Learning to Give Thanks!

Sermon Title: God’s Election and Man’s Responsibility

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

Occasion: OBC Day of Renewal

Date: November 14, 2023

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Scripture Transitions Sermon Title|Quotes |Emphasis

Introduction

It is such a blessing to spend time with family.

The truth is, there is always thing longing in my heart to be with you all, to see you, to catch up, and to hear about what the Lord is doing in each of you and in and through OBC.

This morning, I do not want to take up too much time. I want to get right down to it.

Our text this morning is 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 (Read)

1 Thessalonians 1:1–3 ESV

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray

Over the last few months, I have been reading through 1 and 2 Thessalonians in my devotion time with the Lord.

It is incredibly encouraging, and it provides us a great hope for the future for us who are in Christ Jesus.

If you are not familiar with this letter, let me give a very short background on it:

Paul wrote this letter to encourage new believers in their faith, to exhort them to godly living, to give them assurance about the eternal state of believers who had died, and to defend the integrity of his ministry as an apostle.

Thessalonica (present-day Thessaloniki, Greece) was the capital of Roman Macedonia. It was on important trade routes.

Paul, twice identified as the author (1:1; 2:18), visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey but was forced to flee because of Jewish opposition.

He sent Timothy to work with the largely Gentile church there, and Timothy brought him good news of their faith (3:6).

This is one of Paul’s first letters, probably written about A.D. 50–51.

We have to understand that Paul begins this letter by remembering what transpired in the few short months he ministered in Thessalonica.

He rehearses it:

(1) the birth and growth of the church (1:2–10);

(2) the integrity of his ministry team (2:1–12);

and (3) the Thessalonians’ faithfulness in his absence (2:13–16).

Undoubtedly, this literary journey through the recent past brought much joy to the apostle as he reflected on what God had done.

It must have also greatly encouraged him to think that the LORD could do the same kind of things again in spite of his present, difficult circumstances in pagan, immoral Corinth (cf. Acts 18:1–18).

I want to pause there:

We will have a hard time believing that God can do a new work in a new season, if we don’t constantly, and continually remember what God has done.

And more than just remembering continually, but intentionally created regular disciplines of prayer that are saturated with thanksgiving to God.(Col. 4:2)

Today, the apostle, OBC family, gives us a lesson on giving thanks.

Sermon Title: “Learning to Give Thanks”

I know I can’t be the only one in the room who desperately needs to be taught not just in the mind, but in the heart, to give thanks to God for all that He has done.

Why do we need a lesson on giving thanks?

It guards our heart against bitterness.

It guards our hearts against selfness.

It guards our hearts against disunity.

It fill us our hearts with hope.

It gives us an eternal perspective.

It helps us to be content.

It helps us to love, celebrate, and serve others.

It helps us to have great joy in the face of any and every circumstance.

Which of those 8 things are you in need of?

Which of those 8 things are your experiencing?

Giving thanks to the Father is not normal or natural.

Paul prays for it in Colossians 1.

Disappointment, anxiety, and grumbling are the normal, natural, earthly responses to circumstances like ours.

If gratitude toward God blossoms in the soil of hardship and distress, then God has made it grow.

That means if we feel thankful at all today, it’s because of the work of Christ, and we thank him all the more.

And if gratitude feels tough right now, even impossible -then we plead with Christ to fill our dim eyes and ears and hearts with the inheritance waiting for us in glory.

The reality is we are hear today to be encouraged.

But we are also here today to learn how to continually give thanks to God in order that we might experience all 8 of these incredible benefits of the Lord in our lives, and so that we might be a people that are known for gratitude and not grumbling-that God might be glorified and that what we might taste the freedoms that come along with a life of giving thanks.

Can those we serve around say about us:

That there is more praise coming out of our mouths than complaints.

That we are a people who express gratitude for what God is doing rather than grumbling about what we He’s not.

Here is what the word says about this:

That we are commanded to...

