1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

1. Introduction

Thank you for having me once again. It’s always a thing of Joy to be in the mist of God’s people. If you have your bible, please turn with me to the book of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

a. Attention

A 2017 study showed that 81 million people view in one day a particular porn site. But more frightening is pornography and sexual misconduct within the church circle. Rev Chris mentioned that 50%of pastors in the church of Christ view pornography or are involved in one form of sexual misconduct. These are staggering statistics. Little wonder we read of a very famous celebrity pastor who ministered to famous people most of whom went to his church. He was caught in the act of adultery and had to resign. We also had of a celebrity president of the largest Christian school in North America who was exposed together with his wife for sexual immorality. Yet again,

We had a very good apologetics preacher who spoke to millions of people. He was exposed as a person who committed sexual harassment and texted very inappropriate things to people.

I purposely did not mention the names of any of these people because my aim is not to castigate them or make us think that any of us is better than them but rather, I want to focus on what the word of God says.

b. Need

The question is, is anyone here facing similar battle of sexual immorality and doesn’t know what to do about it.

The good news is that God has provided us with a way out. Let’s find out what that is by reading from 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verses 3 through 8

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.

7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

i. Textual Idea

Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians to teach them how to live morally pure lives.

ii. Sermon idea:

And today we have that same call… God wants us to live morally pure lives. (x1)

iii. Interrogative:

“How do I live a morally pure life in an impure world?” you may ask

iv. Transition:

In this passage, I will like to point out 3 components that is needed in order for us to live morally pure lives

First is God wants us to abstain from sexual immorality

Secondly, He wants us to Possess our vessels in sanctification and honor.

Thirdly, Why we must live Morally Pure Lives

2. Body

let’s look at the first component in living morally pure lives

i. Division Statement 1 – God wants us to abstain from sexual immorality

1. Explanation: Abstain here means to keep a distance away from or to hold oneself off. so you are to abstain or keep your distance from sexual immorality. Sexual morality according to God– is sexual activity out of God’s design for marriage. And what is this God’s design for marriage?

1 biological male, 1 biological female in the confines of marriage till death do them part.

Sexual immorally according to the Bible can be defined as same sex intimacy, pre-marital sexual intimacy or sexual intimacy with someone who is married to someone else. The book of Leviticus as well speaks about other things that are described in the bible as sexual immorality.

Paul starts off in verse 3 by reminding the Thessalonians that it is God's wish for them to be holy. Sanctification refers to a state of being set apart to God. God separated us for Himself when He saved us. But like the Thessalonians, we lack a natural understanding of the significance of being set apart for God. We are therefore being told that being set apart for God necessitates living morally pure lives. It is important to note here that the word sanctification as used by Paul is different from entire sanctification which he addressed in chapter 5.

The KJV used the word "fornication" in v3, “lust of concupiscence" in v5 meaning passionate lust and ; "uncleanness" in verse 7. All three of these words support the context of unacceptable sexual conduct

2. Illustration: Let us draw an analogy between the bonding capacity of the body and adhesive tape. Adhesive tape is not made for repetitive use. The strongest bond adhesive tape is capable of making is formed with the first surface to which it is applied. You can remove the tape and reapply it to other surfaces several times, and it will still adhere. However, with every application, some of the adhesiveness has been compromised. Finally, if you continue the practice long enough, there will not be enough adhesiveness left to make the tape stick to any surface. God intended that the bond between married man and woman be the closest and strongest one they are capable of forming. That is why Paul makes it very clear that the body is not for fornication just like the adhesive tape is not for repetit I’ve use.

God is telling us that we shouldn’t even go near the road of sexual immorality.

3. Argumentation:

4. Application: Some of you might work in environments that are immoral in terms of tone, discussion, and even employee behavior. Do you realize that it is God's desire for you to be holy, which necessitates taking proactive steps to avoid all forms of immorality? not just in deed but also in word and thought (Eph 5:3–4; Matt 5:28) So, stay away from danger areas and this will help you develop a strong resistance to temptation.

God wants us to live morally pure lives. (x3)

Secondly, Paul enjoins us to

Transition 1-2

ii. Division statement 2 - Possess your vessels in sanctification and honor.

