1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
Pastor Rick Jackson
It is easy to see in these verses that God does NOT promise the Christian life will be painless. There is an indication of how painful situations may come and then there is instruction as to how we are supposed to respond in those painful situations. He tells us how to respond to those causing the pain, but more importantly how to respond to Him during those painful seasons of life that we will have. The Bible indicates that if we respond the right way to painful situations God will use His Power on our behalf for His glory! It may not be the way we want, or we expect, but it will be to His glory and ultimately for our good [Rm. 8:28].
Now to see this in a practical, historical setting turn to ACTS 16:16-34. Paul was no philosopher who wrote of things he would never experience- Paul was a divinely inspired writer of Holy Writ who treasured the Scriptures for the strength they gave him to live the life the Lord gave him to live. Note first of all:
I. THE PROXIMITY OF PAIN [v. 16-25]
I Th. 5:14-15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1. Live for Jesus [v. 16-18]
2. Expect Persecution [v. 19-24]
II Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
3. Prepare your Mind [v. 25]
Hebrews 11:27 By faith he[Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
II. THE RESPONSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS [v. 25]
I TH. 5:15-22 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1. They Prayed [v. 25a] Like Daniel, Jonah, David, the early church
2. They Praised [v. 25b]
Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
2 Samuel 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
3. They Proclaimed [v. 26-32]
III. THE POWER OF GOD [v. 26-34]
I TH. 5:23-24 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1. The Place was Shaken [v. 26a]
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
2. The Doors were Opened [v. 26b]
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
3. Lives were Changed [v. 26c-34]
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