Please find below Rob Stouffer's notes from the Mid-service comments this past Sunday. Meditate on what you are most thankful for, what is given or the one who gives.  

Prepositions Matter. I think they matter especially in regard to Thanksgiving.

Those who know my wife well, know that she is a stickler when it comes to grammar, spelling and all things proper in our English language. Me… not so much.

But as I was thinking and reading this week about Thanksgiving, I was struck by the importance of prepositions in regard to Thanksgiving.

It will be a common occurrence all across our nation and undoubtedly in your homes this week and for families to gather and pause to express what they might be thankful FOR. People of all faiths and religions will do this - believers and non-believers alike, often around the same family table. People will express thankfulness FOR families, friends, homes, possessions, health, freedom, jobs, etc… all good and appropriate things to be thankful FOR.

But as believers, our focus shouldn’t be limited to what we are thankful FOR as much as WHO we are thankful TO. See, prepositions matter. Our focus should be on God who kindly provides, not just on what He provides. As believers our praise, gratitude, and thankfulness isn’t focused on what, as much as it should be about WHO. Not solely thankful FOR but instead thankful TO a holy, sovereign, kind and merciful God.

This isn’t an original idea. Rather it is revealed in scripture – over and over again. Just a few examples.
(Psalm 9:1-2 ESV) - A Psalm of David.
[1] I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
[2] I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 50:14 commands us “[14] Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,”

Psalm 136:1-3
[1] Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
[2] Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
[3] Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! – Speaking of God’s gift of Christ to believers.

As believers we have so much to be thankful For. Praise God. But as we engage the world this week in particular, let’s be intentional to faithfully witness TO whom we are thankful and for what He has done for us through the gospel.

Let’s Pray

Father, you are worthy of indescribable and unending praise and thanksgiving. We can never be sufficiently aware or adequately grateful for the kindness and mercy you show us. We are sinful, rebellious, forgetful and prideful people. Yet, the blood of Christ covers those who repent and believe. Thank you for this unmerited favor.

We know that it is a unique privilege of every believer to be a thankful person. Humble us so we can be rightfully grateful and thankfulness can become more natural for us. Help us to see our consistent thankfulness as an expression of worship and acknowledgement of your faithful, sovereign hand.

Father, As believers, we are thankful to You God for -
The Holy Spirit that enables us the see scripture as truth instead of foolishness
The blood of Christ that covers our sin. The blood from the perfect spotless lamb that atones for our sin and justifies our sinful souls demonstrating your immense love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died. Allowing us to rest in the truth “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1) Thank you Father for grace. It is Marvelous grace.
A Church that values the teaching of God’s word, that exists to bring glory to You. Thankful for faithful proclamation and explanation of Your word, week in and week out.
Calling so many people with unique and helpful gifts who are willing to serve the youngest to the oldest among us.
Trials that you use to grow us into greater Christ-likeness, steadfastness and perseverance. And for a church that walks through those trials with us.
That our hope is not found in this world but in the next. As believers, help us see ourselves as foreigners passing through this hopeless world with our eyes fixed on heaven. As Your word calls us “citizens of heaven” where Christ sits now advocating on our behalf and we can eagerly anticipate His return as our savior.

Father, I ask that you Remind us of your generosity. Forgive us when we become self-centered, self-righteous and possess notions of entitlement. Instead may we be reminded of your abundant grace and generosity. Help us to see evidences of grace in our lives and in the lives of those around us. By your grace, make us thankful people who can bring honor to you in our lives and especially this week. I pray for gospel fruit from our conversations this thanksgiving week as we honor you with our thankful words and hearts. To You be all glory.