back to indexBerean Community Church Regional Thanksgiving 2025
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Time and time again, His Word returns complete. 00:00:05.480 |
To His truth I cling, when the night is deep. 00:00:18.520 |
Faithful He has been, faithful He has been, faithful He has been, faithful He has been, faithful He has been. 00:00:48.500 |
Through the wilderness, He goes with me and gives me peace. 00:01:02.300 |
What I don't deserve, the Father gives to me. 00:01:08.820 |
Where He leads my feet, I shall not want only. 00:02:05.780 |
crowned in endless praise, all earth and heaven sing. 00:10:27.500 |
And David said, "Blessed are you, O Lord, God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. 00:10:32.500 |
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty. 00:10:39.500 |
Indeed, everything that is in the heavens and the earth, yours is the dominion, O Lord. 00:10:52.500 |
And it lies in your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 00:10:56.500 |
Now, therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name." 00:11:01.500 |
So let's just make that our prayer as we go into our time of praise. 00:11:46.500 |
All glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor. 00:11:51.500 |
all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all power and praise. 00:11:56.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, be to your name. 00:12:02.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:08.500 |
glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and honor, all glory and praise. 00:12:19.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:19.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:20.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:21.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:32.500 |
be to your name, be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:32.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:33.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:34.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:35.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:46.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:50.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:51.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:52.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:53.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:54.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:55.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:56.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:12:57.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:02.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:03.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:04.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:06.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:09.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:11.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:12.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:14.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:15.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:17.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:18.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:19.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:20.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:24.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:25.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:31.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:34.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:35.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:37.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:38.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:39.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:40.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:45.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:46.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:47.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:48.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:58.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:13:59.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:00.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:01.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:02.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:03.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:04.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:05.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:06.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:07.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:08.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:09.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:12.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:14.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:15.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:16.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:17.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:18.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:19.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:20.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:21.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:22.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:23.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:24.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:28.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:31.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:44.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:46.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:49.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:52.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:57.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:58.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:14:59.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:00.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:01.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:02.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:03.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:05.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:06.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:07.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:08.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:09.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:10.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:11.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:12.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:13.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:14.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:19.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:20.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:21.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:22.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:23.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:24.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:25.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:26.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:27.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:28.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:29.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:30.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:33.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:35.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:37.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:38.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:39.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:40.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:42.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:43.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:44.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:15:45.