HOW TO SHELTER IN PLACE

Brenden Bridges

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Introduction

Good Morning, welcome to our service… We are thankful for the ability to communicate and gather together Online.

We will be be able to CHAT WITH EACH OTHER --- GIVE PRAYER requests and also WORSHIP through online giving…and this would be a good time to set that up..

You will have capability to chat with each other and I strongly encourage you do so… This is meant to be an interactive experience… You can also post prayers… and we can do that as well.

If something speaks to you in the message just make a comment..

WE have been in a sermon series entitled “Love Wins.” and rather than just continuing .... I felt the need to address something is on the all of our minds…

love never fails…

This morning I felt that rather than just continuing with that series we will deal with something that is on the all of our minds…

and that is a having biblical response to what is happening around us?

And more than ever before we need know that God love is directed towards us— That right now God pursues us with His love and his love never changes....

And more than before we need know God love towards — He pursues us with his love and the importance of us loving other..

and I thought that this morning I wanted to deal with something that

Everything in this world is subject to the Fall and will will eventually fail…

and the importance of us loving other..

Paul tells us that Love never fails...

and this this morning I felt that we should put that on hold for a moment and talk about something that is on the forefront of our minds… and that is how to deal with some of the pressure that we are feeling right now from the threat of Covid 19…

As we are thinking about God’s love towards us..

And this is sermon is entitled.“Counter intuitive Crisis management.”

but felt that we can put that on hold for a couple of weeks and address something is on the forefront of our minds… and that is a biblical response to what is happening around us..

I wanted to talk about something that is on the forefront of our minds…

How do we respond to Crisis in love…You see...

John the beloved taught that there was no fear and love…

If you have asked any of us two weeks ago that is would could imagine that we would be facing a global shut down we wouldn’t have believed it…

Do you know that there is no fear in love ---

1 John 4:16 ESV

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:18 ESV

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

John the beloved disciples taught that

1 John 4:18 ESV

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

and that is how to deal with some of the pressure that we are feeling right now from the threat of Covid 19…

1 John 4:18

Fear and love cannot coexist… what he is saying is that

How do we respond to Crisis in love

And that is how to deal with some of the pressure that we are feeling from the threat of coronavirus ....

I don’t know about you but my vocabulary has expanded this past week…learn phrases like, “social distancing” and … “Flattening the Curve”- “SHELTER in Place”

“Staying in Place”

I don’t know about you but vocabulary expanded a little bit this week…we have all been hear new terms like, “social distancing” and “Staying in Place”… “Flatten the Curve”-

All this IS ALL an EFFORT to stop the exponential spread of coronavirus…

We need to acknowledge the challenge.. The challenge for our Health system, on our businesses, our own well being...

and this time around its a shared experience…

Often we are some what disconnected from troubles And this time around the whole Globe bares the same burden and its a shared experience…

to our health possibly our economic well being…

This invisible microscopic virus is an unseen menace that is not only a threat to our health care system but possibly our economic well being…

Regardless where you live on the planet this invisible virus posses some sort of threat, whether is your health, safety, family, your business, mental well being…

I was thinking about the phrase shelter in place… which basically means limiting our movements and venturing from home only when necessary.

in other words don’t venture out to much…set some boundaries and limitations… Think that that phrase… also can have some spiritual connotations… The Bible talks about standing your ground...

But SHELTER IN PLACE in Place also has some spiritual implications… The Bible talks quite a bit about standing IN PLACE…or standing our Ground. It really is a military term for alertness..

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

When David was being pursued by Saul — Jonathan said to David… “Stay in a secret place and hide yourself.”

In we told to put on the the full armor of God…

“Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. 3

The issue

So the question is how should we respond to the thr

that WE may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

What does that mean spiritually?

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

SO… In times like this we have to ask ourselves how we are going to respond to the crisis?

And there are really only two options ....

We can respond in FAITH or can respond with FEAR..

and there are basically two options, we can respond in faith or we can respond with fear... Faith looks for God solutions and Fear looks to what is happening around us ..

a. Faith looks to God for solutions.

