalonians 5, 18,

00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:04.000
 give thanks in all circumstances.

00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.500
 Paul, as he's winding down

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.819
 that letter to that church,

00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:10.759
 he tells them certain things

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.360
 they need to be doing,

00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.639
 issues certain little short,

00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:13.699
 brief commands.

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:14.939
 And one of them is,

00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:17.059
 give thanks in all circumstances.

00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:20.239
 That does not mean, though,

00:16:21.359 --> 00:16:23.379
 to thank God for evil.

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.639
 It does not mean

00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.859
 that you thank God

00:16:26.859 --> 00:16:28.299
 for things that are

00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:30.779
 obviously contrary to

00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.219
 His will,

00:16:32.359 --> 00:16:33.419
 His design.

00:16:35.599 --> 00:16:37.659
 Suffering comes into our lives.

00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:40.639
 We are touched by evil.

00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:43.379
 Paul wants us to think

00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:46.799
 when those times come,

00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.559
 you don't thank God

00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.700
 for the evil.

00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.779
 You don't thank God

00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:53.600
 for the sinful things

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.360
 that people do.

00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.740
 But you do thank God

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.860
 that He is sovereign.

00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.580
 You do thank Him

00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.779
 that He is good

00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:02.740
 and that He is going

00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:04.859
 to work everything out

00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:07.259
 for His glory

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.920
 and ultimate good.

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:10.940
 And I hope that brings

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.720
 to your mind,

00:17:11.820 --> 00:17:13.320
 Romans 8, 28,

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.480
 one of the most comforting

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:17.860
 words from God

00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.940
 in all the Bible.

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.300
 And we know that

00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:21.340
 in all things,

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:23.380
 God works for the good

00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:24.539
 of those who love Him,

00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.200
 who've been called

00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.940
 according to His purpose.

00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:30.740
 All things are not good.

00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.779
 There's a lot of terrible things,

00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:34.240
 a lot of suffering and pain

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.519
 even Christians experience.

00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:37.339
 We don't know why

00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:39.200
 God allows these things.

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.940
 We don't see all

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.599
 that He actually does

00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:44.339
 in bringing about

00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.900
 ultimate good even.

00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.319
 But one of the ways

00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.200
 that Romans 29

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.000
 is talking about

00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.299
 how God works

00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.359
 everything for good,

00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:55.720
 it goes on in verse 29

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.200
 to talk about

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.139
 how God is working

00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:57.740
 in our lives

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.700
 to conform us

00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:00.299
 to the image of His Son.

00:18:01.599 --> 00:18:03.279
 God is working in evil.

00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:04.639
 He's working in pain

00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.400
 and suffering

00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:08.080
 to perfect us,

00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.140
 our character,

00:18:09.860 --> 00:18:11.140
 to make us more like

00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.060
 His Son Jesus.

00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:13.400
 And so,

00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:15.580
 in all of our circumstances,

00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.600
 we can trust God

00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:20.240
 that He is sovereign,

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.759
 He is in control,

00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.100
 He is good,

00:18:23.780 --> 00:18:25.420
 and He is powerfully

00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:27.300
 working out good

00:18:27.300 --> 00:18:29.020
 in our lives,

00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.400
 if nothing else,

00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.400
 but developing

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.759
 our Christ-like character.

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:34.779
 But He's also working out

00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.359
 things for ultimate good

00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.759
 that we may not even see

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:39.519
 until heaven one day.

00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.119
 But we can trust

00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:42.099
 that in all things,

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.279
 God is at work

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.039
 and He's working everything

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.240
 for His glory.

00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:47.119
 There's meaning,

00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.559
 there is purpose,

00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.539
 even in our sufferings.

00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:51.539
 You know,

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.500
 one of the best examples

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.700
 of how we are to thank God

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.640
 for all things

00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.740
 is found in the way

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:58.359
 that Paul thanked God

00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.659
 for everything,

00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.939
 including the good

00:19:01.939 --> 00:19:02.719
 that He saw

00:19:02.719 --> 00:19:04.699
 in people's lives.

00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:06.919
 I want you to look with me

00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:07.959
 at Romans chapter 1

00:19:07.959 --> 00:19:08.559
 in verse 8.

00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.199
 Romans is the first letter

00:19:11.199 --> 00:19:12.279
 in the New Testament

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.459
 that the Apostle Paul wrote.

00:19:13.979 --> 00:19:15.339
 If you open your New Testament,

00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.439
 you'll see Matthew, Mark, Luke,

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.419
 John, Acts,

00:19:18.479 --> 00:19:19.139
 then Romans.

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.859
 Beginning with Romans,

00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.699
 you're going to go

00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:23.779
 through Paul's letters.

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:26.960
 in most of those letters,

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.660
 in the majority

00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.539
 of those letters,

00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.279
 he's going to begin

00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:33.019
 by thanking God

00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:35.559
 and then thank God

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.660
 for what he's doing

00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.440
 in the lives

00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.259
 of those people.

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.099
 Let's look at two examples.

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.119
 Romans 1.8.

00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.279
 First,

00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.619
 I thank my God

00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.680
 through Jesus Christ

00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:46.299
 for all of you

00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:48.879
 because your faith

00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:50.399
 is proclaimed

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:52.259
 in all the world.

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.859
 First,

00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.519
 I thank my God

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.279
 through Jesus Christ

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.599
 for all of you.

00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.259
 I'm thanking God.

00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.740
 I'm thanking God

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.359
 for you

00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:04.180
 and I'm thanking God

00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:06.160
 for how you're living,

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.960
 how you're actually

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.920
 putting the gospel

00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.839
 into practice,

00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.779
 how you're living

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.460
 like Christians

00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.759
 because your faith

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.660
 is proclaimed

00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.319
 in all the world.

00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.539
 People are talking

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.000
 about you

00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.480
 and they're talking

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.079
 about you good.

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.339
 You know,

00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.099
 none of us really

00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.399
 want people

00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.360
 to talk about us

00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:26.100
 but they're going to.

00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:28.240
 All of us

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.780
 are going to be talked

00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:29.759
 about sooner or later,

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.940
 more or less.

00:20:32.280 --> 00:20:33.000
 It's okay

00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.100
 if they talk about us

00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:35.519
 the good

00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.640
 that God's doing

00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.480
 in us and through us.

00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.259
 Another example,

00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.860
 1 Thessalonians chapter 1

00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.580
 verses 2 and 3.

00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:44.540
 He's writing

00:20:44.540 --> 00:20:45.460
 to this group

00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.019
 of Christians.

00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.680
 We give thanks

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.920
 to God always

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.800
 for all of you,

00:20:50.540 --> 00:20:51.480
 constantly mentioning

00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.380
 you in our prayers.

00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:54.080
 remembering before

00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.340
 our God and Father

00:20:55.340 --> 00:20:58.320
 your work of faith

00:20:58.320 --> 00:21:00.320
 and labor of love

00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:02.020
 and steadfastness

00:21:02.020 --> 00:21:02.560
 of hope

00:21:02.560 --> 00:21:04.220
 in our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:07.380
 Paul thanked God

00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.920
 for what he had done

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.540
 in these people's lives

00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:13.300
 to save them,

00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:15.340
 change them,

00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.919
 and enable them

00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:18.019
 to actually live

00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.939
 like Christians

00:21:18.939 --> 00:21:20.299
 in the midst

00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:22.480
 of a tough world

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.779
 where most people

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.639
 were not Christians.

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.259
 What Paul is doing,

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.859
 he's complimenting them.

00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:31.559
 You see,

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:34.259
 Paul is writing

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.980
 this letter.

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:37.179
 He's not just

00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:38.119
 praying to God

00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:38.720
 privately

00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.980
 where nobody will hear.

00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.319
 He's not just

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.859
 writing a personal letter

00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.759
 that only one person

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.379
 is going to read.

