Reason to Give Thanks

Notes
Transcript
1 Thessalonians 1:2–4 ESV
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
1 Thessalonians 1:6 ESV
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Life is filled with Choices

Choses have a way of defining us.

They say
++Who we are
++What we believe
++Label us

What happens when the label misrepresents who we are?

When our choses don’t match expectations.
++Doubt
++Fear
++Mistrust
Matthew 23:2–3 ESV
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
The Pharisees
++Were in the right place
++Had the Right Message
++Were the wrong example
Matthew 5:20 ESV
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

What happens when the label is correct?

1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
Paul chose to pray for the church

Paul Celebrates the work of God

This is what occurs in the life of the believer.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

This church did it right

We give thanks
++In Prayer we mention you
++Before God we remember you

Paul remembers the impact of God in the church

Your faith is working

Hebrews 11:6 ESV
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
When faith works
++There is a change in the atmosphere
Luke 8:45–46 ESV
45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”
When faith works
There is a change in the atmosphere
++God reveals himself
Luke 11:20 ESV
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
When faith works
There is a change in the atmosphere
God reveals himself
++Declares the reality of an unchanging God
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
John 6:28–29 ESV
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Your Love is on display

1 Thessalonians 4:9 ESV
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
When love abounds
++No instruction is need
++The work of God is seen
The word is out
++God is at work in you
++God is at through you
1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Your Hope is Steadfast

Philippians 1:20 ESV
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
God removes the shame
Romans 5:1–5 ESV
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Paul declares the reason for his rejoicing

1 Thessalonians 1:4 ESV
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
I rejoice because you know
++You are loved by God
++He has chosen you
Look what the Lord has done
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