God’s Will in Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

“16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”


Introduction: Students are studying in elementary school, middle school, high school, and university to improve their education. To live a life of faith, we must grow and develop step by step from a low level to a high level. As we grow in faith, we will know more of God's will and obey it. We will rise to a higher level when we realize the basic steps of God's will and act with courage at an early stage. Today, I want to speak about some of these basic steps.


1. Be joyful always.
1) God is the source of happiness (Ps 16:11).
2) Adam's fall and sorrow (Ecc 1:2-11).
- He was disconnected from the source of happiness.
3) Satan is the source of sorrow.
ⓛ Worldly joy will always be accompanied by sorrow (Pr 14:13).
② As pleasure grows bigger, sorrow will become greater.
③ Every joy without God is false.
4) Return to God?depend on the Cross of Jesus.
ⓛ Only a life with God will bring joy?position, honor, power, money, wealth and prosperity.
　　 ② When we serve God, we will find joy (Isa 35:10).

　　
2.? Pray continually.
1) Prayer is breath to the spirit.
ⓛ Without prayer, the spirit is the same as dead?a dead body doesn't breathe.
② God is the best fresh air for our spirit. When we have conversation with God, our spirit is breathing; it is alive.
2) Wavelength prayer.
ⓛ When a stone is thrown into a lake, a wavelength will spread.
② Take the lead in wavelength prayer (Heb 7:24-25).
3) Contents of prayer.
ⓛ Prayer of thanksgiving and praise (Heb 13:15).
② Prayer concerning our daily life (Eph 6:18).
③ Prayer to become more like Jesus Christ (Php 2:5).
④ Intercessory prayer (1Ti 2:1-2).


3.? Give thanks in all circumstances.
1) Thank offerings are a fragrant sacrifice to God (Ps 50:23).
2) Give thanks in all circumstances.
ⓛ God turns evil into good (Ge 50:15-21).
② God causes all things to work together for good (Ro 8:28).
③ God is good (Mt 7:9-11).


Conclusion: When we become joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, then remarkable grace, healing of heart, and a positive life will be accomplished. Not only that, God will take care of us.