ZNA-447

890129AM

THANKS TO GOD

I THESSALONIANS 1:2-5

As we come to the middle of this first chapter in v.2-5 we find the theme of the present hope of salvation supported by this section “The Reception of the Gospel”. Their reception demonstrated that hope. Paul told them to live a life holy before Christ’s return and as he writes he reflects that they DID!!

Thus he breaks into full heated thanksgiviving! This is true in each of his letters to churches except GALATIANS where he is so grieved for their sinful departures.

Thanksgiving is a major teaching of the Bible. Read Vss. 2-5 We see this flavor of Paul’s life of thankfulness.

First, THANKSGIVING CHARACTERIZED CHRIST’S LIFE – as He TAUGHT. Matthew 11:25 – as He LED in the Lord’s Supper. Matt. 26:27 – as He MINISTERED. John 11:41

Second, THANKSGIVING CHARACTERIZED THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS: – DAVID I Chronicles 29:13 – Temple prayer – LEVITES 2 Chron. 5:12-13 – As glory first. – DANIEL Dan. 2:23 – As secret given – JONAH Jonah 2:9 – In the midst of the fish.

Third, THANKSGIVING FLOWED FROM OTHER SPECIAL SAINTS. – SIMEON Luke 2:28 – At Christ’s presentation – ANNA Luke 2:38 – ” ” ” – PAUL Acts 28:15 – Thanked God for saints.

Fourth, IT’S COMMANDED. – Psalm 50:14 – As a sacrifice – Colossians 3:15 – Be thankful

Fifth, IT’S PART OF OUR ETERNAL OBLIGATION. – Revelation 4:9 – Soon as veil of Heaven opened – Revelation 7:11-12 – Redeemed partake – Revelation 11:16-17 – Continues

And on it goes through the Word of God. SO…

WHEN SHOULD WE GIVE THANKS? – Daniel 6:10 – IN PRIVATE – Psalm 35:18 – IN PUBLIC – I Thess. 5:18 – IN EVERYTHING – Acts 27:35 – BEFORE EATING (John 6:11) – Nehemiah 12:31/40 – AFTER ACCOMPLISHING – Ephesians 1:16 } Ephesians 5:20 } – ALWAYS I Thess. 1:2 }

WHO SHOULD WE THANK? GOD… > for his goodness and mercy, Psa. 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-3 > for Christ’s power and reign, Rev. 11:17 > for deliverance through Christ, from indwelling sin Rom. 7:23-25 > for victory over death and the grave, I Cor. 15:57 > for the triumph of the gospel, 2 Cor. 2:14 > for the conversion of others, Rom. 6:17 > for faith exhibited by others, Rom. 1:8; 2 Thes. 1:3 > for love exhibited by others, 2 Thes. 1:3 > for nearness of God’s presence, Psa. 75:1 > for the supply of our bodily wants, Rom. 14:6

Finally, WHAT SHOULD GO WITH THANKSGIVING?
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MAC HD:USERS:JULIABARNETT:DESKTOP:LIZ’S DOWNLOADS:890129AM.DOC July 27, 2012
> should be accompanied by intercession for others, ITim. 2:1; 2 Tim. 1:3; Phile. 4 > should always accompany prayer, Neh. 11:17; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2 > should always accompany praise, Psa. 92:1; Heb. 13:15

With that brief theology of thanks – what was Paul thankful for? TWO THINGS – > V. 2-3 Their reception of the gospel. > V. 4-5 Their election by God.

Let’s just note the elements of Paul’s thanksgiving for their reception of the gospel:

IT WAS – 1. FOCUSED on the author… “We give thanks to God” 2. CONTINUED in daily life…”Always” 3. NEGLECTEDnot even the obscurestormost insignificant saint “For all of you!” 4. PROMPTED spiritual benefits “Making mention of you in our prayers” 5. FOUNDED on God’s work “Constantly bearing in mind…”

SO, WHAT HAVE WE SEEN? A Biblical eucharitology

DOCTRINE OF THANKSGIVING = – CHARACTERIZED the life of our Lord – It was COMMON in the lives of saints: David, Jonah, Levites and Daniel. – It SPILLS into NT in the lives of many including Anna, Simeon, Paul. > It is COMMANDED in the Old and New Testaments.

> It is THE SUM of our eternal obligation.

> It should be OFFERED Privately,publicly,in everythingas weeat, accomplish, and of course, ALWAYS!

> We should thank God!

Next week focus on thanks to God for his work in Thess!