Title: Thankful Praise

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Psalms of Thanksgiving

Date: November 24, 2025

Bible: Psalm 100

Psalm 100 is a stirring call to Thanksgiving and Praise!

1. The Universal and Joyful Call to Worship

The psalm begins with a universal call to "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth." This is not just for one nation, but for everyone. We are to "Serve the Lord with gladness" and "Come into his presence with singing." The service and worship we offer should be characterized by joy and cheerfulness, not a begrudging sense of duty.

2. The Reasons We Worship God

The teaching outlines three powerful reasons for this worship, all based on knowing that "the Lord, He is God":

By Nature: We worship Him simply because He is God (Yahweh).

By Creation: "It is He who made us and we are His." He is our Maker and sustainer.

By Redemption: "We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." He has made us His own by calling us to Himself.

3. The Central Role of Thanksgiving

We are commanded to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." Thanksgiving is crucial because it gives us the right perspective:

It Humbles Us: It reminds us that we have nothing in and of ourselves; every gift, every breath, and every achievement comes from God.

It Encourages Us: It assures us that we have all these things because God loves us as His dearly loved people.

4. The Unfailing Goodness of God

The ultimate foundation for all this worship is the truth stated in the final verse: "For the Lord is good. His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

The sermon emphasizes that God is good in an undiminished, unfailing way, and His steadfast love (Chesed—covenant faithfulness and loyal love) and faithfulness are constant.