A Life Of Rejoicing, Prayer, And Gratitude 1thessaloinians 5:16-18

Good Morning.

Please stand with me and lift up your Bibles and repeat after me.

This is my Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.

Today I will learn more of the word of God.

The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.

I will never be the same.

I will never be the same.

In Jesus Name

Amen?

Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.

A Life of Rejoicing, Prayer, and Gratitude

Turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and say, "Amen" when you are there.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

The Secret to a Victorious Life

Many people search for purpose, peace, and joy. Some believe it comes from success, relationships, or material things. But Paul gives us three simple commands that lead to a victorious life:

Rejoice always.

Pray continually.

Give thanks in all circumstances.

These are not just good ideas—they are God’s will for us! Today, we will discover how these three principles can transform our lives and deepen our walk with God.

I. Rejoice Always – The Power of Joy in Christ

We live in a world full of trials—sickness, loss, financial struggles, and disappointments. How can we always rejoice? The key is understanding that joy is not the absence of problems but the presence of Jesus.

1. Joy is Rooted in Christ, Not Circumstances

The world says, “I’ll be happy when…” but the Bible teaches us to rejoice now because God is always good.

Example: Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:22-26).

Beaten, chained, and imprisoned—yet, they chose to sing praises at midnight!

What happened? A miraculous earthquake, freedom, and the salvation of a jailer’s entire family!

Their joy unlocked God’s power.

2. Joy is a Choice, Not Just an Emotion

We may not feel like rejoicing, but we can choose to praise God because His love never fails.

Psalm 16:11 – "In Your presence is fullness of joy."

When we worship, even in pain, we enter God’s presence and experience His joy.

Have you ever met someone who radiates joy despite hardships? I remember a woman who lost her husband but never lost her praise. She stood in church week after week, hands raised, worshiping the Lord. Her faith inspired many because her joy was anchored in Christ.

II. Pray Continually – The Power of an Unbroken Connection with God

Paul tells us to pray continually. Does this mean we never stop talking? No—it means we live in a constant awareness of God’s presence, talking to Him throughout the day.

1. Prayer is Not an Event; It’s a Lifestyle

Many see prayer as something we do in church, before meals, or in emergencies.

But prayer is our lifeline—it’s how we stay connected to God.

Daniel (Daniel 6:10).

Even when threatened with death, Daniel prayed three times a day.

His faithfulness led to a miraculous deliverance from the lions.

2. Prayer Changes Things!

James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

A mother prayed for her prodigal son for 20 years. One night, he had an encounter with Jesus and surrendered his life to Christ. Today, he is a pastor! That’s the power of persistent prayer!

What are you praying for today? Don’t give up! Keep praying, believing, and trusting that God is working behind the scenes.

III. Give Thanks in All Circumstances – The Power of Gratitude

Paul doesn’t say, “Give thanks for all circumstances,” but “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Even in hardship, we can thank God for His faithfulness.

1. Gratitude Shifts Our Perspective

Instead of focusing on what we lack, we focus on what God has provided.

The Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks.

The thankful one was not only healed but made whole.

Gratitude leads to greater blessings!

2. Gratitude Brings Peace

Philippians 4:6-7 – "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God... will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Thankfulness releases peace into our lives.

Have you ever thanked God for something painful, only to see later how He worked it for good? Many times, our greatest trials produce our greatest testimonies.

A Call to Surrender and Trust

Some of you may be:

Struggling to find joy because life has been hard.

Feeling distant from God and need a fresh fire in your prayer life.

Going through a storm where it’s hard to give thanks.

God is calling you to surrender today. He wants to restore your joy, renew your prayer life, and give you a heart of