Seven Old Commands for a New Year

Says Rejoice always. Pray, without ceasing. In everything give thanks for. This is, the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the spirit. Do not despise prophecies, test all things, hold fast. What is good? Abstain from every form of evil. Let's pray. Our great God and mighty father. We humbly bow before your presence once again. Thanking you Lord, for the many blessings of this past year.

And thanking you Lord, for the many blessings that are to come to us in this new year. Father, we ask you Lord to meet with us. In a very special way this morning. I pray God that you would use your word.

As what it is, a sword. That would Pierce even the most hardest of hearts.

I pray Lord that's that. We as Christians as we consider this new year to come and the many difficulties that every year brings Many even this morning are going through difficulties hardships of that, which they thought they would never have to face in this life. Well, I pray that through your word. You would encourage them. father, I pray that they would find that this particular passage of scripture is a help to them, not only for today, but for our tomorrow, Paul, I pray again that you bless each person here. Give us listening ears and hearts are receptive to your word and by your spirit, apply it to our heart and life. No matter the situation that we are in Where is all of these things in Christ, name and all of God's people said, amen and amen. Well 2022 was quite the year, was it not? We have seen some some major culture cultural shifts. You could say there was a lot to be thankful for as we look at our, our country as a whole. And when we considered Roe versus Wade was overturned, that was an answer to prayer over many, many years. But there was some awful things that took place in 2022. We think about Russia, invading, Ukraine. We think about the sharp rise in inflation. Or even most recently in the latter part of this year. The Respect for marriage act, that passed which legalized same-sex marriage for some awful things. This past year was yet another year of that. Just Left me and I know many of you just shocked at how fast our culture shift is taking place. And the reason for this is that it is very likely that God has taken his restraining hand. Off of our country and giving us over to our sin. that's, We as a country or just doing dumb things.

Listen to me this morning seeing will make you dumb. Now, you might have been done before your lymph living in sin, but it will make you dumber. And, and that's so not trying to be Brash or facetious, I'm just being truthful. Seeing will make you stupid. And you see our country, the shade that she is in, in summer things that we are embracing a day, is nothing more than stupidity and foolishness and things that other countries are are laughing at us. at the things that we Embrace as quote on quote truth, What a question is, what will 2023 look like? What will that this year? Look like what? It hold for us? What is going to happen with the war is is Putin going to withdraw? Or is he going to buckle down and and out of desperation do something. Even more horrendous is inflation going to come down. When we fall into an economic recession, will our rights and our liberties as Citizens be reduced even more in 2023. What? We don't know, right? We don't know. And we focus on all of these possibilities. It's enough to drive us crazy right. You think about all the possibilities of those things that could happen in the year to come and it's enough to drive you batty for sure. So we don't know what the future holds but there is one thing we should know. And that is we do know who holds the future that is God. And so, rather than focusing on the unknown and live with the headline hysteria, I want to focus this next. This next year, on seven things that are in this one short passage of scripture just 43 words and total That God commands us to a buddy. I believe that in obedience to the seven commands, we will draw near to God. No matter what happens, in our culture, no matter what, we are going through in the circumstances, in our life. But before we look at the, the specifics of these commands, let me say some things about the commands that are found in God's word. Now, it has been said that the Bible is not a book of commands. The Bible is a book of principles. Now, it is true that the Bible contains many principles that are to guide our lives. That is true. But I believe this statement as a whole is incorrect because the Bible contains many Commandments in the Old Testament and we think of the Ten Commandments There are numerous Commandments even in the New Testament, one specifically is the Great Commission that was given by Jesus Christ himself there. Matthew chapter 28, verse number 19. Jesus said, go therefore and make disciples that is a commandment. That's not a recommendation or suggestion. Jesus is giving a command here to the church go, and make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe, all things that I have. What? Commanded, you and low? I'm with you always even to the End of the Age, there are numerous numerous Commandments that Jesus gave in the gospels. One Rider stated that there was some 30 Commandments that Jesus elongate But what I want you to notice with me this morning in our text is that the grammar of 1st Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 16 through 20 to the grammar indicates that these are Commandments, these are imperative that are to be obeyed. A Paul riding under the inspiration. Of the, holy spirit is not giving us seven recommendation, AR7 suggestion for you to Rejoice. Always are, you might think about praying without ceasing know. These are Commandments again that are divinely inspired by God. These are imperative that we must do and are expected to do if you are a child of God.

