How Fitting To Have A National Day Of Thanksgiving

A good thing to give thanks   Psalms 92:1
Let us thank our way to spiritual health

But For Many This Week Of Thanks Will Be Superficial

For some a time of praise, for others a pretext
For some a spiritual time, for others a superficial time

The Pharisee And His Superficial Thanksgiving

We can see 3 important things about this Pharisee

The Pharisee was Unaware of His Greatest Need

read Luke 18:11-12

I thank thee that I am not as other men

This was stated with thanksgiving but the wrong kind

A great preacher, H.A. Ironside said This man was not thanking God for what grace had done for him; he was thanking God for what he himself had done, and that is the wrong attitude.

Another great preacher, D.L.Moody said of this same man It was a very prayer less prayer.
He said a prayer but he didn´t pray any.

He focused on human efforts; do´s and don´ts

What he needed was personal salvation through faith in Christ

Something he couldn´t earn by his good works
He could only receive it as a gift   Ephesians 2:8-9

The Pharisee was Unconcerned About the Publican

read Luke 18:11

Or even this publican

The difference filled him with pride rather than compassion

True thanksgiving produces thankful living

Are you thankful for salvation?  Tell others about Jesus
Are you thankful for provision?  Share it with others
Are you thankful for kindnesses?  Pass them on
Are you thankful for Christian fellowship?  Extend fellowship
Are you thankful for prayers?  Pray for others

This is the spirit of the first thanksgiving

They shared with one another
They were truly thankful

The Pharisee was Unchanged When He Returned Home

read Luke 18:14
True thanksgiving changes us
He went to a good place: the temple
He went for a good purpose: to pray
He went home unchanged
Millions leave churches unchanged
I don´t want that to happen to us

Conclusion

The other person in this parable: The publican

read Luke 18:13-14
This man faced his sins and sought forgiveness
There was nothing superficial about his response
God be merciful to me a sinner.

The publican went home a new man

He went home forgiven: justified   Luke 18:14
Now he could be truly thankful
How about you?

Bible Studies Home

Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
¹⁰ Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
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Psalms 92:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
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Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
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Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
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Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
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Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
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Last updated on August 04, 2005