Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 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. 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.

(pause)

[A number of years ago now], the zoo in Copenhagen, Denmark, … put a human couple on display. Henrik Lehmann and Malene Botoft lived in a see-through cage, in the primate display, next to the baboons and the monkeys.

Their 320-square-foot habitat had a living room with furniture, a computer, a television, and stereo. The kitchen and bedroom were part of the display. Only the bathroom was excluded from public view.

Unlike their neighbors, who weren't allowed out, the two humans occasionally left their fishbowl existence to shop and water the flowers on their porch back at home.

"We don't notice visitors anymore," said Lehmann. "If I want to pick my nose or my toes now, I do it."

Adapted, Parade (12/29/96). Leadership, Vol. 17, no. 3.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 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.

I don’t think I would ever want to be put on display like that couple in the Denmark zoo!

It would seem extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing to have people watch you live.

(pause)

Yet at the same time, we should recognize that we are being watched by Someone. We are being watched by God. Sometimes, it is easy to forget about that.

Yet this is extremely important, for when we get to Heaven we want God to be pleased with our life.

(pause)

How can we live a life that pleases God?

(pause)

Up to the point of our scripture text for this evening, the apostle Paul’s focus in this letter was on encouraging the Thessalonians, expressing his love for them, and refuting false accusations made by their enemies.

At this point, the apostle delved into an extremely practical section in which he gave the Thessalonians some specific instructions on how to live a life that pleases God. In verse 1, Paul wrote:

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus…” The KJV uses the words “beseech” and “exhort” to express Paul’s appeal to the church.

Beacon Bible Commentary says,

“The double expression of beseech and exhort indicates the great seriousness of the writer.”

These verses we have read tonight were extremely important for the Thessalonian believers to hear … and just as important for us.

Big Idea: Our passion should be a life that pleases God.

How can we live in such a way that will be pleasing to God? First, Paul writes about the life of holiness we should live.

1. A Life of Holiness, vv. 3-8.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification…

What does it mean for the will of God to be our “sanctification”?

Sanctification is a big word for another, more basic, word - “holiness.” The Hebrew word which is rendered as “holy” in English had the meaning of being separate. This concept primarily referred to God. God is divine. He is separate from all other reality.

People or places might become holy because they were connected to God or set apart for him.

The act or process by which people or things become holy is “sanctification.” Therefore, when Paul wrote that it is God’s will that we be sanctified, he was saying that God desires that we be made holy, or set apart for Him.

When we are saved from sin, sanctification is “imparted” to us. As we grow spiritually, we are in the process of being sanctified. But at some point the Holy Spirit will begin to deal with us about the problem of the carnal nature. We submit our lives completely to the Holy Spirit’s control and He fills us completely. We are entirely sanctified at this time.

However, though we are entirely sanctified, the process of sanctification continues and will continue till we die. At no point do we get to the point that we have grown spiritually as much as we can. Rather, we must continually strive to grow closer to God.

As one holiness commentator states:

There is no place to rest in Christian life. To stand still will really mean backsliding. God sets no bounds to progress in grace.

- Beacon Bible Commentary

Therefore, with this background, we understand that Paul’s exhortation that God’s will is that we be sanctified is regarding both the one-time act of entire sanctification and the life-long pursuit of growing spiritually.

Practical Instructions for Holy Living

Paul then listed several practical instructions for what it means to live a life of holiness. First, he wrote in verse three to avoid sexual immorality.

a. Avoid sexual immorality.

Second, in verses four and five, he wrote, “Control your body in such a way that is holy and honorable.”

b. Control your body.

Third, in verse six he says, “Do not wrong your fellow believer in this manner.”

c. Don’t wrong others.

It is no indicated anywhere in this letter that the Thessalonians were having problems with immorality. However, many of these new Christians were converts from paganism.

These people lived in and, no doubt, had at one time embraced a culture saturated with a philosophy in direct opposition to the Christian morality. This upbringing could be a big hindrance to these new Christians.

Even today in so-called “Christian” America, we are constantly bombarded with messages about morality that are in direct opposition to Scripture.

Let us be careful to note that if you fail in this area, you should not run from God. Run to him. The same God who calls us to holiness also gives His Holy Spirit to us. He does not expose sin to shame us; He exposes sin to cleanse us, forgive us, and make us new.

Let us then be careful to avoid all such evil. We must keep our hearts, our minds, and our friendships with others pure.

We should control our bodies in a way that is honorable and holy. How we speak, how we view others, how we interact others - are we living holy?

Paul wrote:

1 Thessalonians 4:6 ESV

that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter…

Immorality wrongs other people because it uses people who were made in God’s image. Immorality violates trust, damages marriages, wounds families, twists our desires and teaches us to see others as objects instead of souls.

Practical Reasons for Living Holy

Next, consider several reasons why we should obey these practical instructions for holy living.

a. God will judge those who sin.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 ESV

… the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

b. God has called us to be holy.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 ESV

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

God’s desire is that we would live in such a way that the world can clearly see that we are different.

