The Most Profound Cause For Thanksgiving | 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 1:4–7

About this sermon

Introduction: What we have in 1 Thessalonians chapter one, is a record of Paul’s thanksgiving on behalf of the church of the Thessalonians. He opens this letter in the way that he does to encourage this church, to challenge this church, and to protect this church from the slander of false teachers against Paul’s ministry. He says in verse 2 that he gives God thanks for them, and he follows with three participial phrases that explain that giving of thanks. He gives thanks MENTIONING them in prayer. This is the MANNER of his giving of thanks. He gives thanks REMEMBERING their work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope. This the IMMEDIATE CAUSE for his giving of thanks. But now, in verses 4-10, we find THE MOST PROFOUND REASON FOR THANKSGIVING — THE ULTIMATE CAUSE for his giving of thanks. Before we look at that ultimate cause, we also remember another way to look at this, and organize this. What is Paul is telling these people ABOUT THESE PEOPLE? How we regard you (vs.1). How we pray for you (vs. 2-3). And now — WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT YOU (vs.4). The ultimate cause for Paul’s thanksgiving IN PRAYER is theological knowledge applied to his personal knowledge of this church. NOTE: PRAYER IS WHAT GOD MEANS FOR IT TO BE WHEN IT IS FUELED BY DEVOTIONAL THEOLOGY. That is — theology (what God has revealed in Scripture) experienced and expressed devotionally. That is what Paul is doing in his prayer life and what he’s talking about in our verses. I. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT YOU (vs.4) We know that God has chosen you. “knowing … your election” NOW, REALIZE SOMETHING. Paul is writing about A CHURCH. He is not saying that he knows that every person associated with that congregation who has made a public profession of faith in Christ is genuine. This isn’t a comment about every individual in that congregation. BUT IT IS A COMMENT ABOUT THE SOURCE AND GENUINENESS OF THE WORK OF MINISTRY IN THEIR MIDST. Paul is saying that he is certain that he has witnessed the work OF GOD — salvation’s work — and that means these people were chosen by God for salvation. “We know that we were witnesses of genuine conversion.” “We know that such a conversion can only be explained by God’s unconditional, pre-temporal, love.” In fact, it is interesting, that though the rest of Scripture makes plain who makes the choice when it comes to salvation, Paul doesn’t specify GOD has the elector, but he does specify God as the one who has loved them and now loves them. GOD’S LOVE AND GOD’S CHOICE ARE JOINED. WE KNOW THAT GOD’S ELECTING PURPOSES ARE NOT EXPLAINED BY MAN, BUT THEY ARE ALSO NOT EXPLAINED BY NOTHING. God’s choices are not arbitrary. God’s choice reflects God’s wisdom. God’s choice was inextricably joined with God’s love. A. ELECTION IS EXPLAINED BY DIVINE LOVE God has a love for ALL HUMANITY, but HIS SAVING LOVE explains the FORMATION OF HIS PEOPLE. Every saint of God was chosen by God for salvation. Every saint of God was loved by God (in a sense unique to God’s people) from all eternity. Introduction: What we have in 1 Thessalonians chapter one, is a record of Paul’s thanksgiving on behalf of the church of the Thessalonians. He opens this letter in the way that he does to encourage this church, to challenge this church, and to protect this church from the slander of false teachers against Paul’s ministry. He says in verse 2 that he gives God thanks for them, and he follows with three participial phrases that explain that giving of thanks. He gives thanks MENTIONING them in prayer. This is the MANNER of his giving of thanks. He gives thanks REMEMBERING their work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope. This the IMMEDIATE CAUSE for his giving of thanks. But now, in verses 4-10, we find THE MOST PROFOUND REASON FOR THANKSGIVING — THE ULTIMATE CAUSE for his giving of thanks. Before we look at that ultimate cause, we also remember another way to look at this, and organize this. What is Paul is telling these people ABOUT THESE PEOPLE? How we regard you (vs.1). How we pray for you (vs. 2-3). And now — WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT YOU (vs.4). The ultimate cause for Paul’s thanksgiving IN PRAYER is theological knowledge applied to his personal knowledge of this church. NOTE: PRAYER IS WHAT GOD MEANS FOR IT TO BE WHEN IT IS FUELED BY DEVOTIONAL THEOLOGY. That is — theology (what God has revealed in Scripture) experienced and expressed devotionally. That is what Paul is doing in his prayer life and what he’s talking about in our verses.

Topics

• Thanksgiving