One of the common questions we, as Christians, often ask ourselves is: “What is God’s will for my life?” or “What is God’s will for my loved ones?” We continually seek to understand God’s will concerning our jobs, studies, ministries, relationships, and more. Especially, when faced with challenges, we yearn to discern God’s intentions for us. In today’s Epistle, we encounter God’s three foundational directives in order. If we would like to figure out God’s will for our lives, here is where we can begin: “Be joyful always”; “Pray continually”; “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Have we noticed that each of these verbs is in the present tense and carries an imperative mode? These commands emphasize continuity: “Continually rejoice, continually pray, and continually give thanks.” There are times when we don’t feel joyful, perhaps because we are focused on our shortcomings. Occasionally, we might be tempted to skip a prayer session and rely solely on our efforts. At times, we struggle to find reasons to be grateful and lean towards complaints. Due to our inherent self-centered nature, I believe many of us have felt similarly about these triple orders. We might wish the Apostle Paul had phrased it as “Rejoice sometimes, pray occasionally, and give thanks in certain situations.” However, Paul emphasizes these instructions as continuous divine practices, using words like, “always,” “continually,” and “in all circumstances.” That is why these profound pieces of guidance are often termed the “Standing Orders” of Christianity.

Throughout the Bible, the Lord provides numerous guidelines for His children. God’s commands are not merely suggestions; they are spiritual obligations. However, God respects our free will. We have the choice to obey these instructions or not. Nevertheless, He assures us of blessings for those who uphold His commands. This morning, I invite each of us to ponder these sacred directives and reflect on what these spiritual orders in sequence mean to us today.

Firstly, we are called to be joyful at all times. However, once again, it is not always easy to rejoice. Many believe that they will be happy when they possess “good health, a loving family, job satisfaction, enriching work or study experiences, and remarkable personal achievements.” Please understand that all the items mentioned above are valuable goals for us to strive for. Many of us adopt this standard list as a measure of success or personal development. When things are going well, we often find happiness. Yet, when circumstances take a negative turn, our happiness can diminish. As someone once said, “[Biblical] joy is deeper than happiness. It is unrelated to the circumstances of life, and it is anchored to our relationship with God.”

In our Gospel reading, Jesus introduces divine joyfulness to His audience, stating: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you” (John 15:11). Here, the phrase “these things” refers to Jesus’ teaching about the intimidate relationship between Christ and His followers, symbolized as the vine and its branches. In this scripture, the word “remain” is mentioned ten times, highlighting Jesus’ emphasis on the essential connection with Him. The fruit produced by the branches stems from this close partnership between the two main parties. The vine, deeply rooted in the ground, absorbs necessary moisture and nutrients. As the branches remain in the vine, they receive all basic items from it. Among the fruits of the Spirit is joy. This spiritual joy does not depend on our strength and resources. It is not influenced by our personal circumstances or our educational situations. It is not affected by the extent of our achievements, our earnings, or our level of fame or popularity.

The source of our divine joy is our relationship with Jesus Christ. In Christ, there is an abundant supply of sacred fruits, including joy. From this spiritual wellspring, we can receive all the blessings Christ offers. If we remain in Christ, our joy can remain unwavering, regardless of our current challenges. We can rejoice in the blessings God has already bestowed upon us, celebrate His ongoing work in our present lives, and anticipate with hope what He will accomplish in our future. That is why it is crucial for us to maintain a close relationship with Christ. During our daily devotions, we seek Christ’s guidance and invite Him to direct our faith journey. Christian joy is not merely an emotion; it is rooted in a profound truth. Christian joy is based on our faith in the presence of Immanuel, Christ, who is in control of every aspect of our lives.

Many years ago, a ship was lost in a severe storm in a deserted area of the ocean… It served as a powerful reminder that God can transform our challenges into unexpected blessings.

The second command is to pray continually. In the King James Version of the Bible, this instruction is expressed as: “Pray without ceasing.” Many of us, myself included, may wonder how to practice this spiritual order in our faith journey. We might ask, “What could I possibly talk to God about all day long?” It is crucial to understand that prayer extends beyond merely presenting our needs or feelings to God. Prayer is intended to foster a dialogue between God and His people. One way we can maintain continuous prayer is to establish designated prayer times throughout our day. For instance, in the Old Testament, Daniel scheduled specific times for prayer, kneeling before the Lord three times daily: morning, noon, and night. Similarly, in the New Testament, Peter and John set aside times for prayer and went up to the temple at three in the afternoon. These examples underscore the importance of ongoing communication with God. When considering continuous conversations, we might reflect on the communication between married couples. They often convey their thoughts and feelings not only through words and actions but also through moments of silence. Over our 27 years of marriage, my wife and I have developed such a deep connection that we often think alike in many respects. Wouldn’t it be extraordinary to cultivate a similarly authentic relationship with God through unceasing conversation?

