Inspired by Albert Mohler, the Briefing, November 22, 2018. Christians have always been a worshiping people; singing, rejoicing, giving thanks.

Thanksgiving is odd for secular people who do not know Whom to thank.

{There is a desire within us all to be thankful • Thanksgiving is fundamental to the purpose for which we were made. • Thanksgiving is the right disposition of the created to the Creator.

Everyone, everything that exists owes the Creator gratitude for its creation & life. – Albert Mohler}

{Ingratitude is at the heart of sin. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20-21}

Through creation, all mankind can know God, but refuses to honor him, nor give him thanks. Refusal to give thanks is at the root of all sin: lust, adultery, greed, jealousy, etc.

Adam and Eve were put in the garden of Eden provided by God with riches and abundance of food and beauty, but they did not trust God’s goodness. Instead of being thankful, they obsessed on the one thing he did not give them.

They thought, “I know what is best for us, God either does not know what is best for me or does not care what is best for me.”

Ingratitude is rooted in a distrust of God’s goodness. The [serpent’s] lie was an assault on both God’s generosity and his integrity. Neither his character nor his words were to be trusted. This, in fact, is the lie that sinners have believed ever since – the lie of the not-to-be-trusted-because-he-does-not-love-me-false-Father. – Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ. How often do we do the same, surrounded by good things, in so much abundance that we cannot even account for what we have, but obsess about what we don’t have? That’s just stuff.

{Thankfulness is at the center of Paul’s theology I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Phil 4:11b}

In prison or chains or free, in danger or safety, in hardship or ease – content

When we are ungrateful, we are saying, “God, you have not provided for me.” “I do not trust you to give me what I need.”

In our homes: Instead of being grateful for all our spouses are, we focus on what they are not. Instead of being grateful for all our children are, we focus on what they’re not. Instead of being grateful for all our parents are, we focus on what they’re not.

We are astounded by people’s sense of entitlement. They don’t feel any need to give thanks, like they deserve everything they have. We need to be on guard against the same sense of entitlement in ourselves.

We need to be thankful to God for all that he’s given us. Every morsel of food, a home and household, a job to make money, every family member, every friend, our church. We are grateful for our lives, for creation, but especially for his salvation.

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Challenge: Express thankfulness to people close to you Express thankfulness for God to someone outside the faith

At the end of all things, there will be singing, rejoicing, and thanksgiving from believers & the host of heaven in the presence of God the Father, Son, and Spirit.