A Heart of Thanksgiving | Calvary Chapel of the Harbour

Breaking News | Special Announcement | Thanks-living | A Holy Holiday | America Founded on Biblical Principles | Why Should We Be Thankful | Indescribable Gift = Jesus | Beyond Words Inexpressible | No Other Name Under Heaven Brings Salvation | Jesus Came to the Earth & Left His Glory Behind | There is Power In The Name of Jesus | He is Coming Back As Lion | Every Good & Perfect Gift Comes from Above from the Father of Lights | God is Faithful & He Doesn't Change | He is Full of Joy Peace & Awesome Power | God Hears Our Prayers | Are You Waiting? ‐ Time of Testing | God's Timing is Perfect | God is Concerned About Everything We Are Going Through | God Hears When We Call | Testimony about Church's New Location | How God Brought it About Including Showing in Pastor Joe's Dream | Church Just Purchased the Property as Its Permanent Home |So Grateful | When God Guides He Provides | The Bank Was Impressed with the Dedicated Congregation | Commitment to Tithing & Volunteering | Faithful Servants Working on the Property | Frugality of the Church Few Staff and Army of Volunteers | Time Treasure & Talent | Good Management | Main Contact at the Bank is Believer from Calvary Chapel | He was Encouraging the Loan Deal for This Eternal Work Worth Fighting On | Church's Testimony to the Bankers Making Them Interested in Jesus | God is Faithful | If We Ask Anything According to GOD's Will He Hears Us & Grants Us Our Petition |

Sermon Summary:

Thanksgiving message emphasizes gratitude shouldn't be limited to one day a year but should characterize the daily life of every believer. Pastor Joe explores the foundation of Christian thanksgiving—the indescribable gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. He challenges the congregation to maintain a grateful heart even during trials and difficulties, recognizing that God's will includes giving thanks in all circumstances. The sermon weaves together the church's testimony of God's faithfulness in providing their permanent building with scriptural teaching on prayer, God's mercy, and the necessity of living with constant thanksgiving. The message calls believers to recognize that true gratitude flows from understanding the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice and the transformation He brings to our lives.

Key Points:

Thanksgiving is a holy holiday established to give God thanks, but believers should live with thanksgiving every day, not just once a year
The indescribable gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is the foundation of all Christian gratitude
God hears our prayers and His timing is perfect, even when He asks us to wait
God is merciful and compassionate, with mercies that are new every morning
Giving thanks in everything is God's will for believers, not just some things or most things, but all things
The flesh (represented by the Amalekites in Scripture) must be constantly fought through prayer
God's faithfulness is demonstrated through provision, answered prayer, and changed lives
Gratitude requires the power of the Holy Spirit, as we cannot maintain thankfulness in our own strength
Every believer has gifts that should be used for God's glory, not buried or wasted

Stories:

Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation, acknowledging America's dependence on God and calling the nation to repentance and gratitude
The church's journey from their previous location to purchasing their current property, including the miraculous provision and favorable loan terms
Pastor Scott's testimony of 40 years in banking and never seeing a church run as frugally and efficiently
The banker Alfredo, a Calvary Chapel worship team member, who advocated for the church saying "this is eternal stuff"
Jessica's testimony of her brother's deliverance from homelessness and fentanyl addiction after nine years of prayer
Multiple testimonies from congregation members about cancer healing, sobriety anniversaries, atheist children coming to faith, and prisoners finding Christ
The testimony of a former gang member and drug addict now homeschooling her daughters in the Lord
A mother's testimony of her daughter who lived a lesbian lifestyle rededicating her life to the Lord

Scripture Reference:

2 Corinthians 9:15: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift"
Psalm 100: Psalm of thanksgiving
Acts 4:12: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"
James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above"
Psalm 4:3: "The Lord will hear when I call to him"
1 John 5:14-15: Praying according to God's will
Exodus 17: Moses interceding with raised hands while Joshua fought Amalek
1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"
Ephesians 5:20: "Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Colossians 3:17: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus"