Always Thank God

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you always thank GOD?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To enumerate the reasons why we need to thank GOD always.

IV. TEXT:

Philemon 1:4-5 (Amplified Bible)

1:4 I give thanks to my God for you always when I mention you in my prayers,

1:5 Because I continue to hear of your love and of your loyal faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and [which you show] toward all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

V. THESIS:

Faith in JESUS + Love for all saints = Thanksgiving to GOD

VI. TITLE:

Always thank GOD

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: 60 A.D.

C. Purpose: To appeal to Philemon to receive, forgive and restore Onesimus even as Philemon would receive Paul

D. To whom written: Philemon.

He was apparently a member of the church at Colosse, which seems to have held its assemblies in his house (Philemon 1:2). His benevolence (Philemon 1:5-7), and Paul's request for him to prepare a lodging (Philemon 1:22), indicate that he was a man of some means.

As Paul had never been in Colosse (Colossians 2:1), Philemon must have met him elsewhere, possibly in Ephesus, which was not far away. It would seem that he owed his conversion to the apostle, Philemon 1:19.

—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

E. Main Theme:

A personal plea with Philemon to forgive and restore Onesimus, his once runaway slave, now converted through the ministry of Paul. As a runaway slave, it is inferred that he robbed his master and fled to Rome (Philemon 1:18). There he came under the influence of Paul and was converted (Philemon 1:10). He became a devoted disciple of Christ (Colossians 4:9). Paul would have chosen to detain him in Rome as a helper (Philemon 1:13), but not having the consent of Philemon (Philemon 1:14), he felt it to be his duty to send the slave back to his master. So the apostle writes this beautiful letter of intercession, pleading with Philemon to receive Onesimus as though he were receiving the apostle himself.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

F. Keywords: Receive (forgive and restore) him

Philemon 1:12 (Amplified Bible)

1:12 I am sending him back to you in his own person, [and it is like sending] my very heart.

Philemon 1:17 (Amplified Bible)

1:17 If then you consider me a partner and a comrade in fellowship, welcome and receive him as you would [welcome and receive] me.

G. Keyverses:

Philemon 1:16-17 (Amplified Bible)

1:16 Not as a slave any longer but as [something] more than a slave, as a brother [Christian], especially dear to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer].

1:17 If then you consider me a partner and a comrade in fellowship, welcome and receive him as you would [welcome and receive] me.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Always thank GOD as I remember

"I give thanks to my God for you always when I mention you in my prayers,"

Same Greek words used for mention and remember, to remember something you don't want to forget is that you mention it always. The Greek word used is "mneia" most probably where the word mnemonics was derived from. Mnemonic means to assist the memory. We use Holy Communion to remember what JESUS had done for us 2000 years ago. Holy Communion then is a mnemonic.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (Amplified Bible)

9:15 Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!

Isaiah 46:9 (Amplified Bible)

46:9 [Earnestly] remember the former things, [which I did] of old; for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like Me,

2 Timothy 2:8 (Amplified Bible)

2:8 Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach.

B. Always thank GOD in prayers

"I give thanks to my God for you always"

Psalms 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

5:3 In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].

Psalms 119:147 (Amplified Bible)

119:147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning and cried [in childlike prayer]; I hoped in Your word.

Example of Cornelius, the centurion.

Not a man of GOD yet but offered thanksgiving in prayers, now GOD won't allow him not to be saved, or what's stopping him to be saved by grace, that's why Apostle Peter was used for Cornelius' conversion.

Acts 10:2 (Amplified Bible)

10:2 A devout man who venerated God and treated Him with reverential obedience, as did all his household; and he gave much alms to the people and prayed continually to God.