Title: if we could only obey Gods three commands.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-23

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
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Blessing and Admonition

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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In verse 23 of todays Scriptures it says, 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And therefore, these three commands in todays Scriptures are Gods absolute command as well as His command of blessing given to the saints who hope for the second coming of Christ. It means if we rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything, we can preserve our whole spirit, soul and body blameless. In other words, we can receive the blessing of transfiguration and everlasting life.

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; we had heard these three commands several years ago and not just today, but were you able to obey them?
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God said to rejoice always, however, with the thoughts of men, is it possible to rejoice always? How can we rejoice always when only good things do not happen to us 365 days of a year? Nevertheless, God is saying that we could rejoice always. God is saying us to do it. However, because we cannot do it, our whole spirit, soul and body cannot be preserved blameless.

When your child is feeling devastated because he has failed the test, you yell at him saying, What have I done wrong to you? I bought you clothes, books and gave you money. How could you fail your test? You dont deserve to eat, get out! And your child runs away from home and doesnt come back. So the whole household is feeling devastated now and the mother is out looking for her child and youre feeling anxious and worried. How can you rejoice always? That is why we must understand the meaning of this command correctly. Todays Scriptures are three commands given to the saints of God who anxiously wait for the second coming of Christ and these commands must be obeyed. It is not the case that we could avoid obeying these commands. Even our bones break and our flesh is torn away, we must obey these three commands. We must do everything in our power to obey these commands. Also, God said it is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us, right?

Do you think we can enter the kingdom of heaven without following the will of God? Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
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It means you dont get to enter the kingdom of heaven if you seek God with your mouth only, but you need to act according to the will of God in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. These three commands are not separate commands, but they are closely connected into one. Rejoicing, praying and giving thanks are connected into one thing. And therefore, always, without ceasing and in everything; these three all apply to all three commands, rejoicing, praying and giving thanks.

It means rejoice always, rejoice without ceasing and in everything rejoice. It means pray always, pray without ceasing and in everything pray. It means give thanks always, give thanks without ceasing and in everything give thanks. If you believe it and accept this, then please respond with big Amen.

God is not saying that we should rejoice and pray and give thanks separately. God is telling us to rejoice, pray and give thanks as a whole, all together and as one.

These three commands cannot even be imitated by unbelievers. How can an unbeliever have thanksgiving and prayer and rejoicing heart? I hope you give your ears to these commands and believe that God gave you these commands because He loves you. Please pay attention to the fact that God presented the feeling of joy which is a voluntary emotion as a command. Worldly people rejoice when things go their way and when they gain a great wealth and their business is going well and whenever theres a joyous events in their life. However, God said we should rejoice always.

Why did God say we must pray without ceasing? Because prayer is the breath of saints. Prayer is the breath of spirit, if we stop breathing we die, dont we?

Prayer is the key to a lock. Whenever we pray the lock of our problem is open and our wishes are achieved. I hope you believe this. People who do not pray they do not have thanksgiving. Only those who rejoice in the grace of God can pray and give thanks to God. People who think all things are accomplished by their own strength do not have prayer and thanksgiving.

When they do not rejoice in the grace of God and do not pray, how can they have thanksgiving? If so, then beginning that moment, that household starts to run downhill. \ God said, in everything give thanks. Whether you are unhappy or happy, whether you failed and are in despair, whether your family is turned into ruin and even when you are about to die, God is commanding us to give thanks in everything. Why is our household is destroyed and family is broken? Because there is no giving thanks among family members. The reason why business is going to ruin is also there is no thanksgiving. Prayer without giving thanks is mere murmuring. Only when you pray with giving thanks to God you can taste the joy of the Holy Spirit. When we pray to God with thanksgiving, the grace of God brings us joy and the work of the Holy Spirit brings us joy. That is namely the joy of thanksgiving and prayer that the world cannot taste.

