Sermon 306
INTRO:
God delights in our gratitude! He is worshiped when we are thankful to him for the existence he provides us.
So far as thankfulness is concerned , it seems that the world or people can be divided into 2 classes, THOSE WHO TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED AND THOSE WHO TAKE THINGS WITH GRATITUDE. My aim today is to add to the number who with gratitude receive the blessings of God.
I will share 3 observations about thankfulness with you today.
I, IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO: vs 4
Gods word says for us to come to him thankful.
A, We need to be thankful for the Common things often overlooked.
1, Fertile earth,(its fruit). our 5 senses, (illus of knowing blind girl, happy, but I should have been happier. tell how I felt thankful as I described the spring day, on campus. I COULD SEE)
2, For the full moon shining on the harvested fields, for the smile of a friend just when you needed it most. For the family, for birthdays, for anniversaries. FOR THOSE WHO OVERLOOK YOUR FAULTS, AND LOVE YOU WITH CHRISTIAN LOVE. For your place of birth, and the circumstances that have come your way. THANK GOD , THANK GOD.
B. Illus: during WW 2 a soldier of the 3rd army who had fought his way through Europe, obeying orders to advance, dig in, attack. Without knowing what lay ahead he obeyed
He was sent to the rear for rest, R&R and while there he wrote General George Patton a letter, Thanking him for his leadership and care of his troops.
General Patton was moved and was heard to comment that he had always treated his troops just the same BUT THIS WAS THE ONLY LETTER OF THANKS IN 35 YEARS.
C, What we consider common, what we take for granted are the most important things in life. ( Friends, family, wife, husband, birthdays, freedom, Children playing, Old Ones wisdom, ) A SAD TRUTH IS THAT MOST OF US DO NOT APPRECIATE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US UNTIL IT IS TAKEN AWAY.
Illus: Most funerals are sad. Sad because the nice things that are said about the deceased fall on ears that need not hear the kindnesses. THE ONE WHO COULD HAVE BEST APPRECIATED THESE WORDS LAY COLD AND STILL. HOW MUCH BETTER WOULD IT BE TO SAY THESE THINGS WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE.
OLD SONG: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: This is a good Idea, because :"Then it will surprise you what the Lord has done"
Illus: A man decided to sell his house, and asked a realtor to advertise it heavily. Several days the realtor read the man the proposed ad. After listing all the advantages and features of the property. The seller said, "This house isn't for sale." "I've been looking for a house like this all my life and I didn't know what I had until I heard you read the ad."
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. THANK GOD FOR THE COMMON THINGS, OFTEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED
II THANK GOD FOR THE SPECIAL BLESSINGS, ALL TO SOON FORGOTTEN>
A. Oh, yes, you forget even the miraculous blessings. If you remembered the deliverances God had sent you in years past you wouldn't fear the present trials. REMEMBER THE SERIOUS ILLNESS you were delivered from, God didn't deliver you from that to forget you in your present situation. HAVE YOU THANKED GOD FOR THE SPECIAL BLESSINGS.
1, Special deliverances. ( auto wreck, you were spared others not) Sins of flesh, you spared others caught, "There but by the grace of God go I"
B, Special blessings received from the hand of others.
1, The teacher who inspired you at just the moment in life it would take root. The S.S. teacher the Youth Worker the people that cared about you when you were an ungrateful teen.
HAVE YOU THANKED GOD FOR THEM, HAVE YOU THANKED THEM.
Illus: There is a woman, now a member of Crab Creek church, who was caring, and patient with me when I was a teenager. She put up with a lot from us, and she meant a lot to us. Several months ago I finally thanked her, 20 years late. HAVE YOU THANKED THOSE WHO GOD PROVIDED TO LEAD YOU INTO THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
C,1973 there was a teen who came to church occasionally. He was from a broken home, poor, because his mother wasn't skilled enough to have a great job. My wife and I spent a lot of time visiting with them, encouraging them and ministering to them. Aug. 1977. Driving along I 40 about Burlington, I saw Bernie and he saw me, and waved us over. We talked, he was in the army. He thanked me for my concern when He was younger. I felt good. I felt I had done some good.
THANK GOD, AND THOSE HE USES TO DELIVER BLESSINGS TO YOU.
III THE GREATEST BLESSING, TRAGICALLY IGNORED
A. II cor 9:15 "Thanks be to god for his unspeakable gift."
Paul was saying this gift "cant adequately be put into words. What was so wonderful that it cant be put into words. THE GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST.
I have often thought what my life would have been like without Christ. As I know myself now, with the power of God guiding and chastening and loving me, my life certainly would have been tragic without HIM.
I would not be here enjoying the blessings of this congregation, I would not have a wife or children, Instead my life would probably have been a violent and corrupt existence. I probably wouldn't be alive now.
KNOWING CHRIST AND HIS POWER I have hope for all men. When I look at the vilest person I see the possibilities of that life under the power of Christ. DO YOU? When I look at the dirtiest of kids I see a little one God can do miracles with. When I see the materialistic modern, I know that Christ can break away the shell of hedonism in which they live and give them real happiness in life.
YET MILLIONS WHO KNOW OF CHRIST IGNORE HIM and deny his power to transform. They overlook the "unspeakable gift" as they seek the false treasures of this world. THE GREATEST BLESSING IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT IS TO KNOW JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR. At this time of thanksgiving, If you already know him, thank God for his "unspeakable gift"
The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels thankful but has no one to thank. But there is a God in heaven and you can trace every Good and perfect gift. To him GIVE THANKS.
Thank God for, the common things
Thank him for the Special blessings and thank the one who he used to deliver them
Thank him for the "Unspeakable gift of Jesus"
INV.
Have you the blessing of Jesus Christ in your life
You can today. John 3:16