- We have amazing examples Like Abraham who trusted God to lead him form the know to the unknown.... The bible says that Abraham believed and God put it to his credit as righteousness.

… God put it to his credit as righteousness. and

b. Fear looks to our circumstances and what is happening around us ..

The challenge is that we HAVE TO DEAL with our human nature that is prone to fear…

The challenge that we have is dealing with our responses is that our human nature is prone to fear…

… Statistics tell us that the average person worries about 2hrs and 28min every day, 900 hours a year!

and here the thing... 85% of what we worry about never happens.

2hrs and 28min every day, 900 hours a year! 85% of what we worry about never happens. 84% of us have lost sleep b/c worry, USA ranked the #1 most anxious country in world!

84% of us have lost sleep b/c worry, and the US is ranked the most anxious country in world!

Not all anxiety is bad...There are different kinds of Anxiety..…there is Beneficial anxiety… this where a bit of stress is good for us… for example you got to study for a final exam, you got work on a project… anxiety will actually help you get stuff done..

There are different kinds of Anxiety..…there is Beneficial anxiety…were a little bit of stress is good for us… for example you got to study for a final exam, you got work on a project…your taxes anxiety will actually help you get stuff done..

But then there is an unhealthy /Bad Anxiety — that reacts to life problems… Instead of leaning into God and trusting Him we trust in our own understanding… and we allow problems to control and consume us both mentally and emotionally..

As humans fear is that emotion that is meant to protect us from Danger....there is a kind of healthy or Benefitial for us…

The scripture tells us over and over tell us to put our Trust in the Lord..

Proverbs 3:5–6 CSB

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

What an amazing promise to hold on to today!!

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Faith Responds and Fear Reacts to crisis...

What is most important believe is living at this time with sense of God’s peace....

Several years ago, I had a real struggle with fear and anxiety and it got to a place where I couldn’t even go out to the store…It was pretty debilitating.... It during this time that I learned that the power of our thoughts…

The lessons I learned through that experience is that I need to set my mind on the right things… We need to learn to replace thought of panic and anxiety to thoughts of peace…

Faith responds by acknowledging that circumstances can get out of control… but God is always is in Control that He ultimately is the one who directs History..

Faith trusts in the Lord … and KNOWS God is is in control… Knowing that He make crooked paths straight..

Some of us may have watched the movie..Poseidon -

It is a movie about this luxury ocean liner that gets hit by a massive wave and the ship ends upside down.

While fear reacts and try's to control...

Poseidon - It was a movie about a luxury ocean liner that gets hit by a massive wave and the ship ends upside down.

Faith doesn’t ignore truth or the facts…

Everyone is of course trying to save themselves, but the interesting twist in the story is that only a small group of passengers that are saved because they do what is counter intuitive. They do the opposite of what seems to make sense and make their way to the bottom of the boat

While Faith acknowledges that the presence of anxiety in unavoidable, It also realizes that living in the prison of anxiety is optional..

Faith will acknowledge that the presence of anxiety in unavoidable, but realizes that living in the prison of anxiety is optional..

Faith is Counter intuitive… we see this in the teachings of Jesus.

The truth is that majority of us are not going to get sick with the Coronavirus —and if we do there is high probability of recovery… And the bigger concern or focus is how to we manage our responses or stress…

I heard this phrase that I really like… it says

- I think a bigger concern or focus is how to we manage our responses or stress...

Faith will acknowledge that the presence of anxiety in unavoidable, but realizes that living in the prison of anxiety is optional..

"Fear will always knock at your door, but just don't invite it in to stay."

Let fear do its work. Let it alert me to potential dangers. Let it alert me to make sure that I'm managing my money well or that my kids are protected, or whatever. But then step into the state of faith instead of fear.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

… The Bible often speaks in terms of imperatives and commands and I think the reason is because it is Counter intuitive…

for example

Jesus in His sermons on the Mount said

Jesus in the sermons the Mount said

Matthew 6:25 ESV

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:34

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:34 ESV

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

That is a counter intuitive response...When you go into the grocery store and the shelves are bare ... You might feel your blood pressure rising… that’s normal.

