Giving Thanks to God - Part 1 of 2

The Baptist Bible lowered no gums to you under the direction of Elder Lucero Bradley Junior, pastor of the Cincinnati primitive Baptist Church will will and additional share. Bradley Junior inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace and him and in all will as we approach Thanksgiving day. We realize that many celebrations may be different this year that people are not able to travel and get together in groups as they have at other times but surely we must acknowledge that there is yet much for which we can and should give thanks so our message today was entitled giving thanks to God.

I pray this will be a blessing to you and that Thanksgiving day will still be a special time in your life. I encourage you to write another snow that you have listened to the program. Our address is the Baptist Bible. Our top 17 own 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217, giving thanks to God is a theme that runs through the Bible, always in the book of Genesis when Abraham's servant was thanking God for leading him to the house of his master's record.

The book of Revelation when we read of the redeemed saints in heaven giving thanks the spirit of Thanksgiving permeate our lives not just an exercise that mealtime or duty to be remembered for special events, but we are to give thanks always the subject, giving thanks to God for the text we turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 5. Read beginning with verse 18 and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess but be filled with the spirit speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the chapter begins in verse one.

With this admonition be followers of God, as dear children and then were admonished to wall in love to love, even as Christ loved us what a tremendous love that will John tells us in his first epistle that we are to love not just in word but in deed and in truth, then this is followed by a list of sins. We are told to avoid and reminder that you were sometimes darkness but are now children of light, so you're therefore not to have any fellowship works of darkness, you'd walk circumspectly at signifies your to be aware of what is around you look around. Be aware of the dangers. Avoid making Quicken bad decision walk circumspectly in verse 17 wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is in our text verse 20 giving thanks always for all things. There are many obstacles to giving thanks. Firstly, some do not give thanks because they do not know God. Romans chapter 1 and say that there are those who object the truth about the beginning with verse 18 for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness word literally means to hold it down to suppress it because that which may be known of God is manifest in them.

For God hath showed it unto them reveals that God has put something in the heart of every human being to know there is a God, and some others.

I don't believe in God because is not enough evidence that's just not so. There is clear evidence in his creation to know there is a creed is a God, and there is that which he has put in every human being to know there is a God that verse 21 says because when they knew God that does not mean that they knew him as their Savior but they knew that there is a God when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart dark. They were not thankful they don't believe in the true and living God. They do not want to give thanks to God.

And so here are these individuals that reject the evidence God has given them both that which is external in viewing his handiwork and that which is internal which God has put in every human being to know there is a God so those who deny the existence of God.

Those who would say that this earth upon which we live human beings live on. It all came about through a process of evolution and did not acknowledge of the creator did not give thanks they are unthankful and that's a characteristic of those who are unregenerate book of second Timothy chapter 3 verse one this know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own sounds covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful on holy that's one of the characteristics of those who do not know God. They have not been regenerated are not born again. So in these last days of these perilous days here the trunks that are prevalent and you can certainly see it on every hand. Most lovers of their own sounds covetous, greedy, proud on thankful on holy. That would also consider that pride is a barrier to Thanksgiving read about a man who was elevated in pride in the book of Daniel chapter 4 beginning in verse 28.

All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of 12 months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of, and the king spake, and said, is not this great family that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the honor of my Majesty talk about profit. What I've done. This is my kingdom built by my ability for my glory is exalted that verse 31 says that while the word was yet in the king's mouth there fell a voice from heaven saying old King Nebuchadnezzar deleted spoken. The kingdom is departed from the now Daniel had warned the king a year earlier that this would occur because of his pride, he would lose his kingdom but to get ignored and so is still standing there with this self-righteous self exalted useful attitude.

Look what I've done.

This is the great kingdom that I have built my power and for my glory, but God says the kingdom will be taken away from you, and you know how the rest of unfold that the king was put down on his all forms like the beast of the field and made to eat grass to the due set of the pony. What humiliation for this proud king to be reduced to a.

Like an animal certainly was not giving thanks to God.