Now. Somebody might say, well, that's legalism. Listen it is not legal isn't to say that we should obey the Commandments of the New Testament that is not legalism. Legalism is when we seek to obey them in our own strength. I've been trying to Merritt God acceptance by that and then also flaunt those things that were trying to do amongst others. I sense the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost doing well. Each and every Christian we have God's enabling power to do everything he commands us to do. But listen every command that God gives us every command he gives us. We can obey that command not in and on our on our own strength. But by the enabling of the holy spirit of God,

To be under grace and not under the law, does not mean that there are no more commands. It means that God now enables us to obey all that He commands through his enabling Grace and the feeling of his spirit in our lives. But notice in addition to these being imperatives, these commands are also in the present tense with speaks of continuous action. In other words, he's command or something. We do these are commands that we don't do it just one point in time in her life. And so well, I rejoiced or I prayed or I died, I gave thanks know. These her Commandments he's very imperative that we are to continually do continually. This should be our lifestyle. So another words, these commands should control the way, we walk through our life. This is what we should be known by. So let's look at these Commandments. For the new year. First of all, we are told to 416, talisis Rejoice, always Rejoice always again. That's a command is an imperative not a suggestion. Rejoice. Always. Now, when we are speaking of Christian Joy, We need to First differentiate between true spiritual Joy. And the giddy emotionalism that is often seen in this world. You see unbelievers? Are happy. And can be happy when their circumstances are good and even an unbeliever, absolutely can be happy so long as the circumstances are good. When things are going their way. When life is easy, when when life is good to them, they are happy due to the circumstances.

But Christian joy in contrast to that does not depend on how well things are going. But is able to flourish even amidst great afflictions, even in times of difficulty, the Christian can still have joy. I'll listen, this was the setting here in thessalonica. Remember, it was to A persecuted Church. with many troubles with many afflictions that Paul gave us or exhortation to Rejoice, always He's riding to a people who are absolutely being being persecuted because of their faith. They will not bow down to Caesar. And because of that, they're they're they're losing out on the economy, they're being persecuted that way they're being ostracized and all sorts of ways. They're definitely the minority.

So this was the setting, this is not Paul, was not riding to believers who were living the easy life. You rejoice always Why you're on the beach? Enjoying the Sun and everything is going your way. Now, he's going through hell.

He's riding to those. You're hated. He's riding to those who are hurting. He tells them to do something that they cannot do amongst themselves. To Rejoice, always. not just in the good times or the easy times, but in your heartache rejoice, We noticed that these Commandments Universe testimonies chapter 5 verses 16 through 20, two are very concise, right? I mean, they're just very straightforward Rejoice, always pray, without ceasing in everything. Give thanks, and, Paul is not give us a lot of commentary as to why we should Rejoice always. And I think, maybe the reason why is because Paul had just left there at thessalonica and it may be very well that he spoke on these things more Thorley and they deserve something then they could remember. We don't have a lot of commentary in this text, however, and Paul's other writings, he does give us some other commentary as to why we as Christians should always rejoice.

Not speaking of Joy or Rejoice always. speaking of Joy, if Pleasant circumstances are not the cause of a Christians happiness, The question is, then what are the sources of our rejoicing? Now I can't, we cannot find our our joy in our circumstances because circumstances change, right? And if you live your life, based your happiness, upon your happenings than you are going to live a roller coaster life. Where a lot of times it's going to be more down than up. So, we do not find our joy in the circumstances of life, but where do we find it then where it was the source of our rejoicing? How can we Rejoice always even in bad times, but here's how number one. Christian's rejoice in the father's gift of his son to be our savior.

