Grace Fellowship Church November 21, 2012 Thanksgiving Special Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard The Origins of Thanksgiving in America. It is well known unto the godly and judicious, how ever since the first breaking out of the light of the gospel in our honorable nation of England, what wars and oppositions ever since, Satan hath raised, maintained and continued against the Saints, from time to time, in one sort or other. But when he (Satan) could not prevail by these means against the main truths of the gospel, but that they began to take rooting in many places, being watered with the blood of the martyrs and blessed from Heaven with a gracious increase; he then began to take him to his ancient stratagems, used of old against the first Christians. Many became enlightened by the Word of God and had their ignorance and sins discovered unto them, and began by His grace to reform their lives and make conscience of their ways; the work of God was no sooner manifest in them but presently they were both scoffed and scorned by the profane multitude; and the ministers urged with the yoke of subscription, or else must be silenced. But after these things they could not long continue in any peaceable condition, but were hunted and persecuted on every side, so as their former afflictions were but as flea- bitings in comparison of these which now came upon them. Yet these and many other sharper things which afterward befell them, were no other than they looked for, and therefore were the better prepared to bear them by the assistance of God's grace and Spirit. May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and he heard their voice, and looked on their adversity, etc. Let them therefore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry, and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord his loving kindness, and his wonderful works before the sons of men. The first mention of thanksgiving in the Bible is in Lev 7:12. TODAH, confession, praise, and thanksgiving. Psa 116:17, To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD. It was a special offering made by the people of Israel to give thanks to God for His provisions in deliverance, answering prayers, healing, etc. It was tied to the Peace Offering which spoke to the peace made between God and man through the sacrifice of His Son upon the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Peace means the removal of the dividing barrier that caused enmity between God and man. Sin caused that enmity and Jesus defeated it at the Cross. 1 Cor 15:54b-57 That is why the Lord Jesus Christ gave the Church the ordinance to commemorate His victory in: Mat 26:26-28 Mark 14:22-24 Luke 22:19-20 The Greek is EUCHARISTEO. EU, good, well, kind, CHARISTEO, to give freely, bestow a favor, gratify. Primarily it means, To give thanks. The cognate is CHARIS, grace, attractiveness, favor. It is by the Grace of God that we are saved and sustained in daily life. Thanksgiving is not a shallow, fleeting system of gratitude for something. It is a system of the worship of God; capacity for worship and life; and a reflection of what is truly going on in your soul. 2 Cor 4:15; Col 3:7; 4:2; 1 Thes 5:18; 1 Tim 4:4-5; Rev 7:12, etc. Col 3:17, Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Col 4:2, Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 1 Tim 4:4-5, For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 1 Thes 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Thanksgiving is based on knowing God through Bible doctrine resident in your soul. Psa 100:3-5; 2 Cor 9:10-11; Col 2:6-7; 1 Thes 3:9 Col 2:6-7, Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with thanksgiving. Communion 1 Cor 11:24-25 Communion 1 Cor 11:24-25 Thanksgiving Offering Heb 13:15, Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Grace Fellowship Church Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Tape # Thanksgiving Origins Lev 7:12f; 1 Cor 11:24-25; 15:54-57; Col 2:6-7 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2012