In Everything Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Opening Prayer

Context:

Paul began to conclude this letter by assuring them that The return of Christ Jesus was eminent!

1 Thessalonians 5:2–3 ESV

2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 ESV

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

Main Idea of the Message (MIM):

As a way of living in expectation of Christ’s imminent return, we are instructed to live in a state of preparation by adjusting our behaviors, on a spiritual level, in all areas of life.

In your handouts:

I left a list of areas that Paul instructs us to live in this spirit of expectation

Today we will focus on three… (found in verses 16-18)

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We are instructed to obtain joy like all the time.

(Be honest) don’t you wish that is just said ... “MOST OF THE TIME”

I can be joyful most of the time. But all the time?!

So how do we explain this?

sometimes to understand something we look at the opposite.

Fortunately for us we have an abundance of examples of people not doing this right.

The Israelites:

After 400 years of bondage in Egypt God saves them.

They grumbled … not a sign of joyfulness.

They grumbled because they were thirsty (Ex 15:24)

They grumbled because they were hungry (EX 16:2)

They grumbled outside the Promised Land because they thought it would be too hard. (Numbers 14)

But it wasn’t JUST the Israelites...

The Disciples grumbled because Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. (Jn 6:61)

James tells us not to grumble “against each other” (James 5:9)

Peter has to remind us that when we show hospitality to each other … DO IT WITHOUT GRUMBLING (1 Peter 4:9)

Now I don’t want to insinuate that this instruction is to simply hold your tongue (stop complaining).

I all these examples: the grumbling came from a lack of joy due to FOCUS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION.

WE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS FIND A REASON TO FELL LIKE WE DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO REJOICE!!!!!

But we actually only need to change our focus inward and upward.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (5:16)

A Christian’s joy does not spring from his circumstances, but from the blessings that are his because he is in Christ.

I have obtained salvation in Christ.

I believe all things work out for the good for those who are in Christ.

So external situation shouldn’t have such a hold on me.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (5:16)

“The Christian who remains in sadness and depression really breaks a commandment: in some direction or other he mistrusts God—His power, providence, forgiveness” (A.J. Mason, “The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians,” in Ellicott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, vol. 8, p. 145).

So how can a person keep reminding themselves of the reason for their joy?

We are instructed to continually pray to God.

For many people (and hopefully most christians) we have several occasions that involved prayer.

But the bible actually instructs us to do it CONTINUALLY.

We are instructed to feel and offer thankfulness to God, regardless of the circumstances.

No matter what this world throws at you ...

You have every right to be joyful, pray to a God that loves you and be thankful ....

Because we are destined for Salvation in Christ Jesus.

This section led with instructions to

Closing Prayer