That is a source of our joy Christians rejoice in the father's gift of his son. To be our savior. The Christian says this. no matter what the world may do to me, No matter the circumstances that may befall me, God has given his son for my salvation. And I'm going to rejoice in that.

That's a source of our joy. Paul reasoned this way and Romans 8, and verse 32 saying that since Romans 8:32 sense of God did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him? Graciously, give us all things. According to Peter rejoicing in Jesus rejoicing and God son is one of the chief marks of a True Believer. Peter writes, this and 1st Peter 1:8. Though, you do not see him now. You believe in him and what Rejoice with joy that is inexpressible. It is undescribable. It is unspeakable in filled with Glory. I Jesus spoke in the same emotional tone when he said, Father, Abraham rejoiced that he would see my The angels to Herald a Jesus birth and gave us an example of rejoicing by now. Sing, good news of great joy that will be for all the people And so Christians May and should rejoice in All Seasons wife because of God's Gift of his son to us. We were Joyce, always because God has given us his son Jesus. now, another reason we can Rejoice always Or second source of Christian, Joy is a relationship with the father.

Is relationship with the father that Jesus has secured by his saving work. Or as what Paul described in Romans 5, verse one as peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So another reason we can Rejoice is that the relationship that we have with God, Is that now he is our father. And now we have been made right with him through God's son. The Lord Jesus Christ. We're no longer enemies with God. We're no longer alienated with God. Now we are considered God's children. And we are his he is our father. We are his children. And because of what Christ has done for us. Now we have a father who loves us and cares for us, much more than any of the best of Earthly. Fathers could ever

That there is not a tear that falls from your eye. That does not go past his attention. There is not a heartbreak that in that occurs in your heart that he does not know about

This hard as definitely touched by our grief. He cares for us. And then knowledge this knowledge of God Sovereign care it. Compensates for all the Earthly troubles that we face so that we as Christians can Rejoice even in the most times, even in the most horrendous times. We can Rejoice, not only because God has sent his son Jesus to be our savior but because of Jesus became our Saviour. Now we have been Made one with God, the Father, we have now. Peace with God. We're no longer under God's Wrath. And then, as God is our father, he is our provider. He cares for us, he loves us. More than than Concord ever tell. I want the way the prophet habakkuk, put it Express this reality, this way, in the back of 3:17. He said though the Fig Tree should not blossom. North Fruit. The, on the vines, the produce of the olive Fields yield no, food flocker, cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stall. Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord. I hear the prophet is naming, all the bad things that could possibly happen. But even in the midst of those bad things yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will take joy in what the god of my salvation. God, the Lord is my strength. You makes my feet like the deer and makes me tread on high places. That's a source of our joy. And again, this is continual Joy. This is continual action, not just one time, but this is the way we should live in the good times and the hard times where to see the source of our joy. Godson. And because of God's son being the propitiation and for God's Wrath. Then hey, we have been made draw nigh unto God the father and therefore under his care. now, this example here points out a third source of the Believers Joy, And that is named Lee. The Bible testimony took God's saving promises. Okay, so the Bible God's word is a testimony and therefore it is a source of our enjoy seeing Loveless and we have something that is tangible. It is something that we can read it as something that we can. We can hold. If you have a Bible you can hold it. And it is something that we can look to on a daily basis to be reminded of the different promises that God has made. We don't have to live our Christian Life and based upon the memory of what some preacher said. Are some profit. I said in the Old Testament know, God has recorded for us. His word. God's word assures us. That for those who love God, all things work together for good. For those who are called according to his purpose. a psalm 55:22 encourages us, that is something that we can go to Andre to be reminded

The cast, your burden on the Lord. And he will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Listen, these in and Myriad other of other promises, enable to Christian to rejoice, in the hope of the glory of God, and even to rejoice in our suffering, as Paul tells us in Romans 3C Joy. Rejoicing is rooted in the person of Christ. Rejoicing is rooted in the purposes of Christ, and rejoicing is rooted in the Perfection of Christ. And so, it is because of this, I can therefore say, and count it all joy, as James Taylor office, even when tragedy strikes. Why? Because I am rejoicing in the Lord I'm rejoicing in the beauty of this person and purposes to conform me to the likeness to his likeness and to revive for my every Genuine need. And maybe the greatest commentary on this command is found in. Psalm 5:11.

