(029) A Walk Pleasing to All

1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 ESV

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. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 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. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 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, 10 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, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1. Walk in purity before God (vs. 1–8)

A. Please God more and more (v. 1)

B. Pursue holiness in your body (vv. 3–7)

C. Remember the Holy Spirit empowers purity (v. 8)

2. Walk in love toward one another (vv. 9–10)

A. Love is taught by God (v. 9)

B. Love is others-focused (v. 10a)

C. Love is always increasing (v. 10b)

3. Walk in integrity before the world (vv. 11–12)

Paul is addressing three areas of concern.

Restlessness

Meddling

Idleness.

A. Lead a quiet, steady life (v. 11a)

“Aspire to live quietly”

Aspire or ambition is an action word. A power word. A word that signifies drive.

Then he follows it with “quiet” a low energy word.

Make it your ambition to do your own business.

Paul is telling the a peaceful life requires effort.

To be quiet is to have a peaceable temper.

This is in contrast to causing strive, contention, division.

This is both in your community and your church.

Paul is exhorting all of life.

Proverbs 20:3 ESV

3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

A. Lead a quiet, steady life (v. 11a)

This isn’t always easy.

Our flesh wants to take over.

Often our sinful nature takes over and we gravitate toward unrest and conflict.

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

A. Lead a quiet, steady life (v.

This might be the most difficult time for us to live peaceful lives.

We know too much too soon.

We know what’s going on everywhere.

We here it before we even know what’s actually happening.

We live the opposite of quiet lives simply by turning on the news or getting on social media.

How many of you find yourselves frustrated with the news of the day.

You are fighting anger and anxiety?

Stop watching the news!

Strive to live a peaceful life.

We need a proper biblical world view.

Lost people will act like lost people. They don’t know any better.

This world is not my home.

I am enjoying dual citizenship as I life a life here on mission for Christ.

John 17:14–18 ESV

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

A. Lead a quiet, steady life (v.

God didn’t leave us here to get caught up on all the drama of the world.

He left us there do the work of Jesus.

Paul tells us what that mission is:

Ambassadors speaking on behalf of Christ.

This is a deployment not a permanent home.

Remember the mission to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus then live a peaceful life!

B. Mind your own business (v. 11b)

Worry about your self - what you can impact.

I can’t impact national or global events.

I may not be able to impact things that are going on in my own local area.

I can impact the people in front of me.

Warren Wiersbe said, “Believers who are about the Father’s business do not have the time—or desire—to meddle in the affairs of others.”

This seems to be an ongoing problem for the Thessalonians.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV

11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV

12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

B. Mind your own business (v. 11b)

Paul is not suggesting that we neglect holding one another accountable.

He is calling them to understand how to live in this world.

We say we are doing it for the cause of Christ but Paul asks why we run around judging outsiders in their sin.

We were never called to the work of behavioral modification but the work of making disciples.

Making a disciple starts with redemption.

An inward change - then comes outward change.

The lost are in Adam - if somehow you get them to change what have you accomplished?

As Christians we should be the best people at minding our business.

Jesus did not put any parameters of expectations on the command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

C. Work with your hands (v. 11c)

The Thessalonian converts were chiefly working class, blue collar, citizens.

God is not giving a command that every person do manual labor.

Rather the message is to do the work that is in front of you to do.

Their expectation of the immediate coming of Christ was leading some to neglect their daily work and rely on others.

Whatever work God has given you to do, do it.

When we live peaceably with others…

When we aren’t in constant conflict…

When we aren’t full of anxiety…

We can focus on our daily lives.

Our daily lives cannot be separated from our Christian lives.

When Jesus says: “Go therefore and make disciples”

He is actually saying: “As you are going”

As you live your life.

As you work with your hands.

Paul seems to be reminding them that the best ministry is done in mundane things of life.

We have incredible news!

Jesus is coming back!

Until then we have normal everyday lives to live.

D. Earn respect and remove reproach (v. 12)

Philippians 1:27 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

D. Earn respect and remove reproach (v. 12)

Why does Paul care about any of this?

To earn the respect of outsiders - the unsaved world.

Habitually late for work.

A reputation of gossip.

Not teachable.

Not carrying your weight at work.

These tarnish the name of Christ.

Paul is not concerned with popularity.

He didn’t need nor was he encouraging us to seek the world’s validation.

He is telling us that how we live matters and is noticed.

Not only is it noticed, it is remembered.

According to scripture, the unsaved world has a right to watch our conduct.

Not only a right but we are called to show off our lifestyles.

In our business lives

In our home lives

In our social lives

In any politics we may be involved in.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

There was a restlessness in Thessalonica because of a misunderstanding of the second coming.