Havasu Christian Church
November 26, 2023
“Do the impossible! Always be thankful!”
I Thessalonians 5:14-23
INTRO: Taking a verse out of context and reading that verse all by itself is always a dangerous thing to do. You can come up with some squirrely ideas if you aren’t careful.
Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
Matthew 26:49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Mark 14:45 coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Acts 1:17 “For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”
If you read these verses without the surrounding context, Judas sounds like a pretty good guy! He’s one of the 12, he goes to the Chief Priests, (which sounds like a very religious thing to do.) he comes to Jesus and kisses Him. (in 2 different verses.) Peter says That “he received his share in this Ministry!”
But when we read the rest of the context about Judas, we find out he was a money grubbing thief and a traitor to Jesus!
We can do the same thing with LOTS of verses. For instance, I Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Standing all alone, this verse sounds like an impossible task! No way could anyone do what it says. But let’s look a little deeper and see the context. This might help us do what it says!
1 Thessalonians 5:14–23
14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit;
20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
HOW CAN I POSSIBLY DO THIS?
- Remember Who is in charge!
- God is in charge!
- Remember that God was in charge in the past!
- Remember God will still be in charge in the future.
- Remember that God is in charge right now!
- When we know and believe that God is in charge, we know that whatever happens will turn out for our eventual good.
Romans 8:28–32 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
- God knows everything about us!
- He knew we would come to Him.
- He orchestrated events in our lives to help us become more like Jesus!
- He sent Jesus to save us!
- Since He has done all that, we know we can trust Him with everything! Even our own lives!
- When we know and believe that God is in charge, we know that whatever happens will turn out for the good of His Kingdom!
- God has a plan and we are a part of it! His Kingdom will stand forever!
- Work with my brothers & sisters to accomplish the task!
- Part of working together means we hold each other accountable for what we do or don’t do.
- Notice we ALL hold each other accountable… It isn’t a committee we appoint to call people out.
- We hold each other accountable in Love, not vengeance.
- It should break our heart when someone else fails!
- We are also called to encourage one another!
- We all get “fainthearted” sometimes.
Acts 28:11–15 At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.
12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome.
15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
- We may be encouraged by what our Brothers or Sisters say.
- Often, we are more encouraged by what they do!
- Work for what is good!
- Sometimes I can do this alone
- But more often, it’s a team effort!
- Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow what He says!
- Pay attention to the Leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
- He has led in the past,
- He will continue to lead in the future.
- He is leading right now!
- He may speak to us through other people.
- He may speak to us through circumstances.
- He may speak to us through Scripture.
- He may speak to us through bringing things to our attention.
- Pay attention to what the Holy Spirit of God has given us in His Word!
- Hang on tight to what is good!
- Scripture is plain, FOLLOW IT!
- Get rid of whatever is not!
- Don’t listen to those who would deceive you!
Conclusion: When we live this way, living out First Thessalonians 5:18 won’t be so hard!
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- We should be thankful people!
- To God!
- To each other.
- For everything!
- Regardless of the circumstance, because we know WHO is in charge!
- Regardless of the circumstance, because we have Brothers & Sisters to share our lives with!
- Regardless of the circumstance, because we have the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, guiding us.
ARE YOU LIVING A THANKFUL LIFE?
