Thankful?

I. What Comes to Mind When We Hear "Thanksgiving"?

A. Common Reactions

• Students: "A whole week off!"
• Parents: "Kids home all week..."
• Teachers: "Peace at last!"
• Workers: "Vacation time."
• Shoppers: "Black Friday!"
• Families: "Food and tradition."

B. The Real First Thanksgiving

• Not picture-perfect.
• Marked by hardship, disease, tension, and fragile alliances.
• A moment of survival and humility.
• Two groups needing each other → just like the two men in Luke 18.

II. Scripture Reading: Luke 18:9-14

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

A. Why Jesus Told This Story

Spoken to those who trusted in themselves.
And who looked down on others.

B. The Two Men

1. The Pharisee: Comes with pride.
2. The Tax Collector: Comes with humility.
3. Only one leaves right with God.

III. The Pharisee: The Thankful Man... for All the Wrong Reasons

A. The Pharisee's Prayer

• "Prayed with himself."
• Four "I" statements.
• No confession.
• No dependence.
• No humility.
• Gratitude wrapped in arrogance.

B. Modern Examples of This Kind of Pride

1. Spiritual Competition:
   1. "I serve more than others."
   2. "At least I'm not like them."
2. Social Media Pride:
   1. Prayer selfies
   2. "Look how spiritual I am."
3. Success Comparison:
   1. "I worked harder, so I deserve more."
4. Rule-Keeping Pride:
   1. "I follow the rules better than others."
5. Cultural or Family Superiority:
   1. "My background and standards are better."

C. Truth

Pride is sneaky. It sounds like gratitude... but it's actually self-congratulation.

IV. The Tax Collector: The Man God Listened To

A. His Posture

• Standing far off.
• Eyes down.
• Chest beating.
• Deep awareness of sin.

B. His Prayer

• "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

C. His Theology

• "Have mercy" = hilaskomai.
• Means: "God, apply the atoning sacrifice to me."
• He trusts not in himself, but in God's sacrifice.

D. Jesus' Verdict

• "This man went home justified."
• Accepted instantly.
• Humility → mercy.
• Pride → rejection.

V. The Heart God Resists vs. The Heart God Welcomes

A. Jesus' Closing Truth

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

B. The Contrast

Pharisee: Prayer as performance.

Tax Collector: Prayer as a lifeline.

• One trusted self.
• One trusted God.
• Only one received mercy.

VI. Living in a Vibe of Perpetual Worship

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

These three actions shape a grateful, humble heart.

VII. Point 1 - Always Be Joyful

(1 Thess. 5:16)

A. Joy Rooted in God

• Psalm 16:11: Joy in God's presence.
• Isaiah 12:3: Joy from salvation.
• Galatians 5:22: Joy as fruit of the Spirit.
• Romans 5:3-5: Joy even in suffering.
• John 15:11: Jesus gives complete joy.

B. Meaning

• Joy is not based on circumstances, but on Christ's presence and faithfulness.

VIII. Point 2 - Never Stop Praying

(1 Thess. 5:17)

A. Prayer as Lifestyle

• Ephesians 6:18: Pray on all occasions.
• Luke 18:1: Always pray, never give up.
• Jeremiah 29:12: God hears prayer.
• Colossians 4:2: Be devoted and watchful.
• Mark 1:35: Jesus prayed continually.

B. Meaning

• Constant prayer keeps us humble and dependent on God.

IX. Point 3 - Be Thankful in All Circumstances

(1 Thess. 5:18)

A. Gratitude that Transforms

• Psalm 136:1: God is good; His love endures.
• Philippians 4:6-7: Thankfulness → peace.
• Psalm 50:23: Thankfulness honors God.
• James 1:2-4: Trials produce faith.
• Gratitude is spiritual warfare—it resets our hearts.

Colossians 3:17: Do everything with gratitude.

B. Meaning

The humble life God honors is one filled with:

X. Putting It All Together

1. Joy in God's presence.
2. Prayer as a daily rhythm.
3. Gratitude in every circumstance.

This is the life Jesus lifts up in Luke 18:14.

XI. Conclusion: Final Challenge

As Thanksgiving approaches, ask:

Who am I in this story?

• The Pharisee?
  • Comparing, performing, proud?
• Or the Tax Collector?
  • Humble, honest, dependent on God?

Because Jesus makes it clear: The thankful heart God honors is the humble one.