Psalm 34:1 “...bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in our mouths.”

That we are called to..

Ephesians 5:20 “give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

That we are to be a set apart people...

Colossians 3:17 “[that] whatever we do, in word or deed, [we] do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

That we ought to be a people. who...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; (WHY?)for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

This is God’s will for us, beloved.

So let’s look at Pauls intro here in 1 Thess. to learn how we can be a people who freely and joyfully and continually give thanks!

Point One: The First Thing we have to learn in giving thanks to God is to commit to ALWAYS doing it!

This first commitment to giving thanks is to commit to not stop doing it once you get started.

That it would be your normal way of life. That your regular rhythms would be permeated with thanksgiving to God! (Watchful Col. 4:2)

1 Thessalonians 1:2 “We give thanks to God ALWAYS for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,”

Paul is saying if we want to guard our hearts against so many of the flaming darts I mentioned above- than we have to make giving thanks a regular habit in our lives.

Paul is modeling for the Church at Thessalonica and to us, that giving thanks must be a faithful and regular pattern for us, and the impact on others is huge.

There is God-sized ripple affect when it is our way of life!

When we “always”, “Constantly” give thanks!

In a small village, there lived an elderly woman named Sarah.

She had experienced her fair share of life's trials and tribulations, but through it all, she maintained a faithful pattern of giving thanks to the Lord.

Every morning, Sarah would wake up before the sun, light a candle, and kneel by her bedside to pray. Her prayers were not filled with requests for more wealth or a life free of challenges.

Instead, she thanked the Lord for the simple blessings that many took for granted. She thanked Him for the warmth of the sun, the song of the birds, and the food on her table.

One day, a young man from the village approached Sarah and asked, "Why do you give thanks every day, even when life is hard?"

Sarah smiled and replied, "My child, I give thanks because every day is a gift from God. I may have faced hardships, but I have also seen His blessings.

By giving thanks in all circumstances, I remember that even in the darkest times, there is something to be grateful for. It keeps my heart full of joy and my spirit strong."

Years passed, and Sarah's faithful pattern of giving thanks inspired the entire village. People started joining her in morning prayers of gratitude, and the community became closer and more resilient in the face of challenges. Through Sarah's example, they learned that thanksgiving is not just a one-time event but a way of life.

In the end, Sarah's legacy was not the material wealth she accumulated, but the wealth of gratitude she shared with her village. She taught them that a faithful pattern of giving thanks to the Lord could transform not only their hearts but also their entire community, making it stronger, more compassionate, and deeply connected to God's love.

May we all be like Sarah, who reminded us that no matter the circumstances, there is always something to be thankful for in our lives.

So first things first, Paul’s life was a walking talking billboard of thanksgiving! May it be with us. (Billboard-What’s on your billboard? Grumpy or Grateful?)

Point 2: Paul didn’t just give thanks to his fav’s but to everyone at Thessalonica.

Giving thanks for people who do things for you and that are like you is easy.

It doesn't require anything!

But thanking God for people that are less than friendly with us, or talk behind our back, or than annoy us is a different matter all together.

Giving thanks to the Lord in prayer for “Everyone” helps us to become more like Christ.

Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Giving thanks for a difficult person in your life will not only help you to love them better, but it will guard your heart from falling into a pit of selfishness and self-righteousness.

It also helps you take the plank out of your own eye.

Everyone Paul, really?

The annoying youth group student? Yes!

The staff member who gets on your nerves?

The fellow pastor who always procrastinates and waits until the last minute to complete his tasks?

The person who never turns in his receipts?

The church member that can’t seem to get it together and keeps falling back to sin?

The person that seems to want to get ahead for selfish gains?

God’s reply is “Yes”, give thanks for them because it will help you to love people the way Christ loves you, and it will guard your heart from pride, arrogance, selfishness, and self-righteousness.

The Church at Thessalonica was not perfect and yet he gave thank always for every person who made up that Church.

