Chapter 5✅ Verse: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV 1-4 Paul is talking about the return of Jesus, he’s saying he doesn’t need to write to tell them about it cz they already have knowledge of it but nobody knows the specific day so it’s described as the coming of a thief in the night. He will come as a thief in the night (to those who are unaware). They’ll think everything is fine saying, going on about life- getting married, eating, partying, daily life- they’ll say peace (this means the time when they think it’s all good). When they say this, that’s when sudden destruction will come., as ;about pains a pregnant woman,- unexpected, the baby comes out whether u like it or not, when the destruction comes, it comes, they won’t be able to stop it, even when unexpected. But us as children of light, this day won’t catch us by surprise, we will know. 6-8 it’s telling us to stay awake and alert not like a drunk person (who’s not soberminded) but to have sharp and alert minds-knowing the times, and keeping on the full armour of God to stay standing and prepared. 9-11 For God doesn’t want anyone lost, the wrath for the children of disobedience, He wants everyone saved. He wants all the saints asleep or alive to live together with Him. Because go this, we should be comforting, encouraging and building each other up. 12-13 To get along with each other and respect and recognise those in leadership/colabourers in the body. 14: instructions on how to help others: warn those who are unruly, comfort the discouraged, and uphold those who need practical support and be patient with all. Don’t get revenge but always pursue what’s good between you and them, and everyone else. - no eye for eye mentality, seek peace, have “love your enemies” mentaility. 16-18 Rejoice always (not one time thing but always, and in every circumstance, cz joy is not circumstantial” joy that comes with walking with Jesus, joy that makes no sense. And praying always - living in continual communication/connection with God, regular turn your thoughts and decision to God. In everything give thanks (not just the good times). Thankfulness is also an unchanging thing, like joy, cz there’s always something to be thankful for, although situatuons can make it harder to see those things to give thanks for. It’s God’s will the we rejoice, pray, thanks- continually, unchangingly, noncisrucmstantial. 19-22 don’t quench the Holy Spirit, don’t reject the message just because it’s not what you epcxetected or doesn’t seem right to you, don’t put God in box, he can work howler He wants, don’t just believe every spitioual claim but also don’t reject it, without examining it. Test all things by the word of God, and if true, believe it. Let go of what doesn’t align with the word of God and hold fast to what does. And abstain form very from of evil (evil can be in the form of evil-satan angel of light, or other methods of salvation like circumcision the looks good but it’s evil cz it doesn’t align with scripture).- even with Jesus’ temptation, if He didn’t know scripture, He would’ve been deceived, satan even used scripture- it seemed right but when tested (he was using it to say what he wanted it it to say)- If Jesus needed to be cautious, how much do we? Be spiritually open but not gullible (like don’t be closed off, but make sure you test so you aren’t deceived). Jesus demonstrated another point, He didn’t just brush of satan’s temptation, He addressed, answered his question with scripture. We may make our belief or faith look weak by disregarding questions, you don’t have to engage in arguments but if a question is asked, answer it with scripture. Don’t shut people off, answer every question. 23-24 Paul is praying for the believers to be sanctified completely (fully set apart from the world/fully transformed into image of Christ complete) - all of you (the individual)- God wants every part of us to be His, full transformation, to remain blameless, being ready for His return. So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” - he wants all of us. 24: He who.calls you is faithful, who also will do it: All this that is being required of us, he ends with reminding us that God fistful to do it, to enable us-cz without out Him we can do nothing. God calls us and equips us, he sends and equips. 25-26 Paul is encouraging us to pray for one another, be in unity-like family, and pray for those who minster to us. 26-27 he wants the epistle read to all, God’s message should be shared, not kept to self. He then blesses them with the grace of the Lord Jesus (cz nothing can be done without the grace) In Christ: cz it’s all about Him, also telling us to be in Christ- us in Christ and Christ in us :) Application: - Stay sober (awake spiritually) while we await for christ’s return - We shouldn’t set dates or live in fear of it but instead with the hope longing to be received by him. - Encourage each other (never seek to revenge by responding evil with evil. - Help others in anyway I can - Don’t keep the message to ourselves but share - Rejoicing, praying and thankful always - Testing every spirit (words) with the word of God and holding fast to what is good and abstaining from every form of evil. - Trust God to completely sanctify us for he is faithful to do it. Pretty much watch-encourage and prepare