Imperative Purity
Notes
Transcript
In the last few weeks in 1 Thessalonians, we’ve seen Paul take considerable time to reminisce, and to re-affirm his affection for these believers. He has strengthened their knowledge of his care for them and his desire that they continue living for God.
We’ve seen his statements on the spiritual battle that is raging between God’s forces and those of the devil, and he has given his readers many marks of identification to help discern who is at work. Last week, we looked at the encouragement and joy he received by hearing of their faithfulness in the face of persecution.
In chapter 4, Paul turns his gaze forward. Instead of looking back and rejoicing over what God has already done and is currently doing, Paul begins to instruct these young saints on how to grow in the Lord. In military terms, we might say that the Thessalonians had established a fort and erected secure walls in enemy territory. The enemy had come and attacked with vigor, but this Thessalonian fort still stood. But a defensive war is not God’s long-term plan for His people! God has much greater plans for His body, the church.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I say this to the saved members here, who comprise the body of the Lord Jesus Christ, here at Bible Baptist Church: each of us must be faithful and steadfast in the face of spiritual resistance and persecution. We must not quit on God and forsake Him when things get tough. But perseverance is not all that God desires for His church here! Just because “the fort” doesn’t fall, doesn’t mean that the defenders are victorious! Yet God IS victorious, and He desires that His people be as well.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
The “gates of hell” that Christ mentions in Matt. 16:18 are defensive structures. Sometimes the saints feel beleaguered and surrounded by the devil’s forces, but it is God’s plan for the devil to be surrounded and defeated by God’s forces, including the saints! This is why Paul turns his gaze from rejoicing over past and present blessings, to looking ahead at God’s plans for the Thessalonian church and individual members. And as we’ll see tonight, Paul’s instruction in chapter 4 begins with purity. It was foundational and essential for the Baptist church in Thessalonica in their efforts to please and serve God, and it is foundational and essential for this Baptist church in Grand Forks, ND. Tonight, I’d like to talk to you about “Imperative Purity.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
I. Impact of Purity
I. Impact of Purity
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
A. Furthermore
A. Furthermore
This chapter starts with the word, “furthermore.” After all that Paul has said and described and commended and rejoiced over, he follows up by saying, “But there’s more!” Furthermore, brethren, after all that God has done in us and through us, we do not have any excuse to congratulate ourselves and rest on our laurels. There is always more to do!
B. Beseech and exhort
B. Beseech and exhort
Paul uses “beseech” and “exhort” to encourage the saints to be motivated to go forward for Christ.
Beseech: to urge; implore; to ask with urgency.
Exhort: to advise; to encourage; to intreat.
Both of these words mean “asking” essentially, but they are not redundant synonyms. Essentially, “beseech” is to ask for one’s own sake, and “exhort” is to ask for the other person’s sake. Paul is saying, “I greatly desire that you do this; please do it for me! I also desire this because it is best for you. Please do it for your own sake!” (Church member, there will be times when you have a personal interest in the actions of others, and times when you don’t. You may not always have occasion to “beseech” others. However, if you love others with a Godly love, you should ALWAYS have occasion to exhort them! True love wants what is best for others.)
C. “Abound more and more”
C. “Abound more and more”
What is Paul beseeching and exhorting? “…that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
Abound: to increase; to excel; to be abundant.
In other words, there is no limit to what these believers could do for the Lord, in the power of God! “…so ye would abound more and more...”
A couple of hymns came to mind as I was meditating on this verse. The words of one chorus go like this:
“I wonder, have I done my best for Jesus, when He has done so much for me?”
Words in the other chorus say this:
“By and by, when I look on His face, I’ll wish I had given Him more.”
With our sinful nature, we have a tendency to be satisfied with our service to Christ. We—I say “we” on purpose!—find a level of submission to God that we’re comfortable with, and we often put it on autopilot, and feel good about ourselves. We’re doing “enough.” But that suggests a place of arrival; we’ve reached the finish line. But Paul says, “As ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
God desires that His people abound more and more. He doesn’t tell us to be satisfied where we are. He doesn’t tell us that we may arrive in our Christian life. I ask you, Christian: have you done enough for Christ? Can He use you to do more? Perhaps thinking about trying to do more for Christ makes conscientious Christians a little uncomfortable. How will we find time? What will God ask us to do? What sacrifices will that entail? But that’s the problem: we often think about what WE must do. Christ wants to do it in us. He wants to do the work. He just desires a willing vessel.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
May it never be true of the members of Bible Baptist Church that we are satisfied with our service for Christ. God desires that we abound more and more in how we ought to walk and to please God!! That is the impact of purity.
