We enter God’s gates with thanksgiving because:
Thanksgiving is the only appropriate response for what God has done for us;
Thanksgiving brings about a change of attitude in our lives;
Thanksgiving spurs us into action for the welfare and benefit of others.
Aim: That each one would harbor a heart of tremendous gratitude toward God for the blessings he has given us in our lives.
Psalm 100 is a psalm of praise. It is what we would consider an “opening song.” It speaks of coming before God’s presence and entering His gates. The Psalmist speaks of the relationship God’s people have to Him – like sheep to a shepherd. It speaks of the goodness and mercy of the Lord.
Verse 4 says, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.” When we come to worship God, we should come with thanksgiving in our hearts. Thursday is our holiday known as “Thanksgiving.” It is an appropriate holiday. As a Christian people, we must be thankful. Not only on Thanksgiving, but every day of the year.
We enter God’s gates with thanksgiving because… THANKSGIVING IS THE ONLY APPROPRIATE RESPONSE FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US. God is…
Our creator – The Bible says in Isaiah 45:12, “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”
Our sustainer – Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Our redeemer – Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Because God is these things, we have no right to be anything but thankful.
Thankful for our existence – Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Thankful for our daily bread - look at what the word of God says in 1 Timothy 4:4, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.”
Thankful for our salvation - Paul writes in Romans 6:17, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
How could we be anything other than thankful for what God has done?
Thanksgiving requires us to focus on the blessings that God has provided. When we stop focusing on the blessings God has provided, we lose our perspective regarding thanksgiving. When we lose our perspective regarding thanksgiving, our relationship with God will begin to suffer.
Thanksgiving is the only appropriate response if we wish to maintain our relationship with God. What attitudes does thanksgiving affect?
Thanksgiving leads to humility. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:23, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honors shall uphold the humble in spirit.” To say “thank you” to someone means acknowledging someone else’s contribution to your success. Thankful people are humble people.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”. Prayer and thanksgiving go hand in hand.
The thankful person is the praying person. When we are thankful in prayer, we recognize our reliance upon God in all things.
Thanksgiving leads to joy. Psalm 97:12, “Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness”. People who are thankful are people who are content. People who are content are people who rejoice. Thankfulness and joy go hand in hand.
Thanksgiving move us into action for the welfare and the benefit of others. When we are thankful, we want others to have the same blessings we have. The Bible says in Psalm 107:22, “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare his works with rejoicing.” When we are thankful for food, clothing, shelter, we want others to have these things also. When we are thankful to God for our salvation, we want others to have salvation also.
Luke 22:19, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” It reminds us of what God and Christ did for our welfare and benefit. It reminds us of what we also must do for the welfare and benefit of others in God’s service.
This Thanksgiving, Barb and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. May the God of love and peace continue to keep you.
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