"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."You can listen to the sermon or view a video feed by going HERE. Just scroll down and you'll find the sermon titled Living Thankfully dated 11/18/12. I found the sermon to be particularly encouraging and I wanted to share it with you along with the sermon outline and my notes. I usually have a passage I focus on during the new year and I believe these verses from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 will be mine for 2013.
Before I share the outline and my notes, I have to show you this:
These were the notes Bentley (my 7 year old) wrote in the back of his Bible Sunday morning during worship. I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit is stirring him up and that these great truths are beginning to take root in his little heart and mind. To see him engaged in worship and wanting to write down the things he was thinking was about more than my heart could stand! Praise God for His work in my little boy's life!
Now the sermon outline and my notes:
Living Thankfully
1 Thess. 5:16-18
Rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving; this is the blessed trio that defines the life experience that God has called you to in Christ Jesus.
(The previous verses - 12 through 15 - carry instruction on how to get along with each other.)
* "you" in verse 18 is plural, meaning "every single one of you"
Phil. 4:4-7
"These are not optional, secondary characteristics of the Christian's existence but stand at the center of God's plan for his people in Christ Jesus." Pillar Commentary
I. A Thankful Life is a Joyful Life: rejoice always (vs. 16)
*This joy is not an emotion, but springs from the conviction that God is Sovereign over all.
*The root of our existence is the Holy Spirit.
A. The secret of our joy is the Spirit.
It magnifies and exalts God. (2 Cor. 6:10, Gal. 5:22, 1 Peter 1:8)
B. The sustainability of our joy in our satisfaction.
*John 7:37-38 (Come, Drink, Believe - these are continuous actions)
*Jeremiah 2:13 (Warning)
*Psalm 100
"God made us for Himself. Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him." Augustine
II. A Thankful Life is a Prayerful Life: pray without ceasing (vs. 17)
A. Prayerful balance
*Not about what is happening to you, but what Christ is doing in you.
Psalm 37 - "Delight" yourself in the Lord; "Commit" your way - THIS is prayer.
1 Peter 5:7-8
Luke 18 - You are praying or you are fainting: Always pray and don't lose heart.
Prayer - Not overcoming a reluctant God, but laying hold of His highest willingness. Part of prayer is
God sorting YOU out.
B. Praying backwards
Why don't we begin with "in Jesus Name"? Pray in His character and His will. Romans 1:5 (for
the sake of His name)
Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
III. A Thankful Life is a Purposeful Life: give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (vs. 18)
A. God's glory is at stake in each life circumstance
Romans 11:36 God is the Author and Sustainer of ALL things.
Romans 8:28
B. Our good is being shaped by every life circumstance
As much in death as in life.
Learning to "kiss the rod".
You will be blessed by taking the time to listen to this sermon! Go HERE.
And as Bentley stated in his notes:
Blessings,"God is always with us even when things happen we don't understand."
Jennifer
1 comments:
Thankyou so much for sharing! In this time in my life this is such a blessing!
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