THANKSGIVING

1. I once watched a teacher and a student have an interesting discussion about a set of books.

2. This set of books is really a large, multi-volume religious encyclopedia.

3. A student said he had this set of books, and he had a high regard for it.

4. The teacher said these books were of little value.

5. The teacher said the books are 150 years old, things have changed, there are now better resources.

SINCE THIS SET OF BOOKS COSTS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS AND ITS 12 VOLUMES TAKE UP A LOT OF SHELF SPACE, I WANTED TO KNOW WHO WAS RIGHT.

A. Is this set of books outdated and of limited use, or is it still a very helpful resource?

B. After some investigation, I decided the set was not just useful; it is outstanding.

C. Some things such as archaeology have changed, but most of the information is still relevant.

2. In this set of books there is an article on Thanksgiving.

3. Thanksgiving is defined as “the act of giving thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercy received.”

4. Then the authors go on to say that thanksgiving implies seven points.

5. Since these were written in the 1800’s, some of the language sounds a bit out of date.

6. For example, the first point is this:

7. Thanksgiving implies “a right apprehension of the benefits conferred.”

A. Let’s break this sentence down into small sections.

B. “Conferred” has the sense of giving something to someone.

C. What is given is referred to as “benefits.”

D. All agree that Thanksgiving comes with some benefits.

E. At homeless shelters, people benefited from a free meal a few days ago.

F. In each of our lives, we have certain benefits (blessings, good things).

G. Our first point says that we are to have a “right apprehension” of our blessings.

8. What is being said is really described in one of our songs—count our many blessings.

9. Name them one by one. See what God has done and given to us.

10. Verses associated with this hymn would include Acts 16:23-25.

A. Paul and Silas had been seriously mistreated.

B. Though they had done no wrong, they were punished and imprisoned.

C. Instead of complaining, these men were singing and praying.

D. Here is how the text reads – Acts 16:23-25 – READ.

11. These two Christians had an “apprehension of their benefits in Christ” and they were grateful.

12. Even in difficult circumstances God’s people have been appreciative.

13. Thus, during this time of year and throughout the year, Christians must count their blessings.

14. In the set of books I have referenced the second point is:

15. “Faithful retention of benefits in the memory and frequent reflections upon them.”

A. The first part of our thanksgiving is to understand what we have.

B. When we comprehend what we possess, step # 2 is contemplation of our blessings.

C. This brings to mind verses like those in Lk. 12.

D. In this chapter Jesus spoke of a man who did quite well.

E. He had so much that he looked around and said, “I do not have enough room for my crops.”

F. “I will tear down by barns and build bigger ones.”

G. A farmer took inventory of what he had, and that was a good thing.

H. We too should take inventory of what we have.

16. Too often, our inventory involves what others have or what we think others have.

17. We need to inventory our own lives and then sit back and say, “we are blessed.”

18. In the secular realm this will help us, and we will also benefit from this in the spiritual realm.

19. When we come together as a body of God’s people, each assembly should be a time of thanksgiving.

A. Our coming together time after time says some things.

B. First, there is a congregation of God’s people in this community.

C. We have found the truth, and we were given the opportunity to become a New Testament Christian.

D. We can worship with a faithful congregation of God’s people.

E. Here is a place of refuge and encouragement.

F. We can reflect upon God’s blessings through teaching.

G. Additional reflection on what we have is offered through our singing, praying, and the Lord's Supper.

H. For us, thanksgiving can and should be part of every assembly.

20. Point three from our cited source is this:

21. “Due esteem and valuation of benefits.”