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:01.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:02.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:04.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:05.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:06.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:09.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:10.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:13.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:15.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:16.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:18.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:19.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:21.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:22.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:23.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:24.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:25.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:26.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:27.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:28.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:32.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:34.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:37.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:39.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:40.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:42.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:43.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:44.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:49.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:51.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:53.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:54.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:55.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:56.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:57.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:58.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:16:59.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:01.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:04.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:05.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:11.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:12.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:13.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:14.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:15.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:16.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:17.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:20.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:25.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:26.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:27.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:28.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:30.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:31.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:32.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:35.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:37.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:38.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:39.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:40.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:42.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:43.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:47.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:48.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:49.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:51.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:52.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:53.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:54.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:55.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:56.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:57.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:58.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:17:59.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:04.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:05.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:06.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:07.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:08.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:09.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:10.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:11.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:12.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:13.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:14.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:15.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:18.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:20.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:21.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:23.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:24.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:25.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:26.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:27.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:28.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:29.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:30.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:31.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:37.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:38.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:40.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:42.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:43.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:44.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:45.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:46.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:47.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:18:48.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:10.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:13.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:15.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:16.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:17.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:18.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:19.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:20.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:21.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:22.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:23.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:24.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:25.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:28.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:30.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:31.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:32.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:34.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:35.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:36.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:37.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:38.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:39.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:40.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:41.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:46.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:47.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:48.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:49.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:50.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:51.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:52.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:53.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:54.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:55.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:56.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:19:57.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:00.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:01.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:02.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:03.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:05.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:06.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:07.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:08.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:09.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:10.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:11.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:12.500 |
