2. Are We Truly Thankful in Life?
“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:20

3. #1 An Ungrateful Condition
(Deut 8:19-20)
“Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.”
An Ungrateful Condition
This chapter recounts God's care of Israel during the wilderness wanderings as a warning for Israel not to forget God after they have come into the wealth and prosperity of Canaan
(Deuteronomy 8:19-20) “Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the LORD your God.”
How he describes the sin = forgetting God, being ungrateful to the one who gave you all things; and in addition serving other gods, even self
“you shall surely perish”
2. This concept applies to us today

4. #1 An Ungrateful Condition
(Deut 8:19-20)
Ungratefulness is the beginning of rejecting God
(Rom 1:18-23)
“18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”
II. The lack of thankfulness is the beginning of rejecting God
1. (Romans 1:18-23) “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; ”
2. The wrath of God (legal wrath not emotional anger) is just and right when pronounced upon the Gentile – Why?
3. (vs. 19) “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them” – They had knowledge of God – Why? “for God has shown it to them”
4. (vs. 20) “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse:”

5. #1 An Ungrateful Condition
(Deut 8:19-20)
Ungratefulness is the beginning of rejecting God
(Rom 1:18-23)
Nature testifies of God's power – (Psa 19:1-6)
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat”
Nature – Testifies of God's power and glory!
1. ( Psalms 19:1-6) “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat”
2. They knew of God's power and His glory
3. (Rom. 1:21) “although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened”
4. The lack of Thankfulness was the beginning of their rejection of God

6. #1 An Ungrateful Condition
(Deut 8:19-20)
Ungratefulness is the beginning of rejecting God
(Rom 1:18-23)
Nature testifies of God's power – (Psa 19:1-6)
Didn't Give God Due Glory – (Psa 29:2)
Became Vain – (2 Kings 17:15)
“And they rejected God’s statutes, and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them. ”
1. They failed to do as David exclaims: ( Psalms 29:2) “Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. ”
2. Instead of giving God the thanks – v. 21 they became vain in their thoughts
3. Vain – putting trust into something that is temporal – not everlasting
1. God accused Israel and Judah – (2 Kings 17:15) “And they rejected God’s statutes, and His covenant that He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them. ”
4. Same attitudes of many today:
a. Put blessings down as the product of luck, chance or fortune
b. They thank their own strength, not realizing who gave them those strengths
c. (Rom. 1:22-23) “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”
5. This not only applies to those that worshiped little statues – idols
6. Idol can be anything – even our own confidence in self
III. We must not fail in being Thankful – lest we reject our God and Savior and begin to serve something else!
1. What happens when we fail to be thankful to God?
2. We forget God as being God – We rely on our self – We try to become elf-sustaining
3. What happens in our time of need? We also look to ourselves for help
4. We become a person of hopelessness – no one to turn to

7. #1 An Ungrateful Condition
(Deut 8:19-20)
Ungratefulness is the beginning of rejecting God
(Rom 1:18-23)
Nature testifies of God's power – (Psa 19:1-6)
Didn't Give God Due Glory – (Psa 29:2)
Became Vain – (2 Kings 17:15)
(Phil. 4:6-7)
“But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1. If this happens, we cannot: ( Philippians 4:6-7) “but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

8. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
(1 Chr 16:7-36) – Psalm of Thanksgiving
3 elements of true thankfulness is seen in this psalm
Remembers
Expresses
Acts
Characteristics of True Thankfulness
1. (1 Chronicles 16:7-36) – Psalm of Thanksgiving
2. 3 elements of true thankfulness is seen in this psalm
3. True Thankfulness: Remembers, Expresses, and Acts

9. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
1. Remembers (vs. 12)
“Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth”
Remembers
( I Chronicles 16:12) “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth”
The whole of the psalm refers to God’s wondrous actions among the nations in behalf of Israel.
Remember how God took care of your every need, delivered you from danger, and blessed you with everything you have
True for us today

10. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
1. Remembers (vs. 12)
Remembrance is the REALIZATION of where all blessings come from!
Remembers God – (Deut 8:17-19)
“Then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth. And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
1. Remembrance is the Realization of where all blessings come from!
2. Remembers God and the Origin of Blessings
a. ( Deuteronomy 8:17-18) Moses called all Israel - “then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth. "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ”
b. Story of a Shopper at the mall on the day after thanksgiving – “Black Friday”. This
shopper had been shopping all morning and decided that it was time to take a coffee
break. She bought herself a little bag of cookies and put them in her shopping bag. She
then got in line for coffee, found a place to sit at one of the crowded tables, and then
taking the lid off her coffee and taking out a magazine she began to sip her coffee and
read. Across the table from her a man sat reading a newspaper.
After a minute or two she reached out and took a cookie. As she did, the man seated
across the table reached out and took one too. This put her off, but she did not say
anything.
A few moments later she took another cookie. Once again the man did so too. Now she
was getting a bit upset, but still she did not say anything.
After having a couple of sips of coffee she once again took another cookie. So did the
man. She was really upset by this - especially since now only one cookie was left.
Apparently the man also realized that only one cookie was left. Before she could say
anything he took it, broke it in half, offered half to her, and proceeded to eat the other
half himself. Then he smiled at her and, putting the paper under his arm, rose and
walked off.
Was she steamed. Her coffee break ruined, already thinking ahead of how she would
tell this offense to her family, she folded her magazine, opened her shopping bag, and
there – she discovered her own unopened bag of cookies.

11. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
1. Remembers (vs. 12)
Remembrance is the REALIZATION of where all blessings come from!
Remembers God – (Deut 8:17-19)
Remembers and Focuses on Their Blessings
Remembers and Gauges Blessing by Things other than Money – (Prov 15:17)
1. True thankfulness Remembers and Focuses on Their Blessings
a. Problem with Adam and Eve
b. Had all that they could ever want or need – didn't matter – didn't focus on this
c. Rather throw all that out of the window for something that they felt that God was depriving them of! – lost it all because of their lack of thankfulness
2. True thankfulness Remembers and Gauges Blessings by Things other than Money
a. (Proverbs 15:17) “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred” – do we thank God for the nonmaterial things? Love we have in our home, in the church, health, well being

12. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863
It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. 1

13. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863
But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. We have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our Father who dwells in heaven. 1

14. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
2. Expresses
Admits that we don't deserve all that we have
If Remembrance is a realization of where all blessings come from, then Expression is the CONFESSION of this fact
Verbal recognition is required for true thankfulness
(Rom 10:9-11)
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”
Expresses
1. True thankfulness admits they don't deserve all that they have
2. If Remembrance is a realization of where all blessings come from, then Expression is the confession of this fact – we admit that we are dependent on God
3. Verbal recognition is required for true thankfulness – Just as verbal affirmation is required for true faith
4. ( Romans 10:9-11) “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”
a. If one has True Faith – He will confess Christ
b. If one is Truly Thankful – He will express it

15. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
2. Expresses
Admits that we don't deserve all that we have
If Remembrance is a realization of where all blessings come from, then Expression is the CONFESSION of this fact
Verbal recognition is required for true thankfulness
(Rom 10:9-11)
Tells others about the blessings of God
(1 Chron. 16:8, 24-25)
“8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. 24 Declare His glory among the nations; His marvelous works among all nations. 25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all”
1. Tells others about the blessings of God
a. ( I Chronicles 16:8-9, 24-25) David - “8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. 24 Declare His glory among the nations; His marvelous works among all nations. 25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is
to be feared above all”
2. Don't be ashamed of God's blessings – express your thanksgiving
3. Especially the thankfulness you have with the blessing of Salvation!
4. Commanded for us to tell others where our blessings come from
a. (I Peter 3:15) “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you.”

16. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
3. Acts
(1 Chron. 16:28-29)
“Give unto the LORD, you kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”
Acts
1. (I Chronicles 16:28-29) “Give unto the LORD, you kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

17. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
3. Acts
(1 Chron. 16:28-29)
If Remembrance is a realization of where all blessings come from, and Expression is the confession of this fact, then Action is our life's REFLECTION of it!
If we are truly thankful, our lives will reflect it
(Romans 12:1-2)
“present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
1. If Remembrance is a realization of where all blessings come from, then Expression is the confession of this fact, and Action is our life reflecting it
2. If we are truly thankful, our lives will reflect it!
3. Giving should not always been seen as monetary – but also giving of our self and influences
4. ( Romans 12:1-2) “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

18. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
3. Acts
(1 Chron. 16:28-29)
If Remembrance is a realization of where all blessings come from, and Expression is the confession of this fact, then Action is our life's REFLECTION of it!
If we are truly thankful, our lives will reflect it
(Romans 12:1-2)
(Matt. 5:48)
“Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”
(Matthew 5:48) “Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”

19. #2 Characteristics of True Thankfulness
(1 Chron. 16:7-36)
Remembers
Expresses
Acts

20. Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy] Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

21. Count Your Blessings
So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

22. Hear John 12:48 Believe John 8:24 Repent Luke 13:3
Confess Matt. 10:32-33
Baptized Mark 16:16
Faithful Matt. 24:13
If you are thankful for God sending His Son to take away your sins – be obedient to His Gospel