Giving Thanks to God in the Church Of Christ
Brother Richie Juatco: Showing gratitude, or giving thanks, is an important characteristic to have, so much so that many cultures around the world, in one way or another, celebrate a holiday commonly called Thanksgiving. Now, most Thanksgivings celebrated are tied to agricultural seasons, and are forms of harvest festivals celebrated with feasts. But the Thanksgiving observed inside the Church Of Christ, or Iglesia Ni Cristo, is quite unique, wherein it is a special worship service conducted at the end of every calendar year and on the anniversary of its establishment.
Why do we do this? Stay with us as we study The Message.
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Brother Bernard Daos
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: Hello. I’m Brother Richie Juatco, and once again, joining me here in our San Francisco Bay Area Studios is Brother Bernard Daos.
Brother Bernard Daos: Hello, Brother Richie.
Now, when it comes to the unique way that Thanksgiving is being observed inside the Church Of Christ, is this done merely to be different from everyone else? How did this thanksgiving become a requirement in the Church?
Brother Richie: And Brother Bernard, if this is a requirement, the question is: Who is requiring this?
Brother Bernard: Well for that answer, let’s turn to the Holy Scriptures. Here in the book of Psalms, chapter 107, and [we’ll] read verse 1 and 2. It says this:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.
[Psalms 107:1-2 New Living Translation]
Brother Bernard: The simple answer to the question of why the Church Of Christ conducts a Thanksgiving to God is—it is because this is what God commands—and that is based clearly on His words written in the Holy Scriptures. The biblical instruction is clear, “Give thanks to the Lord.”
Brother Richie: Now, there might be some thinking, “I’m not going to argue that giving thanks to the Lord is a commandment of God, but why does the Church conduct it as a special worship service?” Some might think, “I give thanks to God too, but in my own way.” Now that’s a fair question, because there are many churches that don’t conduct thanksgiving to God this way.
So we have to ask, who is God instructing this to? Brother Bernard, who is God requiring to give Him thanks?
Brother Bernard: Well, let’s go back to what we have read. The verse says, “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!” “Give thanks to the Lord.” So take note, those that are redeemed are the ones being instructed or commanded in the verses that we have read.
How Does God Want Thanksgiving Done?
Brother Richie: So let’s find out, how does God want this particular thanksgiving to be done, and who are the ones considered as the redeemed, whom God instructs to render this Thanksgiving?
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How does God want Thanksgiving Done?
Brother Bernard: Well, two great questions, but let’s first answer this question: How do the redeemed render their thanksgiving to God?
Brother Richie: For that answer we’ll go to what’s recorded in the Book of Psalms. We’ll read Psalm, 69, and the verse is 30. It says this:
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
[Psalms 69:30 New International Version]
Brother Richie: Here, we see that the redeemed render thanksgiving to God in song. So there are special songs, hymns, or psalms, that the redeemed sing to God. For what purpose? We learned, in order to praise and glorify God.
Brother Bernard: But Brother Richie, other than singing special hymns or psalms to God, how else do the redeemed fulfill their Thanksgiving to Him?
Brother Richie: Let’s continue. We’ll read from what is in Psalm, 105 now. We’ll read verses 1 to 2. Here it says:
Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
[Psalm 105:1-2 New King James Version]
Brother Richie: Again, we see how the redeemed conduct their thanksgiving to God. We read, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord. Call upon his name.”
We’ve learned in this program that calling upon God is through prayers, and that prayer is a right and privilege God only gives the redeemed. So in their thanksgiving to God, the redeemed will conduct a series of devotional prayers and call out to Him.
Brother Bernard: Now, Brother Richie, some may ask, in their singing and in these prayers, what are mentioned to show just how thankful the redeemed are to God?
Brother Richie: Well, we read the biblical instruction, “Make known His deeds among the peoples!” Therefore, the focus of the prayers and the singing are all the good things God has done for His people. Not only that, we also read, “Talk of all His wondrous works.” This is the reason there’s a special lesson, for every thanksgiving worship service to God, that is centered around, as we read, “all His wondrous works.”
