WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.500 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:12.620 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.259 And, as we've heard this morning, God is good. 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:41.880 So, no matter what other emotions we're experiencing that are very appropriate, 00:00:42.659 --> 00:00:46.799 we always have so many reasons also to give Him thanks. 00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:53.079 Which led me to Psalm 103. I'm going to read it for us and talk for just a few minutes. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:57.120 God's Word to shape our hearts in relationship with Him. 00:00:57.119 --> 00:01:02.059 Just think of God's people singing it together, hearts turned toward Him. 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:04.039 Psalm 103. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:09.579 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His holy name. 00:01:10.099 --> 00:01:13.939 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:15.759 Who forgives all your iniquity. 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:17.659 Who heals all your diseases. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:19.959 Who redeems your life from the pit. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:22.979 Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. 00:01:22.980 --> 00:01:27.500 Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. 00:01:28.980 --> 00:01:32.200 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:35.740 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel. 00:01:36.100 --> 00:01:41.439 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. 00:01:41.880 --> 00:01:45.439 He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:50.640 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:57.319 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:03.200 As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:09.699 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:11.439 For He knows our frame. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:13.759 He remembers that we are dust. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:16.680 As for man, his days are like grass. 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:22.039 He flourishes like a flower of the field, for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:29.079 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.460 And His righteousness to children's children. 00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:34.659 To those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments. 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:39.379 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:45.139 Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His word. 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:48.639 Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers who do His will. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:52.639 Bless the Lord, all His works, and all places of His dominion. 00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:55.840 Bless the Lord, O my soul. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:03:05.939 God, may the words of my mouth, the meditations of all of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight. 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:07.360 You are our rock. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:09.819 We give you thanks, in Jesus' name. 00:03:10.480 --> 00:03:10.780 Amen. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:16.840 Maybe it feels a little odd to you to think about blessing God. 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:18.759 You may not talk that way. 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:20.819 It's not like saying, bless His heart. 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:25.639 It's not like you're doing God a favor, blessing Him. 00:03:25.739 --> 00:03:28.840 The word for blessing means to speak well of. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:32.419 So it's what we would often call praise, right? 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:40.319 Here King David calls his soul, the deepest part of his being, to speak well of God. 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:43.819 To give Him thanks for who He is, for what He has done. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:47.280 He says, come on soul, from the depths of my gut. 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:48.459 Not merely my lips. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:49.659 Don't let me just talk about it. 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:52.180 Let all of me bless the Lord. 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:57.240 And forget not all His benefits. 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:00.280 I think David knows how easy it is to forget. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:08.259 To live with God and the benefits of a relationship with Him that we've talked about. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:11.900 But we can live with those not at the forefront of our minds. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:12.859 Yes. 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:17.759 I mean, you may know them, but do they anchor you when storms come? 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.839 Do they guide you when you make decisions? 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:22.839 Do they motivate you when you consider priorities? 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:25.860 David knows sometimes they don't. 00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:28.599 And so he starts listing them, doesn't he? 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:29.759 Singing them. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:33.659 As we walk through briefly, make your own Thanksgiving list. 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:34.660 God bless you when you're in the world. 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:51.860 That means my childhood selfishness and my worst exploits as a college student. 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:53.080 Forgiven. 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:56.079 God, I'm so thankful. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:57.819 Even this weekend. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:01.019 My impatience with my kids. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:06.240 My self-importance and self-reliance. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:07.639 My careless words. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:09.879 My carefully targeted darts. 00:05:10.659 --> 00:05:12.079 All forgiven. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:15.719 Even the things I haven't imagined doing yet. 00:05:15.979 --> 00:05:19.899 The things I'm going to forget and neglect in the future. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:25.459 Forgiven by Jesus on the cross. 00:05:27.419 --> 00:05:31.000 He's faithful and just to forgive us our sins. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:35.219 To cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:37.939 Who heals all your diseases. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:40.959 The words mean physical and spiritual. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:44.819 Because the sin we battle is bigger than just our mistakes, isn't it? 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:45.939 It's evil forces. 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.759 Broken systems. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:49.259 Active powers. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:52.339 Crouching to attack and devour us, the Bible says. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:56.060 Thank God he is greater than all of those. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:05:59.600 Who redeems your life from the pit. 00:05:59.879 --> 00:06:04.319 Yes, any difficult circumstance where you feel really low like Joseph's pit. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:12.379 But these words seem to be especially brought from the grave into everlasting life. