PRESENTER: Rev. Dr. JoAnne P. King
DATE: January 14, 2024
It amazes me how many Christians don’t want to give thanks to God on one hand, and at a football or basketball game, they are shouting, dancing, singing because their team scored or won the game.
My Mother taught me as a child to say thank you when someone gives you a gift or does something nice for you. Well, God has done and is doing more for each of us than anybody else in the world.
So, any day, week, month, or years should be used to give thanks to God.Thanksgiving involves more than just speaking lovely words or singing to God. Thanksgiving means honoring God with not just our words, but our actions, our obedience, our money,body and allowing those words or actions to agree with what His Word says about Him.
Your thanksgiving should lead you to witness to others who are around you about what the Lord has done for you. Nobody can tell your story better than you and when you do, the Lord’s mercy and compassion will surround and touch those you just testified to. Remember, your life and your testimony may be the only sermon someone hears.
Don’t ever say that you don’t have a story or a testimony because then you are saying that the Lord hasn’t done anything in your life.I will list a few things that you heard from the Throne Room that you should be thankful for each and every day.
1. Be thankful that Jesus Christ died for your sins.
Not only your sins but everybody in the world and those to come into the world. The Bible says that He was marred more than anybody and gladly bore all that pain and suffering, just so you wouldn’t have to. He died to give you eternal life and save you from a burning hell.
Romans 5:6-11Amp.“While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right timeChrist died [as a substitute] for the ungodly.
“Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die.
“But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
“Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain having been reconciled, that we will be saved[from the consequences of sin] by His life [that] is, we will be saved because Christ lives today].”
I am reminded of the song that God is an on-time God, yes, He is!God always works in the fullness of time. The above scripture said that at the right time He sacrificed His life for you, me and all sinners to be born, whether they accept Him or not. That’s saying a lot right there and enough to give Him some thanks.
Our eternal God is love; therefore, it is unending. In 1 Corinthians 12th chapter, it lists the gifts of the Holy Spirit as:
- Word of Wisdom
- Word of knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of healing
- Working of miracles
- Prophecy
- Discerning of Spirits
- Divers’ kind of tongues
- Interpretation of tongues
In 1 Corinthians 13th chapter, we are told that as wonderful and powerful as these gifts are, they are nothing compared to love. The scriptures tell us that faith works by love. This shouldn’t surprise anyone because when Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment?
In Matthew 22:37-40Jesus replied: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
The Psalms speak of God’s love enduring forever.
Psalm 106:1: “Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.”
Psa. 136:1-26:Each verse in this Psalm is historical in nature and thanks God for the action that He performed and ends with His mercy endureth forever.
For example, Psalm 136:10: “To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:”
Remember, for your gift to function as God intended, you must walk in forgiveness, obedience, faith, and love.
3. Be thankful that your sins even your deepest darkest sins, present, past and future, are forgiven.
Because your sins present, past and future have been forgiven,we have the following scriptures to validate that claim.
Romans 8:1-2 Amp:‘Therefore, there is nowno condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].
‘For the law of the Spirit of life (which is) in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
Notice in verse1, I bolded the word now to show you that when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior,wheneverany past sin is mentioned, thought about, etc., there is no guilty verdict against you.
In verse 2, it explains that because you are in Christ Jesus, you come under the “law of the Spirit of life” which set you free from the Old Testament “law of sin and of death.”
The “law of the Spirit of life” is the strongest law. All other laws must be subject to it when it comes into effect. Jesus Christ is like a strong fortress where the devil cannot penetrate.
The devil will try to bring up somethings you have done in the past, but tell him that you are under the “law of the Spirit of Life.”
Now this is something to give God praise for, no longer can the devil torment you with your past. This destroys one of his weapons that he uses against you.
4. Be thankful for the Bible.
Have you ever thought what it would be like without the Bible? There would be no heaven, earth, or life. That’s why we should thank God for giving us the Bible. The Bible is an instructional tool that when followed leads us to God’s expected end for our lives.
Additionally, every word and promise in the Bible are anointed and God-breathed. In Titus 1:2: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
Also, in Psalm 138:2, David wrote, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”This means that any promise in His Word, He will fulfill if you are obedient, in faith, walking in forgiveness, and living the Love commandment.
As I mentioned last week, God has consequences for those who are not obedient, not in faith, not walking in forgiveness and not living the Love commandment. He determines what the consequences are.
Be thankful that God has planted you in a Spirit-filled church where the uncompromised Word of God is taught. In God’s Word, we are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves. Why?
Hebrews 10:24-25 Amp.:
- “Let us consider [thoughtfully]how we can encourage one another to love,
- And to do good deeds.
- Not forsaking our meeting together,
- [As believers for worship and instruction] as the habit of some,
- But encouraging or exhorting one another [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’sreturn approaching.]”
Colossians 3:16 Amp.:
- “Let the spoken word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind
- Permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things]
- And admonish and train one another with all wisdom,
- Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Galatians 6:2 Amp.
- “Carry one another’s burdens,
- In this way, you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ
- [that is, the law of Christian love].”
Romans 15:1 Amp.
- “Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith]
- ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong,
- and not just please ourselves.”
Last on the list of being thankful for your church but certainly is in no way the least is:
A commandment spoken by Jesus, Himself:
Matthew 28: 19-20 Amp.
- “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
- [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My Words],
- Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
- Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you;
- and, lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion]
- even to the end of the age.”
You are not to be content to be saved yourself and on your way to heaven and not have compassion on your neighbors or relatives on their way to hell and not witness to them about “Why you are a Christian!” Why he/she should become a Christian?” and “How he/she can become a Christian?”
You are being taught and prepared to do the greater things, that Jesus said that you would do. You are required to act on all the things that you have been taught and not pick and choose what you feel comfortable with. Jesus said we are to pick up our cross and follow Him. Our cross includes all those things that we are comfortable with and not comfortable with doing.
Saints, remember God has placed these promises and anything else in His Word above His Name! Meaning He will do them.
Philippians 4:19
- “But my God shall supply all your need (demand, want, lack, requirements) according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 23:1
- “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Matthew 6:31-34 Amp. - “Therefore, do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying ‘When are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?”
- “For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
7. Be thankful that you have a perfect home waiting for you.
Born again, Spirit filled,obedient Christians don’t have to worry about where they are going when they make their transitions from life to eternal life because:
John 14: 1-3 Amp.:
- “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly), Believe (confidently) in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.
- “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you because I am going there to prepare a place for you.
- “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again, and I will take you to Myself; so that where I am; you may be also.”
Revelation 21:3-4:
- “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
- “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
In all other religions, their converts have to do so many different works to achieve their rights to whatever their final resting place is; such as praying so many times a day, or going from house to house witnessing for so many hours or days, etc. However, we are told in the following scriptures:
Galatians 2:16 Amp.:
- “Yet we know that a man is not justified [and placed in right standing with God] by works of the Law, but [only] through faith in [God’s beloved Son,] Christ Jesus. And even we [as Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law. By observing the Law no one will ever be justified [declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty.]”
Galatians 3:11:
- “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith.”
As I mentioned above, in the other religions, their converts have to work to try to become whatever their religion requires. What a blessing, we don’t have to do anythingbut accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, andGod is working in our lives to make us a new creation!
2 Corinthians 5:17 Amp.:
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ [that is grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
Philippians 1:6:
- “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
10. Be thankful that God woke you up this morning.
I have heard many people when they testify thank God for waking them up that day. Not only waking you up that morning but being clothed in your right mind.This is certainly nothing to take for granted. It seems that the number of people suffering from dementia has increased tremendously in the last decade or two. Thank God that you are not one of them!
Psalm 3:5:
- “I laid me down and slept’ I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”
Proverbs 3:24:
- “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”
So many people are worshipping and praying to false gods who cannot hear nor answer their prayers. But our Bible tells us that in:
Psalm 3:4:
- “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.”
Psalm 4:3:
- “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.”
1 John 5:14-15 Amp.:
- “This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.
- “And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do]that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from him.”
