Happy Thanksgiving! 11/21/10 Sermon, Give Thanks to the Lord, America’s Christian Heritage

It is this time of year when we stop to give thanks to God, yet shouldn’t we praise Him throughout the year? Doesn’t he sustain us, especially when we are in need? Below you will find my Thanksgiving post, a video of my Thanksgiving sermon, and sermon notes below that. I hope you enjoy!

Give Thanks to the Lord

How often do we go through our day without stopping to thank the God who created the word, formed and knitted us within our mother’s womb, sustains us, and provides for us even in the time of need. Indeed, we depend on God for everything. If He doesn’t give us our next breath, we will quickly perish! (Psalm 104:29, Acts 17:25) Moreover, our God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die for sins we committed. Moreover, He died to save us while we were yet sinners and at war with God. (Romans 5:6-8) We need to thank God each and every day, not just on Thanksgiving.

Yet in today’s society, most references to God are either cursing or more often made in vain. How often have you watched a television show where someone said, “Oh my God”? Were they praying? Were they speaking to God? Probably not. Did you continue watching? This is no small matter I’m speaking about. This is a violation of the third commandment. When we take God’s name in vain, we sin against Him! When we watch television shows or movies that take His name, we join in the sin.

This is not how God has instructed us to live. God has instructed us to “give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” (Psalm 79:12) We are to thank him early in the morning, throughout the day, at midnight, and throughout the night. Indeed, we are to give thanks forever and in everything. Certainly, all that we have that is good is a gift from God. (James 1:17) He should get the glory for anything good in our lives, for “there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:12)

In today’s tough economy, many find ourselves in need. Many see no way out of the pit they find themselves in, yet God still sustains us, even in our need! What’s more, it is in these times of need that we are often cry out to God and realize our dependence on Him. To paraphrase Habakkuk 3:17-18, though the job market has dried up; though I’m unemployed or underemployed; though there’s drought and famine in the land; though the store shelves are bare; though my possessions are gone; and though my bank account is empty; yet I will praise the Lord! Certainly, we haven’t hit the depths spoken of in Habakkuk. Though we don’t know what the future holds, we know who holds the future, and we know who holds our hand. Thankfully in America, there is help for those in need, and even when we find ourselves in need, we should thank God.

We should also thank the Lamb that was slain for the faith of the Catholic Martyrs who laid down their lives to bring the gospel to America. We should thank our Lord who brings us freedom in Christ for the faith of the Pilgrims, many of whom died to establish a land where we are free to worship God. We should thank our Master for the Puritans who sought to build a city set upon a hill. We should praise the King of kings and Lord of lords for our founding fathers who cried, “No king but Jesus!” We should humbly bow in praise before the benevolent Ruler of the nations who allowed this nation to be established based on Biblical principles. I submit to you that it is these principles that have made America the longest standing nation with the same form of government since the nation of Israel of old. As American Historian David Barton has pointed out, “while America has had only one form of government, France has had several, and Italy has gone through literally dozens.” What is the source of this great stability we have enjoyed in the United States of America? As John Adams put it, “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were. . . . the general principles of Christianity. . . . Now I will avow that I then believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

As we give thanks for those who have bravely fought to establish righteousness in our land in times past, let us realize that it is now our turn! They are dead and can not fight our battles. We must stand in faith that we can turn this nation around. Certainly, if we attempt to redeem this nation in our own strength, we will fail miserably. We must [humble ourselves, and pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then our Defender will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin and heal our land. (1 Chronicles 7:14) We need to turn back to God whose laws and commandments laid the foundation for our nation, if we wish to restore the USA. Before God can bless America, America must bless God!

Sermon notes are below the video.

Give God to the Lord Sermon Notes

Opening Passage – Psalm 136.

Give Thanks to the Lord

Psalms 119:62 – At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:15 – “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (NKJV)

Psalms 97:12 – “Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” (NKJV)

Psalms 79:13 – So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. (NKJV)

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:16‑18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (NKJV)

Give Thanks Even When in Need

Habakkuk 3:17‑18 – “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls‑ Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (NKJV)

Give Thanks for Our National Christian Heritage

Deuteronomy 4:1-11.

Give Thanks for the Faith of Our Forefathers

Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Amen.

The Nations Shall Worship God

Let the Earth Rejoice – Psalm 97

Will You Pray and Work to Take America Back?

2 Chronicles 7:13‑14 – “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NKJV)

Sermon, Give Thanks to the Lord, American’s Christian Heritage, Faith of Pilgrims, Puritans, Founding Fathers, Government, Revival, Reformation, Great Awakening, Repentance, Restoration. Pastor Bryan Longworth, Covenant Tabernacle Worship Service. Join us as we worship the King of King and Lord of Lords and call the church and our city, state, and nation to repent before a holy God. For information about Covenant Tabernacle, Port St. Lucie, visit Covenant Tabernacle’s website http://www.CovenantTabernacle.com.