211010 1/2 Thessalonians: Being Set Apart in Christ

Title

INTRODUCTION

One of the great joys of parenting is that moment when your child, unprompted, un-stimulated, totally voluntarily does something on their own that you have put incredible amounts of effort into training them to do… Perhaps it is developing a skill like reading, or learning to tie their own shoes or as serious as making a profession of faith...

When these things happen, they are astonishing and you think to yourself, “There’s hope! This kiddo might actually make it!”

When that moment takes place, when the impossible happens, what do we do? PAUSE Do we ignore it, put it down and belittle it? Absolutely not! The idea of doing that is monstrous!!!

No, no, no! We elevate them, we encourage them, we cheer them on! We cheer them on to continue in their development. Our pride swells and we are encouraged because of their growth.

But, as great as it is to see them grow, we know that these milestones were never the destination, but the markers of progress. The destination is never good grades, a diploma, a marketable skill… Those things are all great but they aren’t the point of life. The goal of life is not accumulating physical wealth or having a high social status… no.

Christian parents know that the point of their training is always to have kiddos that are becoming more and more like Christ. That is what we want because, that is what God wants. When our kiddos, or others for that matter, make great strides toward holiness, in purity, that is very exciting and a cause for encouragement.

Today, we are going to hear Paul cheer on the believers in the town of Thessalonica. He has just heard a good word from Timothy about the believers and with much joy he has penned this letter of encouragement.

This is not a letter telling them they have arrived, that they are now super-Christians that have no further responsibility. No this letter is one of motivation, of inspiration to give them a boost to be further set apart in Christ.

MAIN POINT

That’s actually the main point of the letter and it’s the main point of this message… Paul is commending the faithful believers at the church in Thessalonica and exhorting them to continue striving toward sanctification

Like a proud parent, Paul is elated at their progress and he desires that they excel still more.

This is a practical letter, an encouraging letter and one which the church in Thessalonica needed to hear, just like the church in 21st century needs to hear.

But before we begin, let’s go to prayer

BLANK

PRAYER

Father God... what an incredible privilege to call You Father. To be called a child of God is astonishing and we revel in it - our big Brother Christ has made it possible. We thank You for Him and His righteousness which we now have.

Father, it is a joy to see believers striving after You. May this message today stimulate us toward sanctification, holiness and purity. You are worthy of all our focus and we want to worship You daily with our life and conduct. Help us this day as we unwrap Your Word.

Holy Spirit, please do the work that only You can do. Help us to understand it and obey it.

God we ask this because changed lives glorify You. Living like Christ, magnifies You and we want the world to know of Your goodness, grace and worthiness.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

SERMON

CONTEXT

Preaching a snippet of text without learning the context would be foolish and dangerous so we need to learn the context, the setting for this letter and the background of the relationship between Paul and the Thessalonians. So, for our context I would invite you to open your Bibles to Acts 17.

Acts chapter 17 records Paul’s second missionary journey. MAP

He and Silas have left Philippi - where they were beaten and jailed and then released and they have continued to travel down through major metropolises setting up churches.

So beginning in Acts 17 I will just pick it up in verse 1

Acts 17:1–10 | 1 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them (THESE JEWS) were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,

along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. 10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

So we have here a very quick stop in Thessalonica, only three weeks. Some of the Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica responded to the Gospel and some were violently opposed to it. In Thessalonica, there is a baby church with violent persecutors actively opposed to it. Let that sink in… 3 weeks of training and then Paul is forced to leave and they are left to survive… But they didn’t do it completely alone, no...

Later, in the chapter you can read that Timothy and Silas stayed in the area to continue the work in Thessalonica while Paul continued south ultimately landing in Corinth... From what we learn from the letters to the Thessalonians we can learn that Timothy made at least two round trips from Corinth to Thessalonica… It is small piece of the map up on the screen but these are each journeys of a thousand miles a piece. Paul and Timothy are heavily invested in this church in Thessalonica.

Paul, has received a good word from Timothy and what he has heard about this young church is incredibly encouraging. They are growing and developing despite the persecution taking place around them...

