Trusting God's Will: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

Summary

Today was a day of celebration and reflection at Lexington Park Baptist Church. We witnessed the joy of six baptisms, each one a testimony to God’s ongoing work in the lives of His people. These moments remind us that heaven rejoices when even one sinner repents, and we as a church family are called to support and encourage those who take this step of faith. We also paused to remember the sacrifices made by others, especially as we approach Memorial Day, recognizing that our freedoms and blessings often come at great cost.

Turning to God’s Word, we explored what it means to live in the will of God. Many of us wrestle with questions about God’s will—how to discern it, how to trust it, and how to walk in it, especially when life is uncertain or doesn’t make sense. Sometimes God’s will is mysterious, and we are called to trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. Other times, God’s will requires our submission, even when it’s difficult or countercultural. There are also seasons when we simply need to keep doing the right things, trusting that God is working through our faithfulness.

God reveals His will through four primary means: His unchanging Word, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the affirmation of the church, and the circumstances He orchestrates in our lives. None of these will ever contradict His Word, and together they help guide us as we seek to follow Him.

Paul gives us a “secret sauce” for living in God’s will in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” These three simple but profound practices—rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks—are the ingredients that keep us centered in God’s will, regardless of our circumstances. Rejoicing is not about pretending everything is fine, but about finding joy in God’s presence and promises. Praying constantly is about ongoing communion with God, not just formal prayers but a continual conversation. Giving thanks in everything shifts our perspective, reminding us of God’s goodness even in hardship.

No matter what we face, these practices anchor us in God’s will and open us to His peace and direction. Each of us will live out these truths in unique ways, but the principles remain the same. May we be a people who rejoice, pray, and give thanks—trusting that God is at work in every season of our lives.

Key Takeaways

- God’s Will Is Sometimes Mysterious, But Always Trustworthy
There will be seasons when God’s will doesn’t make sense to us, and we may not understand why He leads us down certain paths. In those moments, faith means trusting that God is present and working for our good, even when the outcome is unclear. The peace that comes from trusting God in uncertainty is a mark of walking in His will. [01:07:05]

- Submission to God’s Will Requires Surrender, Not Selective Obedience
True submission means yielding every part of our lives to God, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. We cannot pick and choose which parts of God’s Word or will to follow; obedience is all-encompassing. The early church modeled this, enduring hardship and persecution because they believed God’s ways are always best. [01:11:28]

- God Guides Us Through His Word, Spirit, Church, and Circumstances
God’s will is never contrary to His Word, and the Holy Spirit will always affirm what Scripture teaches. The church community provides confirmation and encouragement, while God also uses life’s circumstances to direct our steps. Discerning God’s will means paying attention to all these avenues, trusting that He orchestrates them for our growth and guidance. [01:12:04]

- Rejoicing, Praying, and Giving Thanks Are the Core of God’s Will
Paul’s instructions to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything are not just good advice—they are God’s will for us in Christ. These practices are not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. They cultivate resilience, deepen our faith, and keep us aligned with God’s purposes. [01:22:43]

- Prayer Is Our Lifeline and the Enemy’s Target
Just as communication is vital in battle, prayer is essential for spiritual victory. When we neglect prayer, we become vulnerable to defeat, but when we maintain constant communion with God, the Spirit intercedes for us—even when we don’t know what to pray. Prayer is not about eloquence or formality, but about honest, ongoing relationship with our Father. [01:27:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Baptism Celebrations
[23:59] - Taylor’s Baptism
[25:10] - Travis and Tyler’s Baptisms
[26:08] - Corazon’s Baptism
[27:34] - Lloyd’s Baptism
[28:36] - Bellamy’s Baptism
[29:30] - Prayer and Thanksgiving for Baptisms
[31:00] - Memorial Day Reflection
[57:22] - Teaching Patriotism and Pledge
[01:04:08] - The Importance of Ingredients: God’s Will
[01:07:05] - Trusting God’s Mysterious Will
[01:12:04] - Four Ways God Reveals His Will
[01:22:43] - The Secret Sauce: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks
[01:31:58] - Living Out God’s Will Daily
[01:38:22] - Closing Blessing and Announcements

