Let Us Learn about Thanksgiving from the Psalms (Psalm 100)
Introduction:
1. The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poems, songs, and prayers that were composed over a long period of time by a number of writers. 2. In Luke 24:44 Jesus included "the Psalms" with "the Law of Moses" and "the prophets," indicating that they are part of the Old Testament Scriptures. 3. Consequently, the Psalms "were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4). 4. Studying the Psalms will help us to learn God's will on a wide variety of subjects. 5. In our lesson we are examining a number of verses in the Psalms that reveal some important principles concerning "thanksgiving." 6. Our approach: "let us learn about thanksgiving from the Psalms."
Discussion:
I. FIRST, THE PSALMS TEACH GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE THANKFUL TO HIM
A. God's people will thank Him continually (Psalm 79:13). B. Giving thanks to God is "a good thing" (Psalm 92:1). C. "The righteous" will surely give thanks to God (Psalm 140:13).
II. SECOND, THE PSALMS REVEAL MANY REASONS WHY GOD'S PEOPLE ARE TO BE THANKFUL TO HIM
A. God's people are to be thankful to Him because of: 1. His "deliverance" (Psalm 18:47-50) 2. His "holiness" (Psalm 97:12) 3. His "works" (Psalm 107:21-22) 4. His "righteous judgments" (Psalm 119:62) 5. His "mercy" (Psalm 136:1-3, 26). B. There are many reasons why God's people are to express gratitude to Him at all times.
III. THIRD, THE PSALMS TEACH GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE THANKFUL TO HIM IN WORSHIP
A. The Psalms mention thanks being given to God: 1. at His "altar" (Psalm 26:6-7) 2. "in the great congregation" (Psalm 35:18) 3. in His "gates" and "courts" (Psalm 100:4) 4. in "the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1-4). B. More specifically, thanksgiving is associated with "singing." 1. Psalm 30:4 2. Psalm 69:30 3. Psalm 95:1-3 4. Psalm 105:1-2
Conclusion:
1. Last Thursday we observed Thanksgiving as an annual national holiday. 2. Today we have learned from the Psalms that thanksgiving is to be an important ongoing activity for God's people. 3. This same lesson is taught in the New Testament (Ephesians 5:20). 4. Next week, how much time do you plan to spend giving thanks to God? 5. The time we spend giving thanks to God will be time well spent.
