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Some Things To Be Thankful For Psalm 136 Introduction:
We were taught pretty early in life to say thankful when we got something.
Thanksgiving is upon us and I know most of us are thankful on a daily
basis. But it is a day we often make
a special point of being around family, eating a big meal, relaxing, and just
having a good time. I want us to
think about some things we should remember to be thankful for. I)
Hindrances A)
Some look at problems they are facing and have a problem of being thankful 1.
High unemployment – perhaps you are out of a job and facing problems. 2.
Wars in 3.
4.
Political correctness that is running amok. 5.
Other personal problems too numerous to mention. B)
Some may be thankful but put the emphasis in the wrong place 1.
All of the physical blessings; food, shelter, clothing,
They are like those in John
6.26-27 2.
All of the problems just mentioned above are physical in nature.
The greater blessings are spiritual in nature and that is what we should
emphasize. II)
Spiritual Blessings To Be Thankful For A)
Our Creator 1.
Not like many of the gods we read about in the Bible or see people
worshipping today
a. Greek gods were petty, unjust, abuse to mankind, used man for sport,
unloving and uncaring.
b. The god of Calvinism selects the individual regardless of their faith,
obedience, or works. He is not the
God described in Acts 10.34-35
c. The gods of this world are described in Jeremiah
10.2-5; Isaiah 44.6-17
i. They do not really exist except in the minds of men
ii. Can not save or do anything except deceive 2.
The God of the Bible
a. Is a God of love and mercy, Psalm
118.1,29; Psalm 136.
b. Is just and good, He redeems the righteous, Psalm
34.19-22
c. Punishes the disobedient, Colossians
3.5-6 The ultimate
punishment will be on the Day of Judgment
d. Is the God of truth, Titus
1.1-2
i. He will not go back on His promises
ii. He will not deny His Son B)
Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1.4 1.
He left heaven to come and live among men. Would
you or I do such a thing? 2.
He faced ridicule, persecution, and death on the cross, John 10.17-18 3.
He overcame sin so He could overcome death for us,
Hebrews 4.15; Acts 2.24 4.
He shed His blood on the cross to redeem us, Hebrews
9.22
a. We have redemption through His blood, Ephesians
1.7
b. He purchased the church with His blood (blood, sweat, and tears), Acts
20.28 C)
The Gospel of Christ, Romans 1.16-17 1.
Some are thankful for Jesus but not for His word as they minimize His teachings.
2.
It is through the preaching of the Gospel that I learned about Jesus, sin, and
the means of forgiveness.
a. Why are people in India Hindus? That
is what they were taught
b. Why are people in the Middle East Muslims? That is what they learned
growing up.
c. Why are some people Buddhist, etc? For the same reason 3.
The Gospel of Christ differs from all the above religions in that it was given
by the Holy Spirit. How do we know
that to be true? Hebrews 2.3-4 tells
us the word was confirmed by sings, wonders, and miracles. 4.
The Gospel of Christ is for all men, Matthew
28.18-20 D)
Our Brethren In Christ, Ephesians 1.15-16 1.
Those brethren we have world wide but especially for those we have here. 2.
Sometimes one may get discouraged because of the brethren and issues that can
develop. One may have problems with
a brother or sister in Christ but the Bible tells us how to work out those
problems. 3.
Consider the fact every one of our brethren obeyed the Gospel of Christ, face
the same challenges we do and have not given up. 4.
They are a source of encouragement for they understand the problems we face, 2
Thess. 1.3 5.
Christians of all ages need other Christians of all ages. Older Christians need
younger Christians and vice versa. See
older Christians serving God and facing health issues. Younger Christians with
families dealing with their issues of childrearing, young Christians facing the
temptations of life. E)
The Avenue of Prayer We Have, Colossians 1.3 1.
Prayer is our way of communicating with God. 2.
God hears the prayers of the righteous, 1
Peter 3.12 3.
God hears the prayers of the husband that is obeying God in his relationship
with his wife, 1 Peter 3.7 4.
We should pray for our fellowman, leaders, ourselves.
We should pray to praise God and thank Him. 5.
We should pray in harmony with the Lord’s will, 1
John 5.14-15
a. Have you ever had a time you just did not know what to do, who to talk
to, how things will work out; so you turned to God in prayer.
b. Do not let prayer be your last avenue of coping but your first.
c. “We just have to keep on praying” Conclusion:
We should be thankful for the physical blessings but they are temporary; the
greater blessings are spiritual and eternal. |