The Pilgrimage
Notes
Transcript
One of the most iconic thanksgiving images is that of a pilgrim.
Specifically, the American pilgrims, who left their homelands in order to find freedom to serve God.
They became strangers in a foreign land as they sought their way. It wasn’t easy, but ultimately it was fruitful.
Today, It has become all about turkeys and dressing.
There is nothing wrong with nice meals, and family gatherings are always fun (always, usually, sometimes?), but I think we often miss the point.
It’s about giving thanks, and who better or more appropriate to give thanks to than our Lord?
The Bible calls Christians pilgrims, because we are simply passing through this earth.
This is a temporary home. We are only here for a little while, and our purpose is to serve and glorify God.
We need to remember that every born again believer is a pilgrim on this earth.
Every believer is a pilgrim
Every believer is a pilgrim
Philippians 3:20
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
We are ambassadors for God in a foreign land, and we are here for only a short time to serve our Lord.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, the fact that God has chosen us for this task should be reason enough to be thankful.
The American pilgrims, even despite their harsh trials found reason to give thanks to God, and so should we.
It's good to give thanks to the Lord, in fact we are commanded to do so.
Giving thanks is part of God's will for us
Giving thanks is part of God's will for us
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Psalm 50:14
Psalm 50:14
Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.
Psalm 92:1
Psalm 92:1
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
But what about during the difficult times, when we don't feel like being thankful?
We are to be thankful, even when things are tough
We are to be thankful, even when things are tough
James 1:2
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
1 Peter 4:12-13
1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Trials for the believer, are a promise.
These are not always trivial adversities. They will at some point be "fiery trials." we can count on it.
How should we respond to such trials?
With rejoicing!
We can rejoice in our present suffering, because of the promise of exceeding joy later.
We can rejoice in our suffering, because we will have great joy later
We can rejoice in our suffering, because we will have great joy later
Revelation 20:6
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
What a joyous promise, indeed.
This is why we must maintain an attitude of thankfulness.
It is impossible to rejoice, if you aren't thankful.
Rejoicing and thankfulness go hand in hand.
Thankfulness is good for you. It reduces anxiety and brings peace
Thankfulness is good for you. It reduces anxiety and brings peace
Philippians 4:6-7
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The peace that passes all understanding is something that, by its very definition, defies explanation.
It simply must be experienced. It is a direct result of our thankfulness to the Lord.
He has given us many reasons to be thankful.
He is good. Therefore, He only does what is just, holy and right. That is a great reason to be thankful.
His mercy is everlasting. That means that His salvation is eternal, it can never be lost. That is a great reason to be thankful.
His truth endures to all generations. That means that His truth is absolute. He can be trusted. If He makes a promise, it is an absolute truth. That is a great reason to be thankful.
While we are here, we will endure many trials, just as the first American pilgrims did.
However, like those American pilgrims, God will supply our needs.
We ought to abound in thanksgiving, just as they did.
Christians all over the world have cause for thanksgiving every day.
We ought to be abounding in thanksgiving
We ought to be abounding in thanksgiving
Colossians 2:7
Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:4-5
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.