"We give thanks to God for you all..."
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2
CHARACTERISTICS OF PAUL
The apostle Paul had many outstanding characteristics. He was certainly a man of prayer. He was also known for possessing a spirit of thanksgiving. This is evident in the following text.
“We give thanks to God always for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2
1. “We”
a) This would be a reference to Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.
b) They served together as a missionary team.
c) It is evident that they prayed together much as well.
2. “We give thanks to God always”
a) Giving of thanks
i) Content: Thanksgiving
ii) Continuity is also in mind.
b) Prayer is essentially a response
i) From the heart to God.
ii) From observations of what God is doing in the Thessalonian church.
3. “For you all”
a) The church in general.
b) Individual members in particular.
c) This is quite a feat!
4. “Making mention of you in our prayers”
a) Making mention
Paul was remembering the Thessalonians.
b) Upon remembering
Prayers were offered up to God.
5. The spirit of thanksgiving
a) This reflects the spirit of Paul and his team members.
b) They had cultivated a heart that knew how to give thanks.
c) Praying with thanksgiving became a characteristic way of praying.