Sermon: Thanksgiving 2018
Bible Passage: 1 Chronicles 17:16-22

I. David acknowledges his insignificance compared to who God is (17:16)

II. David acknowledges that neither he nor his family were worthy of the divine grace shown to them

III. David expresses astonishment about God’s dealing with him and his family (17:17)

IV. David’s prayer expresses a tremendous humility “who am I?” (verse 16)

V. Before God, his high position as the king of Israel is insignificant—David was left speechless (17:18)

VI. David submits to God’s pleasure (cf. 17:25-27)

VII. David focuses on God which is true thanksgiving (17:20-21)

VIII. What is thanksgiving?

1. It is a state of mind that acknowledges the role of God in his/her life
2. Such state of mind can only do appreciate God, His grace, and blessings
3. Such state of mind yields to God’s pleasure

IX. The “nameless” woman attempts to reciprocate Jesus’ kindness to her with “out of the ordinary” actions (Mark 14:3-9)

1. She gate-crashes the dinner party—Jewish women did not ordinarily attend banquets with men
2. She ignored the ridicule of the religious men–“And they rebuked her harshly”— “express displeasure sternly” (14:5)
3. She gave Jesus the most expensive item
4. She emptied the alabaster, signifying “I have given away all I have”— to completely break it with an intention not to save anything leftover
5. She was extravagant in her treatment of Jesus—a model of true thanksgiving
6. In the eyes of the onlookers, the woman did a wasteful thing but in Jesus’ sight she did a beautiful thing
7. It is not that the value of the gift that Jesus was appreciative of, but her motive and intent

TAKE AWAY

Be thankful to the Triune God