Study Guide

Lexington Park Baptist Church Small Group Bible Study Guide

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### Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
> Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:26 (ESV)
> Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
> This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, what three practices does Paul say are God’s will for us in Christ Jesus?
2. In the sermon, what four ways did Pastor Chris say God reveals His will to us? ([01:12:04])
3. How does Romans 8:26 describe the Holy Spirit’s role in our prayer life?
4. What does Psalm 118:24 encourage us to do each day, regardless of our circumstances?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul connects rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks as the “secret sauce” for living in God’s will? ([01:22:43])
2. Pastor Chris shared that God’s will can sometimes be mysterious and not make sense to us. How does trusting God in those moments shape our faith? ([01:07:05])
3. The sermon emphasized that true submission to God’s will means surrendering every part of our lives, not just the easy parts. What might “selective obedience” look like in a Christian’s life? ([01:11:28])
4. How does the church community help us discern and confirm God’s will, according to the sermon? ([01:12:04])

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### Application Questions

1. Think about a recent situation where God’s will felt mysterious or unclear. How did you respond? What would it look like to trust God more fully in those moments? ([01:07:05])
2. Are there areas in your life where you find it hard to submit to God’s will? What is one step you could take this week to surrender that area to Him? ([01:11:28])
3. Of the four ways God reveals His will (Word, Spirit, church, circumstances), which one do you tend to overlook or struggle to trust? How can you pay more attention to it this week? ([01:12:04])
4. Rejoicing always doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. What is one way you can find joy in God’s presence or promises this week, even if your circumstances are hard? ([01:22:43])
5. Prayer is described as our “lifeline” and the enemy’s target. What are some practical ways you can make prayer a more constant part of your daily routine? ([01:27:22])
6. Giving thanks in everything can be challenging. Share about a time when giving thanks changed your perspective in a difficult situation. How can you practice gratitude in your current season? ([01:30:39])
7. Baptism was celebrated as a step of faith and obedience. If you have been baptized, how did your church family support you? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about taking that step? ([23:59])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help your group rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all things, and to trust His will even when it’s hard to understand. Pray for each other to be sensitive to God’s Word, Spirit, church, and the circumstances He uses to guide you.

Devotional

Day 1: Rejoicing Always, No Matter the Circumstances
To rejoice always is not to ignore pain or pretend that everything is perfect, but to choose a posture of joy rooted in the unchanging goodness and sovereignty of God. Even when life is difficult, when loss, illness, or disappointment come, you are invited to look beyond your circumstances and find reasons to praise God—knowing that He is with you, that eternity awaits, and that every day is a gift. Rejoicing is not about denying hardship, but about standing in the rain with the umbrella of God’s presence, confident that He is working for your good. [01:22:43]

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (ESV)
Rejoice always,

Reflection: What is one difficult circumstance you are facing right now, and how can you intentionally choose to rejoice in God’s presence and promises today, even if your feelings haven’t caught up yet?

Day 2: Praying Without Ceasing—Staying Connected to God
Prayer is not limited to formal words or special places; it is an ongoing conversation with your Heavenly Father who delights in your presence. Whether you are driving, working, or simply going about your day, you can talk to God, share your heart, and listen for His guidance. When you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for you, bringing your needs before God in ways you may not even understand. Make prayer your first response, not your last resort, and let it be the lifeline that keeps you connected to God’s will and strength. [01:25:54]

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
Pray without ceasing,

Reflection: Where in your daily routine can you add moments of honest, simple conversation with God—turning ordinary activities into opportunities for prayer?

Day 3: Giving Thanks in Everything
Gratitude is a powerful act of faith, especially when it is offered in the midst of challenges. Giving thanks in everything means recognizing God’s hand in every part of your life—the joys, the struggles, the mundane, and the miraculous. When you thank God for your salvation, your family, your work, and even your trials, you shift your perspective from what is lacking to what God has provided. This attitude of gratitude opens your heart to God’s peace and keeps you centered in His will, no matter what comes your way. [01:30:39]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: List three things—big or small—that you can thank God for today, including at least one thing that has been difficult for you recently.

Day 4: Trusting God’s Mysterious Will
God’s will is sometimes mysterious and may not always make sense from your perspective, but He calls you to trust Him even when you cannot see the whole picture. Like Abraham, who trusted God with Isaac, or like the unexpected turns in your own life, God is orchestrating circumstances for your good and His glory. Trusting God’s will means surrendering your need for control and believing that He is present, wise, and loving—even when the path is unclear. [01:10:22]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where God’s will feels confusing or hidden? What would it look like to trust Him with that uncertainty today?