So many times, we follow the fashions of the world. But God would like for the church to be the trend-setter. Let us show the world that there is a better way - the way of holiness.

c. God is rejected by deliberate sin.

Disobedience of these instructions is a rejection of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 ESV

Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

These words are not just the words of a mere man who has certain opinions about morality. This is God’s Word, which we must be careful to follow if we wish to please Him.

How can we live in such a way that pleases God? First, we must live a life of holiness. Second, we must live a life of brotherly love.

2. A Life of Brotherly Love, vv. 9-12

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 ESV

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,

The practical instructions that follow showing how to live a life of brotherly love is somewhat curious. Why did Paul write these words to the Thessalonians?

Practical Instructions for Loving Others

Someone has suggested that…

the expectation of the imminent return of the Lord, had caused a ferment of excitement in some minds. Idleness was producing restlessness among those who had ceased regular employment, and this state of affairs was in turn producing meddlesome busybodies.

Beacon Bible Commentary

There are three specific instructions Paul gives the Thessalonians.

a. Lead a quiet life.

“Study” is the word the KJV uses. The ESV’s rendering may help make the intention even clearer.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV

and to aspire to live quietly…

Or, as the NIV says…

1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…

Paul was warning the believers here about having a restless attitude in life. As someone has written:

He used an electric word (ambition) and coupled it with a low-energy word (quiet). Paul wanted them to see that a tranquil, restful life does require effort. It is easy to get carried away in spiritual excitement and emotional issues, but we must purposefully aim toward balance and calm. This is what Christ calls us to practice.

Larson, K. (2000). I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Vol. 9, p. 56). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Somtimes, we come to church looking for a spiritual fix. We feel like we are unspiritual if we are not an emotional high.

But this is the wrong expectation for church … and for life. God is there with us when we are feeling excited and when we are not. The whole Christian life is a journey - a great experience. We do not need to conjure up “experiences.” We are living an experience.

b. Mind your own business.

Second, Paul wrote that we should mind our own “bees’ wax” - business. He says that we should …

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV

… mind your own affairs…

So much havoc has been wrecked by a loose tongue. We must be careful not to gossip about others. Mind your own business! Worry about your own spiritual well-doing instead of talking about Bro. or Sis. So-and-so’s failures.

A reputation is a very hard thing to build. Yet it can be torn down so easily. You show a brotherly love toward others when you are careful not to do or say anything to harm their reputation.

This, of course, does not mean we should not lovingly warn, encourage, and restore an erring brother. Rather, he is speaking of meddling and interfering in others’ lives.

c. Be productive.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV

… work with your hands, as we instructed you,

Some of the Christians had stopped working. They were waiting for the Lord’s return. That was not good. We do not know when Christ will return. So we should continue working diligently.

Practical Reasons for Loving Others

Paul then gave a couple reasons why we should follow these practical instructions.

1 Thessalonians 4:12 ESV

so that you may walk properly before outsiders…

(pause)

1 Thessalonians 4:12 NIV

so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…

In other words…

a. Your example impacts others … for good or bad.

We are ambassadors - ambassadors of Christ.

Someone once said,

There are five gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian. Most people will not read the first four.

His point? The Christian is like a billboard for Christ. If your life is attractive and full of integrity, people will receive a good impression of Christ. If you life is full of hypocrisy, no doubt many will reject the gospel on that basis.

Second, Paul said we should live a life of brotherly love…

1 Thessalonians 4:12 ESV

so that you… be dependent on no one.

b. Your industriousness honors Christ.

The Thessalonian believers who had stopped working and were simply watching the skies, so to speak, waiting for Christ to return were starting to have financial difficulty.

Paul urged them to support themselves. Instead of being dependent on others, they should honor Christ through work.

Lee Iacocca once asked legendary football coach Vince Lombardi what it took to make a winning team. The book Iacocca records Lombardi's answer:

"There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don't win the game. Then you come to the third ingredient: if you're going to play together as a team, you've got to care for one another.

“You've got to love each other. Each player has to be thinking about the next guy and saying to himself: 'If I don't block that man, Paul is going to get his legs broken. I have to do my job well in order that he can do his.'

"The difference between mediocrity and greatness," Lombardi said that night, "is the feeling these guys have for each other." In the healthy church, each Christian learns to care for others. As we take seriously Jesus' command to "love one another," we contribute to a winning team. (Stinnett)z

How can we live in a way that pleases God? There are many instructions in the Bible about living a godly life. But we should remember the important instructions Paul gave to the Thessalonians in chapter four of this first letter. First, we should live a life that is holy. Second, we should live a life of brotherly love.

In our world today we like short quick answers to problems. We have instant popcorn, instant coffee, instant potatoes. But the Christian life is not like that. Rather, we grow spiritually throughout life, ever seeking to become more like Christ.

Sometimes, this quest becomes tiring. Sometimes, you are tempted to give up. But I challenge you to persevere. Remember the goal - to please God with your life.

God has called us to a life of holiness. God has called us to love one another. He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us.

Let us then honor Christ as we live to please Him!