God’s Will for Us 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 November 23, 2014

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

23 May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

 In Verses  Every verb, in this section, is in the imperative voice.  This means that these are commands not suggestions.  Further, each verb is in the present tense.  This implies continuous action.  To do something and keep on doing it without stopping.  While these commands may appear to be impossible, remember…  God will never command you to do something without also giving you the power to do it.

 Be joyful always  Χαίρω - means “to rejoice,” “to be merry”  For Paul  chará is the joy of faith (Phil. 1:25) and  a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).  God’s kingdom is joy (Rom. 14:17).  Joy and hope are related (Rom. 12:12).  The most important aspect is that of joy in suffering.  Joy is therefore an act of the will; choosing to believe and rest in God’s goodness, love and favor, regardless of circumstances. So, what are we commanded to do, without stopping?

 Pray continually  Προσεύχομαι 1. “To pray,” “to pray to,” “to ask,” “prayer,” “petitionary prayer.”  While deísthai almost always denotes asking, proseúchesthai contains no narrower definition of content and refers to calling on God.  Thus, to talk with God, invite Him into one’s presence, carry on a conversation with…  To believe He is actually present…  To share one’s life with Him openly  The good, the bad, our strengths and our weaknesses So, what are we commanded to do, without stopping?

 Give thanks in all circumstances  ε ὐ χαριστέω  eucharistéō means “to show a favor,”  but this imposes a duty of gratitude and the meaning “to be thankful” or “to give thanks” develops.  God’s act is the presupposition of the summons to eucharistía either:  in general exhortation (1 Th. 5:18)  or in the special form of the collection (2 Cor. 9:11).  Giving thanks is therefore the natural result of receiving the grace of God So, what are we commanded to do, without stopping?

 Cooperate with the Spirit  Respect (hear/obey) prophecy  Test everything  Hold on to the good  Avoid evil (that which is in opposition to God) So, what are we commanded to do, without stopping?

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

 In Verse 23  Every verb, in this verse, is in the optative or subjunctive voice.  This means that these actions are hoped for, desired or wished.  Further, the verbs are in the aorist tense.  This implies point in time action.  This is not necessarily past action, especially in the optative voice, but implies something that can be done instantly.

 Therefore  It is hoped for or desired that we will be:  Sanctified through and through  Made completely holy, pleasing & acceptable to God  Kept blameless when Jesus returns  It is implied that these two things can be accomplished instantaneously.  But notice,  We are the passive recipients of God’s action.  Verse 24  The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.