25 sermons preach from 1 Thessalonians 5 — 23 from real church libraries, transcribed and indexed to the verse, and 2 from the classic library.
“We are urged by Jesus and the ancestors of our faith to 'pray without ceasing.'”
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you; for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
A high-energy convocation message urging the church to be 'rapture conscious' — calling for repentance, urgent readiness for Christ's return, active worship, reliance on the blood and anointing of Jesus, and spiritual warfare vigilance.
“But concerning the times and the seasons...for you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night; ... For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”
Pastor Chas Stephenson taught on the next major end-times event for the church: the rapture (the catching up of believers). He explained the biblical sequence (dead in Christ rise first; living believers are caught up), argued for a pre-tribulation view (the church is exempt from God’s coming wrath), urged urgent evangelism, and encouraged baptism and Spirit-filled living.
“But concerning the times and the seasons... For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.”
Pastor Chas Stephenson taught on the next major end-times event for the church: the rapture (the catching up of believers). He explained the biblical sequence (dead in Christ rise first; living believers are caught up), argued for a pre-tribulation view (the church is exempt from God’s coming wrath), urged urgent evangelism, and encouraged baptism and Spirit-filled living.
Charles Spurgeon
WHAT SAD things sin hath done. This fair world of ours was once a glorious temple, every pillar of which reflected the goodness of God, and every part of which was a symbol of good, but sin has spoiled and marred all the metaphors and figures…
Read the full textCharles Spurgeon
As the spiritual guide of the flock of God along the intricate mazes of experience, it is the duty of the gospel minister to point out every turning of the road to heaven, to speak concerning its dangers or its privileges, and to warn any whom…
Read the full text“For God did not appoint us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sermon teaching on the condition of the world across three eras—past, present, and future—calling Christians to recognize signs of moral and spiritual decline, to be prepared for the coming tribulation and rapture, and to ensure salvation through the full gospel (Christ's death, burial and resurrection), repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
An interfaith Caribbean American Heritage Sunday service at Peoples Congregational UCC celebrating Caribbean contributions to the United States, featuring libation and multiple faith traditions, a sermon by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson on ancestors, resilience and truth-telling, youth presentations of Caribbean leaders, prayers and communal calls to justice, unity and stewardship.
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even also ye do.”
A Sunday service sermon from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 urging the congregation to 'comfort and edify one another' — a call to reclaim a village mentality of mutual care, accountability, and practical support amid trials, with exhortations on holiness, discipleship, stewardship, and an invitation to salvation.
“But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord... regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”
A celebratory Sunday service honoring Dr. Frederick Haynes III's 43 years of pastoral ministry featuring two guest preachers (father and son). Messages emphasized honoring laboring leaders who serve in proximity, protection, and preparation; and the power of worship—faithful, unafraid worshippers who trust God in seasons of opposition. Service included ministry announcements, community engagement (health, civic participation), a St. Jude partnership, invitations to connect, and altar calls for salvation and membership.
“May we adopt the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, beginning: "Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you..."”
A sermon calling believers to embody what it truly means to be Christian: not merely a label but a life of radical compassion, justice, forgiveness, and service that makes Jesus visible in the world. The preacher contrasts authentic discipleship with exclusionary nationalism, urges repentance and reliance on grace, and invites the congregation into renewed community mission and welcome.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.”
Rev. Khristi (Christy) Adams preaches from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, urging congregants to make prayer a continual lifestyle and—crucially—not to stop praying when answers seem absent. Using personal stories of loss and contemporary struggles (including COVID-19), she reframes “pray without ceasing” as both a God‑conscious way of life (the Spirit interceding for us) and a call to persistence in prayer through discouragement, alongside continual rejoicing and gratitude.
“He showed me a scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 16 through 19, where the Bible says, rejoice always. Pray continually... Do not quench the Spirit.”
A Father's Day Sunday service centered on the theme 'Fathered by God.' The preacher urged listeners to know the Father's heart, trust His discipline, and receive His comfort by embracing repentance, baptism and the Holy Spirit. The service also emphasized wholehearted giving and a missions push, included communion, testimonies, a baptism, and community announcements.
“The scripture says, 'pray without ceasing.'”
A sermon warning believers about Lucifer's deceptive tactics — his ability to masquerade as an angel of light and use fleshly conduits (media, relationships, desires) to blind people ('eyes wide shut'). The preacher explains biblical examples (Paul's warnings, Ephesians 6, Genesis 3), exposes practical conduits of deception, and exhorts the congregation to prayer, Scripture, vigilance, and repentance.
“We are urged by Jesus and the ancestors of our faith to 'pray without ceasing.'”
A Pentecost‑adjacent Ascension Sunday sermon reminding the congregation that Jesus’ ascension is not a final goodbye but a commissioning: believers receive the Spirit’s power now to bear witness in everyday life through compassionate, justice‑oriented action rather than passive waiting.