We have the Immanuel Friend, often described as the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, who knows every detail about us. Do we have concerns for our loved ones that we wish Jesus to be aware of? Let us bring these worries to Him, for He oversees every aspect of our lives. Prayer is accessible to everyone. It does not require eloquent expressions or a specific format; it merely demands a sincere and humble heart. Our Friend, Jesus Christ, longs for a deep connection with us as His Children.

“Have you ever watched a bird sleeping on its perch and never falling off?…” From observing such birds, we can learn profound lessons about maintaining a steadfast relationship with God. Like the bird’s knees bent in sleep, our knees bent in prayer anchor us to a life connected with God. We need to initiate each day with a time of prayer. We need to ask God for His strength and wisdom for the day before stepping out of bed. In the middle of the day, we need to return to God and ask for His direction. During the night, we need to thank God for His blessings and guidance. I understand that praying three times a day might seem somewhat challenging. But imagine how it would change our lives.

Thirdly, we are called to be thankful in all circumstances. In our Old Testament reading, Moses emphasized the importance of both remembering the Lord and demonstrating gratitude towards Him. Moses consistently reminded the people of Israel not to forget the Lord their God (Deuteronomy 8:11,14,18,19). He cautioned them against mistakenly thinking: “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me” (Deuteronomy 8:18). The danger for the Israelites, as they entered the Promised Land filled with God’s blessings, was not external enemies but the internal threat of pride. God foresaw that during times of abundance, He might be overlooked and forgotten. Furthermore, Moses urged the people of Israel to offer thanks and praise to God continually. He recounted God’s manifold blessings, named them one by one (Deuteronomy 8 14-16), and encouraged them to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude. This action is not simply saying grace before meals but making a daily habit of thanksgiving for God’s goodness in every aspect of our lives.

Remembering God and giving thanks to the Lord was not only crucial for the future of the people of Israel but also for our own future. As we age, our memory may falter; we might forget names, phone numbers, dates, and events due to our brain’s limited capacity. However, amidst these forgetful moments, it is vital that we never lose sight of our Creator, God. We ought to continually to express gratitude to the Lord for His marvelous works in our lives. When we look back on our past, we may recall not only joyous occasions but also challenging times we have faced. In all circumstances, maintaining a spirit of gratitude is critical. When we neglect to be thankful, our minds can become consumed by stress, discontent, and complaints. It is a misconception to believe that only monumental achievements warrant gratitude towards God. True gratitude does not come from our special accomplishments but from our heart’s attitude towards God.

Today marks the final day of the year 2023. How deeply have we expressed our gratitude to the Lord for His blessings upon us, our families, our church, and our wider community? Each day, many of us devote time to praying for individuals on our prayer list. This list may include those anticipating surgery, individuals battling ongoing illnesses, and others struggling with family challenges. Indeed, whether present in this sanctuary or joining via Zoom, nearly everyone is navigating some form of hardship. However, as God’s people, we are not alone in our struggles. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). We firmly believe in the presence of Immanuel, God with us. Furthermore, we need to remember that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). If we understand the implications of this truth, we can find gratitude in every situation regardless of the circumstances.

Once again, we are called to express gratitude for all the blessings bestowed upon us by God. Whether it is the joy we receive from our jobs, the comfort of our clothes, the nourishment of our food, the shelter of our homes, or the love of our family and friends, we recognize that all these gifts come from our Heavenly Father. We are truly thankful to the Lord for the gift of life, for each breath we take, and for our desire to fulfill God’s purpose in our faith journey. Today, as your minister, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you who has prayed for and supported me and my family over the years. My wife and I feel immensely blessed to serve alongside such caring and devoted members of God’s family, like all of you. Reflecting on God’s abundant blessings, I am filled with joy and appreciation to witness our church evolving and growing as His church – a sanctuary for those who “seek to love God and participate in an open and supportive congregation grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ.” The presence of the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace has been visible among our congregation. He has protected our church and provided for our every need, from the beginning of our amalgamation plans to the present day. Well, I could go into more detail, but suffice it to say that God is good all the time. As God has been faithful in the past, He continues to show His goodness to our church both now and in the days to come!

As we conclude our reflection on this epistle to the First Thessalonians, the concept of God’s will is mentioned twice. God’s will is not shown through dramatic displays or the magical power of His presence. In the previous chapter of this letter, specifically in chapter 4, verses 3 and 4, the Apostle Paul shares the will of the Lord: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” Thus, moral purity is God’s will for our physical bodies.

In today’s scripture Paul articulates the will of God for our inner lives: “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.” These three standing instructions sum up God’s will for our spirits…

Friends, let us remember that we have the capacity to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to be thankful in every circumstance. The depth of our relationship with the Lord influences our ability to practice these virtues in our faith journey. As we stand on the starting line for the upcoming New Year, let us make a genuine dedication to deepen our relationship with God.

*In this sermon, I have used some thoughts and materials from various sermons based on the following texts: Deuteronomy 8:11-18; John 15:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18.