Focus on Thanksgiving and its importance in Christian life.
Addressed how special days like Thanksgiving Day should inspire continuous gratitude.
Thanksgiving should characterize Christians and the church.
Psalm 100 Overview
A Psalm written specifically for giving thanks.
Two calls to worship and two reasons for worship.
Call 1 (vv. 1-2): Make a joyful noise, serve the Lord with gladness.
Reason 1 (v. 3): Know the Lord is God, He made us, we are His people.
Call 2 (v. 4): Enter His gates with thanksgiving, give thanks, bless His name.
Reason 2 (v. 5): The Lord is good, His steadfast love endures forever, faithfulness to all generations.
Detailed Breakdown of Psalm 100
Call to Worship and Serve (vv. 1-2)
"Make a joyful noise" (Hebrew word: Rua).
Comparable to "hooray" or celebratory sounds (e.g., cheering at baptisms).
"Serve the Lord with gladness" – active and joyful service is emphasized.
"Come into His presence with singing" – communal worship setting, likely referring to temple/tabernacle.
Relevant for modern church gatherings.
Reason for Worship (v. 3)
"Know that the Lord, He is God" – acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and role as Creator.
"It is He who made us, and we are His" – belonging to God, imagery of shepherd and sheep.
References to God’s protective and providential roles (e.g., Psalm 23, John 10).
Call to Thanksgiving and Praise (v. 4)
Enter God's presence with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise.
Analogy: Thanksgiving as a 'ticket' into worship.
Idea of being ready to worship and praise before entering the church.
Importance of specificity in thanksgiving and directing thanks to God.
Reason for Thanksgiving (v. 5)
"The Lord is good" – intrinsic goodness of God (God's nature).
Example from Uganda: Congregation responds "God is good… All the time… And that is His nature, wow!"
"His steadfast love endures forever" – God's eternal and unchanging love.
"His faithfulness to all generations" – God's consistent faithfulness through time.
Practical Application
Church should be filled with lively worship and service.
Reflect joy and gladness; be specific in thankfulness to God.
Focus on God's enduring character: goodness, steadfast love, and faithfulness.
Conclusion (Song and Prayer)
Emphasis on continuous praise and thanksgiving in Christian life.
Final song to reinforce the message: Praise the Lord, His Mercy is More.
Highlights God’s enduring mercy and forgiveness.
Closing prayer to thank God for His goodness and faithfulness, and to fill the church with joy and gladness as long as the building serves God’s purposes.
Key takeaways:
Thanksgiving is fundamental to Christian worship and should be practiced daily, not just on designated holidays.
Psalm 100 provides a comprehensive guide for understanding why and how we should give thanks and praise to God.
God’s unchanging nature and continual faithfulness are central to the Christian experience of gratitude.