Thankful
Thankful
Sunday, November 23rd, 2025
Apostle Mike Herzog
We all have issues. Apostle Mike’s sermon on Sunday explains the root of our problems, how to address the root, and how to achieve victory over these issues. First, we must identify the problem and admit it to ourselves. The main issue each of us struggle with from time to time, is selfishness. It is the common denominator of our problems. Selfishness is being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself, seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure or wellbeing without regard for others.
James 3:16
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Selfishness is a birthplace of every kind of evil.
II Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
This scripture describes people pretending to have a relationship with God, putting on an act to fool others to get what they want.
Studies have been done to show what happens when we are selfish.
Seven Things That Happen Because of Selfishness
1. Selfishness pushes people away.
2. When we are selfish, we begin to think of people in terms of what they can do for us, rather than enjoying unconditional friendships.
3. Self-obsession means we are more prone to worry and mental health problems.
4. Selfishness makes it easier for us to fall into traps like addiction. When you’re selfish, you are more concerned with getting what you want to make yourself happy, regardless of how your actions will affect others.
5. Selfishness means we can hurt others as we ruthlessly strive to satisfy our own needs.
6. Self-centeredness can damage our reputation and lead to loneliness.
7. Selfishness destroys families.
More joy comes from giving than receiving. To choose to constantly take, to receive joy, is an insatiable trap.
Proverbs 11:24
There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.
Give freely and become wealthy. Be stingy and lose everything. This is a supernatural truth that goes against our logical thinking. The deception from the enemy is that self-seeking leads to happiness. The Bible tells us not to focus on our own happiness but to pursue helping others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let serving others be what fulfills you. The way to succeed is to help others succeed. With the same measure you give, it will be given back to you. You cannot love without giving. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Relationship struggles, addiction, low self-esteem, and sin come from selfishness. God gave us a weapon to overcome selfishness called thanksgiving. It's easy to become consumed with all the things we don’t have, but when we shift our focus to all the blessings God has given us, it becomes easier to be thankful. Thankfulness is the humble acknowledgement that everything we have is a gift from God. No one owes us anything. Despite troubles and challenges, we all have something to be thankful for.
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was established because people were thankful that so many survived the harsh winter. Many others who came over on the Mayflower lost their lives from malnourishment, disease, and much more. Those who survived partnered with the natives and were blessed to learn how to grow crops to be able to eat. Through all the struggles, the greatest gift to those who survived was that God had provided. Life is not a guarantee; it’s a gift. We must constantly be aware and remind ourselves of what we do have.
Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
This servant owed the king 750,000 lbs. of gold. Today that would be equivalent to about 480 billion dollars. The king wanted to settle accounts, but the servant was unable to pay. The king forgave this servant's debt. This is a picture of salvation. Jesus wants our forgiveness to be limitless. Jesus paid our debt with something priceless: His blood. He knew we’d never be able to pay the debt of our sins, so He took that burden upon Himself for our eternal souls. You’d think someone forgiven of such a large debt would be grateful. That servant then sought out another servant who owed him the equivalent of $20,000. The servant who had just been forgiven of his own debt that was much greater would not grant his fellow servant the same mercy. When his master heard of this, he punished him. Withholding forgiveness is selfishness. As Apostle Mike put it, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets hurt.” The root of unforgiveness is selfishness.
Five Things Being Thankful Does for You
1. It allows you to come into the presence of God. Without thanksgiving you cannot come into the presence of God.
2. It shows you the will of God for your life.
I Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
When people are thankful, it naturally makes you want to do more for them. Being thankful causes God to want to continue to pour out His blessings upon you because He delights in the prosperity of His people. When you are selfish, you block the blessings God has for you.
3. It causes you to have effective prayer.
Colossians 4:2
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
You stay alert in prayer when you are thankful.
4. It defeats selfishness. When you’re thankful, you can’t be selfish.
5. It repels evil. Selfishness is the birthplace of every evil practice. Thankfulness attracts the presence of God. When He shows up the enemy flees.
How can we practically be thankful and focus our self-efforts and energy on other people? When you pray, pray for others instead of praying for yourself. When having conversations with others, ask them about themselves. Be a good listener, rather than monopolizing the conversation with what you have going on. Serve others instead of waiting to be served. Ask how you can help. Jesus came to serve rather than coming to be served.
