The Importance of Thanksgiving Ps.100: 4-5 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

This is the season of giving.  Decorations for Christmas are on display and you have already begun shopping for loved ones and friends.  In giving you will undoubtedly experience the blessing of which Paul spoke when he quoted Jesus in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Yet, even in receiving you will be blessed as long as you remember to be thankful.  For this is not only the season of giving, but the season of thanksgiving, as well.

My mother’s adage, so indelibly ingrained in my heart and mind, is this, “Make sure the thank your note hits the mail before the wrapping paper hits the trash.”  Nothing demonstrates your appreciation for a gift from your family or friends better than a well written thank you note sent as soon as possible after a gift has been received.  And nothing helps you to appreciate that gift more than expressing your thanks for it.  That’s what a friend of mine calls, “the attitude of gratitude.”

Did you know that thanksgiving is an integral part of your salvation?  Thanksgiving is a major component of:

Enjoying fellowship with God – Ps 100:4-5; Heb 13:15 so many Christians are like the nine lepers of Lk 17:15-16.  We need to be like that one leper who worshipped the Lord with thanksgiving.

Doing the will of God – 1 Thes 5:18 – it is the stated will of God that you give thanks in everything.  It doesn’t make any difference if it is a good thing or a bad thing; Rom 8:28 is still true.

Being filled with the Spirit – Eph 5:18-21 – don’t pride yourself on how much you know about the Holy Spirit if you are not thankful for all things.  Evidence of being filled with the Spirit is thanksgiving.

Receiving peace in prayer – Phil 4:6-7 – the peace of God will keep your heart and your mind when you add thanksgiving to your prayers.

Interceding for others – 1 Tim 2:1-4 – this generation is far too critical of those in authority.  You need to thank God for them when you are praying for them.

Sanctifying the food you eat – 1 Tim 4:3-5 – don’t be like the family dog wolfing down your food without first thanking God.  Thanksgiving sanctifies the food.

Conclusion: While you’re thinking about thanking God for gifts don’t forget the greatest gift of all… the man Christ Jesus.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” Jn 3:16.  Jesus is God’s gift to you to be received by faith (Jn 1:12).  And when you receive Him, remember to thank the Lord for His eternal goodness, His everlasting mercy and His enduring truth (Ps 100:5).  He is worthy!