Most Saints don’t want to go through anything, but the Bible tells us the following:
1 Peter 1:6-7 Amp.:
- “In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
- “So that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
James 1:2-4 Amp.:
- “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.
- “And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith] lacking in nothing.”
13. Be thankful God is faithful.
Many times,Saints compare God withpeople and because people let them down, they find it difficult to believe that God will come through for them. But the Bible assures us that, in:
1 Corinthians 1:9-10 Amp.:
- “God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to Hispromise–He can be dependedon], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
- “But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].”
1 Corinthians 10:13:
- “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
When in a trial or temptation that seems too great for you, always look for that way of escape that God has promised you.
Remember our testimonies come from the trials that God has brought us through victoriously.
Let me show you how thanksgiving can affect your life for your good. I want to remind you of a demonstration that Pastor Darryl has used many times and most of you have participated in this demonstration except for the visitors on the Zoom Church Line today.
The demonstration consisted in your saying to Jesus that you love Him and if you are quiet. You will hear in a wee small voice say: “I love you too!” For the visitors on the Zoom Church Line and the members, let’s do this demonstration again. I want everyone to say, Jesus, I love you and be still and listen for His response. If you hear Him say that He loves you too. I want you to raise your hand in the chat box.
This demonstration confirms that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are dwelling inside of you. This is verified by the following scripture:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him; and make our abode with him”(John 14:23). If He responds in this way to, I love you, you should be able to believeand expect His response in the following cases, as well.
- Thanksgiving Brings God on the Scene
Psalm100:4“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
This scripture is telling you how to enter into God’s presence, always with thanksgiving.This scripture is in the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit came upon man. In the New Testament, the God Head is dwelling on the inside of us. When we are giving thanks to God from our hearts, His presence can be audible and almost tangible.
There isn’t a parent on line that doesn’t love for their child or children to be thankful for the things that are done for them. And they show it with exuberance!God isn’t any different, see the following scripture:
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love Him”(I Corinthians 2:9).
Thanksgiving Puts Challenges in Perspective
Psa. 8:1 reminds you: “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.”While giving thanks to God, you are reminded, just how powerful your God is. He is the creator of all the world and the universe. Nothing is beneath His notice. Giving thanks to God while going through a challenge, puts all challenges under your feet because you should realize how insignificant your challenge is compared to God. If He is in your corner, you cannot lose? - Thanksgiving Focuses Your mind on the Right Subject
It’s easy to let challenges play a cycle inside your head. However, thanksgiving breaks that cycle. It helps you to refocus your attention on the One who is greater than every challenge. Just read through King David’s Psalms. Time and time again, he wrote of his troubles and of God’s glorious power. He was refocusing his attention on the One who had all the answers to his troubles and delivered him speedily each and every time. In other words, don’t focus on the bigness of your challenge, focus on the bigness of your God. - Thanks giving Strengthens Your Faith
Romans 4:20 Amp. says, “Abraham did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God.”
In the above examples, giving thanks to God during your trials and challenges and seeing God make those trials and challenges disappear and you being victorious –strengthens your faith in God by leaps and bounds. Your mantra should become: “If He did it once, He can and will do it again.” - ThanksGiving Is a Weapon Against the Enemy’s Maneuvers
An example of this is found in 2 Chron. 20:1-18.The children of Moab, Ammon, and others came against Jehoshaphat to battle.Jehoshaphat brought his petition before the Lord reminding Him how they had been obedient to His commands and His promises to protect them.
Then, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel who prophesied saying: “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. … Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.”
The next morning, “Jehoshaphat appointed those who sang to the Lord, and those who praised Him in their holy (priestly) attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and loving kindness endure forever.”
When they began singing and praising God, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so, they were struck down [in defeat].”
In conclusion, in a fight, the Lord is showing us that we don’t need an army out front because then we are depending on our strength in numbers.No, all we need is one thanks giver like David out front praising God and remember what happened to Goliah!
Saintsbeing a thanks giver to God is not only a duty but a powerful weapon and you will win every time! “… “because greater is He that is within you (the God Head) [because you heard Him today]than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4b).