Gve Thanks, 24 November 2024
24 11 24 Filed in: Sermons | Little Letters
Give Thanks
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 24, 2024
1 Chronicles 16:34-36
Big Idea: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:34-36
What’s your favorite holiday? My friend, Scott, is almost famous for declaring Thanksgiving his favorite holiday. It’s not as commercialized as Christmas and Easter. You don’t have to buy gifts. Most people get a bonus day off on Friday. There are special things to eat and football games to watch. Oh, and it’s a day to give thanks!
On this Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, we’re going to explore the biblical theme of gratitude and, perhaps, help you prepare for not only Thursday, but also the rest of your life.
Gratitude is popular these days. It’s on bumper stickers and greeting cards. I’ve seen people make gratitude posts on social media. My friend Thomas recently moved to South Carolina where he makes Facebook posts beginning with “SC Thankfulness journal.” There are even paper journals designed to help us give thanks. But obviously gratitude did not begin with the start of Hallmark or even the pilgrims. It’s an ancient command from scripture.
If we go back a few thousand years to the book of 1 Chronicles, King David writes a psalm of thanks. It begins,
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)
This is really the heart of our mission, the Great Commission, to love, equip, and send, to go and make disciples of all nations. The known world was much smaller in the 5th century B.C. than it is today, but we have greater access, transportation, and technology to make the LORD and His actions known among the nations. After all, God so loved the…world! One of the things I love about Findlay—and College First—is we have people from around the world…Japan, India, Haiti, Ghana, …even Pure Michigan!
As I have said, many in our world have never heard the name of Jesus. They haven’t experienced the gospel, the good news, that Jesus is LORD. They don’t know they are loved and seen by their Creator. Family, we’re on a mission from God…to seek and save the lost.
People all over the world know the names of Putin, Trump, Biden, Taylor Swift, but none of them will save, heal, cause demons to tremble, or offer lasting hope, meaning, and purpose. The only name that can do that is…Jesus!
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)
David continues,
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:9-11)
The following verses are beautiful, like many found in the book of Psalms. They declare God’s goodness, faithfulness, glory, and worth. Jumping down to verse 34,
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
The verse speaks about God’s faithfulness in the past.
Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.” (1 Chronicles 16:35)
This is clearly about the present, asking for God’s intervention with a promise to give thanks upon deliverance.
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting. (1 Chronicles 16:36a)
This addresses our need to celebrate God’s presence in the future…forever!
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 16:36b)
The NIV translation of the Bible contains 29 uses of the phrase “give thanks” including this one:
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Give thanks in all circumstances? It doesn’t say for all circumstances, but even in our most dire situations, there are blessings to acknowledge. Someone always has it worse. God is good…all the time, even when we’re not comfortable or happy.
During our nine-year trial with a sick child, I remember driving our daughter from the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House each day to outpatient therapy at Cleveland Clinic. It was a horrendous season of life, to say the least, but as our girl transported on crutches, I remember seeing a younger boy in a wheelchair, severely deformed. There was hope for our child to someday be “normal,” but it was obvious the birth defects of this little masterpiece were permanent. I began to give thanks for what I had rather than complain about what I wanted to change in my situation. Here are some things we can all be grateful for, regardless of our income, housing status, or health:
1. Life. Every breath is a gift. You did nothing to deserve today.
2. Freedom. The USA is deeply broken, but we have freedoms many envy.
3. This church family. God is doing something special right here, right now.
4. Clothes. I remember meeting a boy in Africa whose entire wardrobe was a t-shirt!
5. Food. It’s hard to be truly hungry in Findlay with so many paid and free options.
6. Health. You are here, aren’t you?!
7. Transportation. You are here, aren’t you?! Unless you’re online!
8. Shelter. Even the unhoused among us have access to temporary shelter.
9. Safety. No place is perfectly safe, but we are not living in a war zone.
You probably know what I’m saving for last! The very best!
10. God! He knows you, sees you, and loves you…unconditionally. He’s why we’re here. He’s worthy of our thanks and praise…always…forever!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
This same phrase appears in Psalm 106, 107, 118 (twice), and 136. Whenever there is repetition in the Bible, pay attention. They didn’t have bold or italics or colored fonts to emphasize writings on scrolls so repetition was often used to make an important point.
So What?
I want to offer three simple next steps for you.
First, give thanks to others. Write a thank you note. Send an encouraging e-mail of appreciation. Express gratitude face to face. So many people are starving to hear, “I’m glad you’re my friend” or “you have a great smile” or simply “I appreciate you.” Give thanks to others.
Second, give thanks to yourself. No, I’m not saying send yourself a thank you card, but begin a gratitude journal…digital or paper. List the blessings in your life. I gave you ten to get you started!
Third, give thanks to God. Jesus’ half-brother wrote,
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
You can pray it, say it, sing it, dance it, play it, write it, however you want to express your thanks to God, do it!
One more thing…
Growing up, Thanksgiving was by far my favorite day of the year. We would have up to 100 Schneemanns gather at a church fellowship hall for a day of food, music, sports, and gratitude. Generations of Christ-followers would share how God had been faithful to them, we would form a choir and orchestra and sing and play to the LORD. Thanksgiving was more than a day or meal, it was an event. I deeply miss those family reunions, making me thankful for those precious memories…and inspiring me to create new ones for my biological and spiritual families.
On Thursday, Heather and I will be participating in the Turkey Trot to benefit the Women’s Resource Center and then we’ll be here for the College First Thanksgiving Meal. I can’t wait!
