Bible Study - (Special - Thanksgiving) - Living in Gratitude - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 - November 24, 2019

Bible Study (Special -Thanksgiving) – Living in Gratitude – November 24, 2019


This is a pause between series to focus on being thankful and living is gratitude for the blessings that flow from our LORD each day.


Our focus scripture is 1Thessalonians 5:12-22.


Give thanks ….. in everything.


How can we give thanks for everything that comes along in our lives? 

We just finished a study on “How to Know GOD’S Will.”

Our relationship with GOD determines how we live our lives. Earth is the training ground for eternity. Our chances of being born a human range from 1 in 400 trillion to 1 in 400 quadrillion. Yet, here we are, a human living life upon a planet we call earth. Each person is a miracle and a winner in life’s race. So, first of all, we need to thank GOD for our lives. Since life upon earth is temporary, it is the training ground for where we will spend eternity. 

When a person discovers truth that is found by placing his or her faith in JESUS, the promised Messiah, the born-again Christian has the desire share it with others. Why? It is because it is Good News and secures a person’s destiny in eternity with GOD/JESUS.


That is why born-again Christians are busy sharing the Gospel of CHRIST at home, their community and around the world.


The Apostle Paul had witnessed the Christians in Thessalonica working extremely hard to spread the Gospel of CHRIST to others and to help them grow Spiritually.


Christians still reach out to others to meet the Spiritual and physical needs of others. Let’s explore!


Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13:


¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you^[a] in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.


The Apostle Paul was asking fellow Christians, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to Christians who are working along with them and encourage them. Don’t take them for granted. The word “ask” carries a sense of urgency. Don’t lollygag but show those who are laboring or investing in your Spiritual growth and development.


Hold them in highest “esteem.” Notice that the Apostle does not describe these workers by their position title but by their function – labor, lead and admonish.


Labor – alludes to “wearisome effort, toil, to work to the point of exhaustion. We often refer to these workers “energizer bunnies.”


Lead – Those who lead you “in the LORD” means that the leaders’ authority commissions them to carry out the oversight of the flock according to GOD’S will but not the leaders will.


Admonish – The goal of admonish is to change behavior by providing instruction. It includes warning and rebuking or to attempt to put some sense into their heads.  


The Paul includes “peace” into the mix for consideration. Peace is an overarching ingredient that allows a body of believers to build both physical and Spiritual relationships.


Most Christians can look back over their lives and think of people who have challenged and encouraged them in their walk with the LORD JESUS.

GOD has gifted and called fellow Christians to lead.


Leaders are to lead with due diligence as the LORD leads and directs them. They are accountable. Leaders are to be responsible and accountable. They are to be good followers.


As Christians, we are to help create and sustain an atmosphere of peace and unity as we serve our LORD. But we are not to sweep matters under the rug that need to be dealt with.


Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15:   


¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle,^[b] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.


What does “exhort” mean? It means to “urge.” What are fellow Christians to do? They are to “warn” fellow Christians to change their behavior from being “unruly” or not to deviate from the prescribed order or rule. Other translations interpret “unruly” as “those who are lazy.”


Why were some Christians “lazy?” They were anticipating the imminent return of JESUS, so they stopped working. That was not setting a good example for others, Christians or non-Christians.  


Christians are to be good examples and should be the best employee or worker. Work is a calling just as being called into full-time Christian service.


Christians who are “discouraged” need a fellow brother or sister to come along their side to comfort him or her. Christians need to keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is our comforter and comes along our side when we experience troubling times in our lives. There are times when we need to be the tender hands and encouraging voice of GOD to others in need. 

Consoling those who are timid, disheartened or discouraged results in healthy for the fellowship.


Those who have built their relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS are on the solid foundation of truth and are equipped to help the weak Christians. Weak likely refers to those physically weak, morally weak or Spiritually weak. Some Christians need a strong Christian to come along and help them to navigate the rocky waters of life when temptation raises its head. A caution, even the strong need to keep a careful eye on themselves less they also become enticed and tempted to sin.


Let’ s read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22:


¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Don’t stifle the Spirit. ²⁰ Don’t despise prophecies, ²¹ but test all things. Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away from every kind of evil.


