12/18/18
Tom Lowe
Lesson 22: With Joy, Prayer and Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Lesson 22
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Rejoice always (v. 16)
Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness to God should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands? “Rejoice always,” “pray continually,” “give thanks in all circumstances”? often goes against our natural inclinations. When we make a conscious decision to obey God, however, we will begin to see people in a new perspective. When we do God’s will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.
Happiness is not found in anything external. It is a certain state of the soul when it is filled with the peace of God and lit up with the sunshine of heaven. It is a mockery to talk about cultivating happiness. It is not a potato to be planted in rich soil with manure tilled into it. Happiness is a glory shining far down upon us out of heaven.
So, what is happiness and how do we find it? The secret of a happy life is found in the constant and faithful discharge of Christian duties. It is our duty to rejoice continually. “Rejoice always” (v. 16). To rejoice is not only a privilege but a duty; the believer is as much obliged to rejoice as he is to believe. It seems a mockery to direct people to rejoice in the midst of a world of sin, sorrow, and death, and in a church which is greatly tried; and yet, that was the condition of things when these words were penned, and when similar council was given to the Philippians (4:4{a]). Allow me to say it again, It seems a little strange that Paul would admonish the believers in Thessalonica to “Rejoice always,” knowing that they were severely afflicted and persecuted by the enemies of the gospel (1 Thess. 1:6{b]; 2:14; 3:2-42; 2 Thess. 1:4). But Paul had learned to rejoice even under heavy fire from the enemy, and he taught Christians to rejoice when persecuted.
In Romans 5:3-5 we read “. . . We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul says, “. . . My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches rejoicing when tempted by the tempter. 1 Peter 4:12-14 also admonishes believers to rejoice when persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
Christians have spiritual resources which are so great that earthly things cannot disturb their composure, and they go on their way with a song in their heart (Col. 3:16{c]). Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22{d]; Rom. 14:17), and Paul has made it clear that the Thessalonians knew this joy. It is the joy that comes from being, “in Christ.” So the note of joy rings through the New Testament, and so Paul, who himself knew what it was to rejoice in difficult circumstances (Acts 16:25{e]; Rom. 5:3; Col. 1:24), can say, “Rejoice always” (Phil. 4:4{a]), and speak of the Christian as “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”
Pray Continually (v. 17)
There is another duty that falls to Christians; it is to pray without ceasing. Since we are in need of something every moment, we should pray for help every moment. The Lord requires not only frequent prayer but also unwearied repetition. Live in the spirit of prayer; let everything you do, for your whole life, be done in the spirit of prayer, as a prayer offered to God. He who prays the most lives the best. Prayer surrounds the soul with a golden atmosphere, through which is sifted the sunbeams of heavenly joy.
I am sure someone is saying, “I cannot pray without ceasing. I work 8 hours a day; I have other duties.” Dear reader, Paul is not speaking here of going into a closet, shutting the door, falling on one’s knees and crying out to God in prayer. He means that we should be in an attitude of prayer at all times? a spirit of prayer forming an undercurrent of all our thoughts. Pray continually! We cannot afford to do less, because if our prayer life weakens, the devil will drive a wedge between us and our spiritual birthright of abundant life.
Paul and his co-laborers were men of prayer. In prison, at midnight, they prayed? and God answered with an earthquake that opened every door in the prison! If you will study Paul’s epistles, you will find that he always prayed. He is not preaching what he did not practice; he said, “Pray Continually,” and he did just that. He was in an attitude of prayer at all times (1 Thess. 1:3; 2:13).
Christianity is a religion that turns people’s thoughts away from themselves and their puny deeds to the great God who has wrought a stupendous salvation for them in Christ. Paul’s exhortation to “pray continually” fits into this picture. The Thessalonian believers (like all others) were dependent on God for everything. Continuing prayer is the continuing expression of this dependence. Christians, then, are always conscious, that they depend on God, and that they are always surrounded by God’s love. This knowledge will keep them always rejoicing and always in the spirit of prayer.
