Sunday Sermon


Thank God for God

Dave Shaner

November 21, 2004

Introduction: The more we realize who it is that we are to do things for, the more we are motivated. This Thanksgiving, let's not be thankful for the blessings we have but for the giver of those blessings.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  - Colossians 3:12-17

I. God ____________ & Is ______________.

A. What is God like?

1. Jesus Christ has shown us God in the clearest way possible.

2. John 1:18

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

B. Scriptures:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. - Colossians 1:15

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? - Isaiah 40:11-13

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - Hebrews 13:20-21

II. God Delights In ________________.

A. Isaiah 55:6-9

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

B. Forgiveness does not produce casualness, but gratitude.

C. Scriptures:

"The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel & with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers ..."I will put my law in their minds & write it on their hearts. I will be their God, & they will be my people. ..."For I will forgive their wickedness & will remember their sins no more." - Jeremiah 31:31ff

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, - Romans 8:1

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. - Matthew 18:21-25

D. In light of what God has done for you, give people a break.

III. God Is For The ______________.

A. We live in a productivity world.

B. Romans 5:6

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

C. Isaiah 40:10-11

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

D. God doesn't urge weakness, but God loves the weak.

E. Isaiah 42:1-3

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;"

1. Bruised reeds aren't very productive.

2. Smoldering wicks can be irritating.

3. Yet God doesn't snuff out these kind of people.

4. God majors in taking bruised reeds and smoldering wicks, and makes wonderful people.

Conclusion: Thank God for God this Thanksgiving. He is, He exists, and He is sovereign. He knows what He is doing. He delights in forgiveness. He is on the side of the weak. Trust Him. Thank Him.

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