1 Thes. 5:15-18 (KJV) See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
[16] Rejoice evermore.
[17] Pray without ceasing.
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD AND THE
GUIDIANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE
PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS -VERY BRIEFLY I WANT
TO REASON WITH YOU ON THE THOUGHT
(IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS)
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
SOMETIMES THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR LIVES
ARE NOT ALWAYS THE BEST
AND SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE DOWNRIGHT BAD
BUT IN THE MIDIST OF IT ALL WE STILL HAVE
SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR
BECAUSE GIVING THANKS IS MUCH MORE THAN
BEING THANKFUL FOR OUR PRESENT
CIRCUMSTANCES
BUT THANKFULNESS IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR A BLOOD BOUGHT SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD
AND WHEN WE LIVE OUR LIVES WITH A SPIRIT OF
THANKFULNESS
WE WILL THEN REALIZE THAT OUR LIVES ARE A
PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD
BECAUSE A THANKFUL SPIRIT IS ONE OF THE KEY
DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN
BECAUSE IF THE TRUTH BE TOLD YOU CAN`T
THINK WITHOUT THANKING
BECAUSE WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOW GOOD THE
LORD HAS BEEN TO ME
I HAVE TO LOOK TOWARD HEAVEN AND TELL THE
LORD THANK YOU
IN THE TEXT BEFORE US
REVEREND DR PREACH BROTHER PAUL EN ROUTE
TO ROME WITH A LAY-OVER IN CORINTH
AND HE WRITE THIS 1ST LETTER TO THE YOUNG
CHURCH AT THESSALONICA
AND PAUL WAS AWARE THAT THIS YOUNG
CHURCH WOULD HAVE IT`S UP`S AND DOWNS IT`S
RISING AND FALLINGS
HE WAS AWARE THAT THIS YOUNG BODY OF
BAPTIZE BELIEVERS
WOULD HAVE IT`S SHARE OF GOOD DAYS AND
BAD DAYS
AND HE WROTE THEM WORDS OF
ENCOURAGEMENT
THAT THERE FAITH WOULD BE WELL FOUNDED
AND THERE HOPE MIGHT BE SUSTIANED
SO PAUL SENDS THEM A LETTER CONCERNING
CHURCH ETIQUETTES
FRIST OF ALL PAUL TELLS THE YOUNG CHURCH
SEE THAT NO ONE RENDER EVIL FOR EVIL
BECAUSE AS CHILDREN OF GOD WE CAN`T LIVE A
LIFE PLEASING TO GOD -ON THE PAY-BACK
PHILOSOPHY
BECAUSE IF THE CHURCH LIVED ON THE PAY
BACK PHILOSOPHY
THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF ONE EYED AND
SNAGGLE TOOTH CHRISTIAN
AS WELL IT WOULD HINDER OUR TESTIMONY OF
BEING CHRIST-LIKE
SECONDLY-PAUL TELLS THE CHURCH TO REJOICE
REGARDLESS OF WHAT COME OUR WAY -WE ARE
TO REJOICE AND GIVE GOD SOME PRAISE
THIRDLY- PAUL TELLS THE CHURCH TO PRAY
WITHOUT CEASING - HE ENCOURAGES THE
CHUCH TO NEVER CEASE PRAYING
FOR PAUL REALIZE THAT IF THE HAD A HEART TO
PRAY THAT HEAVEN STILL HAD A AN EAR TO
HEAR ----BECAUSE PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
FORUTHLY -PAUL TELLS THE CHURCH
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
PAUL REMINDS THE THEALONIAN THAT THE
ZENITH OF CHRISTIAN CONDUCT IS TO BE ABLE
TO SAY THANK YOU
NOTICE -NOTICE- NOTICE
PAUL SAYS IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS
HE DOSEN`T SAY FOR EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS
BUT IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS
PAUL REMINDS THE CHURCH THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THERE LIVES THAT
THEY STILL OUGHT -TO TELL THE LORD THANK
AND 1 OF THE REASON WHY SOME OF US HAVE A
HARD TIME GIVING THANKS IN EVERYTHING
BECAUSE WE TEND TO LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE
GOING THROUGH FROM A PHYSICAL POINT OF
VIEW
AND IT`S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT GIVING
THANKS IS NOT A PASSIVE WORD BUT IT`S AND
ACTIVE WORD
IN OTHERS WORDS IT`S NOT FOR YOU BUT IT
DOES COME FROM YOU
YOU SEE IT`S EASY TO SAY THANK YOU WHEN
THE SUN IS SHINNING
BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO THANK HIM IN OUR
MIDNIGHT HOURS
IT`S EASY THANKING WHEN WE`RE ON THE
MOUNTIAN TOP
BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO THANK HIM DOWN IN
OUR VALLEYS
PAUL SAYS IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS
BECAUSE IN THE MIDIST OF OUR TRIALS -HEARTACHE AND TRIBULATIONS WE ALL HAVE
SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR
BUT NOT ONLY DO PAUL TELL US TO BE
THANKFUL IN EVERYTHING
BUT HE ALSO TELL THEM WHY WE SHOULD BE
THANKFUL
BECAUSE IT IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS
CONCERNING YOU
PAUL USED HIS THEOGLY OF ALL ENCOMPASSING
GOOD TO REMIND THE THESSALONIANS AND US
THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE
GOOD OF THEM THAT LOVE THE LORD
YOU SEE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
GOD SPECIALIZES IN TAKING WHAT LOOKS LIKE
DEFEAT AND TURNING IT INTO VICTORY
HE SPCIALIZES IN THE MIDIST OF DISASTER AND
TURNING IT INTO TRIUMPH
GOD SPECIALIZES IN TAKING THE ROTTEN
GRAPES OF THE WICKED AND TURNING THEM
INTO SWEET WINE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS
GOD SPECIALIZES IN WHAT THE WORLD MEAN FOR EVIL AND TURNING IT AROUND AND MAKE IT
WORK OUT FOR OUR GOOD
WELL IF YOU WOULD ALLOW ME TO USE THE
FAMOUS WORDS
OF THE LATE REVEREND DR LEROY BULLOCK
AS I GO TO MY SEAT
(RICH AND POOR MAN) EXPOUND
