Have you ever found yourself complaining about the church? Be honest. What was the root of your complaint? Did someone take your seat? Did the worship leaders overlook your favourite song again? Were the prayers too long? Did that member that just rubs you the wrong way do it again?
We all have a hundred reasons to complain. As we consider 1 Thessalonians 1, however, we also find that there are plenty of reasons for gratitude. As they wrote to this young church, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (v. 1) began, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.” This was not a perfect church, but Paul and his companions were thankful for it.
Are you thankful for your church? It’s never difficult to find reasons to complain, but it’s not always as easy to find reasons to give thanks. If you struggle finding reasons to give thanks for your church, consider six reasons from our text this morning for church gratitude.
First, Paul was thankful for the church as a community rooted in God’s electing grace (v. 1). The church is a place in which there is no room for triumphalism, arrogance, or pride. Healthy church members recognise that the church is a church only by God’s grace. There is nothing in which we can boast. We can only offer praise, glory, and thanksgiving to God for what he has done. We should be thankful for a community that understands this.
Second, Paul was thankful for the church as a community committed to faith, love, and hope (v. 3). Any healthy church will be characterised by these virtues. We walk by faith, serve in love, and live life in hope of the resurrection. We should be thankful for a community guided by these virtues.
Third, Paul was thankful for the church as a community powered by the Holy Spirit (v. 5). Healthy church members recognise that they cannot minister in their own strength. As the church considers its ministry and impact in the lives of its members and its community, it looks for the fruit of the Spirit. We should be thankful for a community that seeks to intentionally minister in the power of the Spirit and live out the fruit of the Spirit.
Fourth, Paul was thankful for the church as a community committed to spreading the gospel (v. 8). A healthy church recognises its need to both preach and live the gospel. These two elements of gospel witness are inseparable. A church cannot hope to glorify God if it is not changed by the gospel it preaches. We should be thankful for a community that is committed to preaching and living the gospel on which it is based.
Fifth, Paul was thankful for the church as a community distinct from the world (v. 9). The church alone is the chosen people of God. The church’s affirmation of and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ sets it apart from every other religion, philosophy, or worldview. It is essential to the church’s gospel witness that it affirm, maintain, and teach what sets biblical Christianity apart from any other religion, philosophy, or worldview. We should be thankful for a community that is distinct from the world.
Sixth, Paul was thankful for the church as a community committed to the gospel (v. 10). The church is the church only because the risen Christ has made it so. A healthy church recognises that Christ alone, crucified and risen from the dead, is the basis of its existence. The church is therefore consistently guided by the teachings of Christ to model his love and grace to an unbelieving world. We should be thankful for a community that embraces this reality.
As you meditate on 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 this morning ask God to purge your mind of the reasons you so easily find to criticise the church, and instead ask for help to be thankful for the church in light of this chapter.
