Bible Study - Thanksgiving - Thank You LORD - Psalm 100 Plus - November 24, 2013

Bible Study – Thanksgiving - Thank You LORD – November 24, 2013

This is a special lesson to focus on Thanksgiving but not the day but thanksgiving and praise to GOD because HE is GOD. Since we are approaching Thanksgiving Day, it gives us an opportunity to reflect.

Our scripture is Psalm 100:1-5.

When I was growing up, no merchant would dare display any Christmas decorations or signage before Thanksgiving. The radio stations would not dare play a Christmas carol before Thanksgiving. Can you imagine living before television? But the day after Thanksgiving, it was let the celebration of Christmas begin.

Each year we have seen Thanksgiving steadily being overshadowed by Christmas. It must be because America is becoming more Christian or is it greed? LOL, if you know what that means – laugh-out-loud or so I have been told by our grandchildren.

Suppose Christians agreed to stop celebrating Christmas. I wonder what reaction there would be from the business community. This year Christmas is in full swing weeks before celebrating Thanksgiving Day.  We need to pause and consider Thanksgiving and the things for which we are thankful. Are we thankful for things seen or things unseen? This reflects the hearts of society. We enjoy the time off from work and being with family. Do we reflect and consider for what we are truly thankful and grateful? Often, it is when we lose something we have taken for granted that we wish we had appreciated it while we had the opportunity.

Life upon earth is fleeting, let us pause, reflect and consider the relationships and things in life and the life to come which are important. Life upon earth is temporary but eternity is forever. But while we are living in the body of flesh, it is hard to fathom eternity, yet it is a reality.

For the past six weeks we have been studying, “When Relationships Collide.” We have studied about conflicts or preventing conflicts from escalating:

-          regarding relationships between siblings (Martha and Mary) – Conflict can arise because of different priorities,

-         between those who have authority over us (King Saul and David) – Conflict can arise when thinking only of oneself,

-          between family (Abram and Lot)- Conflict can be avoided if we are willing to flex and not insist it is our way or no way,

-         between Christians (Paul and church leaders regarding Gentile Christians)  - There are times when we should never compromise or flex when it is a matter of Biblical right and wrong – Stand Your Ground,

-         bruised ego (Nabal, Abigail and David)  - Trust the leadership of the Holy Spirit when led to step in to keep a bad situation from getting worse,

-         Sibling rivalry (Joseph and his brothers) - GOD is at work in the lives of HIS children even in the midst of conflict. During the dark times in our lives is when we must practice in the dark what we have learned in the light.

These lessons revealed principles for resolving conflict or preventing serious matters from becoming worse. How we resolve or handle conflicts can reveal our Spiritual growth and maturity. When we go through times of conflicts or matters in our lives, as GOD’S children, HE always means it for good.

The process of sanctification is not easy but it is Spiritually rewarding. GOD allows certain things to come into our lives for us to be able to help others experiencing the same or similar difficulties, as the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

It is difficult to be thankful and joyful when we are going through tough times but James, the brother of JESUS wrote in James 1:2-4:

2 Consider it a great joy, my • brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

It takes a level of Spiritual maturity for a Christian to consider it great joy when trials come their way, as a natural part of their life.

Our study focuses upon expressing thanks and praises to GOD as a natural outflow of our heart.

Christians can learn the Christian jargon and utter words of thanksgiving and praise which comes from our mouths but not from our hearts. Spiritual growth and maturity produces thanks and praise naturally as the result of an intimate, loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. As Christians, when we think of GOD or CHRIST what comes to our minds?

Bible scholars are not sure who wrote Psalm 100. Some attribute it to David. Whoever the author was, that person had a special relationship with GOD. Their heart overflowed with thanksgiving and praise. Some scholars think that the Psalm was sung as worshipers were entering the temple area. Verses 1 and 2 were sung by those entering the court area and verses 3 and 4 were sung by a group of worshipers already inside the temple courtyard like a response to verses 1 and 2. 

Let’s explore.

Thank GOD through Joyful Service.

Let’s read Psalm 100:1-2:

1 Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.

The Psalmist begins with a triumphant shout of victory over an enemy. Spiritual battles have been fought and the person fighting those battles sees victory in GOD. Those who shout this victory cry have placed their full confidence and reliance upon GOD and HIS sovereignty. It is a shout of knowing that GOD is truth and victory over all. GOD is faithful, trustworthy, eternal and unchanging. The key is that this naturally flows from the heart of those who truly know GOD.

The Psalmist begins verse 2 with the word Serve. We can shout praises of thanksgiving and to know GOD intellectually but we need to put our faith and words into action by obediently serving GOD as HE leads us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christians are to serve the Lord with gladness. Gladness comes from the heart. Gladness comes from the security of knowing that GOD is sovereign and is in charge of all things. It is all about trust, which comes from the heart. Trust comes from building a dynamic, personal, intimate relationship with GOD. Since the passion of CHRIST, when we are in right relationship with GOD through CHRIST, then we can naturally come into the very presence of GOD with gladness and joyful songs.  

Let’s read Psalm 100:3-5:

3 Acknowledge that • Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

The Psalmist stated that it was important to acknowledge the one true covenant GOD, Yahweh. There is no room for Christians to compromise in their relationship with GOD. HE made us and HE chose all people to have a personal relationship with HIM but all must, in turn, choose HIM.

In the Old Testament, GOD chose the Israelites to be HIS people and for them to be a witness to all nations, the world. GOD made a covenant for the Israelites to consider after they had experienced HIM, as HE, through Moses, led them out of Egyptian slavery.  HE revealed HIS presence through their journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai. HE prepared HIS covenant for them to consider and had Moses to reveal the covenant to them, which he did. The Israelites accepted GOD’S covenant as recorded in Exodus 19:3-13:

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. 5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” 7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Then Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord. 10 And the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain will be put to death. 13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows. No animal or man will live. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.”

