THANKSGIVING GOD'S WAY!
November 24,2024
1 Chronicles 16:8–11 “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
The Ark of the Covenant symbolized the presence and power of God
1 Chronicles 16:1 And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.
Burnt offerings were the highest expression of worship as the entire offering was consumed.
1 Chronicles 16:2-3 “David…blessed the people in the name of the Lord and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.”
1 Chronicles 16:4 “Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.”
1 Chronicles 16:7 “Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.”
Pray, Praise, and Proclaim
The Hebrew word for thanks means “to throw, or cast.”
The word “call” means to shout out with reverence.
We’ve been made for a mission to go with the gospel to the whole world.
“Tell” carries with it the idea of “meditate.”
Before we can proclaim, we must meditate or think deeply about all God has done and is doing in us and around us.
We pray, we praise and then we proclaim our thankfulness.
1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances.”
1 Chronicles 16:36, “Then all the people said ‘Amen’ and praised the Lord.”
At the very heart of consumerism is dissatisfaction and discontentment.
It’s hard to be thankful because we’re not content enough.
If we want to be truly thankful we must become consistently content.
Luke 12:15: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
If you have a covetous character, then no matter what you have, it will never be enough.
Philippians 4:10-13: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Contentment 101: Be Confident that God is in Control.
A complaining spirit is ultimately against God.
Just as God’s people brought the Ark back into the center of their lives, we too must have God at the center.
If something else is at the center of your life, you will never be satisfied.
God is in control.
“We might not have everything we want but if we have Christ we have everything we need.”
2 Peter 1:3: “He has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
Isaiah 55:2-3 “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live…”
Contentment 201: Develop a Proper Expectation of Others.
Don’t allow what has been done to you, or not done for you, to become bigger that what Jesus did for you.
Contentment 301: Learn to be Satisfied in Every Situation.
1 Timothy 6:8: “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Be satisfied with what you have even if you don’t have everything you want.
Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
Paul’s secret: God has so ordered your personal circumstances that no matter what situation you are in right now, you have everything you truly need to be content.
2 Corinthians 6:10: “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.”
Contentment 401: Find Your Strength in Christ.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
You can have everything you think you want and if you don’t have Jesus you have nothing. But if you have Jesus you have everything.
C.S. Lewis: “God cannot give us peace and happiness apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
Declare your dependence on God.
Guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
Give your way out of covetousness.
Acts 20:33-35: “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Count your blessings. 1Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Earnestly desire Jesus Christ.
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