CHOOSING TO TRUST

1 Th. 5:16     Rejoice evermore.

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

We cannot always choose what will happen to us. We may plan one thing, but our circumstances are not always under our control but… how we respond to those circumstances generally is. I’m not saying life is easy. I’m not saying the choice is always good or better. But there is much to be said about how we choose to respond. We can always trust God. John Newton, writer of Amazing Grace, said, “Everything is needful that He sends; Nothing is needful that He withholds.” He chose trust. Even after he went blind and was losing his memory, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." He chose trust.

1 Sm. 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

 

 

I. THE CHOICE TO KNOW [v. 1-4]

II. THE CHOICE TO BEHAVE LIKE WHAT YOU ARE [v. 5-8]

III. THE CHOICE TO ASSEMBLE [v. 9-13, Heb. 10:25]

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

IV. THE CHOICE TO BEHAVE WISELY TOWARD OTHERS [v. 14-15]

V. THE CHOICE TO REJOICE [v. 16]

VI. THE CHOICE TO PRAY [v. 17]

VII. THE CHOICE TO GIVE THANKS [v. 18]

VIII. THE CHOICE TO SUBMIT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT [v. 19]

IX. THE CHOICE TO PROVE THINGS [v. 20]

Rm. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Eph. 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

1 Jn. 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

X. THE CHOICE TO ABSTAIN FROM THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL [v. 21]