(Pastor Larry used an outline. The bolded, underlined words are the ones filled in during the message.)

"Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NLT)

Introduction:

Directions are not a simple issue for people; they are really a dividing line. They reveal interesting responses.

• Surprise: You mena there are directions.
• Superiority: I don't have to follow directions.
• Stubborness: I don't care if there are directions.

These attitudeds are pretty insignificant in most things. However, we tend to have them in major things also.

We think we know how life should be lived more than the creator.

I. Review

A. Have the right attitude.

"Always be joyful." (1 Thessalonians 5:16) NLT

B. Talk to the right person.

"Keep on praying." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) NLT

C. Maintain the right heart.

"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) NLT

II. Do the right things.

"Do not stifle the Holy Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19) NLT

A. A Bibilical perspective: The Bible talks a lot about doing right. However, it uses the word righteousness, which sounds religious but simply conveys four simple truths.

1. Position:

"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21) NLT

2. Pursuit:

 "And he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Matthew 6:33) NLT

3. Power:

 "Before the LORD! For the LORD is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and all the nations with his truth." Psalm 96:13) NLT

4. Pattern:

 "Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts." (Psalm 15:2) NLT

B. Dong what's right can be:

1. Dramatic.

2. Simple.

C. Doing right is a challenge.

1. It's not always rewarding.

2. It's not always popular.

3. It's not always convenient.

4. It's not alwyas noticed.

D. Doing what's right is a habit you learn in small things so you don't blow it in the big things.

1. The attitude of the world is: I didn't do anything wrong.

2. God wants you to aim higher and do something right.

Outline from Pastor Bjorklund's January 24, 2010 message