THANKSGIVING

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The Thanksgiving holiday started in the small Plymouth Colony  
      in 1621 when the English Pilgrims feasted with members of the
      Wampanoag (Wampanoag) Indians who brought gifts of food
      as a gesture of goodwill. The custom grew in various colonies  
      as a means of celebrating the harvest. In 1777, over 100 years 
      later, the continental congress proclaimed a national day of
      Thanksgiving (a single event) after the American Revolution
      victory at the Battle of Saratoga. But, it was twelve years    
      later that George Washington proclaimed another national day of
      thanksgiving in honor of the ratification of the Constitution, 
      and requested that the congress finally make it an annual      
      event. They declined, and it would be another 100 years before 
      President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, in order to bolster the     
      Union's moral, proclaimed the last Thursday in November of each
      year to be a "Thanksgiving" holiday.
   B. We sing, "Count your blessings, name them one by one."
      1. Perhaps if we did count them, we, too, would be more apt to
         remember how God has blessed us.
      2. Like the early settlers, we should be grateful for our
         blessings, being mindful of the One from whom they come.

I. LET US BE THANKFUL FOR THINGS OF A SPIRITUAL NATURE.
   A. For Salvation.
      1. We all would be lost if not for God's Grace.
         a. We need to be thankful for the redemption which is
            provided through Christ. 2 Cor. 9:15 Rom 6:17-18;
         b. 2 Thess. 2:13-14 - Likewise, we can give thanks
            because God chose us through believe of the truth, and
            called us by the gospel.
         c. 1 Cor. 15:56-57 - Let us be thankful for the victory that
            is in Christ.
      2. In every prayer to God, let us give thanks to God for
         salvation given to us through His Son Jesus Christ.
   B. For God's Care and Leadership.
      1. Once we have obtained salvation, God continues to care for
         us and provide us with leadership. 1 Pet 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7; 1
         Cor 10:13; Heb. 13:5-6
      2. God continues to show His care and leadership in our lives;
         so, let us be thankful.
   C. For the privilege of being able to call God our Father.
      1. 1 John 3:1; Rom 8:14-15
   D. For our brothers and sisters in Christ. Mark 10:28-30
      1. Paul set the example in giving thanks for fellows saints.   
         Eph 1:15-16; Col 1:3; Phile. 4-6; 1 Thess. 1:2-3; Phil      
         1:3-5; 2 Thess. 1:3
      2. We should be thankful for:
         a. The tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
         b. Those who set an example of godly lives.
         c. Those who teach God's word.
         d. Those who use their abilities to lead singing, read,     
            pray, clean the building, prepare the Lord's table, give
            liberally of money, time, and energy, visit the sick,
            encourage the weary, are ready to lend a kind word, and
            who wear a warm smile to greet us.

II. LET US GIVE THANKS FOR THINGS OF A PHYSICAL NATURE.
   A. For Food.
      1. Many passages show giving thanks to God for food. John
         6:11; Acts 27:33-36; 1 Tim. 4:1-5
      2. With each meal we should be reminded of God's
         lovingkindness and, thus, bow our heads in thanksgiving.
   B. For Clothing. Matt 6:25-34
   C. For Shelter.
      1. A man interested in selling his house called a real estate
         agent and asked him what to do. The agent said, "Write up a
         list of the features and selling points." Several days went 
         by, and the agent hadn't heard from the fellow. Calling him,
         he said, "I thought you wanted to sell your house." "I did,"
         replied the man, "But when I made up the list of all that my
         house has to offer, I decided it was the perfect place for  
         me!"
   D. For our families.
      1. For our children. Psalm 127:3-5
      2. For our parents. Eph. 6:3-4
         a. Think of all that parents have proved for their children.
            Often, all their love, care, and provisions are taken for
            granted.
         b. Children should "repay" their parents. 1 Tim. 5:4
   E. For All Things. Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:16-18
      1. Remember, all things come from God. James 1:17
         a. We should have an "attitude of gratitude."
         b. An old question, "Are you humbly grateful or are you
            grumblely hateful?"
   F. Someone wrote this to show what would happen to the average
      American family if they were suddenly reduced to the annual
      income category of over 1/2 of the world's population.
      1. He said, "Take away the furniture, saving a few old         
         blankets, kitchen table, and one chair; take away all the   
         clothing except for the oldest dress or suit, a shirt,      
         blouse, and one pair of shoes for the head of the family;   
         empty the cupboards of food with the exception of a small   
         bag of flour, some sugar, salt, a few molded potatoes, a    
         handful of onions, and a dish of fried beans; dismantle the 
         bathroom, shut off the water and remove the electrical      
         wiring; exchange all automobiles for one bicycle, take away 
         the house itself, and move the family into a tool shed;     
         cancel all subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, and book 
         clubs; put the nearest clinic or hospital 100 miles away,   
         and put a midwife in charge instead of a doctor; discard the
         bank account, stock certificates, pension plans, insurance  
         policies, and leave the family $5 in cash; give the head of 
         the family a few acres to cultivate to grow food for his    
         family one-third of which goes to the landlord."
   G. Let us truly be thankful for the ways we are blessed in this
      country.

Concl.
   A. We close with this poem by L. B. Strawn entitled, "Thank You."

Thank you for your mercy, Lord,
And thank you for your love.
Thank you for your holy word
Which came from heaven, above.

Thank you for the Savior
Who came to earth and died
That we might truly savor
Your grace, to us, implied.

Thank you for each blessing, good,
For health and strength and life.
Thank you for our daily food
And, even Godly strife.

Thank you for each family
And thank you for each home.
Thank you for eternity
Which, someday soon, will come.

Give us strength, Oh Lord, to cope
With problems which we face,
That we may keep that promised hope
To live with you through grace.

Grant to us that you'll forgive
As we repent from every sin,
That, in eternity we'll live,
In Jesus' blessed name, amen.