Thanksgiving with Sacrifice: Honouring God beyond Words

Sermon by Prophet Dr. Hope Hodzi

Transcribed from the Sunday Service - June 25, 2025

As children of God, we are called to live a life of gratitude. Gratitude is not just a feeling, but a choice. It's a choice to acknowledge God's goodness, mercy, and grace in our lives. In Psalm 116:12-14, it is written, "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people" (NKJV). This passage reminds us that we are recipients of God's abundant blessings, and it's only fitting that we respond with thanksgiving.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in our daily struggles and forget the One who makes it all possible. We often find ourselves asking, "What can I get from God?" instead of "What can I do for God?" This mindset shift is crucial in understanding the true essence of thanksgiving. As beneficiaries of God's grace, we must recognize that our lives are not our own, but a gift from God. Our talents, abilities, resources, and very existence are all gifts from our Heavenly Father.

The Bible teaches us that gratitude is a fundamental aspect of our relationship with God. When we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we open ourselves up to experiencing God's presence and blessings in our lives. Conversely, ingratitude can lead to a shallow and unfulfilling relationship with God. As we explore the concept of thanksgiving with sacrifice, let us remember that it's not just about saying "thank you" but about demonstrating our gratitude through actions that honor God.

In this message, we will delve into the importance of thanksgiving, the role of sacrifice in thanksgiving, and why we must thank God. We will also examine biblical examples of thanksgiving with sacrifice and explore how we can apply these principles in our lives. By the end of this message, may we have a deeper understanding of what it means to honour God with thanksgiving and sacrifice.

The Essence of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is more than just a feeling or a word; it's an attitude that reflects our deep appreciation for God's presence and work in our lives. It's about recognizing God's hand in all our successes and victories, and acknowledging that every good gift comes from Him. In Deuteronomy 8:11-13, Moses reminds the Israelites, "Beware that you don't forget the Lord your God... You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth" (NKJV). This passage highlights the importance of remembering God's role in our lives, especially when we experience prosperity and success.

Key Aspects of Thanksgiving

1. Acknowledging God's goodness: Thanksgiving involves recognizing God's goodness and mercy in our lives. It's about acknowledging that God is the source of all our blessings and that His love and care for us are unwavering.

2. Reflecting on God's faithfulness: Thanksgiving also involves reflecting on God's faithfulness and provision in our lives. As the Bible says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). When we take time to reflect on God's faithfulness, we are reminded of His love and care for us.

3. Demonstrating gratitude through actions: True thanksgiving is not just about words; it's about demonstrating our gratitude through actions. This can involve giving thanks to God in prayer, sharing our testimony with others, or showing kindness to those in need.

The Role of Sacrifice in Thanksgiving

Sacrifice is an integral part of thanksgiving. It's a way of demonstrating our gratitude to God through tangible actions. In Psalm 50:14, it is written, "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (NKJV). This passage highlights the importance of backing up our thanksgiving with actions that demonstrate our commitment to God.

Examples of Sacrificial Thanksgiving

1. Giving offerings: Giving offerings is a way of demonstrating our gratitude to God. As the Bible says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

2. Giving time and talents: Sacrificing our time and talents to serve God and others is another way of demonstrating our gratitude. As the Bible says, "We then who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 15:1).

3. Giving financially: Giving financially to support God's work is a form of sacrificial thanksgiving. As the Bible says, "But this I say, He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9:6).

The Benefits of Sacrificial Thanksgiving

1. Demonstrates our love for God: Sacrificial thanksgiving demonstrates our love and commitment to God.

2. Brings joy and fulfillment: Sacrificial thanksgiving can bring joy and fulfillment to our lives as we prioritize God's will and purposes.

3. Honors God: Sacrificial thanksgiving honors God and acknowledges His sovereignty over our lives.

Why We Must Thank God

We must thank God for several reasons:

1. God is our source: Everything we have, every good gift, and every blessing comes from Him. As the Bible says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Thanking God acknowledges our dependence on Him and recognizes His sovereignty over our lives.

