We give thanks
· only one letter where he does not give thanks (Galatians)
· To God and Father
o The
o Of Lord Jesus Christ
§ Our
How: (do you give thanks?)
· Praying
o Always
o For you
Why: (something in them)
· Since we heard
o Of faith (conversion) – God
§ In Christ (sphere – whole, no more needed)
o And of love – others
§ The
§ Ye have
· To saints
o All – not just a few
o The
— John 13:35
– faith and love brings thanks to leadership
Why: (something outside them)
· For the hope – this is foundational to faith and love – it is the reason you can have faith and love one another
o In heaven
o From the gospel
§ Truth
§ Come to you – as the world
§ Brings fruit – as in you
· Since you heard – faith by hearing
· And knew (grace in truth) – you must know in order to grow
o Personal experience
o Intellectual apprehension
· Also learned from Epaphras
o Our fellow servant
o Your faithful minister
· Declared your love
Concluding thoughts:
· Faith, Love and Hope – six times by Paul, also Hebrews 6:10-12; and 1 Peter 1:21-22
o Faith rests in the past
o Love acts in the present
o Hope presses toward the future
You Think Too Much! 