November 6, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions for Reflection:
How did Paul feel about the church at Thessalonica? What words in this passage informed that opinion? Why does Paul feel this way? Why does Paul pray for them continually? In verse 3, Paul lays out three characteristics that he remembers in his prayers. What are they? With each of those characteristics, Paul offers a motivation that drives those actions. Michael Holmes in his commentary on Thessalonians notes, “the first word indicates something about the character of the second: Paul is giving thanks for an active faith, a hard-working love, and a patient, enduring hope.”
What is the motivation behind what you do? It’s not just our actions that matter. Paul is saying that our motives that drive our actions are just as important (if not more so). Let’s drill down on this concept using an example. For demonstration purposes, let’s think about giving. The default might be to say that we need to give to the church. Paul would say why? Why do we give? The answer is that we give in response to what God has done for us and in us. Giving is an act of worship. It should flow from a life seeking to be centered on God. If God was at the center of your life, how would you spend your money? To what would you give?
Each and every action can be explored in that same way. It is important to know the “why” behind our actions. Why do you love others? Why do you have faith? Why can you have hope? Over the course of our current sermon series, we’re reminding you to think. Don’t just go through the motions with your life. Engage the mind that God gave you and let your actions flow out of that.