be to your name, for no one could rival your glory and fame. 00:20:28.500 |
Well, I'd like to share some reflections and encouragements for this evening. 00:20:34.500 |
And as I thought about the topic of Thanksgiving, 00:20:37.500 |
my heart was already filled because of the Bible study we did in Genesis. 00:20:41.500 |
As a matter of fact, as we're going through such huge chunks of time in history, 00:20:50.500 |
in his faithfulness to the early generations, 00:20:53.500 |
a lot of the application at the end of the study is actually, 00:20:58.500 |
Like, I want to be so thankful to my God who has been so powerful, 00:21:05.500 |
And for example, I found myself more, just almost thankful than ever, 00:21:15.500 |
So what I'm talking about is, first, as one example, God created us with like an embedded image of the Lord. 00:21:25.500 |
And that alone is to be something that a reason why we praise God. 00:21:30.500 |
But when we think about that, with the fall, with the perversion, and the kind of repeat theme of anything good that God has given, 00:21:40.500 |
sinful man, corrupted man, tends to pervert and twist. 00:21:45.500 |
But then to think that after God had seen a generation chock full of people where the only thing in their heart, the scripture said that every intent of their heart was evil continually. 00:22:02.500 |
And then upon Noah and eight individuals coming out of the ark, he said, "Be fruitful and multiply." 00:22:08.500 |
Now, I took a moment to just stop and meditate on that. 00:22:15.500 |
And I was just thinking, think how actually crazy that is. 00:22:20.500 |
Where God knows not just one week out, one month out. 00:22:27.500 |
So then for him to continue to execute his plan, beside the fact that we have such a propensity, beside the fact that it's not just, hey, this is risky. 00:22:39.500 |
If you give these people numbers, if you allow these people to spread, it's not like that's surprising to God. 00:22:46.500 |
But his design was already that he desired for mankind to be fruitful, to multiply and spread and fill the earth. 00:22:54.500 |
So he gave them that commandment, and there was a part of me that was like, of course, if you're going to kill all the wicked ones, 00:23:01.500 |
and then you start over, in a sense, or you have a new, new generation of individuals, of course you give that command. 00:23:09.500 |
But actually, take a moment to pause and think, God could have said something else. 00:23:13.500 |
He could have said, "I spared you. Please don't multiply." 00:23:18.500 |
If you think about it, it's kind of funny, right? 00:23:22.500 |
And as a matter of fact, if there was somebody you knew, where you knew that they were out for you, they were rebellious, they were malicious, 00:23:29.500 |
and the intent of their heart was wicked, I don't think you would say, "Please, please, I hope you're really fruitful." 00:23:36.500 |
You'd probably say, "Dude, please don't have any children." 00:23:39.500 |
Because why would you want that thing, want that group to continue to proceed into the generations? 00:23:46.500 |
And so I think about that, and I think, "The purposes of God will not be thwarted by the sins of man." 00:23:53.500 |
And when I think about that, what's the application? 00:24:01.500 |
Besides the fact that so many times and so many seasons, we have not obeyed, 00:24:07.500 |
we have gone wayward as a whole of a people, you still accomplish your plan, and there's nothing to thwart that. 00:24:15.500 |
Even if every intent of man was so different, but God, your plan is good. 00:24:21.500 |
And so for that, we just have to thank the Lord. 00:24:24.500 |
God is so grand in His power, His control, and then His absolute execution of whatever He deems to be good. 00:24:33.500 |
And in some sense, I always wondered, Scripture actually says, like, "Who are you to be God's counselor?" 00:24:39.500 |
And there were a lot of times where even the people of God was like, "Hey, hey, don't! Don't bless these people!" 00:24:46.500 |
You guys remember Jonah who was like, "I knew it! If you preach the gospel to these people, 00:24:50.500 |
you're going to give them mercy, they're going to repent, and then you're going to spare them!" 00:24:55.500 |
And then God says, "I didn't ask you to be my counselor." 00:24:59.500 |
He has a mercy that He desires to give, and He will execute that plan. 00:25:04.500 |
And so for that, we couldn't do another but to thank Him. 00:25:08.500 |
A second example of going through the Bible study, 00:25:12.500 |
and I'm just really sharing my own personal reflection and my own thoughts of this is, 00:25:16.500 |
I just started to imagine being one of the eight individuals that walked off the boat, 00:25:21.500 |
waiting 40 days of just pure rain, springs, and gusts of water coming from every which direction, 00:25:28.500 |
destroying everything, 150 days of waiting for the water to subside, 00:25:32.500 |
not knowing when it's going to really happen, and then it comes to rest, 00:25:36.500 |
and then you being one of the first people to walk out. 00:25:44.500 |
If you would do the dance, you know, like start twirling around like in the dramas, 00:25:48.500 |
or you do the crazy thing and start kissing the sand. 00:25:53.500 |
But Pastor Peter, there was a moment I just distinctly remember he asked a funny question, 00:25:58.500 |
which was, if you were one of the very first people, 00:26:02.500 |
and then you started thinking about how to rebuild, how to live, 00:26:05.500 |
where are we going to build our house, where do we get all this stuff, 00:26:13.500 |
I don't know why, but that question made me laugh so hard inside. 00:26:17.500 |
I was actually in the side room by myself, and I was just giggling to myself because I just, 00:26:23.500 |
Like you think about it, and you think half of you would just be like, no. 00:26:32.500 |
Maybe part of you would just tell everybody, get back in the boat right now. 00:26:37.500 |
And somebody may be like, oh, I don't know. Let's wait this out. 00:26:44.500 |
And then it just hit me that God's promise of a visible sign, 00:27:01.500 |
And then I keep thinking, what's the application to that? 00:27:08.500 |
When God is trying to reassure your heart, what's the application? 00:27:15.500 |
To reassure your heart, thank you, God, that when you spare me, I don't have to be in fear. 00:27:22.500 |
What if the hand of mercy you extended to me, you say, nah, on second thought, never mind. 00:27:29.500 |
And then I remember that actually scripture says in Romans chapter 10, I extend my hand all day long to an obstinate people. 00:27:39.500 |
God's extended mercy comes by way of reassuring us. 00:27:44.500 |
Sometimes I wonder, why does God have to repeat a lot of the things? 00:27:50.500 |
But our God is a God who is willing to repeat the same lesson over and over again. 00:27:58.500 |
Our God is such a good father that he tends to our fear. 00:28:02.500 |
Our God is such a good God that he is not aloof when we're wrought with anxiety. 00:28:07.500 |
