11-25-2018 – Giving Thanks for God’s Blessings!
This is the insert from this week's bulletin. Sermon Notes are also available here.
11-25-2018
Giving Thanks for God’s Blessings!
The Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year season is a
time for giving thanks to God for His many blessings. 1. Salvation... God provides forgiveness and eternal
life, to all who believe and receive His Son (cf Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10, 13; see Ephesians 2:8-10).
[GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense].
God’s life giving, everlasting, unconditional love (see John 1:1-5, 14; 3:16-21; cf Romans 5:8; 8:1). Romans 11:29, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
God wants for everyone to be saved (1Timothy 2:3-4; 2Peter 3:9). Paul declares (2Corinthians 9:15), ”Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”
2. Truth... The world has abandoned “truth.”
But thanks to God, we can understand the purpose
and plan of life better than all the so-called “experts”.
God provides everything we need to live on this earth, while trusting Him to bring us to heaven:
Jesus Christ [God’s Son] is the Author of Truth; everything He said and did is Truth (John 14:6).
The Holy Spirit [God’s Spirit] is the Spirit of Truth and He lives in each and every genuine believer and follower of Christ (John 14:16-17, 25-26).
The Bible [God’s Word] is Sovereign Truth; but only those who accept and apply it give testimony to it, having been sanctified [set apart for the holy work of God], by His Word (John 17:17).
3. Struggle... It is difficult, during hared times, to give thanks to God, but it is always the right thing to do (see 2Corinthians 12:10; Philippians 4:12-13, 19).
Struggle is part of Christian life (cf 2Timothy 3:12), but God will help us, if we seek to honor and obey His Word (see James 1:2-4; 2Corinthians 4:7-9, 16).
Struggle can prepare us to be more compassionate toward others (see 2Corinthians 1:3-4).
4. Family & Friends... We can receive encouragement from family, friends, and acquaintances, but Christians are an eternal gift from God (Proverbs 18:24), “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 27:6), “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
The best friend God provides is Jesus Christ, and although He is the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords, He calls us His friends (cf John 15:15).
During this Thanksgiving Season, thank God for all His blessings; but today, consider the following:
Salvation - by Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ, we receive forgiveness and eternal life.
Truth - provides all we need in this life and the next. as revealed in His Word, by His Spirit, through His Son, concerning all things God.
Struggle - is a part of life on earth, however, God will not allow us more than we can bear and He will supply everything we need to get us through the tough times.
Family & Friends - God uses them to bring us comfort and supply our needs, while allowing us to serve others. Earthly family and friends can be a blessing, but true Christian friends are family for eternity.
May we all, express our thanks to God for His gifts: Salvation, Truth, Struggle, Family & Friends.
Our God is an awesome God, who reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, our God is an awesome God, and for that, we should be thankful. Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in
word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”