Day 5: Submitting to God’s Will and Doing the Right Things
Submission to God’s will is not passive resignation but an active choice to obey Him, even when it is difficult or unpopular. God’s will is revealed through His Word, His Spirit, the church, and your circumstances, and He calls you to do the right things—living faithfully, loving others, and seeking His guidance. Sometimes you may not have all the answers, but by continuing to do what you know is right, you place yourself in the center of God’s will and allow Him to direct your steps. [01:12:04]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one specific act of obedience you sense God calling you to take this week, even if you don’t see the full outcome yet?

Quotes

Ingredients matter. And so today what I hope to do is give you some secret sauce. Some secret recipe that doesn't have to be a secret. Who in here would like to know they're living in God's will? If you like to eat and you like good food, every hand should have gone up. You want God's will in your life. All right. We want to know that we're in God's will. But you know what? If I was to really put many of you on the spot, you would be like, I don't always know if I'm in God's will. How do I know I'm doing what God wants me to do? How do I know that I'm right there? I mean, how does one really know those things? [01:05:10]

The first thing is God's will can be mysterious. Sometimes you're like, God, I just don't get this. Why are you doing this? Or why did you allow this? Or why did this or that happen? No one in this room has ever done that, I know. And sometimes God doesn't want you to have it all figured out because he wants you to trust him. He wants you to believe in him. He wants you to follow him. He wants you in the midst of uncertainty to say, God, I know you're here. [01:06:47]

I've always seen God vindicate me. I've always seen God affirm maybe what I've done if I'm in the God's will. And I've also had God give me peace in decisions I've had to make. Now those big decisions, those are the ones you really want to make sure you're right with, right? Like who do I marry? By the way, kids in here, that should be something like, that's probably, that's the biggest decision maybe you're going to make other than following Jesus, right? What am I going to do? Do I move and go somewhere else? Do I follow a job opportunity that's going to take me away from one place and go to another? How do I know that's you, God? [01:07:29]

The first thing I want you to know, even if it's a mystery to God, trust him. Might not make sense to you. Trust God in his will. [01:11:49]

God's will you must submit to. We don't like that word submission. But God calls us to submit to him. Will we need to obey him no matter what whatever God's will is God is best and has our best too many people in our culture want to pick and choose what they want to believe about God God's Word is God's Word and God's Word is God's will and we are to submit to God we submit to that. [01:11:56]

God's will sometimes calls us just to do something. Nike did not get it right just do it sometimes you're not going to have it figured out sometimes you're not going to know sometimes you just got to do it now what do I mean by that if you are sometimes just living your life and you're thinking I'm doing God's things I'm living right with God I'm spending time with the Lord I have my prayer going on I don't have necessarily some clear direction but I'm doing the right things keep doing those things sometimes you just got to keep doing it. [01:12:49]

God will never ask you to do anything that will be contrary to his word never let me say that again never his word is his word it was spoken it does not change it is just as true as it was then as it is today culture may change circumstances may change you may I still don't get this I'll see people that were that I that I ministered to in the church and like they're like their belief system have totally changed to polar opposite of the word of God like none of us ever saw that with our kids when they leave the house and you know that how can that happen they're not following God's will because they're not following God's word God's word will never. [01:14:33]

God's spirit God's Holy Spirit will never ever ever have you do anything that will violate his word either but he will prompt you and guide you and maybe even listen I know some people don't they feel uncomfortable with this listen Holy Spirit will do whatever he's got to get your attention sometimes it may not be pleasant sometimes it will affirm you sometimes it might be a hurricane and a statue other times if you're hard -headed you might see yourself thrown over in the boat in the middle of the storm God will get your attention his spirit will move how his spirit wants to move we need to trust his spirit. [01:15:18]

The church should speak to you and if the church is not speaking what the Holy Spirit is speaking because the Spirit dwells among the churches go read Revelation the first three chapters the Spirit dwells among the churches the Holy Spirit is indwelling us we know that and we have the word of God the church should affirm those two things if you're at a church that doesn't affirm those two things get out it's not God's will a church should always affirm the word of God and the movement of the Spirit of God and when we do those two things the church should be speaking to your life this is why we need the church this is why you can't worship God the same way you can hear as you can in a deer stand some of you say this is why it's important to be in church and be in the assembly to not forsake the assembly of the believers so that we have this this the Holy Spirit in the word speaking to our lives through the body of Christ. [01:16:04]

