Biblical Perspective on Thanksgiving (Rev. Dr. E. Wayne Hanks)

The day after Thanksgiving, we have Black Friday Madness. Video anecdote of this past Thursday, locally & nationally. Dr. Keith Ablow advised normal herd behavior with opportunity meets need on a grand scale. Demonstrates lack of gratitude, however.

Eph 5:19-20

. . . singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19, 20 NLT)

1 Thess 5:16-18

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)

Emphasis on

• Praise
• Thanksgiving
• Always
• Continually
• In All Circumstances

Biblical perspective required to be thankful in all corcumstances.

3 Things Steal our Biblical Perspective

1 - Our Pride
2 - A Critical, Complaining Spirit
3 - Presumptuous Carelessness

Anecdote if Rudyard Kipling's $100 word - "Thanks."

3 Things to Live Biblical Thanksgiving

1 - Express It - Luke 17, Leper who expressed thanks. A thankful heart will endear us to others. Romans 1:21 - those who were not thankful had their hearts
darkened.
2 - Expansive, including a) blessings of life; b) name them one-by-one, blessings & burdens (in all circumstances (Romans 8:18; 1 Cor. 12:10; Phil 1:12) c) benefits (Psalm 103, ". . . forget not all His benefits.")
3 - Expected - God loves a cheerful giver
The mark of a growing & glowing Christian. (Perspective)

Created 6 months ago