The First Epistle To The Thessalonians - Executable Outlines

INTRODUCTION
Our Duty To Ourselves
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
1. In 1st Thessalonians chapter five, we continue to note our various responsibilities as...
a. “the children of light”
b. “the children of day” - cf. 1 Th 5:5
2. In recent studies, we have considered...
a. “Our Duties To Those Who Serve” - 1 Th 5:12-13
1) To recognize them
2) To esteem them highly in love
b. “Our Duties To Those In Need” - 1 Th 5:14-15
1) To warn the unruly 4) To be patient with all
2) To comfort the fainthearted 5) To render to no one evil for evil
3) To uphold the weak 6) To pursue what is good for us and for all
3. Our duties are not just directed toward others, we have some that address our own spiritual
well-being...
a. Three such duties are mentioned in our text for this lesson - 1 Th 5:16-18
1) To rejoice always
2) To pray without ceasing
3) To give thanks in everything
b. Note that Paul says these things are “the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
1) These three things are what God wants us to do for ourselves
2) Therefore I have entitled this study “Our Duties To Ourselves”
[It is in the fulfillment of these three duties that we strengthen ourselves spiritually and emotionally ,
enabling us to be better fit to serve God and others. Consider first our duty to...]
I. REJOICE ALWAYS
A. THE NEED TO REJOICE ALWAYS...
1. In joy there is great strength - cf. Neh 8:10
2. When we have joy in what we believe, we abound in hope - cf. Ro 15:13
3. When we are joyful, it helps those around us to be joyful - e.g., 2 Co 2:3
-- To be joyful, to be merry, is crucial to remaining strong ourselves, and being a source of
strength to others - cf. Pro 15:13,15; 17:22
B. THE WAY TO REJOICE ALWAYS...
1. It is in the Lord that we find the ability to “rejoice always” - cf. Ph 4:4
a. His salvation is the source of much joy - cf. Psa 21:1
b. He grants joy to those who please Him - Ecc 2:26; 5:20
Mark A. Copeland
Sermons From First Thessalonians 61