A Second Thanksgiving

Introduction:

Revisit the personalized and individual concern Paul had for the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 2:11.

We can see the structure of the letter.

Note the wording of 1 Thess. 1:2-6.

This means the structure runs from 1 Thess. 1:2-2:12.

We will see a second reason for Paul’s thanksgiving to God.

What we learn will remind us of the importance of how one comes to view the message and the subsequent response.

Another Thanksgiving

Paul’s care for the Thessalonian church takes the form of expressions of thanksgiving.

Having the habit of prayer and thanksgiving are indications of spiritual health.

Paul gives the Thessalonians reasons for his thanksgiving.

Having welcomed the word of a report from us from God establishes the circumstance or condition of the main idea.

“You received (it) not (as) an account of humans but rather just as it is really an account of God.

Paul makes a similar statement in Romans 10 which might be relevant here.

Are there any preconditions to saving faith?

What separates those who remain in church versus those who leave?

Those who stay become convinced in the authority of the Word of God.

A further description of God appears, but not randomly.

Paul seems interested in assuring the Thessalonians that he has observed evidence of God’s work among them.

Evidence of Genuine Belief

Paul explains to the Thessalonians the evidence of their genuine faith and of God’s work among those who believe.

He has described them in 1 Thess. 1:6 as imitators of him and of Christ - note there.

Now he singles out their imitation of the churches in Judaea.

Paul’s point of comparison is that relatives or fellow countrymen made them to suffer just like the Jews made their fellow countrymen suffer.

Paul now turns this into a pattern of behavior as he further describes the Jews:

They killed Jesus and the prophets (note Luke 11:47-51).

They persecute us.

They are not pleasing God and oppose all people.

They forbid us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved.

In the echoes of Jesus, Paul says they are completely filling up their sins.

What will happen is the wrath of God upon them.

Paul means the temporal wrath of God as taught by Jesus and which was yet 20 years in the future.

God has fulfilled his wrath before, we can know he will fulfill his wrath again. Thanks be to God for Jesus who rescues us from his wrath.