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How does God want Thanksgiving Done?
Brother Bernard: Well, what is another important aspect of the thanksgiving being conducted by the redeemed of the Lord God?
Brother Richie: Let’s continue learning about the right way to render thanksgiving to God. We’ll read now from Psalm, 50. We’ll read 14 and 23, it says here:
Present to God a thank offering. Repay your vows to the Most High … Whoever presents a thank offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”
[Psalms 105:1-2 New English Translation]
Brother Richie: So an important part of thanking God is done by thank offerings. What is the instruction to the redeemed? We read, “Present to God a thank offering.” How do the redeemed consider their thank offerings to God? We learned that it is their vow to God.
Now, Brother Bernard, just to help us all understand, what is a vow?
Brother Bernard: A vow is a solemn promise or a sacred oath. And remember, this vow was made to God.
Brother Richie: Thank you so much. So the faith of the redeemed is that they will never break this promise or vow to give thanks offerings. The instruction is, “Repay your vows to the Most High.”
Brother Bernard: Now, Brother Richie, there might be some who feel that God doesn’t care about offerings. But according to God Himself, according to what’s written in the Bible, how does God feel when given a thank offering?
Brother Richie: Well, we read ourselves together, it said, “Whoever presents a thank offering honors me.” So, God considers it as an honor. This is the major reason why those inside the Church Of Christ never forget to offer thank offerings in our thanksgiving worship service to God. Our goal is to honor God.
What does God promise those who obey these commands of His? He’s the One that says, “To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.” The power of God to deliver us or save us is what we continuously strive to receive.
Brother Bernard: And, Brother Richie, because of that, based on what we’ve learned so far, those that God redeemed are instructed, commanded, to thank Him by means of rendering special hymns and songs to Him, conducting special prayers and calling to Him, studying a special lesson recalling, remembering, all of His wonderful deeds and works, and offering special offerings in order to thank and honor Him.
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How does God want thanksgiving done?
- Rendering special hymns and songs to Him
- Conducting special prayers to call to Him
- Studying a special lesson recalling His wonderful works
- Offering special offerings to thank Him
Brother Richie: That’s correct. Therefore it’s not difficult to understand that thanksgiving to God, which the redeemed conduct, is actually a special worship service. These special thanksgiving worship services to God are only conducted by the redeemed. In fact, God only expects and requires the redeemed to render these special thanksgiving worship services to Him. This is the reason why we can see that many people in the world, they don’t do these.
Who are the redeemed?
Brother Richie: So now we have to find out, who are the redeemed? What are they redeemed from? And, Brother Bernard, how are they redeemed?
Brother Bernard: Another important question that we must answer in our study, but just as from the first question, we will get the answer from the Holy Scriptures.
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Who are the redeemed?
Brother Bernard: Please listen to what’s recorded in the Book of Ephesians, chapter 1, and verse 7. Here is what it says:
In Christ [him] we are set free [have been redeemed/purchased] by the blood of his death [his blood; blood signifies his sacrificial death], and so we have forgiveness of sins. …
[Ephesians 1:7(a) Expanded Bible]
Brother Bernard: Here we learn that, “In Christ… we… have been redeemed.” Therefore, the ones mentioned here are the redeemed that we have been studying about. Now, what have they been redeemed from? What we have read says, “we have forgiveness of sins.”
Brother Richie: Now to be redeemed, or forgiven of sins, is something that one should never forget to thank God for. Without the forgiveness of sins, people would have to pay for their own sins, which is an everlasting punishment. We now see why God requires the redeemed to always render Him thanksgiving.
How can we identify those that have been redeemed in Christ, Brother Bernard?
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Who are redeemed?
Brother Bernrad: Brother Richie, remember, we read that those who are redeemed, they are “purchased by… his blood.”