There are many believers who cannot taste such joy even when they believed in Jesus for several tens of years. Are you not believing in God without joy of the Holy Spirit? Joy and thanksgiving without prayer only lasts for a brief moment. When you are rejoicing and smiling, if money goes out of your hand, youre scowling again. When you are making money, you feel joyous and feel like youll live like that for decades, but that is all useless and pointless. In all our conduct, if giving thanks is missing, then nothing works out for us. Even when we are scolded and reproached, we must give thanks to God. When we are scolded, we should think to ourselves like this; aha, because I could not live like an upright man before God, God is making me realize this through that person! We must think like this and give thanks.

As we read 2 Samuel 11:2-15, king David committed the sin of going into Bathsheba the wife of Uriah and being afraid that this might be revealed, David let Uriah die in the battlefield. God let His prophet know this and let the prophet reproach David. What did David do after hearing Nathans scolding? First, David gave thanks to God and repented. If king David did not have thanksgiving heart toward Nathans scolding, do you think David would let Nathan leave safely? He could have executed at once the prophet who reproached the king.

Because David gave thanks and repented even when he was scolded, he is a great king. 2 Samuel 12:13-15 So David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said to David, The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die. 15 Then Nathan departed to his house.
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David acknowledged the reproach of Nathan the prophet as Gods reproach and completely repented while giving thanks to God until his bed was soaked with tears. Let us hear Davids prayer of repentance when he repented after hearing Nathans reproach. Psalm 51:10
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Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

And because of this, God said David had not turned aside from anything that God commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 1 Kings 15:5 because David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
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Why do we have to obey the three commandments? 1. Because Gods commandment is a lamp that shines light upon the path of saints. Proverbs 6:23
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For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

And also in Psalm 119:105

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Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

To us who are making a night journey that is like a pitch-dark night, Gods commandments are a bright lamp that shines light upon our path. We all suffer many hardships making a night journey and someones giving us a lamp, who would refuse that lamp? However, we do not realize that commandment is a lamp and we turn our faces away from it, it is a heartbreaking thing. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; I hope you do not forget that these three commandments are also clearly a lamp that shines light upon our path. Please do not forget this fact. My beloved saints, even today, at this hour, the Word of God is shining light upon the road we must take. Therefore, I bless you with the name of the Lord you all become family and church whom God rejoices in by listening and obeying the Word of God whether it is the Word of blessing or the Word of reproach so that the lamp shines a bright light upon your family and church. I bless you with the name of the Lord. When the children of Israel were passing thru the wilderness marching toward the land of Canaan, there was a lamp that shone a bright light upon their path, right? That lamp was the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud. With the pillar of fire, God shone the light upon the path so that 2million Israelites could see the path they are walking. God shone the light so bright so

that the children of Israel could see serpents, scorpions and even tiny ants crawling in the wilderness. God shone the light bright as day. And it gets very cold at night in the wilderness so God gave them the pillar of fire and this pillar gave warmth and light during the night. During the day, God gave them the pillar of could instead of fire because it gets too hot during the day in the wilderness. Also, God gave them fog and dew in moderate amount so that the children of Israel dont get affected by the heat and do not thirst and keep them hydrated. This is all Gods love and the lamp given to them, isnt it? Not just physical lamp is a lamp. The Word of God became a lamp for the children of Israel and shone a bright light upon their path. And the pillar of fire and pillar of cloud even led and found the place for the Israelite to camp and pitch tents. Deuteronomy 1:33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.
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As we read such Scripture and witness the work of God done for the Israelites, we know for certain that the Word of God, namely, Gods commandment is a lamp. I hope you the saints of the livinghope church try and obey the Word of God. That Word of God will become a lamp in your journey and God will take all the responsibilities in your path. God keeps His promise without fail. That is why we call God faithful. Hebrews 11:11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
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And in 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
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For the Word of God is truth, believing such Word of God is not a pie in the sky, but it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. As it is stated in Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
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Because until this day, you had not believed the Word of God properly, you failed and despaired and disappointed. Did you rejoice always? No, right? Did you pray without ceasing? When you do not give thanks in everything, what can go your way? When you turn away from Gods lamp, how long did you wander in the darkness? God said these three commandments are the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. Because we did not obey these commandments, our situation became like this. How frustrating this is! When you start grumbling and complaining and not obey the Word of God, you become like 60,3548 Israelites who all died before they enter Canaan. Even though 60,3550 were counted, 603548 all died before they cross over the valley of Zered. Deuteronomy 2:14 And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the LORD had sworn to them.
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However, as it is stated in Numbers 32:11-12, Joshua and Caleb who obeyed the Word of God lived and entered the promised land of Canaan. This incident was an antitype that foreshowed what will be done in the days of the end. In the days of the end, if we too cannot believe the Word of God and do not obey the Word of God, we too will die on earth and if we do obey the Word of God then we will be transformed without seeing death. The work of transformation is a clear fact. The Word of God in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 is not a lie. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has

