Six Benefits of Thanksgiving

One of the greatest tools given to us is the discipline of thanksgiving.

It is called a discipline because it requires a conscious, deliberate effort to do.

The fact that it is mentioned and encouraged so many times in scripture underscores not just its importance but the reluctance of human beings to do it.

The difficulty of thanksgiving.

• The transactional nature of most human relationships

• The entitlement syndrome of humans.

Psalm 92:1 KJVS It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

• It is beneficial to us that we give thanks.

• It is required that our expressions of thanksgiving are directed to Him.

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude. – Robert Brault

1. It is our key to enter His presence. Psalm 100:4 KJVS Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

   
   

2. It manifests wholeness in our lives. Luke 10:11-19 11  Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 12  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 13  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  14  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 15  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 16  He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

   
   

3. It connects our prayers to God. Philippians 4:6 KJVS “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

   
   

4. It focuses us on the sovereignty of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJVS In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

   
   

5. It develops a healthy attitude and perspective of life. Ephesians 5:20 KJVS Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

   
   

   “It’s not happy people who are thankful. It’s thankful people who are happy.” – unknown

   
   

6. It celebrates the work of Christ in our lives. Hebrews 13:15 KJVS By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

   
   

Hannah gave back to God for His goodness to her.

1 Samuel 1:27&28 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28  Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

• Nothing can be too much or too valuable to return to the Lord with thanksgiving.

  
  

• It was not a one off thanksgiving event but a perpetual act of gratitude.

  
  

• Let our blessing worship God

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OBEDIENCE TO GOD

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 4  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!  5  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6  "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

1. Obedience flows from your love for God (verse 5)

Matthew 22:37-40 37  Jesus said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'  38  This is the first and great commandment.  39  And the second is like it: 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." 

2.           Obedience flows from the fear of God

Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 

3. Benefits to loving and obeying God

Exodus 20:4-6 4  "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;  5  you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,  6  but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 

Responsibility of the parents and guardians

verses 6-7 6  "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  7  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

1. Teach the children

2. Introduce them to Christ

3. Invest in their spiritual development

Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 

4.           Know your children’s friends and help them to choose their company wisely

Conclusion:

To walk in obedience to God, you need to be

• centered in God’s word

• walk in the company of those who fear God

• keep His commandments

Psalms 119:57-64 57  You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words.  58  I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful 59  I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.  60  I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.  61  The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.  62  At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.  63  I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.  64  The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes. 

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The Harvest

Matthew 9:35-38 KJVS And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. [36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. [37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

John 4:30-45

Jesus is introducing a concept that seemed to be contrary to what the understanding was back then and even more today.

He is giving His disciples and all of His followers an understanding as to the assignment at hand.

He is metaphorically using a harvest to convey the nature of this assignment.

• It is a specific assignment of just reaping.

• It is not an event but a process

• It requires effort

• The end goal is to discover and separate the usable part.

  
  

The harvest was a crucial agricultural event that brought significant joy, thanksgiving and celebration to the entire community.

It signified the reward for tremendous sacrifice made in the process of clearing the fields, planting and even protecting the crop from animals and other enemies that it can get to this point.

It was marked by the feast of weeks or what we call Pentecost.

Considering the intense labour and the tremendous investment that went into this process there was first:

The Preparation for a Harvest

Both texts begin with an observation made by Christ, one of which he seems to draw the attention of the disciples to.

• Observe the stage of the crop

• Develop an attitude to work

• Appreciate the investment and sacrifice made for this field

• Get the store houses ready both in capacity and safety

• Recruit and ready the labourers for the task

• Mismatch between amount of work and availability of workers.

  
  

The Picture of a Harvest

• Marked by thanksgiving.

• Marked by a change of atmosphere with strong anticipation.

• All focus is on the field

• A readiness to work because the reward is sure.

• Harvesting becomes the activity of the community

The Process of a Harvest

Harvesting

• Cutting with a sharp sickle

• Binding stalks into bundles or sheaves

• Transport to a flat open area on a hilltop called the threshing floor

  
  

Threshing

• Animals were used to tread and crush the stalks to release the grain

winnowing

• Separating the grain from chaff by throwing it into the air

• Wind separates the chaff from the wheat

• The grain is properly stored

Application

1. His perspective of the condition of the people prompted Him. How do you see people?

2. We will not move unless the conditions of humanity moves us. How are the conditions of persons impacting us?

3. We are partakers of the joyous part of an entire process that we made no initial investment in. Are we appreciative of the privilege to be invited just for the reaping?

4. Appreciation of His sacrificial redemptive work must motivate every believer to commit to the harvest. Are we grateful for the work He has done in preparation?

5. We must find our assigned role in the harvest and seek the empowerment of Holy Spirit to effectively fulfill it. What is my role in the process?

6. The harvest is complete when Wheat is finally separated from the chaff. Have I gone through the complete process?

7. The process is to strip away everything that must have assisted in its past development but useless in its future purpose. From potential to usable.

   
   

This message is for two sets of persons:

A. The Convert

• You cannot be too busy to be discipled. Matthew 4:19-20 KJVS “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [20] And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”

• Baptism is not a transaction that satisfies the entire deal.

B. The Christian and Leader

• Discipleship is what produces the usable article.

• Discipleship is the mandate of the kingdom. Matthew 28:19-20 KJVS Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

• My responsibility is to ensure that someone is discipled by me.

• Pray that God sends His labourers to His harvest.

  
  

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