Always, Never, In All – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Acts 17:1-9 (NLT)

17 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”

8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Background:

Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia… hottest place going
Main trade route, rich city

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Always Be Joyful

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NLT)

16 Always be joyful.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

10 …Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT)

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

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Never Stop Praying

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

17 Never stop praying.

Romans 12:12 NLT

12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

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Be Thankful in ALL Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:20 NLT

20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.