CENTRAL THOUGHT
Thanksgiving in an acclamation that we recognize the grace of God, and are grateful to Him.
HYMN: “Blessed Assurance”.
TEXT: GEN 4:2-7; PSALM 95:1-7; LUKE 17:11-19
INTRODUCTION:
Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude for favor received. It involves a grateful thought, expressed verbally or by action in relation to an occurrence. It is a testimony to the benevolence of a person or an authority, intended to lubricate the wheel of good relationship and to promote further acts of favor. Absence of thanksgiving can dampen the enthusiasm of the benevolent.
Giving thanks unto God is an integral part of our relationship with our God and Maker. All the patriarchs of old and heroes of faith had this understanding and they never played with it. The Bible is an embodiment of a rich culture of thanksgiving as part of the worship of God. Be that as it may, it is sad to note that this subject has also been greatly abused today. This study is the enlighten believers on the scriptural standards expected in thanksgiving.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
This lesson will:
- Explain what it means to come before God with thanksgiving.
- Establish why and when we thank God.
- Discuss how we should thank God.
- Enumerate some abuses to thanksgiving today.
- List the benefits of thanksgiving
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1a.) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COME BEFORE GOD’S PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING? Psalm 95:2
Coming before His presence with thanksgiving is symbolic of an existing cordial relationship between God and His people. This is only possible through the mediation of Jesus Christ. It begins with genuine salvation, which comes through the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This can then be followed by heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to God for who He is, what He has done, and who we are in Him. It is an action that recognizes God as the source of all our victories and the hope of our expectations.
QUESTION 1b.) WHY SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD?
We give thanks to God because He deserves it as the Supreme Majesty. It is in His perfect will and expectation that we should show gratitude for His blessings. It is a mark of cordial relationship that we give Him thanks; and by thanksgiving, we express our faith in His ability to do more for us. By thanksgiving, we publish His greatness and we invite others to join us to glorify His name.
QUESTION 2.) WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF AN ACCEPTABLE THANKSGIVING TO GOD?
Psalm 51:17; Lev. 22:19-20; 2 Cor. 9:6-8
There are clear Scriptural guidelines to follow if our thanksgiving is to be acceptable. Just like any other form of Christian giving, thanksgiving must be with a broken and contrite heart (soaked in grace and overwhelmed by the love of God). The motive must be pure, devoid of arrogance and not intended for self-publicity. It should be done with a willing and grateful heart, out of personal conviction and cheerfully. The substance offered at the thanksgiving must be of quality, painful to part with, and unblemished (2 Sam. 24:24). More emphasis must be placed on appreciating God than on the feasting as we observe in many instances. It is not wrong to invite friends, relations, and well-wishers, but aim should be evangelic, to proclaim the love and mercy of God through Jesus Christ.
QUESTION 3.) HOW DO WE EXPRESS THANKSGIVING TO GOD? Rom. 12:1-2; Psalm 100: 4-5; 1 Chron. 16:8-9; Psalm 145: 21
The first and most important expression of thanksgiving to God is to present oneself to God as a living sacrifice. This requires that we receive salvation by repentance, conversion, and daily living to the glory of God. Other ways we demonstrate gratitude to God are through verbal expressions in the form of words of exaltation to God, songs of praise, worship testimonies before the congregation and other confessions of the goodness of God. The use of instruments to accompany songs of praise as well as dances can be part of thanksgiving. However, choice of music and dance exhibitions must be with discretion.
It is normal to present substances in cash or kind as part of thanksgiving, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. As a lifestyle of believers, thanksgiving may be undertaken privately or publicly. Other brethren should not be too critical, especially if a thanksgiving deviates from what we consider to be ideal. Any correction must be made in love, and with the fear of God.
QUESTION 4.) WHEN SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD? 1 Thess. 5:18; Psalm 119:164
Thanksgiving should be a daily routine for the believer because God is always at work in us. Personal thanksgiving should come up whenever we are in the presence of God, and whenever we become conscious of His mercies. It is an unconditional activity to be undertaken in all conditions and at all times whether favorable or adverse. Most importantly, an intentional thanksgiving should follow every landmark miracle and victories in our lives. It is up to us to determine the scope and nature of the activity.
Congregational and corporate thanksgiving requires planning, moderation, and mobilization of members. This type of thanksgiving normally comes up to mark the end or beginning or a season such as the year.
QUESTION 5.) IDENTIFY SOME ABUSES TO THE PRACTICE OF THANKSGIVING AMONG BELIEVERS TODAY.
Below is a list of practices which may be considers as abuse in thanksgiving:
a. Losing sight of the spiritual sense of thanksgiving and excessive attention to the social aspect such as new wears and feasting.
b. Taking thanksgiving as an occasion for arrogance and announcement of one’s achievement.
c. Projecting corporate thanksgiving as a means of funds drive for the Church.
d. Having unbelievers to play major roles (such as chairman) in a thanksgiving program.
e. Ungodly music and dance steps in all the name of rejoicing.
f. Declining to participate due to present challenges.
g. The use of compulsion instead of persuasion.
the range of abuses varies from church to church. Believers are encouraged to prayerfully list other abuses not mentioned above.
QUESTION 6.) WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS IN THANKSGIVING?
Thanksgiving enhances better fellowship with God if properly carried out. It is usually an occasion for re-dedication and re-statement of one’s faith in God. In renews in the believers the consciousness of God in our affairs. Thanksgiving is an application for more of God’s blessings. Brethren facing challenges are encouraged, and it is possible for God to extend salvation to some through the thanksgiving of somebody else.
Through thanksgiving, additional resources are made available for the work of God’s kingdom here on earth. By thanksgiving, answers to prayers are activated and God is moved to do more for us. A lifestyle of acceptable thanksgiving is vital to the realization of eternal life, the hope of all believers.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
As believers, our lives must be seasoned with genuine gratitude to God at all times. We are to thank Him for who He is, for what He has done for us, and for what He will do. Thanksgiving should not be to impress any mortal man. It should be a heartfelt acclamation that we recognize the grace of God in our lives, and that we are grateful to Him. By thanksgiving, we disarm the devil and we put ourselves in right standing to reclaim our dominion.
MEMORY VERSE:
PSALM 95:2
“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: THE LORD HAD RESPECT UNTO ABEL AND UNTO HIS OFFERING
Gen. 4:2-7
TUE: SAY UNTO THE HEATHEN THAT THE LORD REIGNETH
Psalm 96:10
WED: MAKE KNOWN HIS DEEDS AMONG THE PEOPLE
Psalm 105:1
THU: IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS
1Thess. 5:18
FRI: THE DEAD CANNOT PRAISE GOD
Psalm 88:10; 115:17
SAT: OFFER A SACRIFICE OF THANKSGIVING
Amos 4:5