It says, but let all those Rejoice who put their trust in you. Left him a shout for Joy because you defend them. Let those also who love your name be joyful in you to listen I can Rejoice always because my trust is in God it is in my trust is in his grace is sovereignty and his love for me. I know that he will care for me and I know as as I know him more, as I learn more of him, I will love him even more. And that allows me to be joyful on every occasion in the, every set of circumstances, that live may bring. Rejoice always.

Notice for the pray without ceasing. Pray without ceasing is the second point for 17 houses.

What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Well, it means this Christians are to live in an attitude. Of continual prayer. Okay, what it means. Paul is not talkin about that. Christians are to drop all other activities at all times in order to pray, like maybe the monks do But rather urges a heart that is always open to God. you say, when Paul says to pray without ceasing Paul, Advocates prayer, not merely as an action, but also, as an attitude, This perfect prayerful attitude, that Paul seeks was live by in it. In the Book of Genesis and also live by Noah who according to the Bible walked with God. A two men walk with God. They walked in his way, they walk in the spirit, they live the life that they long to glorify. God, they long to honor him and all things. This was the attitude of their life, they walked with God. but I want you to notice the relationship between rejoicing in the Lord Rejoice always And prayer because Paul frequently connects the two together I've read since the Romans 12 in verse 12. Paul wrote this, he said rejoice in Hope be patient in Tribulation Be constant in prayer. You say that he's linked the two together rejoice in Hope. Be patient in Tribulation be constant in prayer in a very similar way. In the book of Philippians chapter 4 Paul command Believers to rejoice in the lord, always, And then he followed this command with an exhortation to prayer. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. So, starting with the joy of knowing god Believers are. So to cultivate a spirit of constant prayerfulness that their whole lives will be permeated by the presence of God. So we should live in the spirit of Prayer. In the presence of God, some have described it as practicing the presence of God. And a good example of this is found in the book of Nehemiah. When we see Nehemiah had been diligently praying for an opportunity to ask permission from the King for him and the children of Israel to go back to Jerusalem, it to rebuild the Walls Within the city of Jerusalem and one day in the king's presence his opportunity. Now, he has this one opportunity. And so he has to do, he has to say the right thing and look what he said in Nehemiah chapter 2 verse 4. Then the king said to me, what do you request request? So I prayed to the god of Heaven. And I said to the king, if it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in your side, I ask that you send me to Judith to the city of my father's tomb that I may rebuild it. We see here in the scripture that Nehemiah did not have time to say, can you give me a second king? I need to have a quiet place in a quiet time and and do I need to pray here awhile before I answer, you know, he just in his heart in his heart. So I prayed to the god of heaven and immediately gave an answer. It's almost like this.

When the king asked numai, what do you request? Nehemiah said Lord, give me the words. give me the words, Lord and that's living in a constant attitude of Prayer. When you're filled with the spirit and your led by the spirit, you're living in that.

This command to praying without ceasing, it is remaining in an attitude and an atmosphere of prayer. We talked about resolutions a lot And those are good things to do. Here's a great resolution. To pray without ceasing to live in a constant attitude of Prayer. Pro. Seasonal living in an attitude for a notice thirdly, Not only are we are we are to Rejoice Evermore Rejoice, always, and pray with that seats, too bitterly. Notice in everything, give, thanks for safety. In everything. Give thanks.

Now undoubtedly this is the most difficult. Of the seven Commandments here. Ab7 imperator's. As it relates to this particular command, we need to be reminded that we do not obey these imperatives in our own strength, right? We can obey them by the enabling of the Holy Spirit to give us the strength. Because there are certain situations that we go through and we find how in the world. Can I give thanks to God for this?

