Sunday, November 24^th, 2024

PSALM 100 – “The “WHAT” and “WHY” of Thanksgiving!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. In 1621, one year after arriving in North America, the Pilgrims shared a “Thanksgiving” meal with the Wampanoag (Wom–pa–nog) Indians to celebrate their bountiful harvest.

2. For many years, individual Colonies (and later individual States) celebrated a Day of Thanksgiving.

3. In 1789, President George Washington gave the first Proclamation of Thanksgiving by our National Government.

4. In 1827, Newspaper Editor and Poet Sarah Josepha Hale (Author of “Mary Had A Little Lamb”) began a campaign for a National Holiday of Thanksgiving.

5. On October 3, 1863, three months after the key Union Victories at Gettysburg, PA, and Vicksburg, MS, President Abraham Lincoln dedicated the 4^th Thursday of November each year as a National Day of Thanksgiving.

6. Christians have always recognized that unthankfulness is a Grievous Sin!

Cf. Romans 1:18-23
¹⁸ “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
²¹For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

• They refused to honor God
• They refused to be thankful to God
• These two behaviors led them to become idolaters
• God responded by darkening their hearts

EXPOSITION:

(Verses 1-4) What Should We Do? (6 Things)

Rejoice!                                                      

 ¹ “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve HIM!

² Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”

Recognize WHO HE is, and who we are!                                

³ “Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture                                              

Come to Church with Thankfulness and Praise!                       

⁴ “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!”

Personally and Publicly Thank HIM!                            

“Give thanks to him…”

Honor HIM! “bless his name!”

(Verse 5) Why Should We Be Doing This?

Because the LORD is good!   ⁵ For the LORD is good…”

Cf. Psalm 119:68a “You are good and do good…”

Cf. Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Because HIS Love Endures Forever! “his steadfast love endures forever…”

Because HE is Faithful! “and his faithfulness to all generations.” Amen!