It is easy to panic…… Jesus said worry about what we eat what we shall drink… But rather seek first the Kingdom of God.,

When you go into the grocery store and the shelves are bare and empty.... it is easy to panic…Jesus don’t be anxious… that is counter intuitive...

that is counter intuitive...

Paul tells us the same thing… in

Philippians 4:6 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

… I think the reason why the bible makes these statements as imperatives… is because it takes Faith to obey God’s word.. because… God’s promises are received through faith...

the reason they are imperatives is because they all counter intuitive… It is doing the opposite of what we think we should do.. it

These are imperatives…the reason they are imperatives is because they all counter intuitive… It is doing the opposite of what we think we should do.. it

T/S How do we handle a Crisis?

T/s How Do we Handle a Crisis?

We Need look back and see How others Handed Crisis..

WE need to take Shelter....

1. By Being Spiritually Healthy.

I think the most important think right now is that we keep our selves spiritually, Physically, and EMOTIONALLY healthy.

That means living in the present.... Faith opperates in the now… Faith believes in the present.

THERE IS THIS QUOTE from C.S. Lewis has been going around SOCIAL MEDIA and it’s worth repeating..

C.S. Lewis - is Writing about the threat of nuclear war, puts it like this:

"If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, when it comes let that bomb find us doing sensible and human things--praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a beer and a game of darts--not huddled together like frightened sheep thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies but they need not dominate our minds." C.S. Lewis

LEWIS point is simply THIS don’t be gripped by fear and anxiety…

When we are healthy in Crisis we actually can become a tremendous blessing to others..

Stay Spiritually healthy…

A good example of church STAYING HEALTHY IS A YOUNG church in Thessalonica..

I want us for a moment to consider this young church in Thessalonica.. They had only been believers for a short time; we don’t know how long, but it can’t have been more than a year or so.

We going to look at this young church in Thessalonica.. They had only been believers for a short time; we don’t know how long, but it can’t have been more than a year or so.

We going to look at this young church in Thessalonica… that existed about 20 years after the ministry of Jesus…they were a church that were known for their works of Faith and their labor of love… and the Hope they had in the Lord.

And the reality of some of this

If you asked to weeks ago is we would be canceling church services and meeting online I would never have believed it… but what we might have thought was inconceivable is now a reality…

The first is What is in my Control and what is out of my control.

Whats in our Control and What is out of Control?

have a shortage of toilet paper and certain foods goods in our stores… we wouldn’t believe it… but here we find ourselves in uncharted waters....maybe bewildered

They were relatively new believers, we don’t know exactly how long, but it can’t have been more than a year or so.

The Thessalonian Christians had only been believers for a short time; we don’t know how long, but it can’t have been more than a year or so. But they already had people for hundreds of miles around were talking about this this church..

This young church lived during the apostolic age… the age when the church was severely persecuted and many were martyred for their Faith…

they were a church that were known for their works of Faith and their labor of love… and the Hope they had in the Lord.

It is amazing that something as small as the microscopic virus can cause so much havoc around the world...

They were a church known for their works of Faith and their labor of love… and the Hope they had in the Lord!

How should we respond to the new Crisis that we are facing.

They were church faced Crisis… They lived during the apostolic age… the age when the church was severely persecuted and were martyred for their Faith…

The question is how do we respond?

And so it stands to reason that had some questions for the apostle Paul… And one of their biggest concerns was when the Lord returned… and what would happen to their loved ones that had already died.

That was the reality of the times they living....Paul addresses the return of the Lord — IN CHAPTER 5... a

In fact the church

that existed about 20 years after the ministry of Jesus…

They were a church that has been patiently waiting for the return of Christ .... but in his absence had concerns about their loved ones who have have already died…

and had some concerns about their loved ones who have have already died…

The were also a church that was living with the expectation of the immediate return of Christ… They had interpreted Jesus words of his sudden return as an immediate return and it had been 20 years…

The issue that they had is that were living with the expectation of the immediate return of Christ… They had interpreted Jesus words of his sudden return as an immediate return...

