Sermon Central
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The Thankful Heart
Contributed by Tim Strickland on Nov 22, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Calling people from the life of the world to a new life of thanksgiving. Please fill free to use any of the sermon as needed.
The Thankful Heart
God sent his only son to this world, he came to love and give forgiveness, he lived and he died to buy our pardons. We have so much to be thankful for.
I have the breath of life in me; and you have the breath of life in you, and an opportunity to serve God in a way that is pleasing to him.
This thanksgiving many people will be gathered around the dinner table.
It is always a reminder to me of an old Norman Rockwell painting.
For so many Americans gathering around the dinner table is fast becoming an American past tradition.
When Families do gather together for dinner, there are some who will bow their heads in prayer, some just for the courtesy of a lost tradition.
There will be for most people in this country a bountiful meal to partake of.
Many people will pray a little prayer, giving thanks for all the material blessings that they have. They will ask god to bless the food.
But I hope that for Christians this year, that prayer might be something more, a deeper meaning, something perhaps like this.
Bow for prayer.
Lord I thank you for the gift of life, a life not as the world gives, but a life that is truly more abundant.
Thank you for taking me by the hand Lord and leading me through this old world, along the paths of righteousness, not for my names sake, but for yours.
I give thanks for my pains and sorrows for I know that in them you are teaching me, and helping me to understand your ways, so that I will never want to depart unto wickedness again.
By your hand Lord comes all things I know.
By your mercy and grace through the death of Jesus salvation was available for me, and I thank you for calling me to you, bless this Service Lord as you have blessed me, in Jesus name I pray.
The Bible says
Ps 26:7
7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
KJV
Can you say that there are things to be thankful for in your life; is there a soft spot to be found in your heart for God?
I know that this life is full of pain and some of you been hurt by this world that gives only with strings attached.
It's version of love is if you do this or if you do that, then I will love you. That is not true love.
You can live here; eat at my table if you do what I want you to do.
I will provide for you, if you will bow at my feet.
The Devil has always wanted to replace God on the throne and be worshiped, that is what he most desires.
The Devils ways always come with a cost, which in the end is so high you cannot pay the devil his dues.
But I want you to understand the love of God this Thanksgiving, for when you do, your hearts will be filled with thanks.
The yoke of bondage will be broken and you will be set free.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free , ye shall be free indeed.
KJV
This world replaces pleasure, for love. Sex is so many times misunderstood as it is easily thought of as love.
So many hearts are crushed when the boy or girl, man, woman leaves, and the crushed heart always says I thought you loved me?
God does not give love as the world gives.
Jesus said
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
KJV
There are things waiting friends that are unimaginable, Things that are so wonderful.
But if we who call ourselves Christians cannot grasp the simple earthly things of God how can we understand all his wonders.
(Video of babies, birds, flowers blooming.)
Sometimes we do not even know how to pray, there have been times when I have come before the throne of God on my knees in prayer and all I could do is cry.
