Introduction:

·   Illustration: People tell the young pastor not to worry about the woman who keeps saying, “That was the worst sermon I’ve ever heard,” because she’s feeble-minded and only repeats what others are saying.

·   There are days in which God’s presence is so tangible and we all sense it.

- Psalm 22:3

We worship God through thanksgiving.

·   We worship God by expressing our gratitude.

-Illustration: Wylie tells a humorous story about an old farmer who tells his wife that she’s been so wonderful that there are times he can hardly keep from telling her.

·   Consider the blessings God has given you and then, in detail, thank him for each one.

·   Throughout the Bible thanksgiving is portrayed as an act of worship.

-Deuteronomy 8:10; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:2; Philippians 4:6;  Luke 17:11–19.

·   Let’s take a few moments this morning to worship God through thanksgiving.

·   Praise comes from a Latin word meaning “value” or “price.”

·   Thanksgiving is about what God has done for you; praise is about who God is.

·   Hallelujah is a transliteration of the Hebrew for “Praise the Lord.”

·   Psalms 113–118 are called the Hallel.

·   We can praise the Lord in many ways.

-2 Samuel 6:14; Psalm134:1–2; Psalm 77:11–12; Psalm 66:16;Psalm 150

·   Praise is to originate in the heart and not become mere outward show.

-Matthew 15:8

·   Praise is to be carried on in an orderly manner.

-1 Corinthians 14:40

·   Let’s praise the Lord by completing the sentence, “I praise the Lord because _____________.”

·   There are many reasons why people give their money to God.

-Some give out of a sense of duty.

-Some give out of a sense of fear.

-Some give only when the mood hits them.

-Some give out of worship.

·   The Bible teaches that we are to give cheerfully

-2 Corinthians 9:6–8

·   We see the law of sowing and reaping: The more we sow, the more we reap!

·   Each of us is to give “as he purposes in his heart.”

·   We shouldn’t give “grudgingly or of necessity.”

·   We must remember that “God loves a cheerful giver.”

-Illustration: The word cheerful comes from the Greek word hilaros, from which we get our English word hilarious.

·   When you give to God, he will take care of all your needs.

·   Everyone should give to God because giving is an act of worship.

·   Let’s give in the spirit of worship.

·   Prayer is our means of communicating with God.

·   We must pray for forgiveness and cleansing.

·   We pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise.

·   We pray prayers of intercession for others.

·   Illustration: In No Common Task, George Reindrop tells how a nurse once taught a man to pray using a hand, with each finger representing a topic of prayer.

·   When someone prays publicly, we must respond by listening carefully and agreeing, or by praying silently.

-Luke 11:9; James 5:16

·   Let’s take a few moments right now and pray together.

·   As we speak to God through prayer, God speaks to us through his Word.

-Psalm 119:89

·   God’s Word is spiritual food for our souls.

-Jeremiah15:16

·   God’s Word is profitable.

-2 Timothy 3:16

·   God’s Word is a light in a world of darkness.

-Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19

·   God’s Word brings hope.

-Romans 15:4

·   Teaching God’s Word is the paramount, the summit of ministry.

·   God’s words are vital. My words are not.

·   Let’s share a verse or two that may be special to you this week.

·   The greatest acts of worship are acts of simple obedience to God each day of the week.

-Romans 12:1; Isaiah 1:11–19

·   Illustration: When a man said he wanted to stand atop Mt. Sinai and shout the Ten Commandments, Mark Twain responded, “I’ve got a better idea. Stay in Boston and keep ‘em.”