II. Imperative Purity
II. Imperative Purity
I’ve titled the message tonight, “Imperative Purity.” We find this in verses 2 and 3.
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Paul reminds them. “You know the commandments of God that we preached to you.” The word “imperative,” as you know, speaks of a command, and its roots include the idea of an Empire and Emperor. We might say that this purity is an imperial command from the Emperor…or as we know Him, the King of kings. He is the LORD.
Paul goes on to first state a familiar command, and then apply it in additional ways.
A. Fornication
A. Fornication
“Ye should abstain from fornication.”
Ye: every one of you, individually.
Abstain: to keep from; to forbear; to restrain the passions or appetites.
We rightfully decry the immorality of our modern times; there is fornication and lewdness everywhere! But when we consider how many times fornication and adultery are mentioned and condemned in the Bible, we realize that these grievous sins have always been a problem. All sinners, in all eras, need to be taught that fornication is sin. We must abstain from it.
B. Lust of concupiscence
B. Lust of concupiscence
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
The pagan Gentiles were known to be guilty of the lust of concupiscence. What is this sin?
Lust: a desire; passion; inordinate affection.
Concupiscence: unlawful or irregular desire of sexual pleasure.
This seems redundant, but remember that it is possible to lust after lawful things!
Psalm 78:17–19 (KJV 1900)
And they sinned yet more against him By provoking the most High in the wilderness. And they tempted God in their heart By asking meat for their lust. Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
Psalm 78:29–31 (KJV 1900)
So they did eat, and were well filled: For he gave them their own desire; They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, And slew the fattest of them, And smote down the chosen men of Israel.
It’s not sin to desire to eat meat, of course. But when the Bible uses the word “lust,” it is talking about a desire for something that we should not have. Israel was not satisfied with God’s provision of manna, and they acted as though God was mistreating them for not giving them meat. In our discontentment, we lust for things God hasn’t given us, and we accuse Him of failing to provide for us.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:5, the “lust of concupiscence” refers to a passionate, inordinate desire, not for a normal or necessary thing like food or clothing, but for an unlawful and deviant sexual pleasure. This is what the pagan Gentiles were known for, but Paul was beseeching and exhorting these Thessalonian believers to stay away from it. It must not be found in the life of a believer!
Remember that Christ taught in Matthew 5:28 that to look on a woman (or man) to lust after them is to commit adultery in the heart. Paul wasn’t just concerned about the physical act of fornication. He was concerned—because GOD is concerned—with purity, in the outward actions and in the heart. God’s people must abstain from fornication, but this is only the beginning. A life of purity goes far beyond the physical act of fornication, and it goes far deeper than acts of impurity; it goes all the way to the heart.
C. “In any matter”
C. “In any matter”
God, through the pen of Paul, commands His people to abstain from fornication. But Christ expanded the scope of that sin, to include the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God then probes deeper with application of purity, to include “the lust of concupiscence.” But it doesn’t stop there!
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
Defraud: To deprive of right, either by obtaining something by deception or artifice, or by taking something wrongfully without the knowledge or consent of the owner.
In other words, defraud means, “My gain at your expense.” In the context of moral purity, doesn’t this paint a fairly descriptive picture in your minds? This is how the lost world operates. People make moral decisions for their own gain, and if it causes others loss and pain, that’s just part of the game. Defrauding is quite common among lost people. But God says, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter.”
1. Scope
1. Scope
This is quite inclusive! The wording reminds me of Eph. 5:3-4.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Isn't it obvious that God is interested in total purity? Are we as pure as God wants us to be? May our heart always be humble and tender for God to purify us ever more deeply!
2. Seriousness
2. Seriousness
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
It’s one thing to know the command; it’s another thing to know the penalty for breaking it. The Lord is keeping track, and He will avenge all acts of a man defrauding his brother! Purity is imperative.
