1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

What has impacted you most so far in this study?

Has there been something that has stood out to you?

Have you put anything into practice that you would like to share?

Follow Jesus’s Instructions Through Paul

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “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 Thessalonians 4:2 “For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

SUMMARY

Paul is calling on the Thessalonians to continue striving for obedience all the more, according to what they taught them while they were with them.

EXPLAIN

The first thing we see is:

The Three Aspects of Paul’s Request

1. “we ask”

It is a request.

Paul is asking and not telling.

The Thessalonians must willingly give themselves for the work of their sanctification.

2. “and urge”

Paul is exhorting them, beseeching them, urging them.

More than just a suggestion or recommendation.

This urging comes because Paul realizes how important it is.

3. “in the Lord Jesus”

Paul is not making a request merely on human grounds, but on the authority of Christ.

This is a call back to:

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy have faithfully reported to them GOD’S truth, not man’s opinion.

This is what Paul praised God for, that the Thessalonians received it as such.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

Why do you think Paul chose to begin his request the way he did? (Asking, and urging in the Lord Jesus.)

He wants them to willingly choose to obey rather than by force.

Paul’s Request

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “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.”

Paul faithfully passed on Jesus’ instructions

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had been faithful to teach the Thessalonians how to live a life that was pleasing to God.

This is exactly what Jesus had commanded the disciples before ascending into heaven.

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Paul called them to conform to Jesus’ instructions

Keep the instructions “as you received them from us.”

You don’t get to modify or adapt them to your situation or circumstances. They are fixed!

We showed you how to walk in a way pleasing to God, and those instructions will not change.

Paul honored them for their obedience to Jesus’ instructions

“just as you are doing”

He acknowledges that they are doing it.

He wants to encourage them for where they are at and how they are doing.

Paul is not expecting them to be further along than what would be reasonable to expect.

Sanctification is typically a slow process.

Paul called them to increasing obedience to Jesus’ instructions

“do so more and more”

He is not content to leave them where they are at.

Continue to strive for growth. Don’t get stagnant.

As we grow in our understanding, we see more areas we can conform to Christ.

Paul calls them to remember their instructions through Jesus

1 Thessalonians 4:2 “For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

They were no longer ignorant of God’s ways, but had received His truth.

They were now accountable to obey.

Paul wants to remind them that the instructions they gave them came from Christ.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had faithfully passed down God’s instructions to the Thessalonians, but now Paul was calling on them to continue to grow in obedience to them more and more.

What is the importance of not simply knowing God’s Word, but also doing it?

This shows that we truly believe it.

You must prove your faith by your works.

Understand God’s Purposes in His Instructions

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

“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.”

SUMMARY

Paul does not list all of the instructions that they gave while they were with the Thessalonians, but summarizes them, giving God’s will within His instructions, which is our sanctification.

What is sanctification?

The 3 Ways We Are Saved

Justification — We have been saved from the penalty of sin.

Sanctification — We are being saved from the power of sin.

Glorification — We shall be saved from the presence of sin.

How would you explain sanctification to a Sunday School class of children?

God uses His Word and the power of His Spirit within us to overcome sin through acts of obedience.

EXPLAIN

Paul gives 3 of God’s purposes in His instructions, followed by 3 reasons to be obedient.

The Thessalonian church was founded in a sexually perverted city. They had many of the sexual perversions that we see in our day, and more.

In their culture, they did not have laws to prevent gross sin.

Many of the Thessalonians would have indulged in this sin, maybe even having marriages and children as a result of this sin.

This would have presented many problems for them as they began their new lives in Christ.

Paul calls them to remember what God’s children look like in a fallen world.

He notes…

Three of God’s Purposes in His Instructions

Again, rather than making a list of instructions, Paul gives summary statements about God’s purpose in His instructions.

This is wise on the part of Paul, and ultimately God who inspired the Scriptures. The same issues that applied to the church then, may not apply to us exactly or directly, but the same principles will always be present.

Pursue purity

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

Abstain; avoid; stay away from.

Abstain: to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy

Joseph is a wonderful example of this. (Fleeing the temptation of sin from Potiphar’s wife.)

Job is a wonderful example of this.

Job 1:8 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?””

We must TURN AWAY from sexual immorality, and pursue purity.

Control your own body

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 “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;”

We must learn to control our own bodies.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is… self-control.

Therefore, a mark of a true believer is self-control.

This self-control is going to be quite different from the actions of people around you!

They don’t know God, so we can’t expect them to follow God’s ways.

BUT YOU DO KNOW GOD!!!

Therefore you should look different from them.

God gives us the ability by the power of His Spirit to control our own bodies.

Honour one another

1 Thessalonians 4:6 “that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter,

Sexual sin always affects others.

It is the use of someone else for your own personal gratification.

Paul expressly says here that we not sin against one another.

We must honour one another, seeing others as created in the image of God, and therefore worthy of honour, respect, and dignity.

As Paul is calling the Thessalonians to purity, why do you think he addresses the issue of sexual immorality?

Because it was such a relevant topic in their day.

Do you think this topic is relevant to us today?

