Temple Baptist Church - 11-21-2021
Psalm 92
Introduction:
A. Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday, but we are to be a thankful people 365 days a year. Many get disturbed over Thanksgiving and Christmas being overlapped. I do not! I think that Thanksgiving through Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year and my mind goes to the blessedness of Christ throughout.
B. Normally, at this time of the year, we count our earthly blessings and God has certainly been better to us than we have been to him.
C. I want to thank the Lord for a hedged life. The Lord has saved my life from the destruction of sin, self, and Satan! Look around at where you are and then take a look at the destruction of sin in the lives of people that you know and say, “But for the grace of God go I!” God changed our desires and our direction when He saved us.
D. We live in days of lack of contentment and satisfaction. People are neither content nor satisfied with who they are no what they have.
1. More is never enough! Not only the world, but God’s people lack satisfaction and contentment. Preachers are possibly the worst of all in this area. Some continually move because they never learn contentment. This morning, you are looking at a contented man!
2. The Bible says much about contentment. We need to be a contented people but satisfaction is another matter. Let me explain the difference. Contentment does not mean that you necessarily like your situation but it is livable! You will improve it if you can but, if you cannot, then it will be alright. Satisfaction is entirely different.
a) Contentment is something that needs to be sought! Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
b) Contentment is something that must be learned! Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (There is a song that says, “There’s a roof up above me, I’ve a good place to sleep, there’s food on my table, and shoes on my feet. You gave me your love, Lord, and a fine family. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!” We need to take a look at our lives and realize just how great it is to live in America.)
c) Contentment is something that must be realized! Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
E. I want to look at a few things of a spiritual nature that make me want to thank God.
1. I Thank God For My Salvation: In Christ alone, full, free, and eternal! “That God should love a sinner such as I; how wonderful is love like this?”
John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
2. I Thank God For My Deliverance: From self to Christ, from darkness to light, death to life, bondage to liberty, rebellion to loving submission! He delivered me; He is delivering me; and He shall deliver me!
2 Timothy 4:17-18 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
3. I Thank God For My Bible: leads us and guides us, protects us and provides for us, encourages, it assures us, and it matures us. You can trade “bibles” all you want but I am satisfied with the old King James Bible!
Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
4. I Thank God For My Church: I neither want nor would have any other! The best people in the world grace these pews!
1 Corinthians 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
5. I Thank God For My Future: as Bro. Jim Rutland used to say, “All of this and heaven too!” One day just like today and it could be today, I will be finally home! O, that will be glory for me!
Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
6. I Thank God For My Life: a wonderful wife, a wonderful family, a wonderful life, a wonderful ministry, and the list could go on all day! You can have your money, houses, and land! I have plenty; I have enough; I have all that I want or need!
Psalms 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Conclusion: Let us be a thankful people, especially over the next month as now our hearts turn to the wonderful birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The best things in life cannot be bought! You can be content and not be happy, but you cannot be satisfied and not be happy!
Isaiah 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness
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