SUNDAY OUTLINE (BRO. EMMA OKORIE) 27 NOVEMBER, 2022 TOPIC: O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD!

Thanksgiving is an act of acknowledging and confessing with gladness the benefits and mercies which God bestowed either upon ourselves or others. Thanksgiving is the act of being thankful to God. The expression of gratitude: A form of words or in recognition of divine mercies A public celebration in recognition of divine favour.

We are created to give thanks to God but so many of us do not appreciate the benefits we receive This was why God created ran and put him in the Garden of Eden to offer praise and adoration day in and day out just as it is done in heaven. God highly appreciates the presence of those who give Him thanks and worship.

Thanksgiving is unconditional sacrifice we render to God our Maker. 1 Thess 5:18(TLB) 18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Thanking God extravagantly (excessively and over the top) Eg Solomon who sacrificed a thousand bulls Ps 136:1-10(KJV) O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 20 give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy end reth for ever.4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:9 The moon and tars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Ps 118:1-9 (KJV)118 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. 5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore sl all I see my desire upon them that hate me.8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.(read on)

Ps 135:1-21 (TLB)Hallelujah! 2 Yes, let his people praise him as they stand in his Temple courts 3 Praise the Lord because he is so good: sing to his wonderful name 4 For the Lord has chosen Israel as his personal possession. 51 know the greatness of the Lord-that he is greater far than any other god, 6 He does whatever pleases him throughout all of heaven and earth and in the deepest seas. 7 He makes mists rise throughout the earth; he sends the lightning to bring down the rain and sends the winds from his treasuries. He destroyed the eldest child in each Egyptian home, along with the firstborn of the flocks. 9 He did great miracles in Egypt before Pharaoh and all his people. (read on)

Thanksgiving must not only be private, but public Ps 111:1-9 TLB)Hallelujah! I want to express publicly before his people my heartfelt thanks to God for his mighty miracles. All who are thankful should ponder them with me. 3 For his miracles demonstrate his honor, majesty, and eternal goodness. 4 Who can forget the wonders he performs-deeds of mercy and of grace? 5 He gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises. 6 He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the land of Israel, though it was the home of many nations living there. 7 All he does is just and good, and all his laws are right, 8 for they are formed from truth and goodness and stand firm forever. 9 He has paid a full ransom for his people; now they are always free to come to Jehovah (what a holy, awe-inspiring name that is).

God watches us with admiration as we dance and make a joyful noise before Him – Ps 100:1-5(KJV)Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Have you seen the reason why your nonchalant attitude is not accepted by your maker? Ps 95:1-5(NLT)I Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.3 For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.4 He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.

Ezra 3:10-11(KJV)10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Thanksgiving is a force, God is serious business-1 Chron 16:23-30 (MSG)23 Sing to God, everyone and everything! Get out his salvation news every day! 24 Publish his glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions, 25 And why? Because God is great well worth praising! No god or goddess comes close in honor. 26 All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense, but God made the cosmos! (read on)

Thanksgiving is a determination- Ps 34:1-10 (TLB)34 1 will praise the Lord no matter what happens, I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. 21 will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. 3 Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. 4 For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. 5 Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection: 6 This poor man cried to the Lord-and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. 7 For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him. 8 Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him. 9 If you belong to the Lord, reverence him: for everyone who does this has everything he needs. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing.

Ps 103:1-5(KJV) Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases: 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies: Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Ps 92:1-3(KJV) It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name. O most High:2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. 3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery: upon the harp with a solemn sound.

Brethren, give thanks from a grateful heart. Even though you have not received all you are asking Him for. still be grateful and thankful even for little mercies David is more conscious of this nations be

Ps 67:3-4 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. 4 May the glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.

Ps 107:8-9(KJV)8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works

to the children of men!9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Ps 89:1-2(KJV) I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Ps 69:30-35(NLT)30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving, 31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves. 32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad, Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. 33 For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people. 34 Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them. 35 For God will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and settle in their own land.

Ps 111:1-10 (NIV) 111 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 steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever- 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. holy

The habit in heaven is orchestrated with thanksgiving. Before you know it the Angels of the Lord will

assemble and begin to thank Him. It is an integral part of worship.

Rev. 5:11-14 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Rev. 19:5-6 “The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” 6 Then 1 heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”