In “Thanksgiving: A Call to Encounter God,” the sermon opens with a powerful testimony of the Ocean Church’s growth and mission. As part of the Urban Tribes movement in Africa, the church is specifically designed to reach the rapidly urbanizing populations of the continent—a new “ethne” defined not by bloodline, but by shared urban spaces and global influences. With 214 souls saved and over 700 visitors this year, the congregation is encouraged to see these not just as numbers, but as individual encounters with a loving God.
The heart of the message focuses on Psalm 100, presenting thanksgiving as an essential “packing list” for anyone entering the presence of the Almighty. Before entering God’s gates, we must know Who we are meeting: Yahweh , the “I AM THAT I AM.” He is self-existent, unchanging, and the source of all beauty and truth. Because of His greatness, the psalmist identifies three essential attitudes for our spiritual journey:
- A Call to Appreciate God: Grounding ourselves in what He has already done.
- A Call to Admire God: Recognizing that He is bigger than our fears, wounds, and circumstances.
- A Call to Adore God: Blessing His name through humble worship and affection.
The sermon concludes with a practical challenge: thanksgiving is for the benefit of the believer, not just the Creator. Cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” opens and transforms the human heart, shifting our perspective from our problems to God’s power. Whether in seasons of joy or “life’s storms,” we are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in all circumstances. This intentionality—through worship, prayer, and even gratitude journaling—is the key to a consistent, transformative encounter with God.
- * *
Will you choose an attitude of gratitude today? We invite you to start a gratitude journal this week, noting three things God has done for you, and see how it transforms your daily encounter with Him.
