I WILL MAGNIFY HIM WITH THANKSGIVING
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, November 21, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
I WILL MAGNIFY HIM WITH THANKSGIVING
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Psalms 69:30-36
Text: Psalms 69:30
Psalms 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Introduction: God is magnified by thanksgiving. I believe it has honored the Lord that our country instituted a national day for giving thanks to God. Let me read you the proclamation written by our country’s first President:
Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Submitted by Eferen Hurdle
By the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor–and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me `to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.’
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be–That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions–to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
—- George Washington
Let’s magnify God with thanksgiving during this season! Maybe you are having difficulties, burdens, and problems, and you are having a hard time being thankful. Let me ask you to look at your blessings tonight. I’m going to try to help you by giving you seven things for which I am thankful!
I. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S PARDON
Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
A. God’s pardon is a FREE pardon
* It is not cheap, but it is free!
* It was paid for by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ!
B. God’s pardon is a FULL pardon
* We are forgiven eternally for past, present, and future sins!
C. God’s pardon is a FINAL pardon
* It doesn’t matter who brings an accusation against us.
* We do not have to “get saved” TWICE. Amen!
II. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S PEACE
Psalms 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
A. He provides peace with God
* See Rom. 5:1.
* This comes from the Prince of Peace – Isa. 9:6.
* This is reconciliation – 2 Cor. 5:18-21.
B. He provides the peace of God
* See Phil. 4:7.
* It passes all understanding.
* It will get you through the storms of life!
III. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S PROVISION
Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
A. I shall not want for REST, for
Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
B. I shall not want for RESTORATION, for
Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
C. I shall not want for REFUGE, for
Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
D. I shall not want for REFRESHMENT, for
Psalms 23:5a Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
E. I shall not want for RADIANCE, for
Psalms 23:5b thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
F. I shall not want for REINFORCEMENTS, for
Psalms 23:6a Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
G. I shall not want for RETIREMENT, for
Psalms 23:6b and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The Lord is my shepherd, and He’s all I want!!!! 🙂
Truly Thankful
Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn’t make it. Terrified, the one shouted to the other, “Put up a prayer, John. We’re in for it!”
John answered, “I can’t. I’ve never made a public prayer in my life.”
“But you must!” implored his companion. “The bull is catching up to us.”
“All right,” panted John, “I’ll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: ‘O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'”.
(Copied)
IV. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S POWER
Psalms 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
A. God can change your destination for eternity!
B. God can change your desires in life!
C. God can change your doctrine
D. God can change your dress
V. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S PROMISES
Psalms 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
AMEN!
A. I’m thankful God’s word is PURE
B. I’m thankful God’s word is POWERFUL
C. I’m thankful God’s word is PRESERVED!!!
VI. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S PROTECTION
Psalms 18:48-49 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
A. He has protected me from discouragement
B. He has protected me from the devil
C. He has protected me from disease
D. He has protected me from damnation
You ought to thank God for His daily protection, even during Thanksgiving holidays! Do you know how many accidents happen at this time of the year? Sometimes they occur right in your own kitchen:
The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven
by Jack Prelutsky
The turkey shot out of the oven
and rocketed into the air,
it knocked every plate off the table
and partly demolished a chair.
It ricocheted into a corner
and burst with a deafening boom,
then splattered all over the kitchen,
completely obscuring the room.
It stuck to the walls and the windows,
it totally coated the floor,
there was turkey attached to the ceiling,
where there’d never been turkey before.
It blanketed every appliance,
It smeared every saucer and bowl,
there wasn’t a way I could stop it,
that turkey was out of control.
I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,
and thought with chagrin as I mopped,
that I’d never again stuff a turkey
with popcorn that hadn’t been popped!
VII. I’M THANKFUL FOR GOD’S PRESENCE
Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
A. He is present in my heart
B. He is present in my home
C. He is present in the house of God
D. He is present in heaven
* Literally, in a glorified body of flesh and bones!
* He is coming soon to take me out of this world!
* Amen!
Let’s give thanks as long as we have the ability to do so!
A Politically Correct Thanksgiving Report
I heard about a little fourth-grader who stood up to give a report concerning the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s how he began:
The pilgrims came here seeking
freedom of you know what.
When they landed, they gave
thanks to you know who.
Because of them, we can worship
each Sunday, you know where.