THE COMMAND

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

This is a true statement. This is a legitimate command. This is not up for debate. It is not up for a vote.

It is right. It is reasonable. It is easy to understand and difficult to do but it is still right.

It is for us. It is for me. It is for you. It is for everyone whether they like it or not.

Let us take the matter up to understand it better, but, understand it or not, it is right and it is your solemn duty, and my solemn duty, to do it.

 And while it is our solemn duty if we do it like we are supposed to do it- we will rejoice while doing it.

What is the old joke – you will do it and you will like it? Well, here it is in reality, and it is no joke.

 

I. THE PREAMBLE TO THE COMMAND

 

1. This is Primarily for Christians [v. 1, 4-6, 8-9, 14-15]

 

2. This is a Priority for Christians [1-2, 4-8,14]

 

-priority for the lost is to become a Christian [3, 7-9]

 

3. This is the Preamble to the Command [v. 16-17]

 

II. THE SCOPE OF THE COMMAND [v. 18] “concerning you”

 

1. Despite Your Situation “In every thing”

 

2. Devotion to Your Sovereign “for this is the will of God”

 

3. Determined by Your Location “in Christ Jesus”

 

III. THE RESULT OF THE COMMAND

 

1. A Life in Submission to the Spirit of God [v. 19]

 

2. A Life in Study  and Submission to the Word of God [v. 20-22]

 

3. A Life in Sanctification and Usefulness by the Power of God [v. 23-28]