Bridge
Remembering and reminding what God has done. Thanksgiving (to God). Encouragement (to one another).
Brothers - we have a common experience. We are loved by God.
God
Election is a pastoral doctrine. It produced hope, assurance, love for God and gratitude towards God.
- God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and a matter for endless praise, that he should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when his choice involved the giving of his own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect (Romans 8.32). – J. I. Packer, Concise Theology, page 149.
Hope
The ultimate reason for Paul’s certainty regarding the Thessalonians’ election is that they are brothers loved by God. God’s love undergirds election (Eph. 1:4-5; cf. Rom. 1:7; 9:13) and is demonstrated by it (Rom. 8:35-39; 11:28). – ESV Study Bible, page 2305.
- John 6.37-40 ESV All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
- John 10.28-29 ESV I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
- Romans 8.29-30 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Fruit (good works, holiness) does not give life; it is the evidence of life.
- 1 Thessalonians 1.3 ESV remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1.9-10 ESV how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.- 1 Thessalonians 3.6 ESV But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you
Application questions
How did this message make God even more amazing to you?
Where did this message produce hope?
How would you explain election to someone in a "pastoral" fashion?