2. God made us and sustains us: God is our Creator, and He sustains us every day. In Psalm 100:3, it is written, "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." Thanking God for our existence and sustenance demonstrates our appreciation for His love and care.

3. God blesses us: God blesses us in countless ways, often beyond what we can imagine or deserve. As the Bible says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). Thanking God for His blessings shows our gratitude for His goodness and mercy toward us.

By thanking God, we:

- Acknowledge His sovereignty and provision in our lives

- Demonstrate our appreciation for His love and care

- Show our gratitude for His blessings and benefits

- Cultivate a deeper relationship with Him

In essence, thanking God is not just a duty; it's a privilege. It's an opportunity to express our love, appreciation, and gratitude for all that He has done, is doing, and will do in our lives.

The Negative Effects of Ingratitude

Ingratitude can have severe consequences on our spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being. When we fail to acknowledge and appreciate God's blessings and goodness in our lives, we open ourselves up to a range of negative effects.

Spiritual Consequences

1. Distance from God: Ingratitude can lead to a distance from God, causing us to lose sight of His presence and work in our lives.

2. Loss of faith: Ingratitude can weaken our faith, making it challenging to trust God's sovereignty and provision.

3. Spiritual stagnation: Ingratitude can hinder our spiritual growth, causing us to become stagnant in our walk with God.

Emotional Consequences

1. Bitterness and resentment: Ingratitude can lead to bitterness and resentment, causing us to focus on what we lack rather than what we have.

2. Unhappiness and discontentment: Ingratitude can lead to unhappiness and discontentment, causing us to feel unfulfilled and unsatisfied with our lives.

3. Stress and anxiety: Ingratitude can lead to stress and anxiety, causing us to worry about what we don't have rather than trusting God's provision.

Relational Consequences

1. Strained relationships: Ingratitude can strain our relationships with others, causing them to feel unappreciated and undervalued.

2. Lack of trust: Ingratitude can lead to a lack of trust, causing others to question our sincerity and commitment.

3. Conflict and division: Ingratitude can lead to conflict and division, causing us to become critical and judgmental of others.

Biblical Examples

1. The Israelites in the wilderness: The Israelites' ingratitude towards God led to their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

2. The ten lepers: The nine lepers who failed to return to thank Jesus for healing demonstrated ingratitude, highlighting the importance of thankfulness.

Overcoming Ingratitude

1. Cultivate a heart of gratitude: Make a conscious effort to focus on the good things in your life.

2. Practice thanksgiving: Regularly give thanks to God in prayer and express gratitude to others.

3. Reflect on God's faithfulness: Remember God's faithfulness and provision in your life.

By overcoming ingratitude and cultivating a heart of gratitude, we can experience greater joy, peace, and fulfillment in our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, thanksgiving with sacrifice is a powerful way to honor God and demonstrate our gratitude for His blessings in our lives. It's not just about saying "thank you" but about backing up our words with tangible actions that reflect our commitment to God. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude and prioritize sacrificial thanksgiving, we open ourselves up to experiencing God's presence and blessings in our lives.

Call to Action and Application

Let us make a conscious effort to incorporate thanksgiving with sacrifice into our daily lives. Let us prioritize giving thanks to God in prayer, sharing our testimony with others, and showing kindness to those in need. Let us also give sacrificially to support God's work and demonstrate our love and commitment to Him.

Practical Steps:

1. Start a gratitude journal: Write down three things you're thankful for each day to cultivate a heart of gratitude.

2. Give thanks in prayer: Take time each day to give thanks to God in prayer, acknowledging His blessings and provision in your life.

3. Share your testimony: Share your testimony with others, highlighting God's faithfulness and provision in your life.

4. Give sacrificially: Give sacrificially to support God's work, demonstrating your love and commitment to Him.