So, because of this, I believe that obedience to this command. Can do more to bring about a life that glorifies God than almost any other command in Scripture. Here's the big question. How are Christians to be thankful in the midst of trials and tribulations? I know about four families, just within our church, that is going through a very difficult time within their family due to a family member being sick. Having cancer.

And I'm doubtful that they're asking this question will, how can I be thankful? My why my loved one is hurting. And I'm hurting. Well, the answer is that Our Fate turns us away from ourselves. And on to God that's how okay? our faith, turns us away from ourselves and on to God, play some Genesis David face Goliath without fear by his faith in God, Christians face all our difficulties with gratitude to The God Who they know is Sovereign Lee ruling for his glory and our salvation thinking on this truth caused the Scottish preacher, George Matheson to grow in spiritual maturity Matheson had often trusted God to help him manage the near blindness that he had suffered since childhood, but he could not remember, ever thinking God for this Dreadful affliction. Then he prayed. My God, I have never thanked you for my thorn. I have thanked you for a thousand times for my roses. But never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of my cross. And teach me the value of my pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbows. I'll listen in the same way when we realize that God is Sovereign Lee working in all of our circumstances knowing that the faithfulness of his love, we will thank the Lord at all times. No, it's not that. We thank him for all things. Scripture says is it.

But we can and should thank Him in all things. Everything it is not safe to give. Thanks for everything.

That little word, a key word is that little preposition in it means within it has a reference to a place. Another word. That means that in the midst of every circumstance, we are to give. Thanks. What we have in this command is a good man to trust in the sovereignty of God and his Providence. We may not always feel like praising. We may not all always feel like praying or giving God. Thanks our circumstances May certainly not be conducive to do those things. Yet, we are to do those things. All the more Why, why are we to Rejoice? Always, why are we to pray without ceasing 1, Highway 2, and everything gets things. What's the remainder that verse say? For this is, the will of God. In Christ Jesus concerning you. That's why. That's why. And really this is the statement. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you certainly belongs to all three commands which preceded

A companion passes that needs to be seen alongside of Thessalonians. 5:18 is Romans 8, and 28 and 29.

Paul says, we know that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God to those, who are called according to his purpose. For Those whom. He foreknew you also predestined to become conformed, to the image of his son. So that he would be the firstborn among many brethren Hey listen blood as God causes all things to work for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose than that. Include the circumstances you are going through at this very moment.

I've got promises that he will be glorified in every circumstance by using that circumstance, to conform us to the likeness of his dear son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And I do not know why. Why some individuals? Seemingly have more difficult circumstances than others. We all know of individuals that have seen their whole life just to fight Hell by the acre. is one Valley after another Valley, and I cannot answer as to why other than I can just say that the secret things belong to the Lord and that, as Abraham said, the god, Of this Earth will do, what is right.

But we're to give, thanks. In all things. Whatever circumstance, we are in. We say, father, I believe that you have allowed this I choose to thank you in the midst of the circumstance that you're using this circumstance, to deform me to the likeness of Christ into the US. Bring glory to your name into that father. I thank you for that. So are giving thanks as a testimony. That we totally trust God and His Sovereign playing to accomplish his purpose. Purposes in and through us.

I'm going to stop right there.

And Lord willing, we'll pick up.

next Sunday, on the other four demands, I just don't feel like we need to put everything in one sermon this Sunday.

We have much to meditate on upon what we have. Heard right.

To Rejoice, always.

Pray, without ceasing. And in everything give thanks. Why? Because this is the will of God. In Christ, Jesus. Concerning you.

now, all of our rejoicing, All of our praying. And all of our thinking is the will of God. And where is that? Where's the main place of it? It's in Christ. Jesus is in Christ, Jesus. I pray. That's the difficulty that you're going through today.

and for some of you who are not going through any difficulties, the difficulties that you will face in the future, That God would impress upon your soul. Just these three commands right here. It would absolutely transform your life if you would live out these commands. It really would. Let's pray together.

if you're here today,

And you're hurting.

Ask God.

Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

To give you the strength. Tell Bae what he has commanded.

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