November 25-26, 2006, Psalm 50:10-14; Selected

PRICELESS!
THANKSGIVING - OUR REACTION TO GOD!

*** Psalm 50:10-14 "For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. Every bird of the mountains and all the animals of the field belong to me. If I were hungry, I would not mention it to you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. I don't need the bulls you sacrifice; I don't need the blood of goats. What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High." [New Living Translation]

- I WANT YOUR THANKFULNESS!
- I WANT YOUR FAITHFULNESS!

1. Our THANKFULNESS is for God’s priceless BLESSINGS!

*** Psalm 100:1-5 "Shout praises to the Lord, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord! You know the Lord is God! He created us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture. Be thankful and praise the Lord as you enter his temple. The Lord is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever." [Contemporary English Version]

*** 1 Tim. 4:4 "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving...." [NIV]

*** Eph. 5:20 "Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." [New Century Version]

What is it that robs us of our Thankfulness:

A. DISORGANIZATION!

B. DISCOURAGEMENT!

ADDED TO YOUR DISCOURAGEMENT IS DISAPPOINTMENT!

*** Psalm 42:11 "Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God!" [NLT]

*** 1 Thes. 5:18 "No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." [New Living Translation]

C. DISCONTENTMENT!

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED EXPERIENCE!

*** Phil. 4:12-13 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." [NIV]

*** Psalm 136:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."
[NIV]
Psalm 50:13-14 "I don't need the bulls you sacrifice; I don't need the blood of goats. What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High." [NLT]

2. Our FAITHFULNESS is demonstrated in our THANKS GIVING!

*** 2 Cor. 9:10-15 "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. [12] This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. [13] Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. [14] And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. [15] Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" [NIV]

A. THANKS-GIVING RECOGNIZES GOD'S BLESSING!

*** 2 Cor. 9:10-11 "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." [NIV]

*** Psalm 116:17 "I will give you an offering to show thanks to you...." [NCV]

B. THANKS-GIVING RESULTS IN OTHERS THANKSGIVING!

*** 2 Cor. 9:12 "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." [NIV]

C. THANKS-GIVING RETURNS TO US IN SPECIAL WAYS!

*** 2 Cor. 9:12-15 "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. [14] And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. [15] Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" [NIV]

THANKSGIVING RESULTS IN THANKSGIVING!

HE is Blessed! OTHERS are Blessed! WE are Blessed!

*** Luke 17:17 "Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" [NIV]

ARE YOU THE ONE IN TEN?