The Power of Thanksgiving | Pastor John Warton | Dec. 01, 2024

The Power of Thanksgiving

What is Thanksgiving?

• Thanksgiving is expressing appreciation for the source of our good or benefit.

• It can be expressed in many ways:

• A simple thank you

• A smile or a thumbs-up

• A note or gift

• A heartfelt prayer or praise to God

• True thanksgiving comes from recognizing that every good thing comes from God.

Biblical Command to Give Thanks

• God’s will for us is to be thankful in all circumstances.

• “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• Thanksgiving is not about perfect circumstances but about trusting God’s sovereignty.

• Are we giving thanks only when things are good, or do we see God’s hand even in difficult seasons?

Story of Squanto – Thanksgiving and God’s Providence

• Squanto was a Patuxet Native American who was captured and sold as a slave in Spain.

• A Christian priest bought his freedom and shared the Gospel with him.

• Squanto eventually made his way to England, learned the language, and returned to America.

• Upon returning, he discovered his entire tribe had died from disease.

• Six months later, the Pilgrims arrived, and he became their guide:

• Taught them how to hunt, fish, and farm.

• Helped them survive through the winter.

• Played a key role in the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

God’s Plan in Squanto’s Life

• What seemed like a tragedy—his enslavement—was actually part of God’s greater plan.

• God used Squanto’s suffering to position him to bless others.

• He could have been bitter, but instead, he helped the Pilgrims survive.

• Application: Are we able to see God’s purpose in our hardships?

Story of Belshazzar – The Danger of Ingratitude

• Belshazzar was the king of Babylon, but unlike his father, Nebuchadnezzar, he did not honor God.

• He ignored God’s warnings and lived a life of pride and self-indulgence.

• During a great feast, a mysterious hand wrote a message on the wall.

• Daniel interpreted the message, rebuking Belshazzar:

• “You, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart… The God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.” — Daniel 5:22-23

• That same night, Babylon fell, and Belshazzar was killed.

• He failed to acknowledge God, and it led to his downfall.

Lessons from Belshazzar

• He took his power and position for granted.

• He ignored God’s sovereignty and warnings.

• He refused to honor the God who gave him life.

• Application: Are we honoring God with our lives, or taking His blessings for granted?

God Holds Our Very Breath

• “The God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.” — Daniel 5:23

• Every breath we take is a gift from God.

• Our bodies are designed by God to function perfectly:

• The oxygen in our blood sustains our 30 trillion cells.

• The sun, plants, and air work together in a system only God could create.

• The earth’s perfect positioning allows life to thrive.

• Do we recognize and thank God for the life He has given us?

The Importance of Gratitude

• Gratitude acknowledges God’s hand in our lives.

• Ingratitude leads to spiritual blindness and pride.

• Thanksgiving should be a daily practice, not just a holiday.

Three Reasons to Give Thanks to God

1. God Fulfills His Purposes

• He has a plan for history, nations, and individuals.

• Even when we don’t see it, God is working all things together for good.

• “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

2. God Holds Our Life in His Hands

• “In him we live and move and have our being.” — Acts 17:28

• We owe every breath, every heartbeat, and every moment to Him.

• We should trust Him fully with our lives.

3. God is Our Shepherd

• Jesus guides and provides for His people.

• “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11

• We should thank Him for His sacrifice, love, and guidance.

How to Cultivate a Thankful Heart

✅ Keep a thankfulness journal to record God’s blessings.

✅ Express gratitude verbally and in prayer every day.

✅ Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

✅ Acknowledge God’s sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances.

✅ Live a life of obedience and worship as an act of thanksgiving.

Final Challenge

• Are we like Squanto, using our hardships to glorify God?

• Or are we like Belshazzar, taking God’s blessings for granted?

• Let us be a people who recognize, honor, and thank God in every season of life.

Closing Prayer

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your goodness, Your provision, and the life You have given us. Help us to be people of gratitude, always recognizing Your hand at work. May we never take Your blessings for granted, but instead, honor You in all our ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”