He didn't say I thank the God of heaven for giving me life and health and the ability to give direction to the building of this kingdom. I thank God because he is elevated me and allowed me to occupy the throne on the back is listed in product and therefore he did not give thanks Daniel had specifically said taking a break off time sins by righteousness, but he ignored the admonition and coupled closely with that another one of the obstacles to giving thanks is the wrong view of self never had the wrong view of himself. There are other situations it might not go to that extreme but still the incorrect view of self hinders the giving of thanks go to the book of Romans Romans chapter 12 verse three for I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think what to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith that we've heard it said by many educators over the years that the great need is to build self-esteem. Children can just be talk to have a higher view of self that many of the problems are encountered will be resolved, but I think we can see much evidence that the problem is not a lack of self-esteem is a lack of Christ. The study is because self is exalted itself is assisting says for you not to think more highly of yourself that you all think person has a feeling of entitlement with that attitude that are going to be given thanks because they're calculating where they're coming short, I feel like I'm entitled to so many things many of which I don't have. I haven't been given the things that I think I deserve I deserve more than 1/2 spirit of jealousy, envy, see what somebody else has down deeper saying it's just not fair. Whether they have all that and I don't work as hard as they do the harder line is it. So instead of giving thanks this complaint because of envy individual who doesn't have a clear sight of himself certainly does not possess the spirit that was demonstrated by the patriarch Jacob clinician.

I'm not worthy of the least of thy mercy. This turtleneck premise can have a totally different outlook about life not saying I'm special and unique and superior to other people.

I deserve something particular that I deserve nothing. If the mercies of God could be calculated in such a way to side here is that which is the least of his mercy is not entitled. So if you have that understanding that Apple God is not obligated to me.

I don't deserve anything then you be more inclined to have a thankful spirit. Jesus gave that lesson in the 18th chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

That certainly depicts what were talking about verse 11 the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God thanked me. Much of what I Whitman here. This meant giving thanks all, but look what he said. I thank me that I'm not as other men are going to Thanksgiving is that that's just an expression of the pride or take note of me. I'm not like these renegades around me here.

I'm not an extortionate I'm not on John's modern adults are not business publicans over here sliding up on his breath saying God be merciful to the center extremely committed in a religious way because I fast twice in the week and I give tithes of all that I possess a person that has that spirit is not to give thanks not want to give thanks to God for his mercies. No doubt you been part well enough you've read the Scriptures well enough that you would never, never be guilty of saying out loud what this Pharisee said, but is there ever been a time that you looked around at some other individuals and you really felt thank God I'm better than they are.

I may have my faults� Bad. I do a pretty decent job.

I'm church on a regular basis in the look but all I've done boasting what this Pharisee was doing.

He was praying with a set I thank God he was boasting look at the same time avoid look at the things that I have done which equipment that interferes with the giving of thanks and then a murmuring or complaining spirit certainly will disrupt a thankful spirit.

First Corinthians chapter 10 verse 10. Neither murmur he had some of them murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer at verse six tells us that these things were written for our example, referring of course to what happened with Israel and they were brought out of Egyptian bondage. They had moaned and groaned and cried out to God for help.

They shoved under the width of the taskmaster they wanted deliverance, God raises up Moses to bring them.

They see that great miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea of God, bringing them safely across and drowning Pharaoh's house. You would think having been brought out the bondage having been delivered with such mighty hand, having already observed the 10 plagues were set upon the Egyptians and knew that God was for them and blessing them, but they start on their journey in the wilderness and immediately they began to complain that complaint numbers chapter 21 verse five and the people spake against God.

Think of.

They been crying out to God for help and God now has helped them God has delivered them by his mighty power and they have the boldness and the density to speak against my friends, but we search our hearts if Satan should never ensnare us. There were thoughts that we entertain against God, but we quickly forsake them and confess them and pray that God give us grace to overcome. They spoke against God and against Moses, wherefore have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness was a legal design at work here better off what we were not as well but my brothers, no bread, neither is there any water, and our soul Lovin this like so they spoke against God. They spoke against God's appointed leader they didn't like the situation that they were faced. They didn't want to facing the challenges they didn't want any discomfort that it will have to walk by faith and will have to depend on God, basis with that kind of a critical spirit. Nothing is ever quite right. Some people are more prone to complain than others and if it your situation in life to be around somebody was a chronic complainer. You know how unpleasant that can be close that attitude rubs off on other people from even those in have to listen to it of their person that's possessed of a critical spirit to complain about the circumstances complained in the summertime it is too hot delivered times to: complain it's either too much rain are not enough to become critical of people I lack love that lack compassion is a view other people's faults instead of letting love cover a multitude of sins. They focus on those false very quick to point them out. They talk about people.

