BE THANKFUL - PART ONE
MEMORY VERSE: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalm 100:4
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 100:1-5
INTRODUCTION
It is the duty of Christians to be thankful or grateful to God. It is the master key to gain entrance into His gate. Thanksgiving, when complemented with praise, gives you access into God’s master bedroom (Court.) The primary reason He created us in His image is for fellowship, thanksgiving, praise and joyful heart - Isaiah 43:21. In this lesson, we shall examine how we can express our hearts of thankfulness, when and why.
OUTLINES:
1. WHY THANKSGIVING?
2. TYPES OF THANKSGIVING
WHY THANKSGIVING?
God commands it. It is a weapon of warfare. As you enter or approach God’s presence, the first thing God wants to hear from you is thanksgiving, and as you leave, it is the last thing He wants to hear from you. This means that thanksgiving is Heaven’s certified material for packaging and presenting petitions or requests. Your requests should start and end with thanksgiving. It inspires God to grant your request because thanksgiving is God’s delicacy while the appetiser, like praise, is the main menu. Thanksgiving takes the first and last courses. Ps.100:4; 2 Chr.20:20-27.
TYPES OF THANKSGIVING
We have general thanksgiving and special or sacrificial thanksgiving. General thanksgiving involves thanking God for His benevolence to all – Ps.107. It is thanksgiving you give to God for what He has started but when you have not experienced the end of it. Special thanksgiving involves parting with something of value that is very precious and highly resisted by the flesh. You close your eyes to release it to God. This consolidates our relationship with God and keeps Heaven open over us for the release of our breakthrough. It involves giving by sacrifice especially when you receive something you least expected to get from God. You can also offer a special thanksgiving in advance. Ps.107; Amos 4:5;
1 Kgs 3:4-5; Gen.20-22; 2 Sam.6:13-17; Jer.49:25.
CONCLUSION
Ingratitude is the result of vain imagination and a darkened heart. Sometimes your thanksgiving is senseless to the ordinary person but it is more profitable to be thankful than to grumble or complain – Rom.1:12; Prov.15:8.
QUESTIONS
- Why do you have to give thanks to God?
- Mention types of thanksgiving.
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Mon. Ps.29:1-3 – All glory to the Lord because He created all things.
Tues. Ps.3:7-10 – Thank God with your substances.
Weds. Ps.100:1 – Enter into His court with thanksgiving.
Thurs. Amos 4:5 – Offer a sacrifice of praise.
Frid. 1 Thess.5:18 – In everything, give thanks. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus
for you.
Sat. Rom.12:1-2 – Praise God with a life of sacrifice.
Sun. Ps.42:5 – Thank God from the depth of your soul, with all your heart and understanding.
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