III. Inventor of Purity
III. Inventor of Purity
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
In verses 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, Paul orients his instruction to the authority of God. This is not Paul’s command; if you don’t like it, you can’t take your complaint up with him. The imperial command for purity is from God, the design for purity is from God’s, and the enforcement of purity is by God!
Paul reminds his readers that it is GOD that calls the saints to holiness! Holiness is not critical because we need to please the pastor, or our friends/family, or because we need to impress a lost world. Holiness is important because God has called us to it. We please Him with our purity and holiness!
Verse 8 seems a bit curious on the surface:
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
What does Paul mean by “despiseth?” Remember, Paul is writing to instruct and command certain behavior in this Thessalonian church. Not everyone receives such instruction willingly. Paul knew human nature, and he knew there might be some who would despise his words, and would try to delegitimize them. Paul proactively responds to such an attitude by reminding his readers that this wasn’t his message, but God’s. And he reminds the saints that we have received God’s holy Spirit!
It’s natural for sinners to want to control their lives. But we saints don’t deserve any control. We have been bought with a great price—the precious blood of Christ! We have been rescued from Hell, promised a home in Heaven, and been given a wonderful purpose for the rest of this mortal life. On top of all that, we have been given God’s Holy Spirit!
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
May we as God’s people be vigilant against the selfish desire to live a “comfortable” Christianity, with a lukewarm holiness that satisfies us, instead of pleasing the God who purchased us and indwells us. God is the inventor of purity, and He calls us to it.
IV. Importance of Purity
IV. Importance of Purity
Why is purity so important? In our text, we find two main reasons and areas of application…and the ripple effects of these areas are staggering.
A. Personal life
A. Personal life
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Christian, it is God’s will for you to be sanctified. This means to become more and more exclusively given over to pleasing and serving God. Less of pleasing self, and more of pleasing God. If you are not pure, you are not sanctified. Impurity and uncleanness grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Uncleanness is ungodly; He cannot bless it. It is God’s will for you and me to be sanctified. If we are ever to “abound more and more” in walking and pleasing God, we must be pure.
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
How can we help others in their growth in sanctification, if we do not know how to “possess [our] vessel in sanctification and honor?”
Purity is a life of making choices that keep our minds and bodies reserved for God’s use and God’s glory, no matter how tempted we are to take what we want. Purity is a life of refusing to defraud others with “my gain at their expense,” and also refusing to go along with their impure and corrupt deeds.
Purity is a life of making choices like Christ did.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
This is purity in our personal lives.
B. Church life
B. Church life
But Paul isn’t just writing to individual believers; he is writing to a church! A church is a connected group of believers, whose personal purity—or lack thereof—has an effect on those around them! If individuals desire to abound more and more in pleasing God, purity is required. And if a church desires to abound more and more in pleasing God, collective and unanimous purity is required!
Remember, this was a church under persecution. This was a church under attack from their countrymen, friends and family, and the devil. The enemy’s resistance was fierce, and if they were going to be fruitful and joyful, they needed God’s power and grace. They needed to be walking in the will of God. And purity was God’s will for them.
Earlier, I mentioned that Paul’s focus had shifted from a defensive focus against Satan’s attacks, to an offensive focus, attacking the very gates of Hell. And that offensive action should be our desire for Bible Baptist Church!
God hasn’t called us to merely resist apostasy and keep having services. He has called us to take the light of the gospel into a dark world, and pray for God to rescue souls bound for Hell.
But this offensive focus cannot be successful without purity.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
We are individually the children of God, and He has called us to purity in our personal lives. But saints in a church are members of the body of Christ! An impure church is an impure body of Christ!
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Christ desires to use His church to assault the gates of Hell. But an impure church does not abound more and more. An impure church cannot prevail against the gates of hell. And an impure church cannot fulfill God’s will for it.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
This is the importance of purity. A pure church can fulfill God’s will and defeat the forces of Hell. An impure church cannot fulfill God’s will; an impure church cannot defeat the devil’s attacks.
Christian, do you desire to abound more and more in your personal life? It begins with purity. Do we as a church desire to abound more and more? Do we desire to fulfill the will of God for us? Do we desire to rescue souls from the burning, and assault Hell itself? It begins with purity. Purity is imperative.