RED ALERT- IMPURITY

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. NIV

Greetings and acknowledgment of the Marathon endeavour.

Friends, I’d to thank the Lord for all of you this morning as I often do and bless Him for your faithfulness and commitment to advancing His Kingdom here on earth, and for the love of His Word.

I was humbled by the out pouring of the Holy Spirit and manifesting of His presence that we experienced last Friday evening at our Prayer Meeting.

Glory be to God for manifesting His presence here in such a powerful and tangible way. There is more to come in Jesus’ name

This happened because we are desiring and yearning for Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 Main Idea: Because God has called us to holiness, we must flee from any form of sexual impurity.

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.

I. Our Walk Must Be Our Priority (4:1–2).

A. Commit to know what God says.

B. Commit to do what God commands.

II. God’s Will Must Be Our Guide (4:3–7).

A. Avoid impurity (4:3–5, 7).

B. Respect others (4:6a).

C. Assume responsibility (4:6b).

III. God’s Approval Must Be Our Passion (4:8).

A. Our loyalty is to the Father (4:8a).

B. Our power is by the Spirit (4:8b).

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

And if you address as Father the One who judges impartially based on each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your temporary residence. For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. (1 Pet 1:13–19)

Revelation 22:13-17

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs,those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.