Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

Date: Feb. 22, 2022

Passage

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (ESV)

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 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. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 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.

In this concluding section, Paul gives them 15 instructions regarding their church lives. Paul stresses as of first importance to regard highly the church leaders who care for the well-being of the church. Next, he warns against those who stop working and tear down the community. Rather, we should be “...full of compassion, loving, forgiving, tender and kind, helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, seeking the wandering sinner to find.” (O to be like Thee, T.O. Chisholm, 1897)

Moreover, Paul commands the church to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. This requires real spiritual backbone. This leads a church to surrender to God’s will in Christ Jesus. Are we rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks? Where do I need to improve?

Paul also cautions the church not to quench the Spirit, nor disregard prophecies, but to test them and have discernment to accept what is good for the church. Lastly, Paul prays for them to have peace, to be sanctified, and to be blameless, awaiting Jesus’ return. No church is perfect. But our God is faithful! When we make it our goal to follow these instructions, God will strengthen our church community and make us mature. Thank God!

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for giving us these instructions to grow as a church community.

One Word: One Word: A healthy church rejoices always, prays continually, and gives thanks in all circumstances.

Worthy is Jesus the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

saying with a loud voice,

  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
  and honor and glory and blessing!”

Today's Question

What does the fifth commandment forbid?

See answer and references