The Bible doesn’t give us a time and date stamp—of Christs return… rather the Bibles speaks of his imminent Paul tells us His is going to be like a thief in the night…when least expected… and Paul deals with the return of Christ… in Chapter 5 when be snatched away

…So here are these young Christians facing anxious in a crisis…

They had good reason to be conce

They are wrestling with what believe. There is a reason they were anxious for his return because they part of the persecuted church that had gone through severe suffering and affliction.....

that confused it to mean immediate… So here they are waiting and confused… They are wrestling with their theology… what they believe about God..

The First thing we learn about this Church is that they had handled their Crisis well… Paul commends them in..

They had been waiting for the return of Christ and had some concerns about their loved ones...

BUT WHAT Paul does ATH THE BEGINNING OF HIS LETTER IS focuses on what they are doing well

Church is that they had handled their Crisis well...

Paul commends their Faith in facing

At the close of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians this final instructions for the Church… This was a relatively young church --- existed about 20 years after Jesus ministry… Paul is writing words to comfort the Christians who are concerned about those who had died in the faith and how to live in this period of expectation of the second coming of Christ…This church has gone through some trials..and

that really became a role model on how to handle trying situation..

They also a church that have gone through a few things… They were part of the persecuted church that had gone through severe suffering and affliction.....

…So here they are waiting and confused… and anxious.... A crisis… and In Pauls Opening words… The first thing he tells them that they are handling their situation well..and Paul gives thanks… He says..

The First thing we learn about this Church is that they had handled their Crisis well… Paul commends them in..

Paul says..

they had gone through suffering and affliction but had been an example...

Paul commends them on the way that they dealt with their trials..

This church has gone through some trials..and

This was a relatively young church --- existed about 20 years after Jesus ministry… And Paul in his letter is writing words to comfort the Christians who are concerned about about their future…

but they also a church that have gone through a few things… they had gone through suffering and affliction but had been an example...

1 Thessalonians 1:6–8 ESV

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

1 Thessalonians 1:6b ESV

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Thes 1:

… What Paul does for us in these verses is highlights some of the ways that this church stayed spiritually healthy.....

1 Thes 1

The way that we respond to Crisis really matters… This Church actually had major impact and influence in the middle of their own suffering...

following Christs and the apostles examples of embracing suffering

… They were not just hearers of the word but they were doers of the word..they followed the example of the apostles who and endured persecution for the gospel…

This Church actually had major impact and influence in the middle of their own suffering…

The first thing he Praises them for is for modeling what had been taught… They were not just hearers of the word but they were doers of the word..they followed the example of the apostles who and endured persecution for the gospel…

them that not only did they hear what they had been taught but lived it out… they modeled what was being taught.

they had shared in the sufferings of the apostles and the Lord himself..

Paul cites several ways how their influence spread…

They Received the Word with Joy.

—

In a very challenging time this young church became examples…to the rest of believers everywhere… Because they modeled what they had been taught..

There is something about the word of God that brings comfort to our hearts…

The reason for is that the Holy Spirit was flowing in and through the message…

And the word of God ministered to their own hearts it took flight.. It became the living word…

The Word of God was not just the message of the apostles… but it became there personal word… The word became more intimate to them… and the result is they became imitators of the Lord…

They were a church known for their works of Faith and their labor of love… and the Hope they had in the Lord!

the result is that...

In a very challenging time this young church became examples…to the rest of believers everywhere…

2. They became Examples

the word example..

The word translated “examples”, where we get our word type… it means to make an imprint by a stroke or blow...

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 32: 1, 2 Thessalonians / 1, 2 Timothy / Titus The Influence of Changed Lives

The word translated “examples” is tupos, from which we derive our English word type. It originally meant the imprint made by a stroke or blow, as the mark of a hammer on the wood when you missed the nail

The church in their Crisis were making a mark.. because they allowed God to use them..

