Luke 17:11-19 Thanksgiving Is Not To Be Taken For Granted
Psalm 21 Prayer Answered: Thanksgiving and Praise
Celebrating Thanksgiving in one of my favorite holidays. We have so much to be grateful to God. That we as a nation would mark out that date to celebrate is a good thing, a healthy thing. As we continue studying in Leviticus, looking at these Jewish offerings, I want you to be thinking, “what can I glean from God’s word that I can apply to my life.” Of course we don’t offer these gifts in exactly the same manner, but the principles undergirding these offerings are directly applicable in the New Covenant Christian life. And as you know, we Christians are to be thankful year round! So when we present our offerings that is certainly what motivates our giving. We give thankfully and cheerfully. We give because we love.
Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. Maybe when you hear of Thanksgiving you think of a big feast, huge turkey and all the yummy sides that go with it. Maybe the Norman Rockwell painting comes to mind with everyone gathered at the table with grandma placing the big bird down as grandpa oversees with approval. Or maybe it’s the football games, sitting around the big screen, cheering on your favorite team. Or maybe it’s just enjoying the family time, getting to catch up with your relatives. Maybe someone will have the opportunity to hear a history lesson of how the observance of the holiday came to be. Maybe, and I would hope that many of us here in this room, would take the opportunity of remembrance and giving thanks to our God. And that’s why I selected this text in Nehemiah this morning. In it we will find the occasion to praise God and to celebrate.