Pre-sermon: Declaration for the day: Psalms 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

 

1. Introduction:

- Today’s focus is on thanksgiving, a very important process of prayer.

- God has given us revelation on how we can pray effectively through the following processes: 

A-Adoration (worshipping) process

C-confession process

T-thanksgiving (praise, honor) process

S-supplication (praying for yourself) process

I-Intercession (praying for others) process

 

- What is thanksgiving? a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.: “the act of giving thanks.”

 

2. Fire scripture 

Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy - Luke 17:11-19

 

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

 

 

3. I would like us to look at thanksgiving in two-fold: 1. To God and 2. To our fellow Brothers and sisters.

 

4. Thanksgiving to God: 

Part one 

In Psalms 150: 1- 6

1 Praise the Lord. 

Praise God in his sanctuary 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

2 Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and pipe, 

5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

 

In Psalms 103:1 - 4

1 Praise the LORD, my soul;

    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins

    and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

    and crowns you with love and compassion,

 

1 Chronicles 16:34: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

 

Psalm 95: 1- 5

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving

    and extol him with music and song.

3 For the Lord is the great God,

    the great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,

    and the mountain peaks belong to him.

5 The sea is his, for he made it,

    and his hands formed the dry land.

 

 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are reminded that we are from a kingdom that cannot be shaken by anything and therefore ought to be grateful. (In Hebrews 12:28: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe).

 

 

5. Thanksgiving to God: 

Part two: 

Do we still need to give thanks in the stormy seasons?  

 

Yes – we are encouraged to give thanks in all circumstances (in the book of Thessalonians and Philippians).

 

I Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 (16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.) 

Philippians 4:4 – 7 (4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus).

 

When giving thanks in the stormy seasons?  Don’t be fearful or anxious.

 

Why? (2 Corinthians 9:15) 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

 

Psalms 23 ………4…”Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,

 for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 

Apart from being told not to be afraid he wants us to remain in him

 

Psalms 23: 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

No matter what the enemy throws to us – the battle has already been worn – it will come to pass. 

 

Isaiah 12:4 – 5

4 And in that day you will say:

“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;

Declare His deeds among the peoples,

Make mention that His name is exalted.

5 Sing to the Lord,

For He has done excellent things;

This is known in all the earth.

 

 

6. Honoring others – Part of thanksgiving

 

1 John 4:20

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen.

 

 

7. Prayer points: (Thanksgiving can never be exhausted!)

i. Adoration – covered at the start of the session. 

 

ii. Hearts of gratitude

Psalms 119: 7 – 8: I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

 

iii. This platform (MAGH) and the unity in the body of Christ

This platform is Gods perfect gift for us as men.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 

iv. Thanking God for his Grace, Mercies and Lovingkindness through his son Jesus Christ

 

v. Thanking God for our Families (Our parents, Spouses, Children, Friends)

 

8. Conclusion

- Thanksgiving is a part of worship, and it can never be exhausted! 

- Thank you – brings relationships / bonds 

- Let’s continue to be thankful in this season as the year is coming to the end.