Give Thanks In All Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.

Ephesians 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Conclusions:

• Christians are differentiated from the natural man
• Because of what God has done, Christians are continually thankful whatever the circumstances
• People are naturally happy on some occasions, but the Christian’s joy is not dependent on circumstances
• Joy comes from what Christ has done, and it is constant
• There is a warmth, a glow, about the Spirit’s presence
• The kind of conduct Paul is opposing may include loafing, immorality and the other sins he has denounced
• On the other hand, Paul may be warning against a mechanical attitude toward worship that discourages the expression of the gifts of the Spirit in the local assembly
• Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by sin, such as unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice
• The Holy Spirit is a person, not just an influence, for only a person can be grieved

Application:

• Are you continually thankful, whatever the circumstances?
• Is your joy dependent on circumstances?
• Do you have a mechanical attitude toward worship?
• Do you frieve the Holy Spirit?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible