2. Corinthians 9,6-15. Thanksgiving

 2. Corinthians 9,6-15           6021

Ernstdank 097

Katharina, Virgin, Martyr 306

Isaac Watts, Father of English Hymnody. ✠ 1748 

25. November 2021

1. O Almighty God, Most Merciful Father, You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing: We give You most humble and hearty thanks that You have crowned the fields with Your blessing, and have permitted us once more to gather in the fruits of the earth; and we beseech You to bless and protect the living seed of Your Word sown in our hearts, that in the abundant fruits of righteousness we may always present to You an acceptable thank-offering.  Amen. (Veit Dietrich) 

2. »The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written: He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. [Psalm 112,9] He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!« 

3. The Apostle Paul quotes Psalm 112, nine to the Corinthians: »Yahweh has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.« God provides for his creation. He is not a Deistic deity who winds up creation like a watch and then passively observes its business. Scripture tells us that God is active in His creation. Luther thus writes in his Small Catechism: „God also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, lands, animals and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body in life.… For this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.“ 

4. We can recall numerous accounts of Yahweh providing for people in the Bible: Noah, Abraham, David, and the list goes on and on how God protected them, provided for them and blessed them. God continues to provide for His creation to this day. He gives us seasonable weather, good harvest, health and security, even people with skills and knowledge to help us stay safe, healthy and prosperous. For all these gifts we give thanks to Him. 

5. This time last year Thanksgiving was a more somber holiday. Many stayed isolated in their houses. Family gatherings were sparse. We were deep in the doldrums of a pandemic.  But today God has been bringing us out of despair into hope. He has provided treatment and vaccines to deal with sickness. Our lives are returning to normalcy. We thank and praise Him for all these good things

6. Thousands will of years ago Yahweh promised Abraham: »I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing« (Genesis 12,12). God fulfilled His promise with the birth of Jesus. This gospel of Christ crucified and risen showcases the love, mercy and grace that God has shown His creation. Sin has been paid for in full. We are redeemed back to God. Eternal life is opened to us. Believe and receive the blessings God gives us in and through Jesus Christ His Son.  This is most certainly true. 

7. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

8. Let us pray. O Yahweh, worthy are You to be praised; receive our songs of praise to You, so that we rightly give to You the honor You deserve.  Amen. 

To God alone be the Glory 

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

✠

 

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 by the Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

ELKB. Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. www.bayern-evangelisch.de/www/index.php. Copyright © 2019 Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern. 

VELKD. Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands. www.velkd.de. Copyright © 2020 Vereinigte Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche Deutschlands.