CHRIST FOR PRISONERS WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, November 18, 2007

Thanksgiving

The importance of this subject will be manifest [made visible] to anyone who will note the space occupied in the Bible by Thanksgiving and Praise

1. Thanksgiving is our Duty.

Psalms 92:1-2 (NKJV)
¹ It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
² To declare Your loving-kindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night,

Psalms 92:1-2 (RVR)
¹ Bueno es alabarte, oh Jehová, Y cantar salmos a tu nombre, oh Altísimo;
² Anunciar por la mañana tu misericordia, Y tu fidelidad cada noche,

Psalms 92:4 (NKJV)
⁴ For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

Psalms 92:4 (RVR)
⁴ Por cuanto me has alegrado, oh Jehová, con tus obras; En las obras de tus manos me gozo.

1] It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.

The Lord’s dealings with us make thanksgiving and praise on our part the only fitting thing.

In the 107th Psalm the Psalmist burst out four times into the cry: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” (Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21, 31).

As we reflect today upon the wondrous goodness of God to men on the one hand, and , on the other hand, upon the little thought and strength and time not only men, but even the average Christian, gives to thanksgiving, we may utter the same cry.

Psalms 100:4 (NKJV)
⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalms 100:4 (RVR)
⁴ Entrad por sus puertas con acción de gracias, Por sus atrios con alabanza; Alabadle, bendecid su nombre.

How often we enter the church without thankfulness. There are times that we even start our complaints on the way to church.

The devil does not want us to enter church with thanksgiving or praise. He does not want us to be thankful of to bless the name of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:3-4 (NKJV)
³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:3-4 (RVR)
³ Pero fornicación y toda inmundicia, o avaricia, ni aun se nombre entre vosotros, como conviene a santos;
⁴ ni palabras deshonestas, ni necedades, ni truhanerías, que no convienen, sino antes bien acciones de gracias.

Here is a list of six common sins that God condemns. In fact, He says, “Rather giving of thanks.” I believe that the giving of thanks will help us to not commit these six things.

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)
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.

Colossians 3:15 (RVR)
¹⁵ Y la paz de Dios gobierne en vuestros corazones, a la que asimismo fuisteis llamados en un solo cuerpo; y sed agradecidos.

Colossians 3:17 (RVR)
¹⁷ Y todo lo que hacéis, sea de palabra o de hecho, hacedlo todo en el nombre del Señor Jesús, dando gracias a Dios Padre por medio de él.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (RVR)
¹⁸ Dad gracias en todo, porque esta es la voluntad de Dios para con vosotros en Cristo Jesús.

2. We are commanded again and again to give thanks.

The failure to return thanks to God “Who daily loadeth us with benefits” is just as distinct and definite disobedience to God’s commands as to steal or to murder.

Psalms 69:30-31 (NKJV)
³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
³¹ This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves.

Psalms 69:30-31 (RVR)
³⁰ Alabaré yo el nombre de Dios con cántico, Lo exaltaré con alabanza.
³¹ Y agradará a Jehová más que sacrificio de buey, O becerro que tiene cuernos y pezuñas;

3. The rendering of thanks unto God is more acceptable to Him than costly sacrifice.

We cannot all bring expensive offerings to God, but we can all bring the more pleasing offering of true and hearty thanksgiving.

Luke 24:52-53 (NKJV)
⁵² And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
⁵³ and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke 24:52-53 (RVR)
⁵² Ellos, después de haberle adorado, volvieron a Jerusalén con gran gozo;
⁵³ y estaban siempre en el templo, alabando y bendiciendo a Dios. Amén.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)
⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46-47 (RVR)
⁴⁶ Y perseverando unánimes cada día en el templo, y partiendo el pan en las casas, comían juntos con alegría y sencillez de corazón,
⁴⁷ alabando a Dios, y teniendo favor con todo el pueblo. Y el Señor añadía cada día a la iglesia los que habían de ser salvos.

Ten Reasons for Giving

1. For He is good (Psalm 118:1,29).
2. His mercy endures forever (Psalm 118:1-4,29).
3. The Lord answered me (Psalm 118:5).
4. He set me in a large place.
5. He is on my side (Psalm 118:6).
6. He takes my part (Psalm 118:7,13).
7. He is my strength (Psalm 118:14).
8. He is my song.
9. He is my salvation (Psalm 118:14,21).
10. He has heard me (Psalm 118:21).