Christian Thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What is one thing that you’re thankful for?
Christian Thanksgiving Runs us Back to God
Christian Thanksgiving Runs us Back to God
11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Christian Thanksgiving Rejoices in the Growth of Others
Christian Thanksgiving Rejoices in the Growth of Others
Their Fruitful Growth
Their Fruitful Growth
Good works produced by faith
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Self-Sacrificing Labor Motivated by Love
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
Perseverance Motivated by a Coming Lord
Paul was deeply concerned for the Thessalonians since they faced persecution almost immediately in Acts 17.
Their Faithful Audience
Their Faithful Audience
Paul is aware and rejoicing over their fruitfulness, but notice how at the end of verse 3 Paul makes mention that this fruitful growth is taking place before their God and Father. This must’ve been extremely encouraging to this church that has faced tensions with the unbelievers in their city. To be reminded though your works may not be appreciated by the lost, your redeeming God looks over you with Fatherly care and takes note of your commitment to His honor and glory.
I think that as we look at this portion, we should ask ourselves, “Do I find myself thanking and praising God for the growth I see in the believers that are in my life?”
Another question that I think would be helpful here is, “Are we the kind of believers that encourage those around us to praise God?”
Christian Thanksgiving Recalls the God’s Redeeming Grace (4-6)
Christian Thanksgiving Recalls the God’s Redeeming Grace (4-6)
1. The Passion of Election (4)
2. The Product of Election (4-5)
Brotherhood (4)
Gospel Reception (5)
Notice that Paul is saying that it isn’t just words that brought this about. But it was that the words they preached was the gospel that came with life-changing, assurance giving, Holy Spirit conviction that changed their lives.
Maybe you remember how we looked at Acts 17 last week and noticed that this church was persecuted almost immediately. Remember how they pulled Jason out of his own house? He might’ve been persecuted, but we never see him wavering, because he was assured that Christ is the savior through the gospel that he believed.
Lastly, I want you to notice that Paul mentions how they behaved when they preached to them.
GK Beale said, “People in both the religious and philosophical communities of the first century felt that the only teachers worth a moment’s attention were those who taught with their lives as well as their words.”
Lessons:
We need to pray for grateful hearts that will realize first, where are blessings come from and second, that we should run to Him with thanksgiving.
We need to be encouraged by the Lord’s work in those around us. This will cause you to grow more aware of God’s work and cause you to grow closer with those He has put in your life.
We need to be aware of our conduct and commitment to the gospel in our outreach.