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.819
 Paul is writing

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.359
 a letter

00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:48.059
 that was to be read

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.619
 to the entire church

00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:52.700
 and would be circulated

00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.519
 among other

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.480
 Christian churches.

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:57.099
 And so what he's doing

00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.920
 is he is publicly

00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:00.860
 complimenting them.

00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.880
 How they've responded,

00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.339
 how they've developed

00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.620
 a powerful testimony

00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.720
 as God's people.

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.740
 Paul said things like this,

00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.099
 to praise God,

00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:16.420
 give public thanks to God,

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.940
 but also to publicly

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.259
 affirm them,

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.860
 to encourage them,

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.579
 and yes,

00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:26.500
 to thank them

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:28.859
 for their faithfulness.

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.539
 Another example

00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.459
 we see real clear,

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.379
 2 Thessalonians 1,

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.079
 verse 3.

00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:35.059
 He says,

00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.199
 We are always to give

00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:37.059
 thanks to God

00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.139
 for you, brothers,

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.539
 as is right,

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.419
 because your faith

00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:43.679
 is growing abundantly

00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.799
 and the love

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.039
 of every one of you

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.099
 for one another

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.979
 is increasing.

00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.959
 What I want us to see

00:22:51.959 --> 00:22:52.740
 is that this is

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.380
 a good example

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:55.559
 of how we ought

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.740
 to express gratitude

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:59.180
 to God,

00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.940
 but also

00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:03.000
 to others.

00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.359
 You and I,

00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:08.140
 we need to do more

00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.099
 than just be thankful

00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.880
 to God.

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.539
 We need to thank God

00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:13.480
 for people in our lives

00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:15.900
 who are meaningful to us,

00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.440
 but we need to learn

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.120
 to thank people.

00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:21.699
 expressing gratitude

00:23:21.699 --> 00:23:22.199
 to people

00:23:22.199 --> 00:23:22.719
 is something

00:23:22.719 --> 00:23:24.579
 most of us

00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:26.519
 need to put more

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:28.139
 emphasis on.

00:23:29.099 --> 00:23:29.899
 Do you do that

00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:31.439
 as a matter of habit

00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:32.319
 in your home,

00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.939
 for example?

00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:35.799
 You who are living

00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.839
 at home with your parents,

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:40.059
 they do a lot for you.

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:44.240
 You may not acknowledge it,

00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.960
 you may not appreciate

00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.599
 it sometimes,

00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:49.039
 but they do a lot

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.659
 for you.

00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.019
 If nothing else,

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.899
 they're letting you live there.

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.440
 Probably not charging you

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:54.940
 a dime,

00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.879
 and you cost something,

00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:57.359
 you know?

00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.619
 You're expensive.

00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:02.939
 But what I want you

00:24:02.939 --> 00:24:03.739
 to think about is,

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:07.299
 do you tell them,

00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:09.059
 boys and girls,

00:24:10.719 --> 00:24:11.479
 young people,

00:24:13.239 --> 00:24:14.000
 young adults,

00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.899
 do you take the time

00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:19.299
 to express thanks,

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.579
 appreciation,

00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:23.859
 those people who are

00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:26.319
 providing for most

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.259
 of your needs,

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:29.440
 and do you do it

00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.720
 with sincerity?

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.460
 You know,

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.000
 one reason

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.940
 we ought to do this

00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.619
 is because it's just

00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.500
 the right thing to do.

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.799
 But also,

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.879
 expressing gratitude

00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:42.759
 helps us to develop

00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:44.220
 better relationships.

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.299
 It really does.

00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.400
 It makes us

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.799
 more appreciative

00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:54.660
 of the person

00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:56.859
 who blesses us

00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:59.079
 if we'll take time

00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.879
 to think about

00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:01.359
 just what all

00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:02.399
 they've done for us.

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.240
 It will make us

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.000
 more appreciative

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.799
 if we'll just

00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.939
 stop and think

00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:11.299
 of what the person

00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.539
 who's helping us,

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.439
 taking care of us,

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.099
 doing stuff for us.

