Sermon Outline

November 18, 2007am

THANKS BE UNTO GOD!

TEXT: Psalms 107 Thanksgiving to the LORD for His Great Works of Deliverance

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

I. Introduction

A. A man has no greater privilege nor demanding duty to his Creator than to give thanks.

1. Our forefathers thought it to be so beneficial that they declared to have a day set aside

for thanksgiving.

2. As in contrast to our modern culture, ever wondered whom they considered worthy of

thanksgiving?

  1. It is unfortunate that some current leaders wish for us to thank ourselves for what we

have accomplished rather than God.

II. We need to know how to express the giving of thanks .

A. We express the giving of thanks by rejoicing always

  1. 1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 1 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything
  2. give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

    2. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

    3. That does not mean that I am never filled with sorrow.

  3. a. Now in health I can rejoice that God gave me an able body.
  4. b. In pain I can rejoice in that I know I am capable of being sensitive to others
  5. who are in pain.
  6. c. Even in Jobs pain and suffering, he was still thankful that he had not lost
  7. his integrity.

B. We can express the giving of thanks by praying without ceasing v. 17; Phil. 4:6.

1. The man who seldom prays fails in his attitude of thankfulness.

a. A child is taught by proper parents to say thank you loud enough to hear.

2. Prayer is that avenue which we verbally express to God how much we

appreciate his care over us.

  1. Prayer indicates a total dependency upon Gods grace and mercy to help.
  2. When He helps we pray even more because a praying man is thankful for his help.

C. We can express the giving of thanks by knowing that in whatever condition we are in,

we have a reason to give thanks v. 18;

1. 1 Cor. 15:57 Thanks be to God which gives us the victory...

2. Thankfulness is a state of mind. Whether I am filthy rich or mangy dog

poor I can still thank God that he loves me and permitted me to know his truth so

I can obey and go to heaven with him one day.

III. What are some specific things for which I should give thanks

A. For helpful things.

1. Faith Eph. 2:8, 9; Rom 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:3-5.

  1. Those who gave me faith 2 Tim. 1:5;
  2. Paul, Jesus, Barnabas, my kinfolk.

2. Family

a. A home. Realtor may sell a house but he can never sell a home.

b. A church family 1 Jn. 3:1; Ps. 133:1.

3. Forgiveness 1 Jn. 1:9; Matt. 5:23, 24.

B. For Happy things

1. Hope Titus 1:2; 2:13.

2. Happiness (Psalm 1; 1 Jn. 1:4 These things we write that your joy may be full)

3. Heaven (Jn. 14:1-3; Psa. 23:6).

C. For Hurtful things

1. Suffering 1 Cor. 11:24-28; Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

2. Sickness (Job. Mark 2 - How many may have never known Jesus if they had not

been sick?).

3. Separation (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:8; Jn. 11:25, 26).

IV. There is no doubt, Thanksgiving moves one closer to God

A. Expressing ones thankfulness to God builds a relationship with him.

1. How many folk have you helped and they become more dear to you than before

B. Thankfulness prepares me to tune my heart to please him. The closer

you are to someone the more you think about them.

C. Thankfulness generates appreciation. You are not simply thankful, but thankful to

someone.

D. Thanksgiving is selflessness. It keeps us focus on our Supreme Creator.

1. Paul - By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:10).

CONCLUSION

  1. I need to learn to express my thankfulness to God by learning how to rejoice, pray, give thanks daily.

B. There are many things in which I should be thankful. A thankful man

will be a praying man.

C. When I am thankful as I ought to be, I will move closer to God, and He

to me.