Power in the Pulpit Sermon Prep (Jim Shaddix) | 1 Thessalonians 4:1–11 (4)

Sermon Summary sheet

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Primary Audience: Believers

Proposition: Christians should commit to unceasing intimacy with God as a path to consistent spiritual maturity.

Purpose: I want these Christians to value their personal time spent with God because it will help their spiritual growth.

Title: The Source of Sanctification

Outline:

Spiritual maturity springs from Scripture, vv. 1-2.

Spiritual maturity stunts in sexual impurity, vv. 3-8.

Spiritual maturity surfaces in love, vv. 9-10.

Spiritual maturity sustains the Christian testimony, vv. 11-12.

Transitions:

Lead in: Paul speaks to the origin, a hindrance, an evidence, and a benefit of spiritual maturity. The origin of spiritual maturity begins with Paul’s instruction.

Point 2 lead in: Though spiritual maturity begins with Scripture, it is hindered by sexual impurity.

Point 3 lead in: Paul also points to love as an outcome of spiritual maturity.

Point 4 lead in: Finally, Paul indicates that spiritual maturity is essential to the testimony of every believer.

Amplify

Point 1:

Paul begins this passage by referring back to instruction that he previously gave the Thessalonian church as their spiritual father. Verse one details the instruction. He taught them how to live a life pleasing to God. Earlier in his letter there is mention of a previous exhortation to holiness worthy of God, 1 Thess. 2:12. Paul wants the Thessalonian church to understand that being redeemed by God is a privilege worth responding to in obedience. Paul further develops this exhortation in chapter 4 as we will see.

Paul wants to church to aim for spiritual maturity. His repeated use of the phrase “do so more and more” shows us that he desired that the Thessalonians progress in spiritual matters. Paul echoed this instruction in his letter to the Colossian church, Col. 1:10. Followers of Christ must not be satisfied with watching from the stands.

In the use of the phrase “through the Lord Jesus,” Paul unites his own teaching to Jesus’s authoritative instruction. In Jesus’ Great Commission, he instructs the disciples to teach obedience to “all that I have commanded you” Matt. 28:20. Because Paul’s teaching and inherited authority are tied to Jesus, they demand obedience. This is what Paul is getting at in verse 8. Paul did not preach of his own authority. This is an example for me and my fellow leaders and anyone aspiring to the office of elder. The authority of the local church is found in Christ.

Esteeming the Bible as the inspired word of God, brings your bible study to life.

Point 2:

Sanctification means to devote or set apart for God. This holy progression, which includes sexual purity, is the will of the Lord. Intimacy with God fosters self control. Maintaining the holiness of the church is a matter for which we will all be accountable to God. Holy living must be done in light of the end. The concept of God as avenger refers to the time of judgement which occurs at the end, Rom. 13:4. The entire Bible is anticipating the time when God returns to judge and redeem his whole creation. The people of God are special because of God, therefore, they must resemble God in holy living. The holiness that God so desired of Israel is found in Christ. Spiritual maturity is a growth in holiness, which only occurs in communion with God. We are saved for holy living. Rejecting this teaching equals disregarding God. Verse eight reminds them that disregard ultimately end at the Lord's feet. This concept applies to the entire letter and the whole of Scripture.

Understanding God's concern for the human body, motivates your desire for sexual purity.

Point 3:

Unlike its worldly counterpart, love for the brethren comes from God. Paul emphasizes the fact that God is the source of eternal truth because he teaches the Thessalonians himself, John 6:45, 1 John 2:27. 1 Thess. 3:12, demonstrates that the Lord is the source of love. The church must also seek progress in love as well. Love is a primary concern. God who is the source of brotherly love is able to help them steadily grow. Jesus' reiterated love, Matt. 22:37-39, John 13:34. The love Paul is speaking of began in Christ, John 3:16.

Learning that God teaches us how to love, creates a yearning to commune with God.

Point 4:

A spiritually mature testimony involves living properly before the secular world. Though we are commanded to preach the gospel word, how we live validates the message we speak, 2 Tim. 4:2. Paul offers three examples of proper living worthy of the gospel: pursuit of a quiet life, primary concern for personal affairs and a positive work ethic. Self sufficiency is modeled by Paul, 1 Thess. 2:9. Christians are ambassadors for Christ, 2 Cor. 5:20.

Realizing that God cares how we are perceived in the world, fosters your concern for our secular interactions.

How are Paul's authority and instruction tied to Jesus'?

How does spiritual progress begin with the commands of Christ?

How are the people of God special because of God?

How is the holiness that God desires found in Christ?

What is communion with God?

How is disregard for Paul's instruction applicable to the entire Bible?

How is the bible anticipating Jesus' return?

How does the church progress in love?

Intro:

What do you value? Time to unwind and relax. What do you yearn for? Marriage to the perfect spouse. What are your concerned with? Making a large amount of money. Our hearts are filled with varying desires that motivate the decisions we make, and frame how we perceive ourselves and others. God fashioned us with the innate desire to worship. This was no mistake; but because we are prone to idolatry, Jesus gave his life on the cross in order to rectify that worship. The text, which I am presenting to you today, is an exhortation to spiritual maturity for those in the room who have surrendered their lives to Christ. God’s call is a call to action. This action involves growing up into Christ.

Conclusion:

So Christian, will you commit to making intimacy with God a priority? As we have seen there are several benefits of spending time with your God. Prove that you believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word by devoting to read it. By God’s providence, he delivered everything we need to know for godly living. He is worth it. Show that you care about what God cares about. Make honoring God with your body a top priority. He is worth it. God the Holy Spirit dwells within you and enables you to love your neighbor. So, spend time learning form your God, so that you can better love your neighbor. He is worth it. You were not saved for entertainment. God didn’t call you to satisfy your own desires. How you live your life matters to God. When people look at you, he wants them to see Jesus. He is worth it. I would like to close by remembering the words of God as written by Paul, “Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” Let’s pray.