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:15.799
 If we'll just stop

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.199
 and think

00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:17.839
 what it is they're doing,

00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.879
 what it costs them

00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.459
 to do it.

00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.359
 Maybe in terms of time,

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.959
 maybe in terms of energy,

00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.819
 not necessarily monetarily.

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.939
 Do you know

00:25:27.939 --> 00:25:28.740
 that it's really

00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:30.000
 a reward

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:32.819
 for you to take time

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.619
 to give thanks

00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.139
 to somebody

00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:36.399
 who is investing

00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:36.980
 in you?

00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.960
 It's not just

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.980
 among family members,

00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.879
 but all of us.

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.460
 Have you ever had

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.099
 somebody to

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:45.439
 give you something?

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.619
 Maybe it was a gift,

00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:48.119
 maybe it was their time,

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.839
 they just gave you

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.339
 something,

00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.839
 and you thought

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.439
 to yourself,

00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:54.320
 it is important.

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:54.880
 They've really

00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:56.059
 given of themselves,

00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:59.019
 and you may think

00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.140
 under some of those

00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.740
 circumstances,

00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.840
 I want to pay them back.

00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.279
 If somebody

00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.100
 has given you

00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.779
 something because

00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.980
 they just love you,

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.559
 and they wanted

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:11.000
 to give it to you,

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.680
 they don't want

00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.460
 to be paid back.

00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:17.120
 You'll insult them

00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:17.680
 if you talk about

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.360
 paying them back.

00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:20.759
 You know what

00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.299
 would be

00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.759
 their greatest

00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.379
 reward?

00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.619
 For you to look

00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.279
 them in the eye

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.879
 and smile

00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:29.699
 and express

00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:31.479
 genuine appreciation,

00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.240
 thanks,

00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.619
 hug them,

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.899
 touch them,

00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.819
 do it from the heart,

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.099
 do it with all

00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.359
 sincerity.

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.399
 That will reward

00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.199
 them more than

00:26:44.199 --> 00:26:44.819
 you would ever

00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:46.419
 imagine.

00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:48.759
 that's really

00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.920
 a lot of times.

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.320
 You think about

00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.660
 when you give

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.120
 to someone

00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.940
 you really care

00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.300
 about,

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:57.580
 you're not

00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:58.340
 expecting

00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.820
 anything in return,

00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:01.860
 but it makes

00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:03.039
 it all worthwhile

00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.800
 when they look

00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:04.240
 at you

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:05.039
 and that smile

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.000
 or that touch

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:07.920
 and they express

00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.580
 gratitude

00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:10.580
 for what you've

00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:10.860
 done.

00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:13.039
 Let's conclude

00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.720
 with one final

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.240
 question.

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.200
 why do you

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.839
 thank God?

00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:20.380
 Why do you

00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.859
 thank God

00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:23.279
 assuming that

00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.960
 we all in here

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.279
 do?

00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.799
 If you give

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.559
 someone a gift

00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.200
 at Christmas

00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:30.160
 or you just

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.380
 do something

00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.359
 for someone,

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.660
 period,

00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.099
 would you be

00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.019
 satisfied if

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.640
 that person

00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.279
 just only

00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.039
 gave you

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.599
 an obliging

00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.000
 word of

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.460
 thanks

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:43.259
 but didn't

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.860
 show any

00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.519
 interest

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:46.279
 or affection

00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:49.019
 to you

00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.819
 as a

00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.400
 person?

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.200
 You do

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.539
 something,

00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.120
 you give

00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:55.500
 something

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.840
 and someone

00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.480
 doesn't really,

00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:58.620
 they don't really

00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.680
 acknowledge you.

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.680
 They may

00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.240
 acknowledge your

00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.660
 gift,

00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:04.079
 but they don't

00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.880
 acknowledge you.

