Let me rejoice
in Thanksgiving
sermon by
Manfred Schreyer
>>
(Psa 106 NIV) Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. {2} Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise? {3} Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. {4} Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, {5} that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise.
When I lived in Germany, we have what is call "Thank You for the Harvest Fest." And while I lived over there I was really never aware of the significance of this day.
When I came to America and immigrated, year by year I learned to appreciate this day more and more.
It allows me to reflect upon the things that make all worthwhile to live and to enjoy life as it is given by God.
As I was writing this sermon, I remembered a visit recently to our member Mabel Simmons. Mabel is 84 years old and she has her ailment as everyone at that age I guess. But while we sere sitting there repeatedly mentioned that she may not be very well now, but that she has wonderful memories of her life and that she was thankful for them. In fact I believe these memories keep her going. Martha and Jane were with me during that visit and we were able to listen to some of the stories of her life.
When we come together at bible study or for service we always ask for joys and concerns. In almost all cases the concerns outweigh the joys.
Could it possible be that we don’t remember God as much when we experience the good things life has to offer?
I would like to tell you that God created us and as a gift he has given us life. Life is rich of things we too often take as "owed to us" But the reality is that our God created a perfect world for us and sometimes we can see this perfect world like a glimpse in our daily lives. And when we see it we then take it for granted.
In our western society we have sometimes given up on appreciating what we have in our life, because we very seldom are confronted with circumstances that allow us to see true suffering. We have enough food, we have roofs over our head, we have jobs, we have a little saving, we have our kids in college, we go on vacation. . . .and so on. The truth is that we allow these things to be normal . . .
When was the last time you thanked God for your family? When did you thank God the last time when you knew you had a best friend in you life? When was the last time you thanked God for your health? When was the last time you thanked God for His church and for His love and for His goodness?
When we read the word of God, it becomes clear that God asks us to praise Him and to give Him Thanksgiving. Now, you may say . . . "Well that seems a little selfish of a powerful God to demand Thanksgiving and praise" But think about it: We know that God does not need any praise . . . we are the ones who need to give praise. We need to give praise and Thanksgiving so we are able to recognize the wonderful gifts God has given us and is willing to share with us.
This one day during the year when we sit together with family, when we smell the tender smell of turkey, when we see the dishes prepared by those we love and are dearest to us, when we thank God for the food, when we play with the children, when we feel tired . . . this one day "Thanksgiving" we remember who is the Maker of all things in this world.
Thanksgiving Poem
T is for thankful in which we all should be.
H is for the holiness of Jesus we show to this world in darkness daily.
A is for the abundance of love between the family of
God that is freely givenN is for the newness of life we are living.
K is for the King who shed his blood for you and me.
S is for the Savior so sweet and full of mercy.
G is for the gifts in which we are given for the holy spirit above when we are washed white as snow and our names enter in the book of heaven.
I is for iniquities for Jesus shed for us on the cross that day that we could be free and victorious going in peace from every trial in our lives today.
V is for victory we have defeated over Satan.
I is for the interest that Christians have taken.
N is for the needs of this world that must not be forgotten we all can make a difference someway.
G is for the giving the Lord provides for us we must not forget to give him a thanks of praise.
Sherry Grace Finley
I would like to share with you four wonderful verses, which tell us about God’s desire for us to be thankful . . . not only today, but every day:
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, …… and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:3,12-14
"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." - Ephesians 1:15-16
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
I would like to give you time and reflect upon your thankfulness today. Share it with us and share your thankfulness with God today. Tell us what you are thankful for, so that we are all reminded of the wonders of God and His love for us.
Each congregation member will share his or her thankfulness openly
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