put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.

Why cant you believe it when there is a real example in the Bible? Look at Adams seventh descendant Enoch, he ascended into heaven without witnessing death. Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him;[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
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Also, Elijah the prophet ascended into heaven without seeing death. 2 Kings 2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
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God who made Enoch and Elijah transfigured and took them to heaven is our God the Father we believe in today. Jesus too said that there is a world that people never die. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?
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Precisely, this God is commanding us to rejoice always and thus, we must rejoice. When money comes into our pocket we rejoice and smile and when money goes out of our hand and we are cheated we become sad; please do not do that. When God commanded us to rejoice always, we do not come to church because someone cheated on us and we lost money, then we are foolish beyond measure. I hope you become the saints of the livinghope church who live inside the bright lamp by obeying the three commandments God is giving us today. We should rather give thanks to God for providing us a lamp through these three commandments as we take a night journey that is like a pitch dark night.

I bless you with the name of the Lord by obeying the three commandments, you become the wise saints of God who win through the night journey with a bright lamp held in your hands. I bless you with the name of the Lord.

2. We must obey the three commandments in order to obtain everlasting life. John 12:50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.
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And therefore, the three commands is the Word of blessing that leads us to everlasting life. After receiving this Word of God, I hope you all become fruits of the livinghope by believing and obeying the three commandments and even receive the prize of everlasting life.

With thoughts of men, there is no way we can keep these three commandments, however, I bless you with the name of the Lord you all become the wise saints who receive these three commandments with joy and keep them by prayer and complete them by giving thanks. I bless you with the name of the Lord. In this world, there are more sadness than joy and more conflicts, war and hate than peace. Can you rejoice when the whole world is full of hatred?

We can never rejoice always with thoughts and conditions of men. However, Gods command towards us is to rejoice always. Isnt it because if we do so, God can change everything into joyful things? Is there anything God cannot do? Do you think God cannot change various hardships into joy for us? A blessing in disguise!

When we are feeling down and sad, worldly comfort is to eat, drink and pursue pleasure, however, that comfort is only momentary consolation and cannot be everlasting joy. Worldly comfort cannot bring benefit to our life of faith. Comfort based on the Word of God, only comfort of the Holy Spirit becomes everlasting joy.

God said to rejoice always and when we feel satisfied by faith and are full of thanksgiving, joy surges inside us. Until this day, while we believe in God for several tens of years and for many generations we did not rejoice always and did not pray without ceasing and did not give thanks in everything; what good thing could happen to us? I feel my heart is breaking when our saints of the livinghope church ask me for prayer. Problem with her husband, problem with their children, problem of his or her own chronic illness, business problems; all these problems break my heart. How can a pastor not pray after being requested for prayer by the saints of God? Sometimes I fast while praying and I pray with a broken heart as if their problems are my own. We pastors all say that we will not make our sons a pastor or a reverend. Because it is that difficult to become a servant of God. It is a road full of agony and affliction. Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
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When you rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks to God, I believe this Word of God will come into your family. The joy we take from eating and drinking is a joy that lasts for a short time. The joy we gain from inside the Holy Spirit is true joy and pleasure. The joy we gain from in the Holy Spirit is joy regardless of possession of money. The Apostle Paul said he is as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. 2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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The reason why the Apostle Paul said he lives as having nothing, and yet possessing all things is because with him was the Word of the beginning. That is

why he is a rich man like the one who possess the whole universe and all things in it.