He's not so far that he doesn't see our worries. 00:28:13.500 |
And so I had such an emotional moment sitting in the room, first laughing, then wanting to cry, then realizing my application is I want to thank my God. 00:28:25.500 |
He is a merciful God that he is the one who tells us when you are afraid, trust me. 00:28:31.500 |
And I remember Pastor Peter going through that lesson saying, when you see this, this is a time to trust God. 00:28:38.500 |
When you see his promises, the part of the Noahic covenant and what we just read is an anchor and another staple point of God being so faithful. 00:28:54.500 |
So then I kind of think like, we should be so thankful. 00:28:58.500 |
And then I start to imagine a little bit more. 00:29:00.500 |
And then obviously the conviction of, oh my gosh, if I actually was one of the eight people who came out, and I experienced this near death moment, then of course I would be just so elated I'd probably be on my knees. 00:29:18.500 |
And came to the conviction it's unfortunate that sometimes like, near death experiences, it's what causes us to be so moved to gratitude. 00:29:28.500 |
But we who have the name of Christ, we who have salvation, we who have the greatest deliverance of all. 00:29:38.500 |
In a sense, such a great deliverance, such a grand deliverance that deliverance from the flood pales in comparison to the deliverance we have from the wrath of God. 00:29:49.500 |
Why do we need near death experiences to be so thankful? 00:29:54.500 |
But what's more, as I think about this then, it's just all the scriptures that admonish us. 00:30:00.500 |
The first Thessalonians five that says rejoice. 00:30:03.500 |
The reason why the scriptures can command us is because of this. 00:30:09.500 |
We are people who have had near death experiences. 00:30:13.500 |
It's just that maybe we don't see it with our eyes, but the fact of the matter is there is a near death waiting wrath for every person who doesn't have Christ. 00:30:25.500 |
And so we who gather, we're like survivors, you know? 00:30:30.500 |
Not because we made shelter and we made all this stuff on the island, but because we've been spared. 00:30:39.500 |
So that's, that's the reason why it just makes sense that we have to be thankful for everything. 00:30:47.500 |
You know, have you met those individuals who maybe are a little bit more on the, I don't know what the word is, but the best way I can describe it is like a hippie. 00:30:58.500 |
You know, they're like, wow, look at this clouds. 00:31:01.500 |
They look at the sun and they're like, look at that sunset. 00:31:05.500 |
And they start welling up because so beautiful. 00:31:08.500 |
And then there are people who just appreciate everything. 00:31:11.500 |
And then you're almost like, eh, don't overdo it. 00:31:13.500 |
You know, like all the butterflies, so beautiful. 00:31:16.500 |
And then they see children are, you know, everything's so beautiful. 00:31:19.500 |
And then you're just like, ah, it's just awkward, you know? 00:31:22.500 |
And half of you wants to say, wow, you just shouldn't be so thankful over the small things because we're thankful over the big things. 00:31:31.500 |
But again, if you think about somebody who's been spared from not just near death experience, but the greatest judgment ever. 00:31:41.500 |
Then it only makes sense that everything and anything you're thankful for. 00:31:47.500 |
It doesn't make sense for a Christian to be like, I'm so grateful for the grandeur of salvation. 00:31:54.500 |
And then they're just not thankful for where they live, the car they drive, the people they hang out with, the church that they go to. 00:31:59.500 |
Like that just is a complete disconnect, right? Complete disconnect. 00:32:04.500 |
And on the flip side, obviously, it's a disconnect. 00:32:08.500 |
If you're so thankful for all the little things on earth, but you never look up to see the grandeur of the spiritual reality. 00:32:14.500 |
For us, it only makes sense to be thankful for every single thing. 00:32:19.500 |
And then, so that leads me to the final thought is, man, here at church, it's, I think about what I'm thankful for in this season. 00:32:42.500 |
And then these moments that I have where I get all emotional and I reflect on God, I get to turn around and say, isn't that amazing? 00:32:56.500 |
And then I realized this is, this was God's plan. 00:33:00.500 |
All along, that his wisdom will be played out in the church. 00:33:04.500 |
And all of us, spared, lavished, loved by God, will come together, unite our voices, and just thank God. 00:33:15.500 |
What's happening right now in all the regional homes. 00:33:18.500 |
What's happening right now in the church right now. 00:33:26.500 |
I think about Genesis and I just realized God deserves every ounce of gratitude we have. 00:33:32.500 |
Because everything we have, we have from the hand of God. 00:33:35.500 |
There is not a single thing, not a single moment in which we have created for ourselves. 00:33:41.500 |
But everything has been mercifully given to us. 00:33:45.500 |
And I pray that as that is the case, we would do exactly what Noah did. 00:33:55.500 |
I kind of thought about that because recently I just moved. 00:34:06.500 |
Because if you don't clean before the stuff furniture is put in, then you got to remove it again. 00:34:14.500 |
You think, oh my gosh, you know what comes first is shelter. 00:34:21.500 |
Because you can go a little bit without food. 00:34:23.500 |
And then so I would say, you know, the ladies, you go pick up whatever is dead on the floor. 00:34:29.500 |
And then the guys, you start building the shelter and dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, right? 00:34:32.500 |
But with the heart of gratitude, let's all remember, just like Pastor Peter said during our Sunday sermon, 00:34:42.500 |
And I'm so thankful for the study in Genesis. 00:34:45.500 |
Because these pages just come alive with, let us all join our hearts, giving thanks to God. Amen. 00:34:53.500 |
And I want to give you this encouragement and challenge. 00:34:57.500 |
If there is in any season, any particular milestone, any particular moment, a lot of you guys have either maybe sometimes moved from job to job. 00:35:16.500 |
Because there's always a million things to do. 00:35:23.500 |
Heavenly Father, we thank you and bless your name. 00:35:34.500 |
Thank you, God, that the security of our lives is not simply in how well we prepare. 00:35:41.500 |
But what we need to prepare is our hearts for you. 00:35:44.500 |
And I pray, God, that you would minister to us in such a way where our spiritual eyes and our spiritual senses would be in tune and we would recognize you in our lives. 00:35:53.500 |
Help us to see that in every moment you're the one sustaining, providing, leading, guiding, protecting, and loving us. 00:36:01.500 |
And I pray, Father God, that with our voices and our hearts gathered, we want to truly say thank you from our hearts. 00:36:12.500 |
Well, that concludes our time together for the teaching portion. 00:36:17.500 |
But we encourage you guys to get into groups, have some discussion. 00:36:21.500 |
I'm going to give three suggested questions just related to when you are most aware. 00:36:26.500 |
You know, when are you not just maybe a death-defying moment, but other moments when the scriptures hit you or someone came into your life. 00:36:34.500 |
When you are super aware of God's grace and provision for you. 00:36:38.500 |
There's also a question on how prioritizing gratitude and worship can take effect in your life even now. 00:36:45.500 |
And then finally, because the church is a place where we can actually express our gratitude the best amongst the life, through the life of the church and through our participation in it. 00:36:57.500 |
Just share, what kind of mercies of God did you experience? 00:37:00.500 |
What kind of things can you do within the church to express your heart of gratitude to the Lord?