Intro…One of the challenges of being a pastor for so many years is coming up with “new” stuff for the major holidays.
I have this fear that people are subconsciously “bored” before they get here…”How will the pastor put a new spin on this holiday?”
I suppose Thanksgiving is not quite as bad as Christmas and Easter, but it’s good we are reminded yearly of what is important.
Today and on Thanksgiving, we take time to be extra thankful. Just like Christmas and Easter we should actually be thinking of these things all throughout the year though.
v. 1-2 “ Make a joyful noise” is relative to culture.
This Psalm invites all the earth to join the song of praise.
Let’s focus on the fact that we are told to make a joyful noise to the Lord, serve him with gladness and come into his presence with singing.
If those three things are happening, then we need to let it happen! Even if we don’t like the style, format or method.
We can easily get comfortable with “our style” of music, what we are comfortable with, and there is nothing wrong with that!
I’m as guilty as the next person…I will admit I like a certain style of worship music.
Worship videos…
Sanctuary, Cowboy church, reggae, rap etc.
Even today we experienced 3 different styles of worship. For some of us, that was a stretching experience.
But here is something all Christians should have in common,
“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
As Christians, we have so much to be thankful for, in every culture, in every place around the world.
v. 4 Come into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise.
“Gates and courts”
Sometimes we are actually in a church building/sanctuary where there are gates and courts.
Other times we are enjoying his creation outdoors.
In reality, we are always in God’s gates and courts so let’s not save up all the thanksgiving and praise only for Sunday mornings.
Enter each day with thanksgiving and praise.
v. 3 & 5 Know that God is good and he takes care of us.
This is a fact and should eliminate any questions we have about God’s goodness.
“God is good, all the time.” Let’s say it…
What are the qualities of a good shepherd? (Guides, keeps the sheep from getting lost, protects, gently nudges with the crook,
Most of us would like to think we aren’t dumb like sheep…
We are thanking God for the privilege of being the sheep of his pasture.
In fact, God is so good that his love endures forever and he is faithful to all generations.
Look at the title: “A Psalm for giving thanks.”
We are thankful to God because we need him.
Well, we are about to eat…
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