They were known for their works of Faith and their labor of love… and the Hope they had in the Lord!

They lived every single day like it was their last… that Christ would return… and the result

And people for hundreds of miles around were talking about this church faith.... Paul tells us that

hey became an example to al the believers in the region.. surrounding neighbors.

they had shared in the sufferings of the apostles and the Lord himself..

and example to all the churches in the surrounding area…

How they were handling a difficult situation..

They were not just hearers of the word but they were doers of the word.

This was a young church .But they already had people for hundreds of miles around were talking about this this church..

… God word rang out from them..and People turned from their idols and people turned to God..

The result was that...

3. People turned from their idols and people turned to God..

This kind of thing was simply unheard of in Paul’s world. In those days the Greek gods were everywhere. There were Gods for everything...If you were going to plant a tree, you would pray to the relevant god. If you were going on a business trip, a quick visit to the appropriate shrine was in order… Idol worship was part of everyday life....It would be like asking people today to give up using motor cars, computers and telephones.

That was simply unheard of in Paul’s world. It would be like asking people today to give up using motor cars, computers and telephones.

As the Churched lived out their Faith... brought about renewal and revival through where many came to know the Lord...

today to give up using motor cars, computers and telephones. The gods of Greek and Roman paganism were everywhere. If you were going to plant a tree, you would pray to the relevant god. If you were going on a business trip, a quick visit to the appropriate shrine was in order. If you or your son or daughter was getting married, serious and costly worship of the relevant deity was expected. At every turn in the road the gods were there: unpredictable, possibly malevolent, sometimes at war among themselves, so that you could never do too much in the way of placating them, making sure you’d got them on your side.

The gods of Greek and Roman paganism were everywhere. There were Gods for everything...If you were going to plant a tree, you would pray to the relevant god. If you were going on a business trip, a quick visit to the appropriate shrine was in order.

There were Gods for everything...If you were going to plant a tree, you would pray to the relevant god. If you were going on a business trip, a quick visit to the appropriate shrine was in order.

The Church modeled health in a crisis and brought about renewal and revival through where many came to know the Lord...

T/s How Do we Handle a Crisis?

At the close of Paul’s letter to

At the close of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians this final instructions for the Church…

How did this Church thrive in this Crisis

How do we Take Shelter?

Paul congratulates the Thessalonians on their faithful witness and calls them forward on the journey to an uncertain future.…

1. By Being Spiritually Healthy.

There was this fear uncertain future… Paul letter is oner of instruction how to be prepared…How do we face uncertainty? How do handle crisis?

How do handle crisis?

Poseidon - It was a movie about a luxury ocean liner that gets hit by a massive wave and the ship ends upside down. Everyone is of course trying to save themselves, but the interesting twist in the story is that only a small group of passengers that are saved because they do what is counter intuitive. They do the opposite of what seems to make sense and make their way to the bottom of the boat.

WE NEED TO STAY Spiritually HEALTHY.

there is this wonderful o doxology…there are these three verses that have been called by some “the standing orders of the church.” They are in the imperative mood, meaning they are commandment directed to our attitudes and actions… Paul is instructing them to do what is counter intuitive...

Paul is instructing them to do what is counter intuitive...

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

have been called by some “the standing orders of the church.” They are in the imperative mood, forceful commands directing our attitudes and actions

What Paul is telling these Christians is do what is really counter intuitive…

2. By the living in the Joy of the Lord.

WE NEED TO STAY IN THE JOY IN CHRIST

At the end of chapter five...…there are these final instructions given by Paul to the church..… they were too.

a. Respect the Leaders - whom God has placed over you.

b. That they be at peace with each other and encourage each other.

c. Then there are GIVEN 3 IMPERATIVES…

Then there is verse 16 through 18…That are three commandments that Paul says is this is the will of God for the Church...

These 3 commands have been called “the standing orders of the church.”

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.

