Thanksgiving & The New Year

But First,

GIVE THANKS

1. The Gateway to God's Presence

Thanksgiving is the secret of the Kingdom; it is the way we are meant to enter God's presence[cite: 11, 20].

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." — Psalm 100:4

Master Chef Jesus

He takes the "hodgepodge" of ingredients—even the painful ones—and creates a masterpiece: YOU[cite: 15, 16, 17].

2. Gratitude Is Not Gratitude Until It's Expressed

Ten lepers were cleansed as they moved in faith, but only one returned to fall at Jesus' feet[cite: 55, 74]. Expressed gratitude opens the door for a deeper level of blessing[cite: 80].

"Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" — Luke 17:17

3. The Danger of the Selfish Heart

Any area of your life where you are unwilling to give thanks will have a degree of control over you[cite: 85]. Thanksgiving "sanitizes" the contaminated trial[cite: 88, 109].

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

4. God Marks the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

God "marks" the spot where thanks is expressed in the face of lack or betrayal[cite: 89, 91].

The Feeding of 5,000: He gave thanks over "not enough" and it multiplied[cite: 93, 94].

The Night of Betrayal: Jesus gave thanks before the cross, turning a dark hour into our salvation[cite: 113, 114].

WE HONOR OUR VOLUNTEERS

Recognizing those who labor among us and esteeming them in love[cite: 122, 124].