Sunday, November 23rd, 2025
Apostle Mike Herzog
We all have issues. Apostle Mike’s sermon on Sunday explains the root of our problems, how to address the root, and how to achieve victory over these issues. First, we must identify the problem and admit it to ourselves. The main issue each of us struggle with from time to time, is selfishness. It is the common denominator of our problems. Selfishness is being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself, seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure or wellbeing without regard for others.
James 3:16
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Selfishness is a birthplace of every kind of evil.
II Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
This scripture describes people pretending to have a relationship with God, putting on an act to fool others to get what they want.
Studies have been done to show what happens when we are selfish.
Seven Things That Happen Because of Selfishness
1. Selfishness pushes people away.
2. When we are selfish, we begin to think of people in terms of what they can do for us, rather than enjoying unconditional friendships.
3. Self-obsession means we are more prone to worry and mental health problems.
4. Selfishness makes it easier for us to fall into traps like addiction. When you’re selfish, you are more concerned with getting what you want to make yourself happy, regardless of how your actions will affect others.
5. Selfishness means we can hurt others as we ruthlessly strive to satisfy our own needs.
6. Self-centeredness can damage our reputation and lead to loneliness.
7. Selfishness destroys families.
More joy comes from giving than receiving. To choose to constantly take, to receive joy, is an insatiable trap.
Proverbs 11:24
There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.
Give freely and become wealthy. Be stingy and lose everything. This is a supernatural truth that goes against our logical thinking. The deception from the enemy is that self-seeking leads to happiness. The Bible tells us not to focus on our own happiness but to pursue helping others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let serving others be what fulfills you. The way to succeed is to help others succeed. With the same measure you give, it will be given back to you. You cannot love without giving. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Relationship struggles, addiction, low self-esteem, and sin come from selfishness. God gave us a weapon to overcome selfishness called thanksgiving. It's easy to become consumed with all the things we don’t have, but when we shift our focus to all the blessings God has given us, it becomes easier to be thankful. Thankfulness is the humble acknowledgement that everything we have is a gift from God. No one owes us anything. Despite troubles and challenges, we all have something to be thankful for.
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was established because people were thankful that so many survived the harsh winter. Many others who came over on the Mayflower lost their lives from malnourishment, disease, and much more. Those who survived partnered with the natives and were blessed to learn how to grow crops to be able to eat. Through all the struggles, the greatest gift to those who survived was that God had provided. Life is not a guarantee; it’s a gift. We must constantly be aware and remind ourselves of what we do have.
Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
This servant owed the king 750,000 lbs. of gold. Today that would be equivalent to about 480 billion dollars. The king wanted to settle accounts, but the servant was unable to pay. The king forgave this servant's debt. This is a picture of salvation. Jesus wants our forgiveness to be limitless. Jesus paid our debt with something priceless: His blood. He knew we’d never be able to pay the debt of our sins, so He took that burden upon Himself for our eternal souls. You’d think someone forgiven of such a large debt would be grateful. That servant then sought out another servant who owed him the equivalent of $20,000. The servant who had just been forgiven of his own debt that was much greater would not grant his fellow servant the same mercy. When his master heard of this, he punished him. Withholding forgiveness is selfishness. As Apostle Mike put it, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets hurt.” The root of unforgiveness is selfishness.
Five Things Being Thankful Does for You
1. It allows you to come into the presence of God. Without thanksgiving you cannot come into the presence of God.
2. It shows you the will of God for your life.
I Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
When people are thankful, it naturally makes you want to do more for them. Being thankful causes God to want to continue to pour out His blessings upon you because He delights in the prosperity of His people. When you are selfish, you block the blessings God has for you.
3. It causes you to have effective prayer.
Colossians 4:2
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
You stay alert in prayer when you are thankful.
4. It defeats selfishness. When you’re thankful, you can’t be selfish.
5. It repels evil. Selfishness is the birthplace of every evil practice. Thankfulness attracts the presence of God. When He shows up the enemy flees.
How can we practically be thankful and focus our self-efforts and energy on other people? When you pray, pray for others instead of praying for yourself. When having conversations with others, ask them about themselves. Be a good listener, rather than monopolizing the conversation with what you have going on. Serve others instead of waiting to be served. Ask how you can help. Jesus came to serve rather than coming to be served.
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