A. Suppose someone gave us a valid check for $10,000 dollars.

B. Would we walk over to a shredder and immediately shred it to dozens of pieces?

C. What about casually throwing such a check on a blazing fire?

D. We would value that check, and we would take steps to insure its safe transport to a bank.

E. Thanksgiving should follow this same pattern.

F. We should show due esteem and value what we possess.

22. In our world, we have many thankless people.

23. Many are certainly thankless when it comes to spiritual matters.

24. God says that being thankless (not holding His blessings in high esteem) is sinful.

25. Such thinking and actions are associated with fools (Rom. 1:21-22).

26. We also live in a time where thanksgiving is often limited to a few days of the year.

A. Thanksgiving is one of those days. A few other holidays are also times of thanksgiving.

B. For the Christian, thanksgiving is a regular part of life.

C. Even when we do not get what we want, it is time to be thankful.

D. How many of us have seen this situation in a family household:

E. A family exchanges Christmas gifts; a person is expecting a certain item.

F. For whatever reason, the desired item is not among the presents.

G. I have seen adults and children pout and respond with anger.

H. We may not get what we want, but there are always reasons to be thankful.

I. 1 Thess. 5:18, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God.

27. Our 4^th point also shows the oldness of the source I am citing:

28. “A reception of those benefits with a willing mind, a vehement affection.”

A. Let’s translates this into simpler English.

B. Thanksgiving is to be from the heart.

C. At times most of us have seen someone say , “thank you. or “well thanks.”

D. In my notes I put this “thank you” in the smallest possible type.

E. What is referred to as thanks or appreciation is not always gratefulness.

F. True thanksgiving comes from the heart.

G. Certainly this fact has a lot of application in worship.

H. If we are grateful to God for what He has done, it should show in our singing.

I. How can a Christian barely whisper the words of a song if the heart is overflowing with thanksgiving?

J. How can a mind be distracted week after week during the Lord's Supper if we are truly grateful?

K. In the world we can often see or sense how appreciative someone is.

L. Our actions in the church are also suggestive of how appreciative we are.

29. It is therefore no wonder that God tells us to “make melody with the heart” (Eph. 5:19).

30. There is to be “grace in our hearts” (Col. 3:16).

31. An organ or a set of drums cannot show our thanksgiving to God.

32. We can demonstrate gratefulness when we come together.

33. Point 5 is “Due acknowledgement of our obligations.”

A. What the author means is a lot like faith and works.

B. James said that faith and works go together; faith without works is dead.

C. If we are thankful, we will somehow demonstrate that.

D. In worship, actions include those previously described.

E. Other actions may occur outside of worship.

F. If we are grateful that we have been saved, we then work to present the saving message to others.

G. It is not enough to say, “God I appreciate what you have done, and I will always be grateful.”

H. Paul said our appreciation involves being a “living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1-2).

34. Point 5 is really joined with the 6^th point made in my old set of books:

35. “Endeavors of real compensation, or as it respects the Divine Being, a willingness to serve and exalt Him.”

36. Preachers and theologians typically talked like this 100+ years ago.

37. Thankfully we now use speech that is easier to understand.

38. Here the point is also simple but essential.

39. People who understand thanksgiving know that they have a debt to God.

A. Most know that Paul wrote much of the New Testament.

B. In his writing, a definite point emerges again and again.

C. As you read his letters, watch for a connection between two things.

D. First, a lot is said about thanksgiving.

E. Then Paul again and again referred to himself as a “slave” of Christ.

F. True gratitude to God means we put ourselves into God’s service.

G. If we are truly grateful, we will do all we can to serve and exalt God.

H. How can a person be thankful to God if they do little to nothing in heaven’s vineyard?

40. Point 6 is joined with point 7:

41. “Esteem, veneration, and love of the benefactor.”

A. In Acts 27:23 Paul said an angel stood by him.

B. He said this angel was from God.

C. Paul said he belonged to God. He also said he served God.

42. Phil. 1:21 has the apostle saying, “For me to live is Christ.”
For Paul, thanksgiving meant intense and life long service to God.

43. For the Christian, this is still the right meaning of thanksgiving.

44. Let’s look at Thanksgiving or other times as national holidays and enjoy them.

45. Let’s also remember that true thanksgiving is not what the world thinks.

46. True appreciation is dedicated service to God in every way we can find.

47. We honor God by our assemblies and we serve Him every day we can in our lives.

48. If we are truly thankful, we will become a Christian.

49. No one can believe in true gratitude and God without being a Christian.

50. No Christian who understands thanksgiving can be inactive in the Lord’s service.

51. Thanksgiving is one of the things that makes strong Christians strong.

52. If we are truly grateful to God, have we become one of His children?

53. If we have, what is our gratitude to God causing us to do in our lives?

54. Do we need some help in righting our relationship with God?