Sanctification

Life Pleasing to God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 ESV

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Today we are dicussing Sanctificaiton.

sanctification is the processing of becoming more like Christ.

Biblical Context

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 1:1

Paul wrote letters to comunities all across europe and Asia Minor. not all of them were following Gods rules and walking in away that pleases God

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 ESV

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

Paul is explaining how in the church of corinth was bad even accoriding to the worlds standards that Pagans who had 0 regard for sexual ethics, a culture where rape and abortion and infantacide were common place. Paul writes that they are even worse then the pagans

I would be as bold to say that the apostle Paul probably wouldnt commend north america for walking in the ways that please God. I would think that society is closer to Corinth then thesalonica.

However we can thrive to be a youth group that lives in a manner that is pleasing to God.

1 Thessalonians 4:2–6 (ESV)

For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

Implications of the text

Through out the text we see Paul giving a list of prohibitions, but is all of this for no reason? why Does Paul tell us to abstain from so many things that culture say is completely fine?

Explain how all things listed form 2-6 is completely normal in our society

Practical implications

If we are living a life of sanctified life we are living a life that points to Jesus.

benefits: teenage pregnancy, STI, Drug abuse, alcholism , Mental health

The Will of God For Your Life

 For this is the will of God, your sanctification 1:3

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

When we are in christ and in the process of sanctification we are living in a fashion that is acceptable and actually a form of worship to God (elaborate about the importance of worship)

while we are in the process our minds are being renewed.

we can discern the will of God for our lives and what is acceptable. Paul Goes as far to describe the perfect live

God wants good for you. He desires you to walk in wisdom not folly. Wisdom protects us while we are living life in sin cursed earth. God blessings and wisdom proctects and guides us in our fallen planet.

2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 ESV

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

God has called us to live in Holliness 4:8

He called us through the Gospel, Chose us to be saved and that through his holy spirit working all things for God we can be sanctified.

Conclusion

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”

God has called us to live in Holliness 4:8

by our own power this is all impossible much like our salvation we need to rely on God for all things.

Sanctification is putting to death of our old self and walking a new creation. Walking in faithfullness with Christ while having our minds renewed in the process.( Rom 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” )

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Sanctification is a process that take time and is a life long. This is not about what you can do. Its about what the holy spirt can do through you and how we as believers can become more like christ in the process.