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:13.279 Oh, y'all. 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:16.699 Where would we be without the resurrection? 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:19.199 Without that hope? 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:21.800 He crowns us royally. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:26.600 He satisfies us permanently with true good. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:28.699 What glory really is. 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:31.899 His steadfast love and mercy. 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:36.959 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:40.459 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:46.839 See this, Yahweh not only makes claims about what he's going to be like, but he demonstrates his truthfulness, right? 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:48.500 We've seen some of these stories. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:49.779 Israel and Egypt. 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:52.439 And God shows himself strong. 00:06:53.099 --> 00:06:58.099 But he's going to keep doing that for us, for many others, because it's who he is, right? 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:01.500 That self-description from Exodus 34. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:04.379 The Lord is merciful and gracious. 00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:06.500 Slow to anger. 00:07:06.700 --> 00:07:09.020 Abounding in steadfast love. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.120 Beautiful. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.740 He will not always chide. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:14.300 Nor will he keep his anger forever. 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:16.760 He does not deal with us according to our sins. 00:07:16.960 --> 00:07:19.100 Nor repay us according to our iniquities. 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:20.080 Listen. 00:07:20.640 --> 00:07:21.700 Aren't you glad? 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:30.099 Aren't you glad that God is, as you start to get anxious and impatient with the holidays coming up, 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:37.420 as you get short-tempered and self-focused just when you're supposed to be most focused on God and others, 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:40.839 that God is not looking for reasons to be angry. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:41.599 He's not. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:45.800 God is looking for people to show kindness to. 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:50.620 Not just the award winners, but the lost sheep. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:53.180 He's looking for the lowly. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.379 He's looking for the brokenhearted. 00:07:55.780 --> 00:07:58.220 Isaiah 30, God waits eagerly for what? 00:07:58.360 --> 00:07:59.459 To be gracious. 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:01.340 He exalts himself for what? 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.819 To show mercy. 00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:08.160 He's abounding in, bursting with steadfast love. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:09.319 Aren't we thankful? 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:14.720 Listen to David come back to God's love and our sins one more time. 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:15.699 They're so connected. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:22.139 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. 00:08:22.979 --> 00:08:28.579 As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:32.480 God's boundless, measureless, infinite love. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:36.899 Paul prays we'll begin to comprehend how long and wide and high and deep it is. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:44.919 And even as we just barely just see the edges of it, we cry, bless the Lord, oh my soul. 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:50.819 Because in that infinite love, he takes our sins infinitely far away from us. 00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:54.600 Micah says, casts them into the depths of the sea. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:03.279 God has so completely covered you in Christ that he no longer associates you and your sin. 00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:13.399 He will never ever associate you with your failure and your shame if you, by faith, are in Christ. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:17.460 But you say, no, pastor, I'm a really big sinner. 00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:19.800 You haven't talked to someone like me. 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:29.219 Have you forgotten David is guilty of murder, adultery, lying? 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:32.639 And these are his words. 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:36.500 Others may identify you with your past failures. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:40.199 You may still struggle with your shame. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:49.740 But Jesus nailed your failure and your shame to the cross and washed it completely away forever. 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:51.339 With his blood. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:54.179 Thank you, Jesus, for the blood. 00:09:55.959 --> 00:09:59.899 And as a result of that, we have a father who loves us completely. 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:05.659 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 00:10:06.359 --> 00:10:07.539 For he knows our frame. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:09.259 He remembers that we are dust. 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:11.240 He sees our weakness. 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:17.419 And when a loving father sees a toddler struggling to walk or to ride a bike or to swim, 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:19.919 does the father just laugh? 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:22.240 Punish the child? 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:25.159 Walk away? 00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:27.799 No, no. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:34.120 He runs to help, to steady the wobbling child, to comfort the wounded biker, 00:10:34.599 --> 00:10:37.120 to rescue the drowning swimmer, right? 00:10:37.699 --> 00:10:38.599 Just so. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:40.740 God knows our weakness. 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.820 And he's not pushed away by it. 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:46.639 He's drawn to it with compassion and steadfast love. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:50.080 Where is he meeting you in your weakness? 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:51.980 Bless the Lord. 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:57.060 As for man, his days are like grass. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.980 He flourishes like a flower of the field. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:02.420 For the wind passes over it and it is gone and its place knows it no more. 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:08.279 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:14.180 And his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:20.359 This steadfast love didn't just start when you were born and it won't end when you die. 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:22.959 Our days are a mere breath, right? 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:27.599 But from eternity past, God set his love on you. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:31.679 And his love never ends into eternity future. 00:11:32.099 --> 00:11:38.939 From everlasting to everlasting, from generation to generation, he keeps loving you. 00:11:39.099 --> 00:11:40.539 That's our hope, y'all. 