The Secret of a Peaceful Heart
Pastor Chang Kim
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Introduction:
What is God’s will?
Here in these three verses, Paul clearly defines it as rejoicing always, pray without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances
I. REJOICE Always v16
16 Rejoice always
Paul exhorts them starting in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-22
1. Comfort and edify one another 2. Respect all leaders 3. Warn the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak and be patient with one another 4. Treat all with kindness 5. Rejoice always 6. Prays without ceasing 7. Give thanks 8. Do not quench the Spirit 9. Test all teachings 10. Avoid evil
Hebrews 12:2
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
We can rejoice always because of God’s salvation.
We can rejoice always, even in persecution, because we believe God’s promises.
We can rejoice always, knowing that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”
We can rejoice always, because our hope is in the Lord, for He is our rock and our salvation
Philippians 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
II. PRAY Always v17
17 pray without ceasing
J.B. Lightfoot “it is not in the moving of the lips, but in the elevation of the heart to God, that the essence of prayer consists.”
17th century French writer Francois Fenelo wrote: Daily periods of intentional prayer, reflection, & meditation are essential to establish the climate of unceasing prayer for the rest of the day. Daily Scripture reading also is well established as an essential discipline if we would walk in the Spirit. It is also helpful to begin each day with a prayer to be consciously constantly in Jesus’ presence during the day.
III. GIVE THANKS Always v18
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Ephesians 5:20
20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Genesis 50:17-20
17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good
Matthew Henry writes: “First, let me be thankful because I was never robbed before. Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life. Third, though they took all I had, it was not much. Fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I that did the robbing.”
Conclusion
Discussion Questions
What does Paul say is the secret of a peaceful heart? Which one seems doable, and which one seems difficult?
How was Jesus able to set before Him “JOY” enduring the cross, despising the shame?
What does giving thanks in all circumstances look like in your life?