August 29, 2012
JOY! JOY! JOY!
1 Thessalonians 5
Kristen Kedersha
Central Truth
No matter what we are experiencing in life -- good times, bad times, hard times, easy times -- God commands that we always be joyful, prayerful, and thankful.
Key Verse | 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
1 Thessalonians 5
The Day of the Lord
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, 1 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27 you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children 2 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Final Instructions and Benediction
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, 3 5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined 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.
Dive Deeper | 1 Thessalonians 5
How simple are these few verses? They are just three of the fifteen or so practical ways in chapter 5 that Paul instructs the people of Thessalonica to strengthen their faith. These were verses our boys memorized this past summer. We talked about things that have not gone their way, i.e. not getting to stay at the park long enough, or not getting something from the ice cream truck when it drives by 10 times per day. Yet, in the midst of disappointments and unmet expectations, we can be joyful always. As we were talking about these things, the Lord reminded me that I, too, must have joy whether everything is going as I planned it, or it is all going "south." When friends or my husband disappoint me, when my kids are all fighting, I realize that I frequently do not choose joy.
So why is it so stinking hard to be joyful always? I think Paul gives us some solutions in the next two commands.
Next, Paul says to pray continually. So, when things are not as I want them, shouldn't I pray? Instead of praying, "God, please change things and make them go my way," Paul suggests something more like, "God forgive me for my selfishness and short sightedness, help me to change my attitude and choose joy in all things." Really, it says pray continually, almost as we breathe, demonstrating our dependence on God. If I was praying in this way, it would be much easier to choose joy.
Then Paul says to give thanks in all circumstances. When I feel or realize I am joyless, turning my thoughts to giving thanks for even the smallest things quickly changes my outlook. When my boys are pitching a fit about not getting ice cream, I pray, "Thank you, God, for healthy boys who can stomp, cry, and talk." Not that I have to thank Him for all the hurts in life, but thank Him that He is good. Thank Him that He knows best and uses many things to point me to Himself and to make me more like Christ.
Discussion Questions
1. Would those around you describe you as joyful? If not, why not?
2. In your prayers, do you mostly ask God to change things to your way or give you things? Or do you praise Him and give Him thanks for the littlest things in your life?
3. What practical step can you take today to choose joy, pray continuously, or give thanks in all circumstances?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
August 27-31 (1 Thessalonians 3- 2 Thessalonians 2)
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18.
• Verse 12 talks about those who are leaders over you, guiding you in God's truth. Who are these people in your life? How do they guide you in God's truth?
• Who are the different people listed in verse 14 and how are you to care for each of them differently?
• Verse 16 calls you to "[r]ejoice always." Does this mean to always be happy? How can you be joyful even in hard situations?
• What does verse 17 call you to do? How do you keep praying even in the middle of your day while you are working or at school?
• And how can you be thankful always? Is it easy for you to be thankful even when things are really hard? What are some of the things going on in your life that are hard to be thankful for?
Activity: Have each person choose some of the leaders from your answer to the first question. Take time to pray for each of them. Then write them a thank-you note and include some encouraging verses.