Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture: I Thess. 5: 16-26 March 22, 2026

Message: “Practical Advice – Part II”

by Pastor George Gnade

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7:25

Introduction: 1. Today’s message is the last one in our series on I Thessalonians. Last week we began to study Paul’s closing comments. Today we will finish them.

2. Considering all the advice we learned about in Part I, I think vs. 15 is the one most of us have the hardest time doing. It says: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everybody else.”

a. Not only is that hard to do, it is hard to stop others from doing it. It is such a natural reaction. And when we hurt someone back, we all tend to say: “He deserved it.”

b. What we forget is that, from God’s perspective, we all deserve to be punished. But He forgave us. That is why the Lord’s prayer includes the statement: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

3. We have all heard the saying: “Practice what you preach.” How much more should we practice what we pray! I believe the best way to reach someone for Christ is to forgive them and be kind to them after they deliberately hurt you. Let us move on to I Thess. 5:16 -26. 

A. In vs. 16, the next admonishment encourages us to “be joyful always.”

1. It is easy to be joyful when everything goes well. How can you make yourself joyful when things go wrong? 

a. Hudson Taylor started the China Inland Mission and recruited many others to help him. One day it was reported to him that two of the missionaries working for him had been killed.

b. Amazingly, he turned around and walked to a place where he could allow himself to react and began singing a song about God’s love. It was his way of staying joyful in the Lord even as his heart grieved.

2. Many people stay away from church when things go wrong. Many others have found if they do the opposite, being in the presence of God and His people actually cheers them up.

3. When any of us are finding it hard to be joyful, don’t get angry at God because we can’t understand what He allows. Get closer to God; and in spite of the sadness in your heart, you will be amazed how He can comfort and help you.

B. Secondly, vs. 16 tells us to “Pray continually.”

1. I have met people who claim to be Christians but they rarely pray unless they want something. God wants us to treat Him as a friend, a friend we enjoy talking to.

a. When young people start to date, they often go back and forth on their phones all the time.

b. When a person becomes a Christian and learns of God’s love, God wants us to talk to Him regularly so that it is the most natural thing we do.

2. I think that is what it means to pray continually. It means no matter what happens, good or bad, we either thank the Lord or petition the Lord or simply commit our new problem to the Lord. But we enjoy talking to Him. 

3. When a person asks Jesus to forgive him and asks Jesus to live in His heart, doesn’t that mean exactly what I am describing? 

a. When we say: “I love you. You are in my heart. I think of you all the time,” that is usually how we describe a close friend. That is how we should think about Jesus!

b. If you have never asked Jesus to live in your heart by faith, maybe you should take a closer look at yourself. 

 A true Christian is encouraged to pray to Him continually.

C. Thirdly, in vs. 17, Paul urges them to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1. What we said about being joyful could also be said about “giving thanks in all circumstances.”

a. God wants us to have thankful hearts. If we give thanks to people who help us, how much more should we give thanks to God for all He does for us.

b. I try to remember to do this every night before I go to bed. I rethink all of the day’s activities and express my appreciation to the Lord for all He has done for me.

2. Even when I am upset over problems that are too big for me, I can still praise the Lord for being with me and helping me. 

a. Phil. 4: 6-7 says it best: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 

b. I am not very good at letting go and simply trusting God. But trusting in God really helps.

D.  The next command Paul shares with us is found in I Thess. 5: 19. It says: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire!”

1. In the K.J.V. it says: “Do not quench the Spirit.” Some fires are destructive; but in winter time, how thankful we are for the warmth of a fire. That is not the time to throw water on it and quench it.

a. In the same way, we must be careful not to throw water on the work of the Holy Spirit.  Don’t quench what He is doing.

b. That is very important in our own lives. When the Holy Spirit is working in your heart, don’t push Him away. All of us who know the Lord have different gifts of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to use our gifts to please Him.

2. But this is also true in our own churches or different ministries. It is amazing how Satan tries to get people fighting over some minor issue, just when God is at work in a special way. The growth in a church can be hindered when others come and hear grumbling or complaining.

a. That is why Paul writes: “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

b. When we are prayerfully doing our best to please the Lord, we are less likely to yield to temptation. But when we are doing our best for the Lord that is exactly when Satan will try to tempt us. So be careful not to quench the Spirit’s fire.

E. Finally, notice the wonderful promise found in I Thess. 5: 23-24. It says: “May God, Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”

1. Praise the Lord, God knows our weaknesses and how often we fail. But here is a wonderful promise that our sanctification does not depend on us. “God is faithful, and He will do it.”

2. That is not an excuse to sin. But it is comforting to know Jesus will help us do what God desires of us.

In conclusion: 1. Paul closes this letter with a benediction that is often used by pastors. He writes: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

2. Praise God for the grace of God. It reminds me of a parent teaching a child how to walk and how to talk. Praise God, He is a wonderful parent. As our heavenly Father, He will not let us down. Amen!