Category: Thanksgiving
Subject Thanksgiving
Now I See!
Luke 18 records a conversation between a blind man and Jesus. Think about the miserable existence of such a man in the first century, begging beside the road as an uncaring populace walks by. When some told him that Jesus was in the multitude passing by, he cried out for mercy.
Some admonished him, but he cried out the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (39). The compassionate Savior asked of the man, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (41). When the blind man asked for his sight, Jesus said, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well” (42). Upon receiving his sight, Luke records that the man began to follow Jesus, “glorifying God” (43).
Can you imagine his joy? He was blind, but now could see! No wonder he glorified God.
What about me? Haven’t I received a much greater gift from our Lord? True, the blind man received his sight, but I have received the forgiveness of my sins! The blind man was aware every day of the gift given him by the Son of God. While I may not have such an overt reminder, as I look through the eyes of faith, the favor He has shown to me is clearly seen!
Let me, then, give praise to God! Because of His amazing grace, “I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” (John Newton)
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Sermon: Giving Thanks
To give thanks, you must first know you have been blessed and know the source of those blessings. Thanksgiving is appropriate before, during and after the blessing occurs.
Invitation: Examining the Model Prayer
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Matthew 6:9-13 contains a model prayer given by Christ to His disciples.
FB: Thanksgiving is an Attribute of Maturity
No doubt we all had a wonderful time with family and friends this past Thursday. Thanksgiving, as a national holiday, is certainly appropriate and beneficial. However, if it alone is a day where the giving of thanks by our nation takes priority, it is woefully inadequate. Christians especially should be quick to thank our Lord for the many physical and spiritual blessings we receive at His hand. Below is a quote I found on the subject. I commend it to you.
“Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday, but what are you doing for me today. The past is meaningless and so is the future. They live for the present. Those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future.”
Source unknown
“Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:3-5)..
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Invitation: Thanksgiving
Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox
Jeremiah discusses the concept of Thanksgiving, and notes the consequences of ingratitude, using the text of Deuteronomy 8:11-ff.
Sermon: Let Us…
Sermon by Jonathan Hinds
A survey of the book of Hebrews. Jonathan discusses the motivation, confidence, instruction and gratitude of the Christian, as revealed in the text.
Sermon: Where Are the Nine?
Luke 17:11-ff. In a village of Samaria, Jesus healed 10 lepers of their disease. The text teaches the importance of expressing thanks for the blessings given by God.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Pain!
I have a mild case of arthritis. It is, I suppose another indication of my descent into middle age and beyond. My mind persists in the self-image of a young man, but my body knows that to be an delusion. My arthritis affects mainly my hands. A couple of weeks ago I suffered a mild jamb of the index finger on my left hand. The finger is still giving me fits. The other joints are less painful, but are continuously stiff and sore.
Pain is irritating. We have all types of medication, mild and strong, designed to lessen or alleviate it. But, all know that pain serves and important purpose. I recently read an article about a little girl (12 years old) who suffered from CIPA, a congenital condition that affects the way signals travel from her central nervous system. Because of her condition, she can not feel any pain. On the surface, that might be considered a blessing, but it is very dangerous. She would not have pain symptoms should her appendix inflame or rupture, would not notice a cut or break, and would never know about a raging infection or other painful condition.
God created our bodies. They are amazing machines. They even have the ability to diagnose and combat the problems they encounter, often without any conscious thought on our part. My arthritis pain irritates me. But, the alternative is rather scary to consider! As the Psalmist wrote, “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).
In the News: Honoring Sacrifice
(Note: P.A. and Tippy Foster are charter members of the West Side congregation. P.A. serves as on of the elders of our congregation. They are two wonderful and godly individuals).
Last Tuesday Debbie and I had the distinct privilege of attending a reception honoring P.A. and Tippy Foster among a group of about 80 World War II veterans. In that group was a survivor of the Bataan death march, who remained a prisoner of war for three and one half years. There were also several who had stormed the beach at Normandy on D-Day. Tippy had the distinction of being the only lady among those honored. P.A. and Tippy both served in the Navy during the war.
Several of the men told of their experiences during the war. Some of these stories were humorous, but in all of them there was the recognition of just how horrific war is, and how great were the sacrifices of both those who survived the conflict, and those who lost their lives in service to their country and humanity.