Give Thanks in All Circumstances (v. 18)
Finally, there is a duty to be always grateful. In everything, give thanks. Prayer should always be accompanied by thanksgiving. We must give thanks for those things we pray for, and whatever is an unfit matter for prayer is unfit for thanksgiving. This precept, “give thanks in all circumstances,” is universal in application, as the two before it are continuous in time. As even the most adverse circumstances must work together for the believer’s good (Rom. 8:28{f]), there is no situation to which he should not respond by giving thanks to God (Acts 16:25{e]). Such gratitude is the fruit of grace and it stands in marked contrast to the thanklessness that characterizes the heathen (Rom. 1:21{g]). The Christian can meet with nothing in the way of duty that is not a cause for thankfulness, no matter what suffering may be involved. When we think of the ceaseless stream of God’s mercies, we shall have ample reasons for uninterrupted thanksgiving.
“In everything give thanks.” Again? Paul is not preaching what he did not practice (1 Thess. 1:2{h]; 3:9, 10; Phil 4:6; Col. 4:2). In everything? even in persecution and shame, humiliation, heartache, and pain, in jail or out of jail.?in everything give thanks! Read Philippians 1:29 and 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10. This leads to the thought that the same loving purpose is being worked out even in those events which the believer is inclined not to welcome at all. When we come to realize that God’s hand is in all things, we learn to give thanks for all things. Since even the most adverse circumstances must work together for the believers good (Rom. 8:28{f]), there is no situation to which he should not respond by giving thanks to God (Acts 16:25{e]). Such an attitude is the fruit of grace and it stands in marked contrast to the thanklessness that characterizes the heathen (Rom. 1:21{g]). Tribulation is unpleasant. Yet in the midst of tribulation who would not give thanks, knowing that the Father who loves us so greatly has permitted that tribulation only in order that His wise and merciful purpose might be worked out? So out of this great central truth of Christianity, Paul calls on his friends to practice the continual giving of thanks.
It is easy to be thankful when everything goes well? when all the children are healthy and there is money in the bank, you just got a raise, we have a new car and the home is paid for; when we have good clothes, plenty to eat, and when everyone speaks well of us. Anyone could praise God and give thanks under those conditions. But the Thessalonian Christians were being severely persecuted, they were suffering greatly, they were being tried and tested on every hand. Yet, in spite of such trials, Paul said, “Give Thanks In All Circumstances.” You are suffering temptation, you are afflicted, despondent, your heart is breaking? but in spite of it all, be thankful! Thank God that you are counted worthy to suffer for the Lord Jesus, who suffered so much for you.
A normal, healthy productive spiritual life is a life of prayer (“pray continually”); constant joy (“Rejoice always”); and constant thanksgiving (“give thanks in all circumstances”).
In 1 Thessalonians 3:3{i] Paul declares that the believers in Thessalonica had a special appointment from almighty God? eaning of that word. Very few of us have ever suffered for the sake of the gospel. Sometimes we speak of being persecuted; but compared with the persecution of Paul and the early Christians, we know nothing of persecution.
In 2 Corinthians 11:24-30 Paul tells his personal story of suffering for Christ: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Yet? with such a personal testimony of persecution, that great apostle could say, “Rejoice always! Give thanks in all circumstances!”
For This Is God’s Will For You In Christ Jesus.
It is the will of God that His people should be rejoicing, praying, and grateful; and His will is revealed by Christ, as declared in His gospel, as received in His Church, and as observed by those in communion with Him. What a revelation this is, not of an arbitrary demand of the impossible state of the affections toward God, but a beautiful and consolatory discovery of the largeness of His love and of the blessed ends for which He has redeemed us in Christ. The will of God supplies constant material for gratitude and praise.
“This Is God’s Will For You In Christ Jesus.” According to this Scripture, it is a sin to be unthankful. Regardless of what we may suffer or be called upon to sacrifice, it is a sin to grumble or to be despondent and discouraged when we know that Jesus said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Knowing these tremendous truths, we should be thankful and rejoice, even in the darkest hours.
Special notes and Scripture
[a} Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)
[b} You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 1:6)
[c} Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Col. 3:16)
[d} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (Gal. 5:22)
[e} About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25)
[f} And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)
[g} For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Rom. 1:21)
[h} We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. (1 Thess. 1:2)
[i} so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. (1 Thess. 3:3)
