This is the question my friend Brad Russell asked me on the phone a few minutes ago. He was on a good roll. It went something like this: “Picture the typical Christian family’s celebration of Thanksgiving. As this is described, ask yourself, ‘How is this any different than the world?’ We will get together with family, some of whom might be annoying. We will sit down and pray over the meal, maybe discuss some things we’re thankful for, eat until we’re stuffed. The ladies will head off to the kitchen to clean up. The men will head off to watch the game. Children will go to play. Then we will go home and be done. So, how is it any different?”
Some may object, well, the prayer will be more God-centered. Ok, but that should be happening year round. Some will say, when we give thanks for the good things God’s done, the glory goes to Him, and lost people aren’t oriented that way. Sure. Some aren’t. Lost people get stuff though and have reasons for giving thanks. What makes our celebration of this holiday distinct?
As a church, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend:
Friday Night at HomeWord, we will be discussing what should motivate our roles in marriage and one of the foundation motivations (according to Colossians 3) is thankfulness.
Sunday Morning Worship, we will be exploring Isaiah 12 and hear a call to thankfulness from God Himself. We will also celebrate thankfulness in remembering the Lord’s work on the cross for us through the Lord’s Supper.
Sunday Evening Dinner, we will join together for a meal and share what God has done in the life of our church, expressing thankfulness to God.
So, join us this weekend for this and let’s seek to make our practice of Thanksgiving distinct and utterly Christ-exalting.