Christian SteadfastnessChristian SteadfastnessDemonstratedDemonstrated

1 Thessalonians 5:16-181 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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Rejoice AlwaysRejoice Always

• Does this sound strange?Does this sound strange?

• It is not referring to a feelingIt is not referring to a feeling

• 1 Thess. 4:131 Thess. 4:13

Rejoice AlwaysRejoice Always• Perhaps best to think about it as an attitude Perhaps best to think about it as an attitude

we are told to maintainwe are told to maintain

• There should be a general optimism amongThere should be a general optimism amongGod’s peopleGod’s people

• This is best reinforced in the context of a This is best reinforced in the context of a community—i.e. the churchcommunity—i.e. the church

Pray ContinuallyPray Continually• Don’t miss the forest for the treesDon’t miss the forest for the trees

• Eph. 6:18Eph. 6:18

• Each day we are bringing our prayer and Each day we are bringing our prayer and petitions to the Lord—and through the daypetitions to the Lord—and through the daywe should be breathing prayerwe should be breathing prayer

• We should learn to pray more and LEARN TO We should learn to pray more and LEARN TO PRAYPRAY

• We should come to see prayer as We should come to see prayer as participating in the advance of God’s will participating in the advance of God’s will (Rev. 8:1-5; Romans 8:26-27)(Rev. 8:1-5; Romans 8:26-27)

Pray ContinuallyPray Continually

Pray ContinuallyPray Continually• We should pray and not give up (Luke 18:1)We should pray and not give up (Luke 18:1)

• We must pray resting in God’s will—no We must pray resting in God’s will—no matter what it ismatter what it is

• Jesus is our model (Mark 14:41-42; Hebrews Jesus is our model (Mark 14:41-42; Hebrews 12:1-3)12:1-3)

Give Thanks in Give Thanks in all Circumstancesall Circumstances

• (v. 18)—this is God’s will for you(v. 18)—this is God’s will for you

• He does not say give thanks “for”He does not say give thanks “for”all circumstances but INall circumstances but IN

• We as God’ people have confidenceWe as God’ people have confidence

Give Thanks in Give Thanks in all Circumstancesall Circumstances

• Acts 5:40-41Acts 5:40-41

• Acts 16:22-25Acts 16:22-25

• Our reaction to this verse and the other two Our reaction to this verse and the other two may tell us volumes about our walkmay tell us volumes about our walk

• We must ask the Lord to help us.We must ask the Lord to help us.