V4 says - that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor

1. Explanation: There are two ways to understand this text, according to commentators: 1) Know how to get a wife, and 2) know how to discipline your body. The application is the same despite the divergent views. Paul is making the point that our behavior toward people of the opposite sex (or the same sex, for that matter) should be an indication that we have been sanctified and exhibit the exceptional excellence of Christ character (honor). When we demonstrate through our acts that we value God's approval above our own and that we value it above other people's approval, we honor God.

The point here is that, we are to exercise godly restraint over our passions.. Paul goes on in v. 5 to say that we are not to conduct ourselves the way the Gentiles do.

How do the Gentiles behave? They indulge in passionate lusts. How can it be so wrong, when it seems so perfect, the world we live in would ask? The world tells us that expressing our emotions is just as normal and natural as eating and drinking, and that suppressing or denying them can be detrimental to our mental health.

2. Illustration: This may sound drastic but Jesus told us in Matt 5:28, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Yes, Jesus was speaking in a hyperbole but there is some truth here.

3. Argumentation: The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:18 that flee immorality and that every other sin a man commits is outside the body: but the immoral man sins against his body. So, you can see how the world have twisted the truth that God wants us to know. We are to flee from immorality. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. For we have been purchased with a price, therefore we are to glorify God with our bodies.

God wants us to live morally pure lives. (x4)

Verse 6 addresses fornication as well, it says "That no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter." The phrase "the matter" specifically addresses defrauding one's fellow Christian in fornication i.e., stealing the virginity of another's future wife or taking unacceptable liberties with another's current wife. Such acts as we will see later is a violation against God himself.

The Lord is also described as "the avenger in all these things" in verse 6. God therefore exacts vengeance on those who contravene the law and take advantage of other people. These acts of God demonstrate his righteousness.

How does God avenge?

He takes away your access to the kingdom

He takes away your right to adoption

You lose His blessings and invite sicknesses and even death into your life. Rom. 1:27

God wants us to live morally pure lives. (x5)

Transition 2-3

Thirdly

iii. Division statement 3 – Verses 7&8 provides an explanation on Why we must live Morally Pure Lives

1. Explanation: And in verse 8, He did not call us to impurity but to purity and He demonstrates to us that if we reject this, we are rejecting Him and not man.

2. Illustration: Take a look at Joseph. He resisted Potiphar’s wife attempts to lure him and drag him into an unholy relationship. He was imprisoned as a result. But in the end, Joseph did not eject God neither did God reject him.

God will direct and assist us if we honor him with our lives.

3. Argumentation: God’s gift of the Spirit is His gift of everything you need to walk in purity. He has not given you a command without giving you the means of obeying 1 Cor 10:13.

4. Application: i enjoin you to call on the Holy Spirit for help in time of need.

3. Conclusion: As I begin to conclude,

a. Visualization

i. We have seen that God wants us to abstain from sexual immorality

ii. He wants you to Possess your vessels in sanctification and honor and

iii. He points out why you must do this that is Why we must live Morally Pure Lives

b. Action: I realize that it can be challenging sometimes for us to comprehend how God can help us solve our problems, but remember the story of Joseph? His thinking was How can I do this thing and sin against God. Which means Joseph was thinking adultery was sin against God and his master.

Not only was joseph saying no to sinning

He was saying no to Presence

He was saying Yes, to an uncomfortable coldness of relations

He couldn’t get out of the discomfort but he kept making it uncomfortable. He will not engage in the ordinary discussions because he is aware of what it can lead to.

So, when you are feeling temptation, you have to say to yourself I will be sinning against God and the person I am indulge in the sin with. And in case of pornography, I will be sinning against that person, her parents, as well contributing to sex trafficking. You need the holy spirit to help you turn off that computer and flee

Another thing you can do is Pray and read the scripture – you can start with short passages and then progress from there.

You also need an accountability partner/mentor

You should not try to get it right on our own you need to be transparent in your approach by being accountable to someone you trust. And if you are dating, be accountable to each other’s parents.

You have to live a disciplined life. This builds up our defense. Joseph exhibited strong discipline and as a result, he was ready to fight the temptations when they came.

God wants us to live morally pure lives. (x6)

So, if you know the Lord, His clearly stated will is for you to be sexually pure by the power of His Holy Spirit. If you are defeated by sexual sin, take whatever radical measures are necessary to get on the path to sexual purity

Appeal: If today, God has spoken to you through his word. I want to ask you to pray with me and commit in your heart to live a morally pure life.

Let’s pray.