I Thank God For You

Temple Baptist Church - 11-18-2018

Philippians 1:1-7

Introduction:  Thanksgiving is almost upon us again.  We have so many things to be thankful for that is hard to name all of them.  The song, “Count Your Blessings,” should be a reminder to us to give God the thanksgiving that is due Him.  Even amid problems we have much to be thankful for.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

A.  We can thank God for the precious gift of His only begotten Son.

B.  We can thank God for hearing the gospel and being gloriously saved.

C.  We can thank God that salvation is eternal and depends upon Him and not us.

D.  We can thank God that His mercies and grace are far greater than all our sin.

E.  We can thank God that Heaven is our home and not this world.

F.  We can thank God that we were born in America and had opportunity to hear and believe.

G.  We can thank God for all His marvelous provision:  food, shelter, conveniences, automobiles, etc.

H.  We can thank God for our health and strength to be here this morning.

I.  We can thank God for our families and friends.

J.  We can thank God for ample opportunity and freedom to serve the Lord.

K.  We can thank God for so many things, but as a pastor, I am thankful for some things also:

            1.  The Philippian Church was a special church – Philippians 4:15-19

            2.  There are a lot of churches, but few special ones!

            3.  They were a mission-hearted church who loved God’s special people.

“I THANK MY GOD UPON EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU.”

1.  I Thank God For Your Salvation

Romans 1:1-71 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2.  I Thank God for Your Faith In Missions

Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Romans 16:19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Philippians 4:15-18  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

3.  I Thank God For Your Testimony In The Community

1 Corinthians 1:4-6  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

4.  I Thank God for Your Friendship With This Pastor

Philippians 1:3-6  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,  For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

5.  I Thank God for Your Following Your Pastor

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

6.  I Thank God For Your Faithfulness To God’s House

Colossians 1:1-4  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

2 Thessalonians 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

7.  I Thank God For Your Love One For Another

2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Conclusion - 1 Corinthians 16:23-24a  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.