00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.480
 Sometimes

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:09.400
 it makes you

00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:09.940
 feel hurt,

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.420
 doesn't it?

00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:12.080
 In some

00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.600
 situations

00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.160
 you can feel

00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.840
 insulted

00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:15.940
 or you

00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.320
 can just

00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:17.380
 feel

00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.660
 used.

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.100
 Hearing

00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:21.720
 words of

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.240
 thanks

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:24.000
 don't mean

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.840
 anything

00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:26.980
 unless they

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.960
 include

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.380
 your

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.300
 genuine

00:28:30.300 --> 00:28:31.940
 personal

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.220
 interest

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.560
 that you

00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.100
 express

00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.259
 somehow

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:38.220
 as you

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.680
 give that

00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.019
 word of

00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.360
 thanks.

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:41.219
 God

00:28:41.219 --> 00:28:41.639
 feels the

00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:41.859
 same

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.219
 way

00:28:42.219 --> 00:28:43.500
 when we

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:43.879
 are more

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.319
 interested

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.859
 in His

00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.419
 gifts

00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.819
 than we

00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.539
 are in

00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.419
 Him.

00:28:50.419 --> 00:28:50.839
 Are you

00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.319
 thankful to

00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.639
 God

00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:54.199
 not just

00:28:54.199 --> 00:28:54.759
 for the

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.779
 things

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.019
 or the

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.539
 people He

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:57.919
 puts into

00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.579
 your life?

00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.939
 Are you

00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:02.240
 truly

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.839
 thankful

00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.099
 to God

00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:04.199
 God?

00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:04.559
 God

00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:07.000
 because you

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.740
 love Him

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.679
 and you

00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.000
 want to

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.619
 express

00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.419
 gratitude

00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:12.079
 to Him

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:14.319
 just because

00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.859
 you love

00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.039
 Him.

00:29:15.719 --> 00:29:16.359
 You want

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.539
 Him to

00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:16.939
 know that

00:29:16.939 --> 00:29:17.199
 you are

00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:18.000
 thankful for

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.619
 that special

00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.039
 person,

00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.899
 for that

00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:20.439
 job,

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.000
 for that

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.559
 gift,

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.259
 whatever it

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.859
 may be.

00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:24.699
 True

00:29:24.699 --> 00:29:25.500
 gratitude to

00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:25.939
 God can

00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.299
 only be

00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.959
 expressed from

00:29:26.959 --> 00:29:27.839
 someone who

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.339
 has a heart

00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:28.919
 for God.

00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:31.060
 and that

00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:31.480
 heart for

00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:31.900
 God has

00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.140
 to be

00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.600
 developed in

00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.220
 the context

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.279
 of a loving

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.960
 relationship

00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.759
 with Him.

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.680
 We cannot

00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:40.080
 truly thank

00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:42.019
 God if we

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.440
 don't know

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:44.060
 Him, if we

00:29:44.060 --> 00:29:44.400
 don't have a

00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.060
 relationship with

00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.440
 Him through

00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.320
 Jesus Christ.

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.000
 So I want to

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.680
 ask you now,

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.140
 do you have

00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:50.539
 such a

00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:50.920
 relationship

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.539
 with God?

00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.500
 Do you want

00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.320
 one if you

00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:55.680
 don't?

00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.940
 You can have

00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.320
 such a

00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.740
 relationship,

00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.180
 it can

00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:00.140
 begin today

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:01.579
 by admitting

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:01.960
 to God,

00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.299
 just like we

00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.620
 said at the

00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:02.880
 beginning,

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.180
 that I am

00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.579
 a sinner.

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.019
 And I know

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.400
 that I have

00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.059
 come short

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.940
 of your

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.779
 expectations.

00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.579
 I know

00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.019
 that I have

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.680
 failed you.

00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.279
 I know

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.660
 that I have

00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.019
 been more

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.480
 self-centered

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:15.019
 than God-centered.

00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.220
 Admit your

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.620
 sin.