God speaks through circumstances in your life God will orchestrate things in your life to get your attention and I can look back in my life preparing me to go to that seminary God was orchestrating everything. [01:17:00]

If you do those three things he's saying you're going to find yourself in the will of God so let's let's lay this out because I know what everybody's going to say pastor Chris this life is not always that easy it's not always fun it's not always good how can I rejoice in this how can I give thanks for that how how can I pray in this moment I get it there are moments it's not easy but God's telling us no matter what we go through if we will take this perspective of what God's given us to say God I know you're sovereign over my life I'm going to trust you I'm going to rejoice in this moment I am going to pray in this moment and I'm going to give thanks in this moment no matter what is going on in my life. [01:20:00]

God calls us to say despite those things remember there's an eternity that's out there and if you have the right perspective here on earth it will make things so much better and you'll be in the center of my will. [01:21:13]

Rejoicing allows you to stand in the circumstance that you're going through. You can be rejoicing in that moment, whatever might come your way. Rejoicing goes beyond your circumstance in life. Rejoicing brings good things. [01:22:56]

Rejoice always, even in difficult times. [01:24:09]

Just talk to Him. Just spend time with Him. Just have communion with Him. That is praying without ceasing. You can do that in your car. Don't close your eyes. You can do that in a prayer closet. You can do it solemnly and get on your knees and really pray in depth. And I have a devotional place where I sit. I pray there. You know, I'm in my seat. I sit there and I pray. You know, you can talk to God. [01:25:20]

Make prayer your first thing that you do. The communion that you have with God. You know, in war, I learned one of the strategies in those classes I told you is break communications to defeat your enemy. If I can break down communication, L .U. military, guys. If I can break down communications to where you cannot communicate, you're done. God does not want you defeated. God does not want you defeated. God does not want you defeated. God does not want you defeated. We'll be right back. Therefore, you cannot allow Satan to break your communication with him. That's why God has given you prayer. You need to pray so you have communication with God so that he can tell you how to fight the battle. And if you didn't know you're in a battle, then you're in war, then you're not praying. Prayer is how we win the war. [01:26:49]

The more you pray, the more you communicate with God, the more the Spirit will intercede on your behalf. If you stay connected to the Father and you stay connected in prayer, the Spirit will work in your life and do things that you don't even understand. Amen? Christians, we need more of this. We need to be so tight with God that the Spirit is uttering things in the throne room of heaven that we're even unaware of. To us, it doesn't make any sense, but the Spirit is intervening on your well and your behalf. [01:28:27]

God loves those moments with us. Make sure that we spend that time and we call him Daddy. It's okay to be in his presence. He loves us. Commune with him. [01:30:35]

The third thing, after we have done the prayer without ceasing and we've rejoiced always, is we are to give thanks in everything. Give thanks in some? No, give thanks in what? Everything. Everything. Nothing's left out. God, I thank you for the breath of life. I thank you for this circumstance. I thank you for this difficult friend. I thank you for this difficult situation. God, I thank you in the midst of this, whether I get to share Jesus because of my illness or I die and I get to open my eyes in heaven, I thank you. Matter of perspective, isn't it? I thank you. Give thanks in everything. [01:30:47]

May we always come back to that. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. and give thanks in everything. Bam. If you do that, if you do that, Thank you. You've got the secret ingredients right there. I just gave you the secret sauce. Now, you've got to go cook it up. [01:31:55]

God's working in your life in a unique way because he has uniquely and wonderfully and fearfully made you. Not one, two of us are the same, but these principles better be in the ingredients of how we live our faith out. [01:32:27]

How are you rejoicing in the circumstances of your life? How are you praying without ceasing? How are you playing in front of the Father that just brings him right in there to watch you in the living room and be so proud of you? How are you going about your life giving thanks in the good and the bad? It's not always easy. Not everything's going to be happy, but God's goodness can be found in the land of the living. And when we don't understand it, God has a higher way and we get to spend eternity with him. Amen? [01:32:43]

So let's never lose that perspective. No matter what you may be going through, do those three things. Make that secret sauce part of your seeking of God's will. [01:33:20]

Chatbot

What is the significance of believers' baptism?

How does the sermon describe living in God's will?

What role does gratitude play in Christian life?