Marks of a Maturing Church - Part 1 - Foundations of Growth

Introduction

In the first three chapters of this letter, we learned that Paul was deeply thankful for the Thessalonian believers and proud of the report he had received about them. They were living as an example to their community and to other churches throughout the region. He commended them for their love of the Word of God and their zeal to spread that Word both in their city and beyond.

Paul also rejoiced in their holy living and their godly testimony — that despite persecution and suffering, their faith in Christ remained strong.

The Apostle was proud of the people this church had become. Yet in chapter 4, Paul turns his attention to several areas in which they still needed to continue growing. None of these instructions were new to the Thessalonian church, but Paul understood that even the healthiest believers need regular reminders. Repetition keeps the church strong, fresh, and free from the corruption of false teaching.

Paul begins this section by reminding them that no matter how strong their faith already was, there was still room to grow. Growth in the Christian life is never finished — it is a continual pursuit. And so, his first encouragement is simple but powerful: Keep growing in the Lord.

Keep Growing in the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “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.”

Abound More and More…

Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers that they had received the Word of God and applied it to their lives. He acknowledges their faithfulness and their testimony — but then urges them to abound more and more.

In other words, don’t stop now. Take what you’ve learned, what you’ve lived, and let it continue to grow deeper in your walk with the Lord.

It is a dangerous thing to become complacent

John wrote to a group of churches and one of the common themes of his rebukes was the complacency of the people of the church:

To the church of Ephesus he writes, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:4

To the church of Laodicea he writes, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

The prophet Isaiah writes, “Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, Ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.” Isaiah 32:9

The prophet Zephaniah writes, “And it shall come to pass at that time, That I will search Jerusalem with candles, And punish the men that are settled on their lees: That say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.” Zephaniah 1:12

Paul writes, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Hebrews 2:1.

Peter writes, “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8

The Bible warns us again and again — complacency kills spiritual growth. When you stop growing, you start drifting.

It is a spiritual necessity to keep growing

Grow in repentance - 1 John 1:8–9 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Grow in love - 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

Grow in Maturity - Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

Grow in Doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

Grow in Discipleship - Ephesians 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”

Every believer is called to grow deeper, walk closer, and shine brighter for Christ.

When you do not grow you become stagnate and stagnate things spread disease.

Transition to Next Point:

Paul not only reminds the Thessalonians to keep growing, but he also directs them where that growth must be rooted — in the truth of God’s Word.

That leads us to his next exhortation: Keep Trusting in the Word.

Keep Trusting in the Word

1 Thessalonians 4:2 “For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”

Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers that the instruction he gave them came by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. These were not merely the opinions of men, but the very commandments of God.

He had already thanked God for their strong response to the Word:

“When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:13

The Thessalonians had embraced the Scriptures as God’s truth — and Paul now urges them to keep trusting that Word no matter what circumstances arise.

The Temptation to Abandon the Word

In seasons of trial, pain, or persecution, it’s easy to grow weary and to drift from Scripture.

Sorrow can make us question God’s goodness.

Suffering can tempt us to doubt God’s promises.

The world constantly pulls at us to abandon holiness and return to sin.

When life gets hard, the enemy whispers, “Why keep obeying? Why keep trusting?” But Paul reminds us — those are the very times when we must cling to the Word the tightest.

Difficult times should not drive us from the Word; they should drive us deeper into it.

The Power of the Word in the Believer

Paul says the Word of God “effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

The Word strengthens the weary.

The Word stabilizes the suffering.

The Word sanctifies the believer.

Every time you open your Bible, God’s Spirit works through His Word to sustain your faith and guide your life.

When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His Word. When you can’t see the reason, rest in His revelation.

Application

The same Word that saved us is the Word that sustains us. We must keep trusting it — when life is good and when life is difficult. Faith that endures is faith that stays rooted in the Word of God.

Transition to Next Point:

Paul knew that trusting the Word would naturally lead to living out that Word. So next, he calls believers not only to keep trusting, but to keep sanctified unto holiness — to let the truth shape how we live.

Keep Sanctified unto Holiness

1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 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. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

Paul moves from what we believe to how we behave. The Word of God not only strengthens our faith — it shapes our conduct. The Christian life is not just about learning truth; it’s about living truth.

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…” (v. 3)

If you’ve ever wondered what God’s will is for your life, Paul makes it plain — it is your sanctification: to live set apart from sin and wholly devoted to God.

Abstain from Impure Behavior

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”

Paul calls believers to live differently than the world around them. The word abstain means to hold yourself back — to put distance between you and sin. Holiness always involves saying “no” to the flesh and “yes” to God.

The world says, “Follow your desires.”

God says, “Discipline your desires.”

We live in a culture that glorifies impurity, but Christians are called to purity of body and mind. To “possess your vessel” means to control your body with honor, not be controlled by lust like those who don’t know God.

The believer who belongs to Christ must never live like someone who doesn’t.

Beware of the Judgment of God

1 Thessalonians 4:6 “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.”

Sin always affects others — impurity is never a private matter. To “defraud” means to take advantage of someone for selfish pleasure or gain. Paul reminds us: God Himself is the avenger of such things.

When we sin against others, we are not just breaking moral boundaries — we are inviting divine judgment.

You can’t sin and win. The pleasure of sin is momentary, but the price of sin is monumental.

Answer God’s Call to Holiness

1 Thessalonians 4:7–8 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

Our calling is not just to be forgiven — it’s to be holy. Holiness isn’t optional; it’s our identity in Christ. And Paul reminds them that rejecting this call isn’t rejecting Paul’s words — it’s rejecting God Himself, who has given us His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit within us is the Holy Standard before us. He empowers what God commands.

Application

If God’s will is our sanctification, then holiness is not a burden — it’s a blessing. We are called to live clean in a corrupt world, to shine bright in the midst of darkness, and to reflect the purity of Christ in every area of life.

Keep growing. Keep trusting. And keep sanctified unto holiness — because our God is holy.

Conclusion

The Thessalonian believers were already doing well—they were growing in faith, trusting God’s Word, and striving for holiness. But Paul knew that even the strongest Christians must never become complacent. Spiritual growth is a lifelong pursuit.

Today, we’ve seen three key ways we are called to grow:

Keep Growing in the Lord – Don’t settle; let your faith abound more and more.

Keep Trusting in the Word – Lean on God’s promises even in trials, suffering, and temptation.

Keep Sanctified unto Holiness – Pursue purity and obedience, knowing that God calls you to be holy.

Growth is not optional. It’s a command, a calling, and a necessity. When we take these steps seriously, our hearts are strengthened, our faith deepened, and our lives made ready for every challenge and opportunity God brings our way.

As we leave today, ask yourself: Am I growing? Am I trusting God’s Word in every season? Am I living a life set apart for Him? Let us commit to abounding more and more in faith, in trust, and in holiness, until we see Him face to face.