Our last week’s lesson was on Jacob. Some 400 years have passed and the Israelites were in slavery in Egypt. GOD is eternal and keeps HIS covenant. HE is not fickle but is trustworthy. GOD heard the cry of the Israelites. GOD called Moses to deliver HIS chosen people from Egyptian slavery. HE called Moses, while he was shepherding sheep on Mount Sinai to be HIS representative for HIM to deliver the Israelites from slavery. Moses grew up in Egypt and in the confines of Pharaoh’s palace. After GOD had delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, HE led them back to the very place that HE had called Moses to go to Egypt as HIS spokesperson.

Now, that part of GOD’S plan had been successfully accomplished. GOD had proven Himself to both Moses and the Israelites. All the Israelites had seen the mighty hand of GOD working in their behalf and brought them safely out of slavery to Mount Sinai (Mount Horeb). GOD’S desire was to build a personal relationship with them. HE had a plan for their existence as HIS special people through whom the Messiah would come to earth, be born and live as 100% human, yet 100% divine. Notice verses 5 and 6. GOD had chosen them. HE stated the criteria for them, if they chose to be HIS people. Moses relayed the words GOD spoken to him to the people and they agreed. Moses returned to GOD confirming that the Israelites agreed to the provisions of HIS covenant.

Once they agreed, GOD gave Moses specific instructions for the people to follow in order to hear HIM and experience HIS presence as Moses had experienced HIM. GOD’S desire was to confirm HIS existence to HIS chosen. GOD still confirms HIS presence to those who accept CHRIST as their Savior by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

GOD placed specific criteria for the people to follow and obey for them to approach HIM because GOD is pure and Holy. The penalty for sin had not been paid in full. The Israelites were being introduced to the one true GOD Who Moses had been talking to and obediently serving in their behalf. GOD’S desire was to confirm HIS reality to the Israelites. HE did not want them to blindly follow HIM without knowing HIS true existence and presence. HE is real but Holy.

Since the passion of JESUS, the barrier of sin has been removed between GOD and mankind for all who place their faith in CHRIST. 

Notice in verse 11. “and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” WOW!!! GOD’S desire was to come into the presence of the Israelites on the third day. JESUS was resurrected on the third day as proof that HE paid in full the penalty for sin. Paying, in full, the penalty for sin opened the path for CHRIST to come into the hearts and lives of all who will accept HIM by faith. CHRIST willingly came to earth to live as a human, to give HIS life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin and opened the path to GOD. JESUS said it best in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

On Mount Sinai, GOD placed boundaries for how close HIS chosen people could get to HIM. The good news, for those who accept CHRIST as their Savior, is that there are no boundaries. The shed blood of the perfect sacrificial Lamb, CHRIST, cleanses all who place their faith in HIM of their past, present and future sins. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Hebrews 4:14-16:

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens —Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

CHRIST’S shed blood cleanses those who place their faith in CHRIST such that they can come boldly into the presence of GOD and call HIM Daddy. The Apostle Paul stated in Romans 8:15-16:

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “ • Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

In Ephesians 1:4:

4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love.

All people have been chosen by GOD to be HIS eternal children but all must choose whether or not to accept HIS gift of CHRIST as their Savior and HIS unlimited Grace. It is GOD’S part to reveal HIS presence to all people in the world. It is the Christian’s opportunity to reach out to all to whom the Holy Spirit leads them with the message GOD places upon their heart. Christians are the agents of GOD as HE gives them opportunity. Will we respond or remain silent?

We may think that we are inadequate to reach out to others. We must keep in our minds that only GOD saves. That is why it is important that Christians respond as the Holy Spirit prompts and gives them opportunity. We may plant a seed, water, encourage, fertilize, minster to needs of all kinds as GOD knows our ability and experience, be a sweet fragrance to those who seek salvation or be a foul smell to others who reject CHRIST* and the list is endless.

*2 Corinthians 2:14-16: 

14 But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life.

The writer of Psalm 100 expressed his heart knowledge of GOD.

Let’s read Psalm 100:5:

5 For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

This is a summary of the true nature and character of GOD through the words of the Psalmist. GOD can be trusted. HE is faithful, HE is eternal and HIS love is steadfast, unending and unchanging. HE can be depended upon to keep HIS covenant. JESUS established a new covenant when HE instituted what Christians refer to as The Lord’s Supper as recorded in Luke 22:19-20:

19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you.

These are wonderful words but how can we know that they are true?

HE gives to all Christians, HIS children, the indwelling Holy Spirit as a guarantee and assurance that they are secure in CHRIST. Let’s review some of the scriptures of GOD’S assurance to those who place their faith in CHRIST:

2 Corinthians 5:5:

5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

2 Corinthians 1:22:

22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13-14:

13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 4:30:

30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of •redemption.

Romans 8:16:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

1 John 5:11-14:

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

We must keep in mind that we were not made for time but for eternity. All humans will die and enter eternity. Those without CHRIST will be judged but those who have placed their faith in CHRIST will not be judged. JESUS said it best in John 5:21:

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

What a heritage Christians have in CHRIST while they live upon earth because CHRIST came to give those who place their faith in HIM an abundant life as stated by the Apostle John in John 10:10:

10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

When we consider what GOD has done for all who place their faith in CHRIST and what CHRIST did voluntarily for those who place their faith in HIM, Christians have much to celebrate. When Christians realize, comprehend and understand what CHRIST did for them, it comes naturally for them to respond with praises and expressions of thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving, both physically and Spiritually. Blessings!!!