Brothers & Sisters, I have been praying for you all this morning. May the Lord bless you on this thanksgiving day as you take a break from everyday life to thank the Lord for his care and provision. As we are preparing to celebrate today, I am so filled with gratitude that our good and gracious Father has called each of you (and us) to be a part of this body of Christ at First Presbyterian. I cannot overstate how welcoming and encouraging you all have been to our family during our transition this past year. It is because of your faithfulness that I can say with Paul, "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus." (1 Cor. 1:4)
While we celebrate God’s provision and care today, I want to take a moment to discuss what the bible has to say about gratitude. First, did you know that the idea of thankfulness appears over 70 times in the New Testament alone? Have you ever considered that the root of bitterness and self-pity is actually a lack of gratitude? In the gospel, God has given us reason to be eternally thankful. Thankfulness is a gospel imperative which we are commanded to cultivate in ALL circumstances. When are we to be thankful? Always. We can rejoice always because God has given us the greatest gift that has ever been given—forgiveness from sin through Christ’s sacrificial atonement and eternal life. The Father sent The Son and who was pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5) as he was nailed to a cross that he might then bring us into his glorious presence for all eternity. Friends, what else is there that we truly need? When we lack gratitude, ultimately we are telling the Lord that the gift of the savior is not sufficient for our joy—that we need more!
Today, as you give thanks around the table, thank God for his provision—for a roof over your head and food to eat. The Lord is truly the great provider and he meets all our earthly needs. (Genesis 22:14) But, while you give thanks for the Lord's provision for our earthly needs, remember that he has met our GREATEST need — forgiveness. Far more than anything else, give thanks for the gospel of our glorious savior. It the gospel that we are commanded to give thanks for even in the midst of the fiery trials of life. (1 Thess. 5:18, Eph. 5:20) If you have been feeling like life is beating you up and God's presence is not easily felt, the antidote is to go back to your first love— go back to the gospel of Christ and behold the love of God incarnate crucified for you. In this you will find an eternal treasure that is sufficient for an eternity of joyous gratitude for Christ Jesus. I pray that you all are so filled with Christ today that the natural outpouring of your hearts would be joyous thankfulness for the Lord's provision of the sacrificial lamb. (John 1:29) "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken." (Hebrews 12:28a)