“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers…“
Verse two is the beginning of the body of the epistle.
We give thanks to God
We can tell a man’s values by what he appreciates. Paul and his team constantly expressed their gratitude for God’s operation in their lives.Most books of the New Testament begin with some form of thanksgiving but Paul could not bring himself thank God for the Galatians because of their serious doctrinal aberration. He even gave thanks for the church at Corinth and that took some doing!
always
The gospel team gave thanks “always.” Paul’s gospel team constantly gave thanks for God’s work through others. This will deliver us from much discouragement. All of us have many discouraging things come our way.
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).
Principle:
What we appreciate reveals our values. We need to stay in constant communication with God in prayer.
Application:
Some churches are discussion groups. They care little about truth; they care more about everyone giving their viewpoints about truth. Other churches are mere country clubs where socialization takes precedence over edifying one another or sharing the gospel with the world. Still other groups debate political or public issues and give only a squirt of religious perfume to their crowd.
The church at Thessalonica was a true church. You could hear the Word of God there. You saw them strengthen each other in their faith. You watched them share Christ not only with their own city, but also with the whole Mediterranean world. They did not spend much time discussing the dreadful state of affairs in the Roman Empire and there were many abuses in the Empire. They talked about strategy for winning the Roman Empire for Christ. They dealt with important things like sin and salvation, Heaven and Hell.
Do you put priority on God’s values?
The gospel team sometimes did not take time to dial; the receiver was off the hook much of the time. They had a good connection to heaven. They were in constant close communication with the throne room.
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23).”Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17).“Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:164).“…rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer…” (Romans 12:12).
“…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18).
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving…” (Colossians 4:2).
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12).
“…pray without ceasing…” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
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