“Somebody say it without ceasing. Pray without ceasing.”
Pastor Emeritus Clarence Dale Devereaux preaches on Ephesians 6:12–18, urging the church to recognize and engage the spiritual battle with the whole armor of God, persistent prayer, active witness, forgiveness, and living out the gospel.
“We may get the closest to understanding what it means to pray without ceasing.”
Raegan Griffith preaches on freedom from anxiety using Matthew 6 and Philippians 4. She defines anxiety, diagnoses how it becomes entrenched (neural pathways and cultural normalization), explains three lies anxiety tells (about God's power, our identity, and our purpose), and gives two biblical tools for freedom: meditate on truth and practice prayer with thanksgiving. She affirms the role of therapy and medication as God‑used tools and issues a pastoral invitation to bring anxieties to God.
Showing the 4 most recent — 3 more sermons in church libraries reference this verse.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
A Sunday worship service focused on God's faithfulness and timely interventions, the importance of prayer, guidance and thanksgiving, with teaching from the Psalms about faith, holiness and confident supplication. Practical calls include repentance, persistent prayer and meditation, wholehearted worship, generosity, and readiness to follow God's guidance.
“in everything we are to always give thanks for this is the will of god”
Homegoing service for Patrick Alexander Small: Psalm reading, musical tributes, family memories, pastoral messages emphasizing resurrection, preparation for death, and a call to salvation.
“Bible says 'and everything give thanks but this is the will of God concerning you.'”
Pastor Emeritus Clarence Dale Devereaux preaches on Ephesians 6:12–18, urging the church to recognize and engage the spiritual battle with the whole armor of God, persistent prayer, active witness, forgiveness, and living out the gospel.
““you said in your word and all things give thanks” (paraphrase of 1 Thessalonians 5:18).”
A homegoing service for Brother Patrick G. Rose honoring his life, testimonies, and recent Christian commitment. Speakers and family recounted his biography and struggles with illness, while the sermon emphasized mortality, the hope of resurrection, salvation through Jesus Christ, prayerful comfort, and an invitation to accept Christ.
“In everything give thanks; this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophecies.”
Pastor Kim Owens preaches that believers are 'wineskins' entrusted to steward the Holy Spirit (the 'wine') by managing their words, conduct, and faithfulness. She warns that murmuring, complaining, and reliance on human wisdom shrivel spiritual capacity, while faithful speech of the mysteries of God releases revival and harvest.
“So we don't quench him (do not quench the Spirit).”
A pastoral teaching on partnering with the Holy Spirit so individuals and the church can receive more of God — emphasizing believing the Word, cultivating open hearts, leaders guiding the congregation, practical sensitivity in ministry (especially healing), and structuring services to release the Spirit.
“The Bible as I read just a moment ago: do not quench the Spirit.”
Pastor Kim Owens preaches that believers are 'wineskins' entrusted to steward the Holy Spirit (the 'wine') by managing their words, conduct, and faithfulness. She warns that murmuring, complaining, and reliance on human wisdom shrivel spiritual capacity, while faithful speech of the mysteries of God releases revival and harvest.
“Shun the very appearance of evil”
A Sunday service sermon calling believers to a transformed, disciplined Christian life — a 'new walk' marked by repentance, holiness, and practical change of habits. The preacher urged the congregation to 'do your first work' (return to first love), put off the old sinful patterns, walk circumspectly, and live visibly as ambassadors for Christ. The service also included health updates, testimonies, baptisms, encouragements to care for one another, and corporate prayer for healing and restoration.
“May God Himself the God of peace sanctify you through and through...may our whole spirit soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Pastor Allen Jackson teaches that true identity and freedom are found in Jesus and rooted in Scripture. He critiques cultural identity trends, urges believers to allow the Word to discern spirit and soul, calls for authentic conversion (acknowledging Christ as Lord), and outlines the privileges and responsibilities of being in Christ — including sanctification, bold cultural engagement, and living as God’s workmanship empowered by grace.
“because faithful are you who calls”
A celebratory retirement and transition service for Rev. James T. Meeks after 38 years at Salem Baptist Church (Jan 8, 2023). Centered on Acts 20 and the theme "I Never Can Say Goodbye," the sermon reflected on the emotional bonds between pastor and congregation, the tensions of leadership change, key lessons from Paul's farewell (tears, tension, testimonies), and the formal passing of pastoral leadership to Rev. Charlie Dates. The program included civic recognition, a Baylor University archival gift, prayers, an altar call for salvation, and a stewardship appeal to bless the retiring pastor and first lady.
Every reference on this page was extracted from the transcript of a real sermon in a public Sermon Mind church library. Quotes reflect each preacher’s own reading of the text.