Brother Richie: So what did our Lord Jesus Christ purchase with His blood, wherein we can find the redeemed?
Brother Bernard: For that answer, once again, we will turn to the Holy Scriptures. Here in the Book of Acts, chapter 20, verse 28, here is what is recorded:
Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.
[Acts 20:28 George M. Lamsa Translation]
Brother Bernard: The biblical truth is that the “church of Christ” is what the Lord Jesus Christ “purchased [or redeemed] with his blood.” Therefore those in Christ, or those inside the Church Of Christ, they are the ones who are redeemed, as mentioned in the Bible. They are the ones whom God instructs and commands to offer or render special thanksgiving worship services to Him.
Brother Richie: Now, what if one is not a member of the Church Of Christ? There are those that might think, “What if one is not a member of the Church Of Christ but also wants to be redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins?” Brother Bernard, what hope is there for those outside the Church?
Brother Bernard: Well, our Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who can provide hope for those in that situation. So take note of His instruction, here in the Book of John, chapter 10. I’ll read verse 7 and also verse 9. This is what the Savior Jesus Christ says:
So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold. …
I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …
[John 10:7 & 9 Revised English Bible]
Brother Bernard: Here, our Lord Jesus Christ is speaking of His sheepfold or His flock. Now remember, in the verse we read earlier, Acts 20:28, the flock is the Church Of Christ.
But what did our Lord Jesus Christ state as His relation to the Church or to the sheepfold? He said, “In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold.” Now why did the Lord Jesus Christ liken Himself to the door, and what invitation did He extend? Our Lord Jesus Christ said come “into the fold through [him].” Who did Jesus Christ invite to come into the fold or into the Church? Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “anyone.”
Now take note, beloved viewers, what will happen if anyone comes into or joins the sheepfold, or joins the Church Of Christ? The Savior, Jesus said, “anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …”
So here is the only hope for those who are outside the Church but want to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins—people should come into or join the Church Of Christ.
Brother Richie: Now, when one follows Christ’s instruction to enter the Church and is then redeemed from the punishment of sins, he or she makes a vow to never forget to render thanksgiving to God.
Now we have to understand, how serious are members of the Church Of Christ when it comes to fulfilling this vow of our annual Thanksgiving, with offering, to God? How did the members of the Church Of Christ in the first century, Brother Bernard, how did they prepare their thanksgiving?
Brother Bernard: Let’s read the biblical account recorded in the Book of Second Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 2. Here is what Apostle Paul clearly states:
I know how eager you are to give. And I have proudly told the Lord’s followers in Macedonia that you people in Achaia have been ready for a whole year. Now your desire to give has made them want to give.
[II Corinthians 9:2 Contemporary English Version]
Brother Bernard: Here, we learn that the redeemed, or the members of the Church “in Achaia have been ready for a whole year.” Therefore, that means all throughout the year they have been ready, they have been preparing. Now, what did this reveal to the apostles? Apostle Paul says, “I know how eager you are to give. And I have proudly told the Lord’s followers.”
Brother Richie: And because this is the example to follow, this is how today’s members of the Church Of Christ prepare for their annual thanksgiving.
Now, how else do the redeemed prove their gratitude and fulfill their thankgiving to God?
Brother Bernard: Well, let’s continue to hear from Apostle Paul, as recorded in Colossians, chapter 2, verses 6 and also verse 7. Here is what he states:
As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.
[Colossians 2:6–7 Modern English Version]
Brother Bernard: Here, the redeemed, or the members of the Church Of Christ, those who have been described as having received Christ Jesus the Lord, they’re given an important reminder. How were they instructed to remain? As we read, “established in the faith, as you have been taught.” Now, what else were they reminded to continuously do? According to what we have read, “abounding with thanksgiving.”
Therefore, in every aspect of our showing thankfulness to our Lord God, we need to be, we must be, abounding or increasing or improving.
