Thanksgiving Blessings

A Festival Address by the Rev. James P. Cooper

October 12, 2008

I. The idea of giving thanks to the Lord didn’t start in North America with a turkey dinner. People have been giving thanks to God since the beginning of time.

A. All the sacrifices, feasts, and festivals that we read about in the Old Testament are feasts of Thanksgiving to God.

B. At the beginning of this service we brought forward gifts of food to help us remember that these gifts of life itself come from the Lord Himself, and they represent His spiritual gifts to us.

1. When we are reminded to be grateful to Him, we often turn our minds to thoughts of the many things that we have that make our life pleasant, things that the Lord calls “blessings” in the Word.

II. The Lord began His public Ministry by calling disciples, inviting them to become “fishers of men.”

A. Then

1. (Mat 4:23-25) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. {24} Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. {25} Great multitudes followed Him; from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

B. That explains why He was so famous, and why so many people began to follow Him around, hoping to see a miracle, or hear some amazing new idea.

C. One day, He saw the thousands of people crowding around, so He found a good place up on a hill where people could sit comfortably on the grass below Him and still hear what He had to say.

D. He said a lot of things, that’s why it’s called the “Sermon on the Mount,” but He began by reminding people about all the different kinds of blessings in their lives, even some things that don’t at first seem like blessings! This is what He said:

1. (Mat 5:3-12) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {4} Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. {5} Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. {6} Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. {7} Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. {8} Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. {9} Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. {10} Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. {12} “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

III. Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity for us to think about our blessings, and to think about people you know who just do lots of good things for others without making a fuss, or expecting anything in return.

A. Parents who made a home, provided food, shelter, and the education you needed to get you on your way.

B. Children who take part in the home by doing chores and helping care for their brothers and sisters.

C. All the different people – men, women, and children – who have to do their part for us to be able to have a church service.

D. Teachers at the school, and those who volunteer to help them with special projects, extra things.

E. Firemen and policemen who will come to help any time of the day or night, sometimes risking their lives to protect your life.

F. People who work very hard to raise money for different charities to support research into various illnesses.

G. People who collect food to give to people who have none.

1. The food we gathered today will be taken to help people in need.

H. People who volunteer to help out in hospitals and hospices.

I. People who notice when things aren’t going so well and who give words of friendship and encouragement.

J. The list could go on and on – and that is the point of our gathering here today.

1. Thanksgiving is a day that has been set aside specifically for the purpose of having us think about our lives, and to look for the many blessings that we have been overlooking during the rest of the year while we go about our busy schedules.

2. It is my hope that you will go away from here today and think about the many people, family, friends, and complete strangers who freely give of themselves to make your life safer and happier.

3. And then, once you have thought about the many blessings that have come into your life through other people, remember that this is all in God’s order, all His plan. It is His will that we prepare ourselves for the life of heaven by being His agents for good while we yet live in this world.

IV. (Mat 25:34-40) “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: {35} ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; {36} ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ {37} “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? {38} ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? {39} ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ {40} “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Amen.