Scripture Reading: Psalm 100

Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving

Intro.

1. God’s people always give Him thanks for His goodness, might, mercy and deliverance (1 Chrn. 16:7-8; Psa. 100:4; 107:1-3; 136:1-3).

2. The Lord’s comfort of Zion provokes thanksgiving, Isa. 51:1-3.

3. Thanksgiving is an immediate reaction of Christians, Eph. 5:20.

4. Thanksgiving is opposite of selfishness, arrogance and rebellion, it springs out of love, joy and praise. Where it is found, contentment is found. Without it, anxiety and lusts abound.

I. WHAT IS THANKSGIVING?

A. “The Grateful Acknowledgement of Benefits Received.”

B. Giving Thanks Presupposes:

1. Knowledge that you have been blessed, cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-13.

2. Knowledge of and review of the blessings received.

-Must “count our blessings” to be thankful! (Phil. 1:3)

3. Knowledge of the source of the blessings (given by God): Can’t credit ourselves (cf. Jas. 1:17 vs. Dan. 4:30-33).

II. WHEN MUST WE GIVE THANKS? [Eph. 5:20: “always”] Psa. 34:1.

A. Before the Blessing Comes (Expectation), 2 Chrn. 20:20-21.

-Shows honor for and faith in God’s character and His promises (Heb. 13:5-6).

B. During the Blessing (Reliance), Acts 28:15 (cf. Jno. 11:41-42).

-Aware of God in your life and that EVERYTHING is an advantage from Him (even distress, pain, loss and trial, Job 1:21).

C. After the Blessing has been Received (Acknowledgement), Exo. 15:1; Dan. 2:23; Lk. 17:11-19.

III. FOR WHAT MUST WE GIVE THANKS? [Eph. 5:20: “for all things”]

A. Things Physical and Spiritual; Things “Ordinary” and Extraordinary; Things Received and Withheld (2 Co. 12:10), 1 Ths. 5:18 (for food, 1 Tim. 4:4; for all men, 1 Tim. 2:1; for memories, Phil. 1:3; for our brethren, Col. 1:3; etc.).

1. For God’s attributes and works (grace and salvation, church, word, judgments); our brethren, family, food, life’s joys and sorrows, pleasures and pain.

2. Giving thanks is a test and profession of our faith:

a. Paul’s imprisonment (Phil. 1:12-14, 18): Paul rejoiced!

b. Why? How can we be thankful for “everything”? Rom. 8:28, 35-39

c. All things work together for good…, 8:28.

d. No exterior force can separate us from God; everything can work a blessing for God’s people! 8:35-39

IV. TO WHOM MUST IT BE OFFERED TO? [Eph. 5:20: “to God the Father”]

A. The Father is the Giver of all Good Gifts, Jas. 1:17.

1. Just as a father nurtures & gives, God gives all good things to us, Matt. 7:11.

2. This does not limit thanks exclusively to the Father; it acknowledges that He is the Giver, the Cause of all blessings (see 1 Tim. 1:12).

a. The Father gave His Son (Jno. 3:16).

b. The Son gave His life, Matt. 20:28.

c. The Holy Spirit gave testimony/all truth, Jno. 15:26; 16:13.

3. Truly, Godhead deserves our thanks as the SOURCE and the CAUSE OF ALL BLESSINGS! Rom. 1:20-21 (Acts 17:25)

V. HOW MUST WE GIVE OUR THANKS TO GOD? [Eph. 5:20: “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”]

A. Christ Jesus is the Means of all the Blessings we Receive, Eph. 1:3; Col. 3:17.

B. We Give Thanksgiving with our Whole Being. (hearts/hands)

1. Our lips (prayers and song), Heb. 13:15.

2. Our lives (sacrifice and service), Col. 2:7.

Conclusion

1. Ingratitude reveals pride, self-reliance, self-satisfaction, and self-love, 2 Tim. 3:1-4.

2. Lack of thankfulness toward God is the height of ungodliness, Psa. 140:13

3. We must overflow with thanksgiving (Col. 2:7).