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        "Thanksgiving for the Growth in Converts"
        II Thessalonians 1:3
        Theme: We are dependent on the grace of God to accomplish the growth necessary to bring new converts to maturity.

      1. The Obligation of Giving Thanks

        1. The Appeal for God’s Grace

          1. In ministry, we often possess such a burden for the fledglings under our care – as they struggle to become established in their faith.
          2. We will spend great amounts of time discipling them (with all that entails) and yet we are unable to make them grow.
          3. At times we can become frustrated with them for the evidences of carnality that can spring up and dominate them at very little notice.
          4. In the first letter Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he dealt with both matters of conduct and theology – but notably included prayers for them.
          5. Among other things, Paul was particularly burdened that God accomplish two things among the Thessalonian believers:
            1. That their faith would be established and strengthened: "as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?" - 1 Thessalonians 3:10
            2. That their love would increase and abound: "May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you;" - 1 Thessalonians 3:12.
          6. Each servant of the Lord realizes that these matters are all the accomplishment of the Holy Spirit and we are not sufficient of ourselves to do them
          7. Hence, one of the marks of an effective servant of Christ is the awareness of our dependency on the grace of the Lord to work in the lives of our people.

        2. The Acknowledgement of God’s Grace

          1. Thus, having sought the work of the Lord in the lives of these people, Paul acknowledges how God has worked – not simply by causing a small little increase in their faith and love, but he uses superlatives to describe what God has accomplished:
            1. In response to Paul’s prayer that their faith would increase, he acknowledges that it has increased "beyond measure": "to grow over or above"
            2. In response to Paul’s prayer that their love for one another would abound, he acknowledges that it has increased abundantly: "being present in abundance, to become more."
          2. For this reason, Paul states: "We ought always to give thanks to God for you …"
            1. He sees the attending application of the grace of God as causing a debt ("ought") to God – and obligation to recognize His awesome grace on behalf of the people Paul cares so much about.
            2. Once again, the root of the word "give thanks" is or grace
          3. He adds "as is only fitting" – to indicate that it is not merely some ethical duty to give credit where it is due, but it was his delight to glorify God for once again going far beyond what sinful men deserve.
          4. Paul has not forgotten what the Thessalonians believers had been like prior to the grace of God – and would not forget to thank God for what He had achieved in them.
          5. His love and affection for them was real as well as intense – 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8.

      2. The Occasion for Giving Thanks

        1. The Increase of the Fullness of Faith

          1. We have already noted the occasion for Paul’s gratitude to the Lord, but how did God accomplish these things in their lives?
          2. There were several ways by which God, in His grace, built the faith of the Thessalonian believers:
            1. The character of the initial installment of grace – cp. 1 Thessalonians 1:9
            2. The continued orientation to the Word of God – cp. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
            3. The refinement of persecution also caused their growth – cp. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4
            4. The practical instruction that freed them from the moral confusion of their culture – cp. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 & 11
            5. The focus on future things – cp. 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff

        2. The Increase of the Fruit of Faith

          1. As their faith super-abounds and their knowledge of the Lord increases, the fruit of their faith also increases – their "love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater."
          2. Thus, the increase of their love is a consequence of their increase of faith.
          3. The word pictures here portray this beautifully –
            1. The term for the growth of their faith is an organic growth – much the same as a plant would grow systemically in size
            2. The term for the growth of their love describes an outward diffusion or proliferation like a flood irrigating the land
          4. Thus, the test of genuine faith and the maturity of discipleship is the degree of love shared among the brethren – cp. John 13:35

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