Walking With Jesus IX.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Introduction and Context
Welcome to Part IX of our Walking With Jesus conversations. We will remain in the concluding portion of Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica, poring over nine verses from 1 Thess. 5:16-24.
Verses 16 and 17 are very short direct statements: “Rejoice always” and “Pray without ceasing.” Years ago, before I knew better, one question that always came to my mind was how possible it was to rejoice always and pray without ceasing. To my mind, at the time, two impossibilities were lined up together, and I would wonder to what end? It didn’t make sense that God expected me to do something impossible since I was only human. Submitting to the gifted teaching of those ahead of me helped to open my eyes. And yes, the Spirit of God takes residence in our hearts since “Christ dwells in our hearts by faith…” enabling us to do what we couldn’t have done ourselves, as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Today, I have become a teacher of the word myself and encourage people to follow these same principles, leaning on the truth of God’s word, that what is impossible for us is indeed possible for Him to do.
“And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
Luke 18:26-27 NKJV
We are also warned not to quench the Spirit and not to despise prophecies. Plus, abstain from every form of evil! That is all serious! It means we can extinguish (quench) the fire of the Holy Spirit in the church and end prophecies. The solution to avoid a life or congregation devoid of God’s life and joy appears to follow right after in Vs. 23-24. Let’s read together:
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Thess. 5:23-24 NKJV
Since we cannot be trusted not to despise prophecy or abstain from evil things without His grace, it makes perfect sense to ask for sanctification from the Father. Lord, sanctify us by your Holy Spirit.
Guided Conversations
Scripture Text: Read 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:16-24. Discuss your findings using the questions in this sub-section:
- What came to mind as you were reading the short set of verses? Did any verse or sets of verses stick out to you? What do you feel the Holy Spirit pointing out to you?
- Is it possible to rejoice always, especially when difficulties abound? How do we apply this instruction to ourselves? Please read the following verses and see what you come up with: Job 15:13, Job 19:25-27, Phil. 4:4-8, Nehemiah 8:9-11.
- How can we “pray always” in practical terms? Any ideas? Read the following verses for additional context: Eph. 6:18, Galatians 5:16-17, Rom. 8:26.
- Discuss practical things we can do to abstain from evil (1 Thess 5:22) and live pleasing to the Lord.
Summary and Conclusion
As stated earlier, we are human and, therefore, limited. God, in His infinite mercy and grace, sent Jesus to take the punishment for original sin. That opened the way for the Holy Spirit to take residence in our hearts. Everyone who truly believes in Jesus for their salvation has the Holy Spirit. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives so that the fruit may show. We can’t be walking with Jesus and not have some evidence. Would you agree?
Prayer Time
- Are there any Praise Reports or Prayer Requests to share? Give thanks for praise reports.
- Give thanks for 2025 and prophesy amazing things over this year for the Church and yourself.
- Pray for those who serve as leaders in Joy Fountain and other churches for strength, wisdom, and spiritual protection from the darts of the evil one. Pray for the congregation to grow spiritually.
- Pray for the Lord to sanctify us all and bring revival to Joy Fountain Church and our City, Winnipeg, and Manitoba. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Announcements
- Prayer Summit April 5, 2025, from 12 to 2 pm.
- Next Small Group Meeting March 26, 2025. We continue our conversations, “Walking With Jesus X”