1 Cor 5:16-18

1 Cor 5:16-17

1 cor 5:16-18

Paul is instructing them to do what is counter intuitive.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–17 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

Which

What does it mean to“Rejoice always.”?

“Rejoice always.”

Is it possible to ‘Rejoice always”? Just think about who Paul is writing to.

“Rejoice always.”

Most of these Christians had faced severe trials even to the point of losing their homes, their jobs, and their security within a community. . Many of them faced not mere inconvenience, but the very survival of life itself.

”

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 34: James / 1 & 2 Peter / Jude How to Profit from Trials

James is telling us not to “fake it.” We should have a joy which is neither contrived nor forced as some impossible religious obligation. To the contrary, we should have pure, unadulterated, all-encompassing, thorough joy! It should be the “real thing.”

We NEED to that Paul is not commanding us to feel happy at all times. REMEMBER THE SONG, “DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY”… THAT’S NOT what Paul is talking about.

remain joyful… what does this mean..

This is not the same as commanding one to feel happy at all times. REMEMBER THE SONG, “DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY”… THAT’S NOT what Paul is talking about.

\Feeling happy is the natural response to experiences that bring us rewards.

Paul is not asking us to “fake it.”… Rather God himself can give us His Joy… that becomes for us a shelter...Paul says to the LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF HIS JOY...

This is not the same as commanding one to feel happy at all times. Feeling happy is the natural response to experiences that bring us rewards. Please don’t ask me to feel happy when I’ve just smashed my thumb with the hammer or even when I’ve just lost the tennis match. But neither smashing my thumb nor losing my tennis match need have anything to do with my joy and rejoicing in life.

Throughout the Bible, we are called to joy and rejoicing in our sufferings.

Study Like a Pro: Explore Difficult Passages from Every Book of the Bible Step 1: Focus on Central Questions

Although Paul does not spell out the source or basis of Christian joy in [1 Thessalonians] 5:16, the instruction to “rejoice always” derives its meaning from the earlier passages in the letter. To rejoice always is to see the hand of God in whatever is happening and to remain certain of God’s future salvation

throughout the Bible, we are called to joy and rejoicing in our sufferings. I can’t make any sense of this without distinguishing between joy and happiness. I’ve long since accepted the fact that I cannot be happy at all times. But I’m satisfied that there can always be a basic joy in my life.

James 1:2–4 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Paul and James are not telling us not to “fake it.” We should have a joy which is neither contrived nor forced as some impossible religious obligation. To the contrary, we should have pure, unadulterated, all-encompassing, thorough joy! It should be the “real thing.

I can’t make any sense of this without distinguishing between joy and happiness. I’ve long since accepted the fact that I cannot be happy at all times. But I’m satisfied that there can always be a basic joy in my life.

Paul is speaking from experience… remember in when

Paul and Silas, having been severely flogged and being in intense pain, were in prison, and “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” ().

And God sent an Earth Quake that brought down the house… WE TAKE REFUGE IN HIM WHEN WE SHELTER IN HIM..

Here is the thing understanding of life which brings joy into the trials that come because of our Christianity. James says, “Consider it pure joy,” which means to make a deliberate and careful decision to experience joy even in times of trouble!

Their concert so pleased God that he brought down the house

Why because… REAL JOY is not found in our circumstances.. but JOY IS FOUND IN Jesus Himself.

The basis of that joy is Jesus Himself.

T/s How Do we Handle a Crisis?

Even in the little things that make up most of our lives, the same truth is our hope. For a time, the smashed thumb and the lost tennis match appear to be terrible things. But the reality shines through in the light of God’s love. The thumb will heal, and if not, I still have all of my other fingers. The tennis match remains lost, but I have the health and the leisure to play again, win or lose.

How do we Take Shelter?

WE NEED TO STAY Spiritually HEALTHY.

1. By Being Spiritually Healthy.

There is a perspective on life in Jesus Christ that enables us to rejoice always, even when we are unhappy. And this is something we can choose to do, whatever the tone of our feelings. It really becomes a matter of obedience.

