How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?For what thanksgiving can we give again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
3 sermons cite this verse
Watch this. He said, well, Jack, wait a minute. Isn't that the second coming? No, it is not. And we'll see it in a moment. Remember this in your head. Jesus Christ, the Bible says, is coming back with all his saints. You say, well, doesn't that mean us? It depends on the context. What are you talking about? because the Bible tells us, as we'll read tonight, and your question will be answered, when Christ comes to rapture the church, does the Bible say, first of all, that those who have died in Jesus Christ will precede us being raptured? It says that. Keep that in mind. The Bible says we will join them in the air. That's pretty cool. So this now, we build this case of why we, the Christian, should be people that are hopeful, people that are persevering and encouraged. Because when he comes back, there's this consistency. He's going to deliver us from the wrath, which is his indignation, because Jesus took that on the cross for us. We've been forgiven. …
… just keep following Jesus. Be steadfast. Be hard after him. For what thanks, verse 9, can we render to God for you for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God. You remember that little epistle of 3 John, 3 John verse 4, where he says, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Same difference here. What can we render to God for you for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God night and day, praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith. Again, the need for follow through, follow up, discipleship after a decision is made. Verse 11, now may the God, now this is typical Paul. This is a Pauline kind of a thing where he'll break into a prayer. He'll break into a benediction. He'll just sort of pause and raise his hands and give glory and thanks to God for something. He does that here. …
Fourthly. Another virtue in which we ought to follow the apostle, was his contempt of the world, and his heavenly-mindedness. He contemned all the vain enjoyments of the world. He despised its riches Acts xx. 33. “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” He despised the pleasures of the world. “I keep under my body. ” The apostle’s pleasures were in the sufferings of his body, instead of the gratification of its carnal appetites 2 Cor. xii. 10. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.” He despised the honours of the world 1 Thess. ii. 6. “Nor of men sought we glory; neither of you, nor yet of others.” He declares that the world was crucified unto him, and he unto the world. These were not the things that the apostle sought, but the things that were above, that were out of sight to other men 2 Cor. iv. 18. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” He longed greatly after heaven 2 Cor. v. 4. “For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up in life.” And he tells us, that he knew no man after the flesh; that is, he did not look upon the men or things of this world, or regard them as related to the world, or as they respected the present life; but he considered all men and all things as they had relation to a spiritual nature, and to another world. In this the apostle acted as becomes a Christian; for Christians, those that are indeed so, are people that belong not to this world, and therefore, it is very unbecoming in them to have their minds taken up about these things. The example of Paul may make all such persons ashamed, who have their minds chiefly occupied about the things of the world, about gaining estates, or acquiring honours; and yet would be accounted fellow-disciples with the apostle, partakers of the same labours, and fellow-heirs of the same heavenly inheritance. And it should prompt us to strive for more indifference to the world, and for more heavenly-mindedness. …