True Thanksgiving

Sermon Text

Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever
holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

New International Version (NIV). Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

• Psalm 111 calls God's people to wholehearted, public thanksgiving in the congregation, where gratitude and praise belong together.
• We have reason to give thanks because the Lord's works are wonderful. Creation and providence invite careful, delighted reflection that turns our eyes from the gifts to their Creator.
• We also give thanks because God's character is completely trustworthy: he is righteous, gracious, merciful, faithful, holy, and forever true to his covenant.
• God's trustworthy Word teaches wise living. The fear of the Lord is reverent awe that listens to his precepts and puts them into practice.
• Ingratitude feeds foolishness and complaint, but the gospel displays God's covenant faithfulness in Christ and gives believers abundant reason for grateful worship.

• When you pray, how much time do you spend thanking and praising God before bringing your requests?
• Which ordinary works of creation or providence have you recently overlooked or complained about?
• How can studying God's works help you worship the Creator without turning created things into idols?
• Which aspect of God's character in Psalm 111 gives you the most comfort right now, and why?
• Where are you being asked to trust that God is working for your good even though you cannot yet understand his providence?
• How should gratitude for God's covenant faithfulness change the way you receive correction or discipline?
• What would it look like this week for the fear of the Lord to guide one concrete decision?

Hallelujah

A Hebrew call meaning “Praise the Lord.” Psalm 111 begins with this call and joins praise to grateful acknowledgment of who God is and what he has done.

Providence

God's ongoing care by which he sustains and governs his creation. The sermon contrasts this confidence with the idea that life is ruled by luck, chance, or fate.

Covenant faithfulness

God's steadfast commitment to keep his promises to his people. Psalm 111 celebrates the Lord who remembers and establishes his covenant forever.

Redemption

God's act of rescuing his people from bondage and sin. The sermon traces God's promised rescue to Christ, who obeyed, died, rose, and keeps his people secure.

Fear of the Lord

A reverent awe that recognizes who God is, trusts his wisdom, and responds by obeying his Word. Psalm 111 calls this the beginning of wisdom.

Thanksgiving

The grateful response of the whole person to God's gifts, character, and saving grace. It is meant to shape ordinary Christian life, not only a holiday or a meal.