We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
THREE GIFTS FOR LIVING OUR BLESSED LIFE NOW
1) GOD’S WILL FOR YOU
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
REJOICE ALWAYS
Hebrews 13:5: Jesus has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Romans 8:28-29: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…
“When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.” —Joni Eareckson Tada
PRAY CONTINUALLY
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: …pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
“He lays no burden on upon us—a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration; sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sorrows, sometimes to return Him thanks for the benefits He has bestowed upon you and is still bestowing in the midst of your troubles. He asks you console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him even at your meals, or when you are in company, the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud: He is nearer to us than we think.” —Brother Lawrence
GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: …give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
2) GOD’S WORD TO YOU
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.
John 8:32: So Jesus said… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
3) GOD’S WORK IN YOU
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Philippians 2:12-13: …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.