REASONS for PREACHERS (& OTHERS) to PRAISE !  	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  11-19-00 A.M.    		1Thes.1:1-10     			 
	Can you believe it.... Thanksgiving Time already.  It wasn't very long ago we were
concerned about Y2K... and most of us have forgotten all about it.  The apostle Paul had established
the church at Thessalonica on the second missionary journey.  He and the team had been there "three 
sabbath days" and then Paul had to leave.  But as Paul writes back to them... he has many expressions 
of Thanksgiving... Reasons To Praise God... 

I.  THE ACTION of THEIR FAITH..  1:2,3 We (the team) Always THANK GOD for All of you... Why? 
  A. Your Work Produced by Faith.. 3 
    1. You received the "Word"  vs.6 
	- In much affliction - With much joy of the Holy Spirit 
    2. You became "imitators" of us & the Lord..  vs. 6 
	- Works won't save us... but saved ones will work! 
    3. You turned from idols to serve the living and True God.. 9b 
	- There was a transformation of their lives 
    4. You  began to look for Christ's return !  10
 * Isn't That Enough To Make A Preacher Praise God! 
  B. Your Labor Prompted by Love.. vs.3 
    1. You became a "model" to all believers in Macedonia.. vs.7 
    2. You became aggressive witnesses for the Lord.  vs.8 
	- The Lord's message sounded out.. Macedonia, Achaia, & abroad!
 * More Reasons To Make A Preacher Praise God ! 
  C. Your Endurance Inspired by Hope.. vs.3 
    1. You endured suffering when you received the Word!  6b 
    2. You endured suffering from your countrymen.. 2:13.. 
	- Just like the churches suffered from the Jews.. 
	- Just like the prophets of old suffered..  2:14 
	- Just like The Lord Jesus.. suffered & died..  2:15
	- Just like I (Paul) suffered..  2:15,16
 * SO.. Paul Praised God for their FAITH.. it was ACTIVE ! 
	Every preacher is grateful when people who say they believe.. Live Like They Believe !!! 
II.  THE GENUINENESS of THEIR FAITH..  2:13 
   (Based on the Word of God.. as Paul preached it!)   NOTICE... 
  A. You Heard It.. 
  B. You Received It.. not as the word of men.. but as the Word of God 
  C. You Accepted It.. as the Word of God 
  D. You Believed It.. and it began its work in you..  2:13 
  E. You Applied It.. became imitators and followers.. 1:6; 2:14 
  F. You Suffered for It..  2:14
 * SO.. Paul expresses Thanks To God for their Genuine Faith.. 
	Every Preacher is grateful for People with GENUINE FAITH !! 
III.  THE SATISFACTION of THEIR FAITH.. That is.. Satisfaction to Paul.. 
   When People have a genuine active Faith.. it brings great satisfaction to those who have ministered 
      in their midst.. Notice Paul's Expressions.. 
  A. He Was Comforted by their Faith..  3:7 
  B. He Could "Really" Live Since they Were "Steadfast" in The Lord  3:8 
  C. He Could Not Express His Thanks Enough To God.. 3:9 
    1. Because His praise and ours seems so inadequate 
    2. Because of all the joy we have... because of YOU!  3:9 
    3. Because YOU are our Hope; our Joy; our Crown.. 2:19 
	- At the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ !! 

NO WONDER THE PREACHER WAS PRAISING GOD! 
   DO YOU HAVE A GRATEFUL HEART TODAY BECAUSE OF JESUS and OTHERS? 
      HAVE YOU GIVEN THE PREACHER REASON TO PRAISE GOD ?
YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRUST IN JESUS TODAY... WOULDN'T YOU !!