In your opinion, what issues of sexual immorality do you think are important for the church to address?

Paul has given us God’s will through His instructions, and now he gives us…

Three Reasons to Obey

Paul knows the seriousness of God’s message, and also His punishment, so he is faithful to speak the truth rather than simply tickle their ears.

The first reason he gives to obey is…

The Lord is an avenger

1 Thessalonians 4:6 “because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.”

Ultimately God is the judge, and he is the One to whom we are accountable.

We remember David’s sin against Bathsheba.

In Psalm 51:3-4 “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”

We do know that our sin is against one another. Paul has just encouraged us NOT to sin against a brother or sister.

But ultimately God is the one who judges sin.

We should strive for obedience out of reverent fear for God’s judgment.

The second reason Paul gives us to obey is…

God has called us in holiness

1 Thessalonians 4:7 “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”

We have been called by God, and are His image-bearers.

We want to rightly reflect His goodness.

Story of college students who stole a sign. The owner later asked why they should let them off the hook. “Because we’re Christians.” WRONG ANSWER!! “If you are Christians you shouldn’t have stolen it in the first place!”

Can you think of a time where you either rightly or wrongly represented God?

We have been called in holiness, and we should exemplify those characteristics.

God has given us His Spirit

1 Thessalonians 4:8 “Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”

Paul again emphasizes that disobedience is not merely disobedience to man’s ideas, but God’s commands!

This means that you will have to answer to Him.

For the believer, disobedience is more inconceivable because of His grace in giving us His Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

This is what we do through willful sin.

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

His power is in us to overcome, but we must work toward that sanctification!

Do you think talking about God the avenger is effective for talking with non-Christians?

Do you think talking about God the avenger is effective for talking with Christians?

What should be the greatest motivator for obedience to God?

Paul has given us 3 reasons to obey God’s Word, but…

Love is the Greatest Motivator

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you,

for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia.

But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

and to aspire to live quietly,

and to mind your own affairs,

and to work with your hands,

as we instructed you,

so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

SUMMARY

Paul desires that the Thessalonians continue to grow in their love for one another, and that their lives will be an example to non-believers.

EXPLAIN

When we really love as we ought to, then we don’t need any greater motivation than that.

Our obedience will come from a desire to show love to God and others.

As Paul begins to exhort them to love in this section, he begins by stating that they don’t need anyone to teach them about brotherly love.

Why?

God teaches us how to love

1 Thessalonians 4:9 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,”

God has shown His love for us:

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus has shown His love for us:

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

The Holy Spirit has shown His love for us:

1 John 2:27 “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”

We know love because our God is love.

We don’t need to be taught, for He has shown us by His example of love for us how we ought to love others.

Why else did Paul not need to teach the Thessalonians about brotherly love?

They were already loving one another

1 Thessalonians 4:10 “for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia.”

Paul had been revived after hearing the report of their love for one another back in 3:6.

They were already living out their love for one another.

For this reason, Paul felt he didn’t even need to instruct them any more in how to love one another…

Except to encourage them to…

Love one another more and more

1 Thessalonians 4:10 “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,”

Don’t stop! Keep going! Do it even more than you already are!

We are yet again reminded that there is always room for growth in the Christian life.

The bar is so high that nobody can ever attain it in this life.

Is there a benefit to teaching one another how to practically love one another? Are there times it isn’t beneficial?

In what ways can we practically show love to one another?

Paul closes this section with a few brief exhortations to…

Pursue a Life Worthy of Respect

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

SUMMARY

Paul ultimately calls on them to live a life that is worthy of respect EVEN toward outsiders.

EXPLAIN

Live quietly

We all know a person who constantly has to be the center of attention. They are always willing to share their opinion no matter how foolish it is, and they aren’t quiet about it.

This is not the sort of person we ought to strive to be as believers.

Our goal is not to be loud, proud, and boastful…

But quiet, humble, counting others more significant than ourselves.

This is a lifestyle that even outsiders admire.

Mind your own business

We also all know someone who can’t stay in their own lane. Their life’s mission is to know all the dirty details and gossip about others so that they can spread it around.

This is not behaviour that befits a believer in Christ.

We should strive to mind our own business, our own affairs. Keep to yourself.

We have enough problems of our own to deal with!

Typically, we like to know others problems/failures because they make us feel better about ourselves… But Paul says in…

2 Corinthians 10:12 “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

Work with your hands

We all know someone who doesn’t want to work for their own money, but relies on others to take care of them.

Man, we know a lot of other people who do this stuff… haha

In so far as we can, we should strive to be self-sufficient.

This was the example that Paul set for the Thessalonians when he came to them. They did not rely on them, but provided for their own needs.

This is worthy of respect from outsiders.

This sort of life is far simpler than one might imagine we would hear from someone in the world today.

It’s not very glamorous.

What sorts of things would we expect the world to tell us to strive for in this life?

How can believers point to Christ by working with their hands?

Next week we will be going through 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Please read ahead.

Now we are going to break into groups. Prompt:

What stood out to you in today’s lesson? What do you need specific prayer for?