00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.160
 Express your

00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.779
 sorrow to

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.220
 God for

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.579
 having

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.440
 dishonored

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.720
 Him,

00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.559
 ignored Him,

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.279
 and sinned

00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.680
 against Him

00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.200
 like this.

00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.460
 Turn from

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:24.839
 your sin.

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.400
 Change your

00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:26.039
 mind about it.

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.779
 Put your

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.539
 faith in

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:27.880
 Jesus,

00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.740
 that when

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.020
 He died

00:30:29.020 --> 00:30:29.240
 on the

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.420
 cross,

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:29.780
 He actually

00:30:29.780 --> 00:30:30.200
 paid the

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.580
 penalty for

00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.040
 your sin.

00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:32.980
 Call upon

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.380
 Him to

00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:33.900
 save you,

00:30:34.040 --> 00:30:34.720
 forgive you,

00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:35.980
 make you a

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.620
 child of God.

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.300
 Do that

00:30:37.300 --> 00:30:37.720
 now.

00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.800
 You can

00:30:39.800 --> 00:30:40.180
 begin a

00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:40.520
 relationship

00:30:40.520 --> 00:30:41.020
 with Him.

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:43.319
 for some

00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.619
 people in

00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.000
 this room,

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.660
 the question

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.279
 is this.

00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:46.639
 Did you

00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.119
 once have

00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.680
 a relationship

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.359
 with God

00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.639
 that was

00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.259
 close?

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.079
 It was

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.480
 loving.

00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:52.920
 It was

00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.299
 real.

00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.579
 It was

00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.119
 personal.

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:56.099
 But now,

00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:58.500
 it's just

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.119
 distant.

00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.720
 It's just

00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.200
 not really

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.059
 personal

00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.500
 anymore.

00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.220
 Maybe you're

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.839
 even reading

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.259
 the Bible

00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.799
 regularly.

00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:09.680
 Maybe your

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:11.079
 relationship

00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.639
 with God

00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.059
 is more

00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.519
 along the

00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.019
 lines of

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.339
 being academic

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:16.500
 rather than

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.279
 anything else.

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.599
 My question

00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.759
 is, do you

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.240
 want to come

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.879
 back to Him?

00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.019
 Do you want

00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.099
 Him to restore

00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:26.700
 for you the

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.619
 joy of your

00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.099
 salvation?

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.119
 If you know

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:30.819
 why there's

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.359
 separation,

00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.879
 why there's

00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.639
 distance,

00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.579
 confess that to

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.059
 God, you

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.659
 repent of

00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:37.819
 it.

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:38.899
 And the

00:31:38.899 --> 00:31:39.319
 Scripture says

00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:39.879
 if we confess

00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.519
 our sins, He

00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.099
 is faithful and

00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.679
 just to forgive

00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.319
 us and to

00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.220
 cleanse us.

00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:44.000
 He'll give us a

00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.559
 fresh start.

00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.720
 He'll welcome

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.299
 you back.

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.779
 Could be that

00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.339
 you would say

00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.679
 that I don't

00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:51.159
 really know

00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:51.619
 why.

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.279
 It's just

00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:54.740
 happened over

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.599
 time or

00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.460
 something, but

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.519
 I just don't

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.240
 have the close

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.799
 personal

00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.399
 relationship with

00:31:59.399 --> 00:31:59.759
 the Lord that

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.539
 I once had.

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.759
 Just tell Him

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.019
 that.

00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.519
 You don't have

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.059
 to know why.

00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.659
 Just come back

00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.059
 to Him.

00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:07.639
 Scripture says

00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.039
 if we will

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.619
 draw near to

00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:09.019
 God, He'll

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.579
 draw near to

00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.019
 us.

00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.919
 Ask God to

00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:13.639
 show you what

00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:14.500
 the problem is.

00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.579
 To show you

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.259
 what the solution

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.720
 is.

00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.519
 But the

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.279
 beginning part of

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.659
 that solution

00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.079
 is to come

00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:19.679
 back to Him.