Let’s not limit giving thanks to a Thursday in November. Let’s make every day Thanksgiving!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 24, 2024
1 Chronicles 16:34-36
Big Idea: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:34-36
What’s your favorite holiday? My friend, Scott, is almost famous for declaring Thanksgiving his favorite holiday. It’s not as commercialized as Christmas and Easter. You don’t have to buy gifts. Most people get a bonus day off on Friday. There are special things to eat and football games to watch. Oh, and it’s a day to give thanks!
On this Sunday before Thanksgiving Day, we’re going to explore the biblical theme of gratitude and, perhaps, help you prepare for not only Thursday, but also the rest of your life.
Gratitude is popular these days. It’s on bumper stickers and greeting cards. I’ve seen people make gratitude posts on social media. My friend Thomas recently moved to South Carolina where he makes Facebook posts beginning with “SC Thankfulness journal.” There are even paper journals designed to help us give thanks. But obviously gratitude did not begin with the start of Hallmark or even the pilgrims. It’s an ancient command from scripture.
If we go back a few thousand years to the book of 1 Chronicles, King David writes a psalm of thanks. It begins,
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)
This is really the heart of our mission, the Great Commission, to love, equip, and send, to go and make disciples of all nations. The known world was much smaller in the 5th century B.C. than it is today, but we have greater access, transportation, and technology to make the LORD and His actions known among the nations. After all, God so loved the…world! One of the things I love about Findlay—and College First—is we have people from around the world…Japan, India, Haiti, Ghana, …even Pure Michigan!
As I have said, many in our world have never heard the name of Jesus. They haven’t experienced the gospel, the good news, that Jesus is LORD. They don’t know they are loved and seen by their Creator. Family, we’re on a mission from God…to seek and save the lost.
People all over the world know the names of Putin, Trump, Biden, Taylor Swift, but none of them will save, heal, cause demons to tremble, or offer lasting hope, meaning, and purpose. The only name that can do that is…Jesus!
Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)
David continues,
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:9-11)
The following verses are beautiful, like many found in the book of Psalms. They declare God’s goodness, faithfulness, glory, and worth. Jumping down to verse 34,
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
The verse speaks about God’s faithfulness in the past.
Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.” (1 Chronicles 16:35)
This is clearly about the present, asking for God’s intervention with a promise to give thanks upon deliverance.
Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting. (1 Chronicles 16:36a)
This addresses our need to celebrate God’s presence in the future…forever!
Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 16:36b)
The NIV translation of the Bible contains 29 uses of the phrase “give thanks” including this one:
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Give thanks in all circumstances? It doesn’t say for all circumstances, but even in our most dire situations, there are blessings to acknowledge. Someone always has it worse. God is good…all the time, even when we’re not comfortable or happy.
During our nine-year trial with a sick child, I remember driving our daughter from the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House each day to outpatient therapy at Cleveland Clinic. It was a horrendous season of life, to say the least, but as our girl transported on crutches, I remember seeing a younger boy in a wheelchair, severely deformed. There was hope for our child to someday be “normal,” but it was obvious the birth defects of this little masterpiece were permanent. I began to give thanks for what I had rather than complain about what I wanted to change in my situation. Here are some things we can all be grateful for, regardless of our income, housing status, or health:
1. Life. Every breath is a gift. You did nothing to deserve today.
2. Freedom. The USA is deeply broken, but we have freedoms many envy.
3. This church family. God is doing something special right here, right now.
4. Clothes. I remember meeting a boy in Africa whose entire wardrobe was a t-shirt!
5. Food. It’s hard to be truly hungry in Findlay with so many paid and free options.
6. Health. You are here, aren’t you?!
7. Transportation. You are here, aren’t you?! Unless you’re online!
8. Shelter. Even the unhoused among us have access to temporary shelter.
9. Safety. No place is perfectly safe, but we are not living in a war zone.
You probably know what I’m saving for last! The very best!
10. God! He knows you, sees you, and loves you…unconditionally. He’s why we’re here. He’s worthy of our thanks and praise…always…forever!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
This same phrase appears in Psalm 106, 107, 118 (twice), and 136. Whenever there is repetition in the Bible, pay attention. They didn’t have bold or italics or colored fonts to emphasize writings on scrolls so repetition was often used to make an important point.
So What?
I want to offer three simple next steps for you.
First, give thanks to others. Write a thank you note. Send an encouraging e-mail of appreciation. Express gratitude face to face. So many people are starving to hear, “I’m glad you’re my friend” or “you have a great smile” or simply “I appreciate you.” Give thanks to others.
Second, give thanks to yourself. No, I’m not saying send yourself a thank you card, but begin a gratitude journal…digital or paper. List the blessings in your life. I gave you ten to get you started!
Third, give thanks to God. Jesus’ half-brother wrote,
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
You can pray it, say it, sing it, dance it, play it, write it, however you want to express your thanks to God, do it!
One more thing…
Growing up, Thanksgiving was by far my favorite day of the year. We would have up to 100 Schneemanns gather at a church fellowship hall for a day of food, music, sports, and gratitude. Generations of Christ-followers would share how God had been faithful to them, we would form a choir and orchestra and sing and play to the LORD. Thanksgiving was more than a day or meal, it was an event. I deeply miss those family reunions, making me thankful for those precious memories…and inspiring me to create new ones for my biological and spiritual families.
On Thursday, Heather and I will be participating in the Turkey Trot to benefit the Women’s Resource Center and then we’ll be here for the College First Thanksgiving Meal. I can’t wait!
Let’s not limit giving thanks to a Thursday in November. Let’s make every day Thanksgiving!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)