THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE

SERMON STARTER

          Appreciation is like precious rain in the deserts of our lives. It is a rare commodity and infrequently given. The vast majority of people today find themselves in positions in life where they receive little or no appreciation for all the efforts they have made. More than sixty percent of American workers say they are working in jobs where they are rarely or seldom told they are appreciated. Thanklessness is one of the primary reasons marriages in America experience burn-out. Adolescents could be kept off drugs if their parents acknowledged them and expressed love and appreciation for them.

          This sermon is a back-to-basics about showing your appreciation for those who have poured their lives out to you.

We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way. Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don't overlook it. By the way, if I haven’t told you lately, I appreciate you!

 

Pastor Phil  <><<

August 30, 2009 - Sheepfold Ministries

Pastor Phil Roland

THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE

ISAIAH 43;1-4

“The vast majority of people today find themselves in positions in life where they receive little or no appreciation for all the efforts they have made. This sermon is a back-to-basics about showing your appreciation for those who have poured their lives out to you.”   Pastor Phil

 

I.  THE END OF MANKIND W/OUT GOD IS DISMAL – Eccles. 9:10

    “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or

       device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

            A. Work hard and then you die – Hebrews 9:27

                 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”

            B. Live and die alone

                        1. Alienation from God and Man

                        2. Abandonment – William Henry Thoreau (1817-1862)

                          “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”

            C. Life becomes transient, fleeting – Job 7:6

                 “My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without  hope.”

                        1. World’s Basic Philosophy - Existential Nihilism

                            “Life is without meaning, purpose or intrinsic value”

                            “The general mood of despair at the perceived pointlessness of human existence”

                        2. Man w/o God looks forward to emptiness and the grave

           

II.  KNOW THAT GOD LOVES / APPRECIATES YOU – Zeph. 3:17

       “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice

       over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over

       you with singing."

            A. You are His Creation, made in His Likeness – Ps. 100:3

                 “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we

                   ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

                        1. We belong to God

                        2. He loves us without condition

            B. He has redeemed you and knows your name – Isa. 43:1

                 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who

                   formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called

                   you by your name; You are Mine.”

                        1. You have not been forgotten

                        2. The Lord knows those who are His

            C. He is with us through the flood, fire and storm

                 “I will be with you. . .”

                        1. God loves you through His Son, Jesus Christ

                        2. He became alienated to make you become connected

            D. God holds us in His highest regard – Jeremiah 29:11-13

                 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,

                   thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

                  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to

                  you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all

                  your heart.”

 

III. THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE – Isaiah 43:4

      “Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have

        loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.”

A. A man’s spirit is God’s candle light shining in the heart – Prov. 20:27

         “The spirit of a man is the (candle) lamp of the LORD, Searching all the

           inner depths of his heart.”

       B. One person lights another’s fire -  Albert Sweitzer Quote:

          “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an        

            encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest

            thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.”

                        1. St. Augustine has said it before Dr. Sweitzer

                         “One loving heart sets another on fire.”

                        2. Who has re-lit your fire?

       C. Barbara Gantz quote,

            “Remember the JOY you have received from being appreciated by

             someone when you needed it most.”

                        1. Write down the name of the person that comes to mind           

                        2. Give them a phone call, a note or say a prayer for their memory

        D. Gantz: Ten Truths of Appreciation

                        1. Everyone wants and needs it.

                        2. It doesn't have to be something big.

                        3. Make it personal.

                        4. Be creative.

                        5. Surprise people if you can.

                        6. Be sincere.

                        7. Have a plan.

                        8. Share yourself - from the Heart.

                        9. Make it memorable.

                        10. You will receive more than you give.

 

 

“When I count my blessings, I count you twice!”

 

THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE, Texts:

Isaiah 43:1-4

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

2  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

3  For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

4  Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.