Brother Richie: Now some watching might be thinking, “What if I’m among the redeemed, but I had a rough year? What if my year was full of hard times and difficult challenges? How can I fulfill the promise to always be abounding with thanksgivings?” Now these questions follow the natural thinking that being thankful comes from receiving something like a favor or a gift.
Brother Bernard: Brother Richie, the question that needs to be answered then is: What reason do the redeemed have to always abound in their thanksgiving to God, even if they’re going through hard or difficult times?
Brother Richie: Let’s read what is recorded in Habakkuk 3:17 to 18. And this is what it says:
Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!
[Habakkuk 3:17-18 Amplified Bible 2015]
Brother Richie: Here, this servant of God describes the extreme disappointment he experienced. In terms of livelihood, he did not make what he was hoping with the effort he did. Now, many of us today go through the same situation. Many put in the work and effort, with hopes it will yield what they need to provide for themselves and their families, only to be disappointed. But how did this servant choose to handle his situation? He said, “Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the LORD; I will [choose to] shout in exaltation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!”
Why do God’s servants, His true servants, choose to rejoice, be happy and grateful in the Lord, even though their conditions are not what they’re hoping for?
Brother Benrad: And, Brother Richard, for us to understand that choice made by the redeemed, made that no matter what happens, to be thankful to the Lord God, let’s read what they are so thankful for in the book of Psalms, chapter 138, I will read verse 1 to 3. This is what it says:
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart … I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your name because of your constant love and faithfulness, because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme. You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me.
[Psalms 138:1(a)-3 Good News Bible]
Brother Bernard: Here, we can see that although the redeemed of the Lord may be going through difficulties, may be going through challenges, they are never alone. What’s the proof? What we have read, “You answered me when I called to you.” So take note, God never leaves or never abandons His faithful people.
So, what do the people of God experience, for example, if their strength starts to weaken because of life’s many problems? This servant of God attested, “with your strength you strengthen me.” Therefore what is the promise of those who always remember that they have been redeemed? We read, “because of your constant love and faithfulness, … I thank you, Lord with all my heart.”
Now, how do those who are redeemed truly render the thanksgiving that God expects? According to what we have read, “I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your name.”
Brother Richie: To the redeemed in the Christian era, or members of the Church Of Christ, rendering thanksgiving to God is so much more than merely saying “thank you” for material blessings. The sole blessing of being redeemed is reason enough to never stop thanking our God.
Brother Bernard: And to those who are not yet members of the Church who are watching this, we thank you so much for joining us in our study, and we invite you to learn more about the biblical Church Of Christ.
Brother Richie: From all of us here at The Message, we thank you so much for joining us in this study of God’s message. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.
Brother Bernard: Our dear God, our Father in heaven. Thank you so much for Your bountiful blessings. Thank You for allowing us to once again study, that, through Your words, we have been redeemed, dear God. We have received forgiveness of our sins when You called us one by one inside the true Church Of Christ. And for this, dear God, come what may in our life, we will never stop thanking You. We will never stop praising You. We will thank You with all our heart and soul.
We thank You for allowing this message to reach our loved ones, so that they too can share in Your blessings, so that they too can be redeemed and forgiven of their sins, and most of all, so that all of us would be able to receive Your promised salvation.
Please continue to bless this work being done inside the Church Of Christ, through the leadership of the Church Administration that You placed, so that more people will come to know Your message, more people will come to receive Your salvation.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Lord, thank You so much. Because of Your sacrifice, because of the blood that You shed, we have been redeemed and forgiven of our sins. Lord Jesus, please continue to mediate us to our God, because You are the only mediator to our Father, and so that all of us could be there in that promised Holy City.
Almighty God, as we return to You in our prayer, thank You for programs like this being held by the Church Of Christ. We pray that more people will come to know Your truth, more people will come to know Your salvation. Please forgive us for our sins and our mistakes.
We pray all of this through the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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