I Thank God for You

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2024

Philippians 1:1-6

 

Introduction: 

A. The Apostle Paul had a great love for the people that he associated with in the ministry.  They certainly were not a perfect people, but they were God’s people. 

B. Often, in his epistles, Paul had to “straighten out” problems that hindered the spiritual growth and work of the gospel but always did so with love and longsuffering. 

 

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 

 

1. The first three aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are inward, the second three are outward, and the third three are upward.

 

2. Notice with me the outward manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit:  longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness.  Paul was certainly a Spirit filled preacher!

 

C.  Paul thanked God for them upon “every remembrance.”  Often, we pray for each other and our known needs, but how often do we thank God for each other?  As we take for granted the blessings of life, we are also often guilty of taking each other for granted. 

 

1.  We are not perfect people.  We are not a perfect church.  I am not a perfect pastor. 

 

2.  But, through the Holy Spirit of God, we are a loving people.  We are a forgiving people.  We are a unified people. 

 

3.  We are an inclusive people, and everyone is welcome at Temple Baptist Church.

 

D.  The Apostle Paul was thankful for the Lord’s people!

 

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

 

2.  Paul Thanked God For Their Obedience - Romans 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

 

3.  Paul Thanked God For Their Graciousness - Romans 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

 

4.  Paul Thanked God For Their Helpfulness - Romans 16:3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

 

5.  Paul Thanked God For Their Loyalty - Romans 16:4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

 

6.  Paul Thanked God For Their Maturity - 1 Corinthians 1:4-5  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

 

7.  Paul Thanked God For Their Prayers - 2 Corinthians 1:11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

 

8.  Paul Thanked God For Their Caring - 2 Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

 

9.  Paul Thanked God For Their Unity - Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

10.  Paul Thanked God For Their Love - 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;

 

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 

Conclusion:  I thank God for each of you tonight.  We are not a perfect people, but we are a special people because we are God’s people!