November  23, 2008                              
                                                    

What is Thanksgiving?

 

Psalms 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.”


What is Thanksgiving? Many think of it as a time for family and friends, some think of Thanksgiving as a time for a four day week-end, and some think of Thanksgivings as a time to feast on all the holiday goodies. This psalm tells us to remember God’s goodness and dependability, and then to worship with thanksgiving and praise!


1. Recognize God’s Grace

            Ps. 100:1-21 Shout to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with joy; come
            before him with singing. (NCV)

             A.  Thanksgiving is a time to recognize God’s grace in times we failed, in
                   times we lost confidence, and in the time’s we felt alone - Thanksgiving is a  
                   time to recognize God’s Grace.

2. Recognize God’s Guidance

           Ps 100:3-43 Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we  
           are his people, the sheep he tends.
4 Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving
           and into his courtyards with songs of praise. Thank him and praise his name.
           (NCV)

          A. Thanksgiving is a time to recognize God’s guidance in our daily life, His
               guidance in decisions, and His guidance in times of difficulties - Thanksgiving
               is a time to recognize God’s guidance.

3. Recognize God’s Goodness

          Ps. 100:5 5 The Lord is good. His love is forever, and his loyalty goes on and on. (NCV)

         A.  Thanksgiving is a time to recognize God’s goodness in the time of storms, His
               goodness in the time of sorrows, and His goodness in the time of bad situations.
               God is a good God!

Conclusion: Remember, life is never perfect, yet, this Thanksgiving you can take time to recognize God for His grace, His guidance, and His goodness in your life.