Audio:
2007-11-25 PM Thanksgiving.mp3
Thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28; John 11:28-44 / Psalm 50:1-23
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott
I. Thank God Appropriately
A. In everything rejoice. “Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.” (Philippians 4:10-14)
B. Shift every problem to God. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “And [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” (Luke 18:1)
C. Never hoard discontent; God is in charge even when the situation seems utterly unattractive. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)
D. A bad attitude stresses a believer’s relationship with God. “Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)
E. Give appropriate respect to everything God says. “Despise not prophesyings.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20) “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1:1-2) “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
F. Develop a personal relationship with God; experiment. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
G. A thankful person will avoid anything which casts a shadow on God. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
II. Jesus Followed the Pattern, Thanking His Father
A. The story of Lazarus presents Jesus thanking His Father. “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.” (John 11:33-34)
B. Death is life’s ultimate sorrow. “Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” (John 11:35-36)
C. Jesus Himself would soon be lying in a cave dead; death casts a shadow over all human hopes and ambitions. “Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” (John 11:38-39)
D. Jesus uttered the great thanksgiving; God hears and responds through the most distressing conditions. “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.” (John 11:41)
E. Thank God; what is impossible with people is possible with God. “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:44)
III. All Creation Will Join in Thanksgiving
A. God is sovereign over all things and He will express that sovereignty indisputably. “A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.” (Psalm 50:1-3)
B. Every possible resource is at God’s command; He needs nothing. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 50:10-12)
C. God takes pleasure in the thankful confidence of His people; simply trust Him. “Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:” (Psalm 50:13-14)
D. Give thanks. “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)