A person who is full of constant criticisms is not one who's giving thanks and gratitude. I don't like this. I don't like that I don't approve this personally, but with that person. I don't understand where is the Lord has it, but we have in the wilderness, placed a very smart things better for me. God was well able to take care of those people in spite of the complaints and one time the court was ready to wipe them off the planet Earth, but he was merciful and when they did have already brought out of Iraq they didn't have brandy rain mattered down from heaven, and then they complained about same old stuff every day and being thankful that God gave him something to complain about another obstacle to giving thanks is failure to recognize God's sovereignty. Joe was upright man feared God serve God and been abundantly blessed with very prosperous and short order, he lost everything. Job chapter 1 verse two said, naked came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither, the Lord gave in the Lord is taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord in all this Job sinned not charged God foolishly distally later time. Job struggle, particularly after his friends came to visit. When you read that the count to say. With friends like that, you know me and enemies, petite friends were harassing him and raising questions and disturbing is pleased with initially Job's additives.

What actually been billed did not send her charged God foolishly said the Lord gave the earliest and the Lord totaling got a right to do that about a blank blessed be the name of the Lord, they recognize the sovereignty of God. If you recognize the sovereignty it will move you to have a thankful spirit. If you neglect to recognize it, it will generate unhappiness and complaints. Now, just as there are many obstacles to giving thanks. There are many calls in the Scripture, and many example of giving thanks. Think first about some of the Old Testament references the first Chronicle chapter 16 verse eight give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people saying on the hymn singing Psalms on the him talking of all of his wondrous works with the holier were saying of the Lord as an admission found both of the old and the New Testament were the talk of his wondrous works or my people to talk about so many trivial thing discouraging things, frustrating things, divisive thing, but what a blessing to talk about his wonderful works. This were instructed to do. Verse then goes on to say all give thanks on the Lord for he is good for his mercy endures forever. The book of Nehemiah recall it was a challenging thing to go back to the city when Nehemiah arrived there and saw the devastation that the walls are broken down the gates were fired.

He was determined to see that the wall was rebuilt and that the city would be restored as a place where people could comfortably live there was opposition is a what about the building of the wall. Critics made fun of their effort. Those that tried to divert them and get them into some kind of lengthy discussion, which would've prevented them proceeding with their work on the wall but finally in record time of always finish a new masses were going to celebrate sewing chapter 12 verse 27 it says and at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem.

They saw the Levites out of all their places to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and singing with symbols with solvers and with harps and he appointed the people to get up on the wall in two companies, one going one direction one another and they were singing and praising God, giving thanks and exiting the joint Jerusalem was heard even a far-off what a happy day is that God's people are full of Thanksgiving and praising him and their joy is such that it is even heard at a distance than a sound very familiar when were talking about giving thanks. Psalm 100 verse four enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise be thankful unto him, and bless his emphasis is put upon the giving of thanks. Here you come to his court to come to his house to come to church to come here to give thanks with special Thanksgiving and hymns in our prayers and acknowledging the truth that is preached from his word come into his courts with thanksgiving and be ye thankful.

All he will be in sometimes as we review the challenges we've encountered during this year, we may lose sight of the fact that there is still one reach for giving thanks to God.

Let us be sure that we approach the Lord with thankful hearts during this Thanksgiving season you will have a blessed time Thursday of this until next week.

At the same time in the Lord richly bless you all and all the Baptist Bible hour is come to you under the direction of elderly Sarah Bradley Junior, pastor of the Cincinnati primitive Baptist Church address all mailed to the Baptist Bible Lord Cincinnati, OH 45217.

That's the Baptist Bible Lord Cincinnati, OH 45217 will all will and will will and