2 WE NEED TO STAY IN THE JOY of CHRIST

2. By the living in the Joy of the Lord.

3. By staying in Communion with christ

Study Like a Pro: Explore Difficult Passages from Every Book of the Bible Step 2: Adjust Your Questions

we may ask what it means to pray “without ceasing” (adialeiptōs; 5:17). Does it mean “all the time” or “on a regular basis”? Opinions go both ways, and even A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature lists the meanings of the Greek word as either “unceasingly” or “constantly.” Instead of trying to make the passage more specific than it is, we might change our focus. What about prayer makes it worthy of so much attention?

A similar puzzle occurs with “give thanks in all circumstances” in the next verse (5:18), where a strictly literal translation would read, “give thanks in all.” The UBS Handbook on Paul’s Letters to the Thessalonians explains, “Circumstances is not explicit in the text, and it is equally possible that ‘at all times’ is intended. The Greek is quite general.”

Paul gives us the imperative to pray without ceasing...

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

pray without ceasing,

1 THES

These are some short verses. but ...

Like first command “REJOICE ALWAYS..... Praying without Ceasing is also counter intuitive….

What Does Paul Mean pray without stopping? That would be an impossible proposition.. Nobody can do that…

Obviously, to pray without ceasing means something other than saying prayers, or the command is an impossibility.

What is praying with Out Ceasing.

J. B. Lightfoot clarifies this point by saying it “ is not in the moving of the lips, but in the elevation of the heart to God, that the essence of prayer consists.”

The distinction is made between saying prayers and praying with the heart… Prayers with the heart demands deeper reflection.

Prayers with the heart demands deeper reflection.

the question of unceasing prayer demands deeper reflection.\

But having made the distinction between saying prayers and praying with the heart, the question of unceasing prayer demands deeper reflection.\

To pray without ceasing establishes prayer, not as a part of the Christian life, but as all of it.

To pray day and night, in good times and in bad, without cessation or interruption, is not the experience of most people.

.”

For a long time, I experimented from time to time with the “Jesus Prayer.”

This was the discovery of a Russian peasant in the nineteenth century who learned a simple prayer that, when repeated hundreds of times each day, became to him an unceasing pattern of prayer.

The question still remains. How do I pray without ceasing?

Study Like a Pro: Explore Difficult Passages from Every Book of the Bible Step 2: Adjust Your Questions

Henri Nouwen’s book, Clowning in Rome (New York: Image Books, 1979).

Talks about the connection between “Prayer and our thoughts ,”

The brain is always active. The flat brain wave is the final sign of death. Sleep and dream studies indicate that our mind is always active during sleep.

He ties the concept of unceasing prayer to one of the things going on within us at all times, namely thinking.

Consciously or unconsciously, all of us are engaged in unceasing thought

Nouwen points out that our unceasing thoughts are both sources of joy and sorrow. Sometimes our minds wander when we desperately need to concentrate. Sometimes they keep us awake when we are in need of sleep.

Unceasing thoughts are both sources of joy and sorrow. Sometimes our minds wander when we desperately need to concentrate. Sometimes they keep us awake when we are in need of sleep.

And yet our deepest joys come through our awareness and our thoughts

Nouwen encourages us to do something that is counter intuitive that takes faith and that is to Convert our Worries and our thinking unceasing thinking to prayer.

The scripture has much to say about our thinking… That we are to put on the mind of Christ… Think on these things… Do not be conformed to the world but be renewed by your thinking..

Nouwen says to Prays to pray with out ceasing is “to think and live in the presence of God” (p. 70).

converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer. This does not mean that we learn to direct our minds constantly to God. It means, rather, “to think and live in the presence of God” (p. 70). This means to live with a growing awareness that God is always present. It is to grow in our openness to God—to bring consciously all of our words and deeds into His presence.

It means, rather, “to think and live in the presence of God” (p. 70).

This means to live with a growing awareness that God is always present. It is to grow in our openness to God—to bring consciously all of our words and deeds into His presence.