00:32:20.119 --> 00:32:20.379
 Humble

00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:20.919
 yourself.

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.220
 Seek Him.

00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:24.919
 Commit

00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:25.379
 yourself and

00:32:25.379 --> 00:32:25.599
 you are

00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.519
 fresh to Him.

00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:28.939
 I want to

00:32:28.939 --> 00:32:29.279
 end this

00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:30.799
 message with

00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.740
 the words from

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.639
 Psalm 100.

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:33.980
 The only

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:35.519
 psalm that

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.259
 is entitled

00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.720
 is a psalm

00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.559
 of thanksgiving.

00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.740
 It's actually

00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.920
 entitled a

00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:42.440
 psalm for

00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.299
 giving thanks.

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.740
 The last two

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.980
 verses are

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.500
 this.

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.920
 Enter His

00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.639
 gates with

00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:50.180
 thanksgiving and

00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.359
 His courts with

00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.059
 praise.

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.720
 Give thanks to

00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:55.359
 Him and bless

00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:56.519
 praise His name.

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.339
 For the Lord is

00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.859
 good and His

00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:01.400
 love endures

00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:02.039
 forever.

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:04.019
 His faithfulness

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:06.240
 continues through

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.359
 all generations.

00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:10.659
 Thank God and

00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:12.759
 praise Him because

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.899
 of who He is.

00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:16.420
 Because He is our

00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:19.299
 good God who

00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.559
 will love us

00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:24.059
 forever and who

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.899
 will be faithful

00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:27.819
 to us forever

00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.599
 and ever.

00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:30.099
 would you pray

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.480
 with me?

00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.519
 Father,

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:31.559
 Father,

00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.519
 Father,

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.419
 show us how

00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:37.919
 we should

00:33:37.919 --> 00:33:38.579
 respond

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:41.019
 so that we

00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.619
 can leave here

00:33:41.619 --> 00:33:42.419
 today as people

00:33:42.419 --> 00:33:43.599
 who are truly

00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:45.319
 thankful.

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.279
 We're thankful

00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.139
 to You for

00:33:48.139 --> 00:33:49.000
 who You are,

00:33:50.139 --> 00:33:51.159
 how You are,

00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.699
 and what You do.

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:54.420
 But Lord,

00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.120
 help us to also

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:55.740
 leave here as

00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.279
 people who are

00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:58.980
 thankful for the

00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.660
 people You've put

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:01.340
 in our life who

00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:03.180
 bless us, who

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:04.180
 help us.

00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.480
 Help us,

00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:07.980
 Father, to be

00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:10.720
 thankful for the

00:34:10.720 --> 00:34:11.440
 gifts, the

00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.119
 talents, the

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.639
 opportunities, the

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:17.599
 things that we

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.320
 have and enjoy.

00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:21.320
 Lord,

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.460
 help us,

00:34:22.660 --> 00:34:23.019
 Father, to be

00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.860
 thankful even in

00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:26.500
 the tough times,

00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:27.940
 the hard times,

00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:30.300
 because we know

00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:31.320
 You are sovereign

00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.940
 and You are

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:34.720
 good and You're

00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:35.380
 working in all

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.700
 those tough times

00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:38.260
 for Your glory

00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:39.320
 and our good.

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.980
 Father, show us

00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:42.480
 how we should

00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.080
 respond.

00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:45.180
 Help us to do

00:34:45.180 --> 00:34:47.580
 that now and

00:34:47.580 --> 00:34:48.240
 leave here as

00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:48.980
 Your thankful

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.539
 people.

00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.480
 Let's just

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.019
 continue in an

00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.440
 attitude of

00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.780
 prayer and you

00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.440
 respond to the

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.699
 Lord as He

00:34:55.699 --> 00:34:56.199
 speaks.

00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:59.039
 If I could help

00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.579
 you, pray with

00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.019
 you, I'll be

00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.300
 here at the

00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:00.760
 front and be

00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:01.219
 happy to do

00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.460
 that.