Liberation Mandate Anniversary Thanksgiving Service by Bishop David Oyedepo: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Understanding the Power of Thanksgiving

Every statement of scripture is a container of the power of God. Romans 1:16 — I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation. When you subscribe to any truth of scripture, it is a bailout from what others who don't know it go through. Thanksgiving is one such power-carrier that most people have not come to realise.

Jesus gave thanks over five loaves and two fishes, and approximately 10,000 people were fed. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus gave thanks and Lazarus came forth. That is how powerful thanksgiving can be.

Why Do We Give Thanks?

1. Thanksgiving is a debt we owe God. Luke 17 — Ten lepers were cleansed. Only one returned. God asked, where were the nine? It is a debt we owe that must be paid before we see his next hand in our lives. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 — We are bound to give thanks.
2. Every good gift comes from God. James 1:17 — From the father of light, in whom there is no variableness. Ephesians 5:20 — Giving thanks always for all things unto God.
3. To avoid a reversal of his blessings. Malachi 2:2 — If you do not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, I will send a curse and cause your blessings to be cursed. Timely thanksgiving prevents darkness. Many blessings that were visible yesterday are no longer visible today because someone beat their chest and said, "This is my accomplishment." We do not talk of accomplishment in the kingdom — we talk of engracement.
4. Thanksgiving is a gateway to scaling new heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19 — Although the fig tree shall not blossom, yet I will rejoice in the Lord and he will make my feet like a deer's. We do not give thanks only for things that have happened. We give thanks to make things happen.
5. Thanksgiving is the fruit of our lips that guarantees returns. Proverbs 13:2 — A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth. Hebrews 13:15 — By him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
6. Thanksgiving is a mystery that moves you from level to level. From healing to wholeness. From dryness to flourishing. Psalm 92:12 — You shall flourish like a palm tree. Give thanks to God for the job you have, and the next high-level opportunity will come. Give thanks for your small business, and before your eyes it will become a global phenomenon.
7. Thanksgiving facilitates access to revelation. Psalm 100:4 — Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. In his presence there is fullness of joy and paths of life are shown. We cannot gain access to his presence without thanksgiving.

8. Thanksgiving provokes and sustains church growth. Jeremiah 30:19 — Out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry, and I will multiply them. Acts 2:47 — Praising God and having favour with all people, and the Lord added to the church daily.
9. Thanksgiving secures fulfillment of prophecies. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God. Hebrews 10:36 — After you have done the will of God you obtain the promise. God spoke about this commission 17 years before it came to light — it was thanksgiving that held steady until the chapter opened.

The Worst Enemy of Thanksgiving

The worst enemy of thanksgiving is pride. When God gives a two-bedroom house and the response is, "Is this my size?" — that is pride. Pride invites a reversal.

If you have lost anything, give him thanks for the reason you have not lost everything. As you give thanks for what remains, the remaining will be preserved and multiplied.

May thanksgiving become your addiction. One man counted the times his colleague said "Thank you Jesus" or "Praise the Lord" between two towns — it was 72 times. That person did not even know he was doing it. That is what a lifestyle of thanksgiving looks like.