1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 Pt. 1
Thanksgiving, Remembrance, Prayer - Silver City Church
Sermon Overview
“Thanksgiving, Remembrance, Prayer,” from 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (Part 1), explores Paul’s thanksgiving as a measure of spirituality. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy give thanks to God always for the Thessalonians, constantly praying with remembrance. The sermon highlights thanksgiving as supernatural, directed upward to God, fueling prayer and remembrance of His work. Amid cultural labels, the church’s mark is perpetual thankfulness and prayer, rooted in grace and peace. Believers are called to emulate Paul’s mindset, becoming a thankful, praying people whose lives glorify God.
Key Takeaways
Paul’s constant thanks to God (1:2). The sermon cites Lloyd-Jones: spirituality is measured by praise and thanksgiving in prayer, not programs or size.
Paul constantly mentions them in prayers (1:2). The sermon links thanksgiving to prayer, showing both as upward-focused worship.
Thanksgiving involves remembrance of God’s work (1:3 context). The sermon portrays prayer as fueled by grateful recall of His faithfulness.
The sermon urges the church to be marked by thankful prayer, emulating Paul’s pastoral heart and living in grace and peace.
Weekly Devotional
Day 1: Constant Thanksgiving
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Devotional Idea: Cultivate perpetual thanks to God.
Paul gives thanks always (1:2). The sermon measures spirituality by thanksgiving in prayer. Reflect on areas of ingratitude. The sermon calls for upward thanks first. How can you thank God today? Ask Him to make thanksgiving your mindset.
Day 2: Prayer with Thanksgiving
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Devotional Idea: Pray constantly with gratitude.
Paul constantly mentions them in prayers (1:2). The sermon links thanksgiving to prayer. Reflect on your prayer life. The sermon urges remembrance of God’s work. How can you pray thankfully? Ask God to fuel your prayers with gratitude.
Day 3: Thanksgiving in All Circumstances
Scripture: Psalm 50:23
Devotional Idea: Offer thanksgiving as sacrifice.
Thanksgiving glorifies God (Psalm 50:23). The sermon portrays it as supernatural worship. Reflect on trials needing gratitude. The sermon calls for thankful hearts. How can you thank God in difficulty? Ask Him to turn complaints to praise.
Day 4: Prayer as Breathing
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Devotional Idea: Make prayer constant like breathing.
Paul prays constantly (1:2). The sermon treats prayer as essential. Reflect on prayer’s place in your day. The sermon urges unceasing communion. How can you pray more naturally? Ask God to make prayer your breath.
Day 5: Remembrance Fuels Thanks
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Devotional Idea: Remember God’s work to stir thanksgiving.
Paul remembers God’s blessings in prayer (1:2-3 context). The sermon shows remembrance fueling gratitude. Reflect on God’s past faithfulness. The sermon calls for intentional recall. How can remembrance deepen your thanks? Ask God to remind you of His mercies.
Reflection and Application Questions
- Reflection: How does Paul’s constant thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 1:2 challenge your view of spirituality?
- Reflection: Why does thanksgiving directed to God fuel prayer and remembrance of His work?
- Reflection: How does ingratitude reveal a heart distant from God, as in Romans 1:21?
- Application: List three things you’re thankful for today; pray them to God, voicing gratitude.
- Application: Pray for someone in your church by name, thanking God for them and their role in your life.
Scripture References and Cross-References
- Main Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
- Cross-References: Romans 1:21 (unthankful heart), Psalm 50:23 (thanksgiving glorifies God), 2 Peter 1:3 (Scripture’s sufficiency), Philippians 4:6 (prayer with thanksgiving), Colossians 4:2 (devote to prayer with thanksgiving)
Westminster Confession Connection
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3’s emphasis on constant thanksgiving and prayer aligns with the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21, Section 5, which teaches that religious worship includes thanksgiving as an essential duty. The sermon’s portrayal of Paul’s thankful remembrance reflects this, flowing from grace and peace in Christ. Believers are called to emulate this mindset, measuring spirituality by praise and prayer, glorifying God through thankful hearts.
Westminster Confession Citation
Chapter 21, Section 5: The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear, the sound preaching and conscionable hearing of the Word… singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: beside religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions… [Scripture proofs: Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; James 5:13]
Catechism Connections
Shorter Catechism, Q. 98: What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. [Scripture proofs: Psalm 62:8; 1 John 5:14; John 16:23; Psalm 32:5-6; Daniel 9:4; Philippians 4:6]
Larger Catechism, Q. 178: What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of His Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. [Scripture proofs: Psalm 62:8; John 16:23; Romans 8:26; Psalm 32:5-6; Daniel 9:4; Philippians 4:6]
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