Although I am over 70 and do not own a house and wealth, I am the one who possess everything. The Apostle Paul is teaching us the meaning of true wealth and giving us a livinghope and consolation with this Word of God. Also, this Word of God is teaching us the real existence of God that God is living. From the redemptive historical point of view, he is tasting the grace of redemption and therefore the Apostle Paul is a rich man. As we read 2 Corinthians 11:22-33, we can see that the Apostle Paul went through the harshest afflictions than anyone else and several times he was put in a situation where he almost lost his life, yet he is saying that he is the happiest man and he had spent the most worthwhile life so that he is a truly thankful for his life on earth and is truly giving thanks to God. In his life, he never departed from rejoicing always, praying without ceasing and giving thanks to God in everything. If he himself did not live such a life, how could he preach to us that we should live such life? We have a wife, children and a house to live in, even if its a rental. Right? The Apostle Paul did not possess such things, but he still gave thanks and rejoiced always. We call this the grace of contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[c] we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
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When the Apostle Paul is saying, rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks, it means he is boasting that he did rejoice always and pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything. It is a confession that the Apostle Paul never forgot , even for a moment, to rejoice and pray and give thanks while he was repeatedly going through hardships and afflictions and crisis of death. Philippians 3:1

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
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Philippians 4:4
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Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Because of always continuing grace of Christ, we need to rejoice and rejoice again. The source of our joy is in Christs redemption. The Apostle Paul gave thanks to God even though he was afflicted and stoned and put in a place of death thinking that it was all because of his sin that he persecuted Jesus and received such affliction as Christs grace given to him. That is why in 1 Corinthians 15:10 he said, 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. The anonymous Psalmist who wrote a thanksgiving lyric said we should serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.

This Scripture is also Gods absolute commandment. When we worship God if we do not have true thanksgiving and joy in our heart, that worship is pretentious worship. We must come before His presence with singing and serve the Lord with gladness. We Christians joy is different from the joy of this world. It is a joy that worldly people cannot taste. Joy of this world is based on physical sensation and materials.

3. In order to obtain joy we need to obey the three commandments. John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment
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The reason why Jesus gave us His Word is that His joy may remain in us, and that our joy may be full.

By receiving commandments and obeying it, our joy becomes full. Why is that? Because there is a reward following obedience. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
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Noah received the reward of entering the ark of salvation by obeying Gods commands. Enochs joy became full and was taken to heaven without witnessing death by obeying Gods commandments.

What is Gods purpose in giving us His Word? He said it is to make His joy remain in us so that our joy may be full.

1 Peter 1:8-9 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faiththe salvation of your souls.
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My beloved saints, when you and your family rejoice always and never cease to pray and in everything give thanks to God, I believe your households become shelters and refuge so that God will protect you during the days of tribulation. The prophet Jeremiah said our God is God of our families. Jeremiah 31:1 At the same time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.
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What worries do we have when God becomes the God of our families and He will make us His people? That is why God is saying that we should rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything.

If we obey the three commandments, the lamp of God is always shining brightly in our work, family and business. Also, I hope you believe that lamp will shine light upon your path so that everything will go well. When you rejoice always and pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks to God, God will become the God of your family and that same God will be your shelter and protector of your family and guide and lead us to the kingdom of heaven very safely. I bless you with the name of the Lord you who are receiving and understanding this Word of God today all have the work of God that the lamp of God never departs our church, work and business and shines ever so brightly forever more. I bless you with the name of the Lord. I hope you become the saints of the livinghope church who realize these three commandments are the last lamp of blessing given to us and fully obey them. By doing that, in the time of the end, when we take a night journey we can walk with this lamp of blessing so that no one may fall down and joy and pleasure will be overflowing in us. I bless you with the name of the Lord you all have the living work of God within you.