THANKSGIVING--II CORINTHIANS 4:15

THANKSGIVING

II CORINTHIANS 4:15,

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

Introduction:

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends. I look forward to getting together with the ones I love and share what God has given us, not only the good food, but also His blessings in other ways.

The Scriptures have a lot to say about thanksgiving. I would like to share some of these things with you today. I hope that we may be able to look with a different light on the things, both material and spiritual that God has done for us this past year.

I. BEGINNING THANKSGIVING IN PRAYER

Nehemiah 11:17, “And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.”

A. Praying always, Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

1. Continuing in prayer, Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

2. Instant and earnest prayer without ceasing, Acts 12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

B. Praying is vital to the welfare of God’s people, Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

1. Being careful for nothing, Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

a. We are invited to come boldly before His throne, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

b. We come through the blood of Jesus Christ, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

c. We come make our request in the name of Jesus Christ, John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

2. Through prayer God sanctifies the things of this life, 1 Timothy 4:3-5, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

II. SONGS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Nehemiah 12:46, “For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.”

A. Let us make a joyful noise before the Lord, Psalm 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”

B. Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving, Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

1. For His goodness, Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

2. For His love, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

3. For His faithfulness, Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”

III. LET US PUBLISH WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE WITH THANKSGIVING

Psalm 26:7, “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”

A. We should love God’s house as David did, Psalm 26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”

B. We should worship with integrity (David washed his hands), Psalm 24:4, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

C. We should praise God publicly for what He has done, Luke 19:37-38, “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

CONCLUSION

I hope that this Thanksgiving will mean more to you than ever before. The world is not thankful because they do not know our Savior. So let’s make this Thanksgiving special for the glory of our Savior and God, Jesus Christ.