Paul’s Thanksgiving

Northwest Bible Church – March 26, 2023 – 1 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. 1:2-5
Paul’s Thanksgiving

Intro

A. THANKSGIVING AND PRAYERS (1 Thess. 1:2).

1. Always thanking God for them all.

2. Praying for them.

B. REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING (1 Thess. 1:3-5).

1. Immediate reasons (1 Thess. 1:3):

a. work of faith –

b. labor of love –

c. steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ –

d. “in the presence of our God and Father” –

2. Ultimate reasons (1 Thess. 1:4-5):

a. “brethren beloved by God” (1 Thess. 1:4) –

b. God’s choice of them (1 Thess. 1:4) –

c. The gospel came in power and in the HS, not in word only (1 Thess. 1:5) –

d. The gospel came with full conviction (1 Thess. 1:5) –

POINT OF INTEREST:

Discussion Questions for family devotions: Why are giving thanks and praying to God important in the Christian life? Paul was thankful to God for their “work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope.” What does this say about the sovereignty of God? How can you grow these three virtues in your life? What does it mean to live “Coram Deo”? When was the last time you thanked God for choosing you for salvation and converting you through the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit?