TOPIC: - THANKSGIVING TO GOD; BELIEVER’S ROLES. TEXT: - 2ND Corinthians 9:5-14. AIM: - To prepare our minds towards a bountiful thanksgiving unto God Almighty. MEMORY VERSE: - “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” – 2nd Sam 24:24. INTRODUCTION: - Thanksgiving Service is a golden opportunity to show your love to God by supporting His work. King David said, “I will not give to God that which cost me nothing”. God gave us His dear Son, Jesus Christ; it cost Him His blood and heavenly glory. God wants us to give like Him; sacrificially. What will this year’s thanksgiving cost you? Give cheerfully, painfully and abundantly. God is watching and waiting to bless you greatly. LESSON IN DETAIL: 1. Abraham, Give Me Your Only Son: - Gen 22:1-10. Your only son whom you love dearly is very precious to you, but God wants him. Your only son could represent your hard earned money or property. Abraham’s obedience brought Divine attention, Divine provisions and great promises of prosperity and sustainability (Gen 22:13-18). If you give God something dear to your heart, you will enjoy these blessings of God. Believe it. 2.God Gave His Son, His Only Son – John 3:16; 1st John 4:10. God gave His only Son to die for a sinful world. This is sacrificial to an undeserving world. Here, God set a model (example worth copying) for giving. Every child of God should emulate God in this regard. Give to support the work of God in the Church and in Pastor’s life. This is your role in Thanksgiving. 3. Giving Without Grudges – 2nd Cor 9:7-8; 2nd Chron 7:3-7. No one should give reluctantly, it hinders blessings. Like King Solomon, let us give bountifully without grudges. God loves a cheerful giver. King Solomon enjoys the benefits of thanksgiving to God; read 1st Kings 3:1-5, 9-14. God blessed him more than he requested because of sacrificial giving. 4. Can God Reject Any Thanksgiving Today? – Gen 4:3-7. Yes, God rejects thanksgivings that are not from the good heart. When thanksgiving becomes selfish instead of sacrificial; sparingly instead of bountifully; casual instead of costing us something; God will reject it. God said to Cain, if you did well, your Offerings would have been accepted. So when you do not do well, your Offerings will be rejected. CONCLUSION: Thanksgiving Service is a time God puts our stewardship to test. He wants to know (even in this year’s thanksgiving) how much we love Him with our money and properties. He asked Apostle Peter, “Lovest thou me more than this?” What do you have that God did not give to you? Then, why are you selfish with the Offerings, tithes and donations to support the work of God? Wake up, your increase is predicated (a result) on your faithful stewardship – Luke 16:10-12. A better thanksgiving to God done sacrificially gives multiplying effect in this present world, and holds eternal riches in the world to come. It is more blessed to give than to receive. QUESTIONS: 1. In today’s lesson, what are believer’s roles in thanksgiving? 2. Can God still reject thanksgiving today, why? 3. How can one give with grudges? DAILY BIBLE READING: MON - The Just Shall Live By Faith - Heb 10:26-29. TUES - Her Gifts Made Way for Her - Acts 9:36-43. WED - Fear God and Keep Your Vows - Eccl 5:1-7. THUR- Sacrificial Service for Christ - Col 1:24-29. FRI - Withhold Not Your Son - Gen 22:15-18. SAT - Break That Flask for Jesus Christ - Mark 14:3-9. SUN - Be a Living Sacrifice to God - Rom 12:1-8.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 14:58:48 +0000