1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What is God’s will for your life?
Have you ever wondered what Gods’ will is for your life? Well, Scripture gives us three answers today!
But, let’s pray: God as we use, this time, to study the Scriptures open our eyes and speak to our hearts. Minister your grace here in this place. Lord give Us understanding and insight of your word. Lord enlarge our hearts. Help us to put into practice the word of God. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray amen.
Today, we will be in First Thessalonians chapter 5:16-18. Remember, Paul is giving us these directions:
Let’s read those together: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version) “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” One of the first questions I get is So, “Pastor J(s).
For example, even in a memorial service we can rejoice and have a thankful heart and attitude. As a pastor, I’m delighted at those services, because members of the family who do not know Christ and have not been in church for 20 plus years will come to funerals and listen to the comforting words of Scripture. It is sweet to see how God unites all the people who come into the house of God. They (for the most part) are grieving together. Therefore, the gospel message unifies those who believe. Do you remember the quote “A family that prays together stays together.” Well, it is so true because God’s people are united and their experience with God brings unity and not isolation. This we can rejoice and thank God with our whole heart; while, the storm of life rage and are struggles are present.
With that example, I hope you could see that through everything I was in constant conversation with God with every step I took from the hospital to right her I was concerned about what God wanted, because what God wants for his children is far better than my thoughts and ways. But it’s through our actions, words, and study this verse comes to life.
I love how God allows Paul to work for the kingdom and now He is using me to reiterate Paul’s writings with you: that we have found joy in the Scriptures. That we have hope in Christ Jesus. And in this joy, we can rejoice always. Therefore, if I had to sum up today’s sermon in one sentence, it would go something like this: As Christians, we need to pray and rejoice always with Thanksgiving in our heart.
My friends is perhaps what it means to rejoice always.
Well, let’s continue with the lesson and the instructions.
First, the scripture asks us to rejoice always. Paul asked the believers to be joyful always. This does not mean we are to be happy -all the time. Happiness is an emotion. Happiness ends when trouble shows its head. Joy on the other hand will overspread all of life’s circumstances. We can rejoice in all things that are eternal.
We can rejoice always, because our name is written in the book of life.
We can have joy always, because we will have a new name and a new body in glory land.
We can have joy in knowing that through the blood of Jesus Christ we have an eternal inheritance.
My friends, this is why Paul says rejoice always. This is why a Christian should always have a smile on their face. Therefore, this is why a Christian is blessed beyond measure.
In my experience, a Christian, that has an unforgiving heart, has had their joy stolen from them. Personally, I know the harm that comes from an unforgiving Spirit. Early in my Christian walk, I held onto unforgiveness for several years, I can tell you that I did not grow spiritually, and I did not know Jesus Christ as well as I do today. If I could turn back the clock, I would have settled the issues a whole lot sooner.
Focusing on the negative will give you a negative attitude and it will give you a negative outlook on life. Bitterness will set up a throne in your heart and crush everything around you. Unforgiveness causes bitterness which leads to anger. With this in your heart it’s hard to focus and obey. Therefore, take heed to the scripture, forgive the sins and trespasses of others. (Luke 11:1-4) When we do this we can rejoice in all things.
This scripture, in particular, also calls us to be joyous. If we are not doing the will of God; then, we will have trouble rejoicing. If you have sin in your life you are being chastised by God. If you are saved you have joy because it’s a gift of the spirit. However, if you are not saved you do not have true joy, because you do not have Jesus Christ. When you are lost you are under condemnation; therefore, it is hard to rejoice. Condemnation comes from the Holy Spirit; which is, knocking on the door of your heart when we break the laws of God.
May I tell you when true joy entered into my life? It transformed me! Sure, I had joy when I accepted Jesus for my propitiation of sin. However, I found true joy when I submitted my will to God‘s will and accepted the call to preach. Now I totally feel joy, because I am walking by the spirit and not by the flesh. There is nothing like this in the world! When we obey God we have experienced joy.
Can I have a little freedom here? I need to say that we need to practice what we preach. A true Christian walks, by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Paul, in Philippians chapter one wrote from prison. Paul practiced what he preached. Then, he gave us some advice: to rejoice in all things eternal. While Paul was in jail he suffered and he had sorrow. He suffered from malnutrition, beaten, mistreated, starved, and he escaped death. I feel if Paul can rejoice in the Lord in these horrible conditions; then, we can too.
Now let’s go to point 2 in the verse (1 Thess. 5:17) Lets pray without ceasing. God has set up prayer to establish a relationship with you and I. Obviously, Paul does not mean that we should close our eyes, bow our head, and hold our hands together all day long. Paul is also not meaning that we have to go to our prayer closet every time we need to pray. The scripture also does not mean that we have to take a break from work in order to pray quietly. The scripture, simply means to pray where you are and how you are. For example, I personally like to pray at the altar, because I know Christ has met me there before. Sometimes, I like to pray laying down and sometimes I like to pray on my knees, but sometimes I like to talk to God in the car and on the throne. Praying to God means that we have continual conversation with him.
To pray without ceasing means that we have a dependency upon God for everything. The more we just talk to God, where we are, the easier it gets to have a conversation with him all day long. Prayer is our lifeline and cannot be avoided or put off. For example, I find that bringing the large things and the little things to God brings me rest and brings me peace. However, when I asked someone else about their prayer life, they often tell me that they use prayer when big things happen. Prayer is there: go-to when big trouble enters their life. Often, they report not bringing the little things to God, because they do not want to bother Him.
However, Scripture reminds us, that in every situation, we can ask ourselves, are we going to depend upon the Lord or are we going to depend on ourselves? Which is better? I say, depending upon the Lord. Let’s agree that we are going to call upon the Lord with all things. Let’s agree to depend on God in all of our circumstances.
With that being said, let’s consider another phenomenal verse of Scripture. This scripture tells us to cast all our cares upon him. (First Peter 5:71 “7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” So, our daily walk with him is important. Bringing and sharing the little things of life is reasonable to him.
God cares about us. He loves us so much that he wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. Remember, God knows the number of hairs on your head! (Luke 12:7Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.). So, why do we not think that he wants to be involved in the smallest, minute, detail of our life?
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Let’s continue our study for a few more moments. Paul and God in this Scripture is calling for us then to have a continued prayer life, because this will be joyous. A Continual prayer is continual conversation with God. Where our focus is; is where we will find our treasure. Thus, our first goal from the this verse is to rejoice, the second goal is to pray, and the last instruction is for us to thank God.
We are so grateful for the grace that he has given us, that the only outcome of this could be gratitude. If you would take the time to count your blessings. Gratitude is would be the appropriate response. Let’s consider Ephesians 1:3 (English Standard Version) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”
So, this ends our study of this verse for today, but now the Holy Ghost challenges us to actually follow the directions and apply this learning into a our daily walk with God.
