Give God What He Wants! He Wants to Surprise You!

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NKJV

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

Introduction:

God Wants You To Be

I. Cheerful

1 Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV

16 Rejoice always,

Philippians 4:4 NKJV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Psalm 5:11 NKJV

11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

Psalm 32:11 NKJV

11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Luke 10:20 NKJV

20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

We should always be cheerful even when Christ seems near

We should always be cheerful even when Christ seems far

Matthew 5:11 NKJV

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.

Habakkuk 3:17–18 NKJV

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope

II. To Call Him

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

17 pray without ceasing,

III. Commending

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Chronicles 16:8 NKJV

8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!

IV. Continuous

v16 Always

v17 without ceasing

v18 in every

ANYTIME

ANYPLACE

ANYWHERE

ANYTHING

I CAN SEE REJOICING IN GOOD TIMES

I CAN SEE PRAYING IN GREAT TIMES

I CAN SEE GIVING THANKS IN GOOD TIMES

BUT DO YOU MEAN TO

REJOICE IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING

IN THE MIDST OF OPPRESSION

DURING SACRIFICE

IT WAS THROUGH THE LOST. I LEARNED

IT WAS THROUGH TRAGEDY HE TAUGHT ME.

Psalm 119:71 NKJV

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

THIS DILEMMA HAS DESTROYED OTHERS BUT GOD USED IT TO

HARDSHIP / HANDICAP / HELPED ME

CONDITION / DECIMATED / BUILT ME UP

EXPERIENCE / BROKE / BLESS ME

CIRCUMSTANCE / RUINED / ENRICHED ME

INCIDENT / WRECKED / LIFTED ME