Parting words of Paul to fellow Christians in Thessalonica:


Rejoice Always – As born-again Christians our joy is not based upon circumstances but upon our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.


Pray Constantly – As Christians function upon earth, they are called to be obedient to GOD. Prayer is vital. GOD is omnipresent; thus, HE knows all that takes place upon earth. When we ask GOD in prayer, HE already knows all there is to know about a situation. Why pray constantly? It is because we live in the present. The past is gone and the future is yet to be, therefore pray constantly because one does not know what the next moment will bring but you will be in a state of prayer as it comes. 


Rejoicing and praying keeps our minds focused upon GOD and HIS ability to come to our aid. The aid may be in the form of comfort.


I am in Virginia as I write this. Our son picked us from Dulles Airport last night.  As we left the airport the van transmission would not shift. Our son said, “it has never done this before.” He did all he knew to do to get the transmission to work correctly. Traffic was horrendous or at least it was to me since not living in Northern Virginia for 18 years. Fortunately, son knew of a car dealership that was on our way home. Son was driving and praying. My wife and I were praying and it was our LORD who got us to the dealership five minutes before they closed. They happened to have an Enterprise car rental inside their service department. Once we arrived in about 15 minutes, we had a van just like their van, except name change, and we were on our way to their home. Plus, the transmission is under warranty and included a 5 day car rental. WOW! My head is still spinning. Our LORD is Awesome!


As we consider the next point, “give thanks for everything” our sweet daughter-in-love said she was glad that it didn’t happen to her while she was out and about. GOD’S timing is always perfect.   


Give Thanks in everything – why? – Because it is GOD’S Will for you in CHRIST JESUS – In life the issues Christians face are designed to build our relationship with GOD and to trust in HIM. I know when our eldest son fell down a flight of stairs and died, we lived several thousand miles from him. I prayed sometime after that event and said “LORD, if I could have been there to hold his head and be with him so that he would have not died alone. 

You know what the still small voice of GOD whispered? “I was right there with him.” Oh, the peace that filled my soul. No doubt in my mind that our precious LORD knows physical death and the impact it has on every person when a loved one goes into eternity. We never know when that instant might be. Out LORD admonishes every person to be ready when that instant comes.


DO NOT try to stifle the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the comforter of every Christian. The Holy Spirit connects those who are seeking salvation through faith in JESUS with GOD. When a person becomes a born-again Christian the Holy Spirit indwells the Christians as the guarantee, down payment/confirmation that he or she is GOD’S Child.  The union of the human spirit with the Holy Spirit results in a person being born-again Spiritually. A person’s first birth is physical but his or her second birth is Spiritual and nothing will ever change that fact. The born-again person will always be the Son or Daughter of GOD.


Don’t despise Prophecies – Prophesying comes about by divine inspiration that declare the purposes of GOD. Prophesying is a gift of the Holy Spirit and speaks truth that can address many subjects. Some utterings may address issues that need to be addressed by a body of believers and may be hard for the body to listen to. The key is when GOD gives a divine message, listen and take action accordingly.


Test all things or prove all things to verify their authenticity – Some times when the Holy Spirit is active among a body of believers, it inspires those who do not have the Spiritual gift of prophesy to make statements. Paul is telling them and us to discern if what we are hearing is truth or fantasy.


Hold on to what is good – That which has proved to be true, hold on to it. Internalize it and embrace it. GOD love you and desires to be your very best friend. Work to build that relationship. GOD is love and HE loves you so much that HE sent HIS Only SON, JESUS, to give HIS life to pay your sin debt in full.


Stay away from EVERY KIND OF EVIL. Do not dabble with anything that can compromise your relationship with GOD. As a Christian, if you feel uneasy or hear something spoken that causes you concern, keep in mind the Holy Spirit alerts you. DO NOT override that caution.

Christians are in spiritual warfare. It is real GOD is greater than any and all evil. Suit up in the full armor every day. Ephesians 6:10-20:

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

The Apostle Paul asked for prayer and all Christians need our prayers. Therefore, pray for each other because the days are evil but we are secure in JESUS. Blessings!!!