Maybe there is a hint of self-righteousness in your life today and that has caused a root of bitterness, in you and as a result you are unhappy with yourself and others.

To you I would say, look to Christ.

Looking to Christ and the gospel frees us to give thanks for everyone in the faith, knowing that the Spirit of God is doing a great (often slow) work in conforming them to Jesus.

Start here:

Give thanks for their salvation.

Give thanks for their progress.

Give thanks for their presence.

Be set free to rejoice in others

Point 3: Paul is constantly looking back (remembering) the work of the Lord in and through the Church of Thessalonica.

Brothers and sister, if we fail to remember all that God has done past, we will fail to give thanks for what He is doing in present.

Why do I say that?

Because our gratitude for what He is doing in the present is directly tied to his faithfulness in the past.

Illustration:

Paul is building this large stack of legos, and each lego is something he can recall that God has done.

And the taller it gets, the more visible it is, and the easier it is to give thanks for all the Lord is doing.

We have to stop long enough, to do it.

When I say look back, it doesn’t have to mean 3 years ago (you can do that too) I’m talking about this year!

(Start building legos)

Freeway open doors for opportunities to bring gospel aspire.

We asked. Blown away because that the Church wants to do it.

New people, Most of guys brought Friday (Men’s Workshop) are new.

New disciples who are growing and wanting to serve.

Ferdie and Wanda provides people for to do ministry.

Denver and Amy White serve at Freeway. 2 little boys

Vision time earlier this fall. (3x5 cards)

Multi-generational discipleship (tech ministry/Children)

Youth Group leaders at small group.

But the opposite is unfortunately true.

If we don’t recall God’s wondrous deeds among us, we will forget, and inevitably we will find ourselves doing ministry with cold and ungrateful hearts, that only focus on the negatives all because we have not recalled the powerful and wonderful things God has done in our midst.

(Tear down legos)

We must remember.

So to close, what does Paul remember and recall:

Point 4: The Work of faith, the labor of love, and the steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ! (v3b)

1. He first comments on their works of faith or better put, their faith which produced works.

Paul speaks here of the ministry which resulted from their personal faith in Christ (1:8; 3:2, 5–7; 5:8) so that they served the living and true God (cf. 1:9).

That true faith works fruitful obedience was also taught by our LORD (Matt 13:23; John 15:1–8) and by James (2:14–26).

Paul knew that their fruit was not yet complete (3:10) but it was healthy and flourishing (2 Thess 1:3–4).

2. Next comes their labor of love or love which prompted their labor.

So intense was their love for God (cf. 1 John 4:10, 19) that they ministered to the point of being exhausted and weary.

Paul extols the characteristic of sacrificial love elsewhere (1 Cor 13:1–7).

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”

3. Finally, Paul remembers well their steadfastness (patience) of hope in the LORD Jesus Christ or their hope which produced patience (2 Thess 1:4).

Their hope in God’s promise for eternal life (5:8), as validated by the LORD Jesus Christ’s resurrection, energized them to be patient under a heavy load and endure their current hardships and persecutions.

That is why they patiently and expectantly waited for God’s Son to return to earth from heaven (1:10; cf. John 14:1–3).

Their faith in Christ had been validated by their works;

their love of God had been demonstrated by strenuous labor on His behalf;

and their hope of eternal life had been expressed by patient endurance in the midst of trial and tribulation.

It is no wonder that faith, love, and hope were Paul’s favorite subjects (cf. 5:8; Rom 5:2–5; 1 Cor 13:13; Gal 5:5–6; Col 1:4–5).

Conclusion

May we use these 3 virtues be the starting place of our remembering and giving thanks.

I can tell you first hand this is what I see at OBC. But I’m not there every day.

The more important question this morning is:

Do you see before our God and Father this mornings the work of faith among you, the sacrificial labor of love, and the steadfastness of hope in Christ that is keeping you on mission until the Lord returns to give you eternal rest?