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:44.959 That's our hope at a funeral for one we loved dearly. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:48.659 That's our hope for ourselves as we age. 00:11:48.939 --> 00:11:55.500 That's our hope for our kids and our grandkids long after we die that his love doesn't die. 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.879 Aren't we thankful? 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:03.719 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens and his kingdom rules over all. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.980 He's ruling and reigning right now. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:06.919 Who's in charge? 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:12.599 The one who's merciful and gracious and slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:12:12.979 --> 00:12:14.539 Bless the Lord. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:16.179 He says, come on angels. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.179 Help us speak well of his name. 00:12:18.599 --> 00:12:20.059 Cherubim, seraphim. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.979 There can't be enough praise given him. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:26.559 In fact, all of you heavenly hosts are getting together and we still need more help. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.479 All of his works. 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.939 Last thing to notice. 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:38.680 David is calling everything in God's entire creation to join in praising God. 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:45.420 Mountains and beaches and sunsets and stars and plants and animals. 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:46.540 This is no joke. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:47.680 No exaggeration. 00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:49.980 The Bible says rocks will cry out. 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:52.180 Hills will break into singing. 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:55.700 And the trees of the fields will clap their hands. 00:12:55.700 --> 00:13:00.220 If we're even going to get close to giving Yahweh the glory due his name. 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:02.080 That's how great he is. 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.980 How worthy he is of our thanks. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:09.259 But why does all of creation clap and sing? 00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:13.040 He hasn't forgiven them anything. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.520 Removed their sins far away. 00:13:16.660 --> 00:13:18.340 Adopted them into his family. 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:20.019 No, no. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:28.399 All of creation and all his heavenly hosts are thanking and praising God for the things on your list. 00:13:30.560 --> 00:13:33.879 Because God has forgiven us. 00:13:34.780 --> 00:13:40.740 They bless him because he's a compassionate father to us. 00:13:41.660 --> 00:13:43.560 They bless him. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:47.320 Angels and cherubs and planets bless God. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:49.960 Because he forgives people like you and me. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:55.520 They bless him because he shows everlasting steadfast love to us. 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:59.120 How much more should we be thankful? 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.060 On the night he was betrayed. 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:11.280 Jesus sat with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal. 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.279 And he took bread. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:15.819 And he broke it and he gave it to them. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.819 As I'm ministering in his name. 00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:19.179 Give this bread to you. 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.319 He said, take and eat. 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:22.419 This is my body given for you. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.899 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:31.720 In the same way after supper he took the cup and said, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:34.340 Shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.860 Drink from it all of you. 00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:42.259 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:47.480 This celebration is sometimes referred to as the Eucharist. 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:49.840 It's from the Greek word for thanksgiving. 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:56.019 Because Jesus gave thanks before breaking the bread. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:15:07.120 And perhaps more helpfully, because we see here the sacrifice for which we are to give thanks more than for anything else in the world. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:09.919 We come giving him thanks. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.000 If that's the testimony of your heart. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:16.179 That his death brings you life with God. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:20.659 No matter which church of his you're a part of that preaches that good news. 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:22.159 Come and eat with us this morning. 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:25.340 And give him thanks for all that he's done for you. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:33.240 If this picture of Jesus' death in your place doesn't make you deeply thankful. 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:36.980 If you don't look to him as your only hope. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:40.120 Then don't come take these elements this morning. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:42.960 We welcome you to come and to observe. 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:51.699 Or if you're more comfortable to stay seated and to reflect on Jesus' offer to you of life through his death. 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:56.200 But would you contemplate this as a feast of thanksgiving? 00:15:56.340 --> 00:16:00.879 Would you if you're here perhaps with a friend or a family member who is partaking? 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:04.879 Would you be willing to ask them why it makes them so thankful to participate? 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.200 Kids, that would be a great thing to ask your parents. 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:14.340 Mom and dad, why are you thankful that you're coming to celebrate this? 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.480 They'd love to tell you. 00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:17.759 Let's pray and we'll come together. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:23.879 Jesus, we can't say thanks enough. 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:27.279 That you would do this for us once. 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:29.019 That you would meet us in it now. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:32.939 That we would not face these difficulties of life on our own. 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:37.039 But that we would have a Savior who's present with us. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.860 It's our great comfort and hope. 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:44.600 And so use common elements for a holy purpose in this moment as we meet with you. 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.879 We ask in your name. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.980 Amen. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:52.420 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.