We Don't Have a Harvest Problem - Thanksgiving 2025

Hosts, Context, and Sponsor    •    Noah Wagner — returning after family health issues    •    Seth Pippin — co-host    •    Lyndon filled in the week beforeRelease timing: Wednesday before ThanksgivingSponsor: Fresh Grounds CoffeeLocal, affordable, fresh-roasted, grinds in-house, offers good food, knows customers by name, and exists to further the mission of God locally and globally.⸻Thanksgiving Foods and TraditionsNoah’s Thoughts    •    Loves turkey — “we only have it once a year.”    •    Prefers smoked turkey; baking this year.    •    Tips: brine for days, baste often, inject with butter.    •    Deep-fried turkey also a favorite.    •    Loves leftovers.Seth’s Thoughts    •    Prefers ham day-of; loves turkey mostly as leftovers (sandwiches).    •    If money weren’t an issue: prime rib or brisket.    •    Jokes that turkey being “high-maintenance” says something.Family and Logistics    •    Multiple family meals can be draining.    •    Seth once gained 10 pounds in one day between morning and night weigh-ins.    •    Noah planned Tennessee travel but stayed local due to his son’s hospitalization.    •    Noah and Deanna ended up with a “small turkey” that was actually 21 pounds.Seasonal Shift    •    No Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.    •    Except Noah helped decorate early because his wife is pregnant with twins.⸻Coffee SegmentNoah    •    Gingerbread shaken espresso — loves the seasonal flavor.Seth    •    Iced white mocha with brown sugar, cinnamon, sweet cream splash, caramel drizzle, brown butter toffee cold foam.    •    “Basically a dessert, but incredible.”    •    Usual orders: brown sugar shaken espresso; dirty chai.    •    Reminder: drink what you like — just don’t call frappes “coffee.”⸻American Thanksgiving: Historical Roots    •    1620: Pilgrims flee religious persecution, cross 66 days on Mayflower, arrive late; nearly half die during winter.    •    1621: Wampanoag help settlers plant and fish; after harvest, Bradford proclaims a thanksgiving feast (3 days; venison, local fowl).    •    1623: Another thanksgiving after drought.    •    1789: Washington proclaims national day of thanks.    •    1863: Lincoln makes Thanksgiving a permanent holiday.Theme across all: Thanking God for provision.⸻ Biblical Foundation: Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)Deuteronomy 16:9–12    •    “Pentecost” = 50 days after Passover.    •    Harvest thanksgiving: bring a freewill offering as the Lord blesses.    •    Celebrate with family, servants, Levites, foreigners, widows, and orphans.    •    Remember slavery; respond with joy, obedience, and generosity.Emphasis: God provides the harvest.⸻Acts 2 Pentecost: Harvest of SoulsTimeline:    •    Passover → Crucifixion & Resurrection    •    Ascension (Acts 1) → “Wait for the Spirit”    •    50 days after Passover → PentecostEvent Highlights    •    Sound like rushing wind; tongues as of fire.    •    Jews from “every nation under heaven” in Jerusalem for the feast.    •    Miracle of languages: everyone hears the gospel in their own language.    •    Two views:    1.    Apostles speak actual languages they never learned.    2.    Apostles speak but hearers miraculously understand.    •    Either way: known languages, understood content — “the mighty works of God.”    •    Peter preaches; crowd asks, “What shall we do?”    •    Response: Repent and be baptized.    •    About 3,000 saved that day.Point: As God brings in the harvest of crops, He brings in a harvest of souls.⸻Living It Out: Gratitude and EvangelismWhy Christians Should Be Most Thankful    •    God provides life, food, safety, breath, and ultimately salvation.    •    Once “dead in sin,” now made alive in Christ.Daily Thankfulness Rhythms    •    Mealtime prayers.    •    Bedtime prayers with kids.    •    Thanking God even for withheld desires.    •    Journaling gratitude.Thanksgiving as an Evangelism Bridge    •    Ask people: “What are you thankful for?”    •    Then share what you’re thankful for: God’s provision, salvation, Jesus Himself.⸻Matthew 9:35–38 — The Harvest Is Plentiful    •    Jesus sees crowds “harassed and helpless.”    •    Says harvest is plentiful, laborers are few.    •    Pray for the Lord to send laborers — then go.Not a harvest problem — a laborer problem.⸻Simple Evangelism Framework: BOB    •    B — Burden: “God, burden my heart for the lost.”    •    O — Opportunity: “Open my eyes today.”    •    B — Boldness: “Give me courage to speak.”⸻Actions & Next Steps    •    Start gospel conversations Thursday: ask “What are you thankful for?”    •    Pray BOB this week — and follow through.    •    Build daily gratitude habits.    •    Study thankfulness passages in Scripture.    •    Carry the momentum into Christmas gospel opportunities.