Neuwan say… Praying without ceasing does not mean that one is consciously engaged in thinking of the other, but the “presence” of the other is constant.

A Universal experience makes it quite clear that daily periods of intentional prayer, reflection, and meditation are essential to establish the climate of unceasing prayer for the rest of the day.

And so it can become in our lives with God.

Such a constant awareness will require certain disciplines of prayer.

Universal experience makes it quite clear that daily periods of intentional prayer, reflection, and meditation are essential to establish the climate of unceasing prayer for the rest of the day.

The place of daily Scripture reading also is well established as an essential discipline.

T/s How Do we Handle a Crisis?

How do we Take Shelter?

1. By Staying Spiritually Healthy.

2. By Staying in the Joy of the Lord.

3. By staying in Communion with christ

T/s How do handle crisis?

WE NEED TO STAY Spiritually HEALTHY.

2 WE NEED TO STAY IN THE JOY IN CHRIST

3. We need to stay in Communion with christ

4. By Staying THANKFUL.

We as Christians believe in the will of God.. that God has a plan and purpose…Sometimes we are seeking God… what are we to be doing in the moment… Paul tells us what the will of God for us in times of Crisis..

This is the third command, and it certainly grows out of the first two. Joy and unceasing prayer flow into a constant stream of gratitude.

Paul says

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 thes 5:

This is the third imperative or command, and it certainly grows out of the first two. Joy and unceasing prayer flow into a constant stream of gratitude.

I’m not in agreement with the interpretation of this phrase that calls us to praise and thank God for literally everything that happens.

Always be thankful!

Now I don’t think this is saying that we have to give praise for everything that happens to us… If you hit your finger with a Hammer you don’t have to say thank you lord for that…

I can’t imagine God being thankful for everything that happens.

Things that happen for many reason… for starters we live in a fallen world where we are prone to sickness, disease…

Thankfulness speaks to what we are focusing on…

The great drama of the Bible centers in the belief that God is at work for good in the lives of His people, no matter what.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

When you thing about people in the Bible this was not always that clear..

There was nothing good in Joseph’s brothers selling him to the Ishmaelite traders.

There was nothing good about the injustices he experienced from Potiphar’s wife.

But, in retrospect, Joseph could look back and what the brothers meant for evil… : but God meant it for good” ().

This belief that God is at work for good is articulated powerfully by Paul:

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Our translation tends to make “all things” the subject rather than “God.”

is articulated powerfully by Paul: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (). Our translation tends to make “all things” the subject rather than “God.” A better translation is that “in everything, God is at work for good.” We must never forget that God is at work in and through, and often in spite of the “things.”

Our translation tends to make “all things” the subject rather than “God.”

A better translation is that “in everything, God is at work for good.”

We must never forget that God is at work in and through, and often in spite of the “things.”

While I may not be able to give thanks for all of the things that happen, I can give thanks in everything for the confidence that God is always present and is always at work for good.

To rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in everything ...

Paul tells us that it ....to be thankful.. vrs 18

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

“is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (v. 18).

Conclusion

How do these three commands fit together

The commands to rejoice, pray and give thanks (5:16–18) all share a common element—they are focused on God.

Each action is an implicit recognition that we are incomplete in ourselves;

that we need God.

We rejoice in what God has done for us already and we look forward to his help in the future.

We pray to God, bringing our needs and experiencing his presence. We give thanks in the ups and downs of life because we trust that God will bring about the deepest good in the end.

Study Like a Pro: Explore Difficult Passages from Every Book of the Bible Step 3: Focus on How It Fits Together

The commands to rejoice, pray and give thanks (5:16–18) all share a common element—they are focused on God. Each action is an implicit recognition that we are incomplete in ourselves; that we need God. We rejoice in what God has done for us already and we look forward to his help in the future. We pray to God, bringing our needs and experiencing his presence. We give thanks in the ups and downs of life because we trust that God will bring about the deepest good in the end

Maybe some of you have seen the movie..

What Paul is telling these Christians is do what is really counter intuitive...

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