OK, that is the context, please turn to 1st Thessalonians PAUSE chapter 3 verse 6. SLIDE

SERMON

I. Paul's Relationship with the Thessalonians

A. Timothy's Report (3:6-8)

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Did you catch the relationship between the two parties, the tone of the letter?

Paul is so excited to hear from Timothy of these believers and so excited to hear of his love reciprocated, returned, not forgotten. “Timothy has come, bringing εὐαγγελισαμένου, euangelisamenou, good news! HOHUM Not, indifferent news, not dispassionate news… no Good News! “Oh, Thessalonians I am so relieved that you not only have a faith, you not only love us but think of us and long for us just as we also have fore you!”

Paul has received wonderful news, especially given the context because they are under duress, they are being persecuted and yet... they are still growing in spite of it!

Through their good conduct, because of their lived out faith, because of Timothy’s report they are providing a respite from Paul’s own discomfort. MAP SLIDE Paul is in Corinth, way down the Macedonian peninsula and he knows that the church is encountering the same opposition that he endured, and their endurance has satisfied him. Verse 9 SLIDE

B. Paul's Satisfaction (3:9-10)

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

The Thessalonians and Paul are bonded together. They love each other and go to the throne of grace on behalf of each other but Paul knows that three weeks of training are not enough to build them up to a full Christian maturity.

Paul’s goal is that they develop and mature. As he fled to Berea in Acts 17 do you think Paul had some further instructions for these believers? Do you think he had something else to teach them?

Absolutely, and it must have galled him as he left to leave these infant believers in Thessalonica to effectively fend for themselves. Now that Timothy has returned with Good News he is ready to further their training and complete what is lacking in their faith and He knows just Who to ask and what to ask for. SLIDE

He goes to the throne of grace in verse 11, in the middle of this letter, and prays:

C. Paul's Prayer (3:11-13)

11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Paul’s prayer communicates a deep sense of love for the church in Thessalonica. He wants to be with them, he wants to help them mature and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.

Paul has it in his mind to prepare these believers to patiently endure until Jesus arrives, to give them hope and comfort. Remember, they are still enduring persecution back in Thessalonica. He wants to present to Christ a blameless product.

He wants them to mature, in spite of their persecution into fully developed Christians and so he asks the Lord to establish their hearts as blameless, holy, pure, perfect, right before God.

Positionally, Christians are all these things because of Christ. We take on Christ’s righteousness through faith and yet practically speaking it does not take a microscope to tell that we don’t always act like Christ.

We sin, we transgress, we fail in our speech and conduct. The world, the flesh and the devil work against us and we miss the mark of being what we should be.

Paul is going to provide practical advice, regarding sanctification to these beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. These aren’t new commands, necessarily but reminders as to what they have already heard. Chapter 4 verse 1. SLIDE

II. Paul's Exhortation for the Thessalonians

A. A General Exhortation (4:1-2)

1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Three weeks of instruction. In three weeks Paul had communicated the Gospel and left Timothy and Silas to continue the work. Apparently, in these three weeks the Thessalonians had been instructed in how to walk the Christian life and please God.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could hear what those instructions included… PAUSE What it would take live a life pleasing to God? PAUSE Have you ever asked yourself that? PAUSE What does it take to make God happy?

Well, it’s very simple. God wants you, God wants me only for Himself.

We were made as image bearers to live in the best way possible and He determines what that way is… When we are set apart for Him, when we are sanctified, not just on Sunday but everyday and living only for Him, that is what pleases God. Verse 3 SLIDE

B. Maintaining Purity (4:3-8)

1. Avoiding sexual immorality (4:3)

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Sanctification, is so important because it is the process whereby we become more holy. The Holy Spirit is the One who drives this change in us... Becoming more and more sanctified, more and more set apart, more and more like Christ, through the work of His Holy Spirit is God’s will for us. It is what pleases God. It is what makes the One who made us happy.

So here are two ways where we can please God. Two practical ways to become more sanctified.

The first was taken from verse 3 which said 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

v3). Create distance between ourselves and that which is profane

Paul specifically calls out πορνείας, translated here sexual immorality - where we get the word pornography, the word πορνεία also relates to fornication, adultery and all other forms of sexual immorality. A practical way to avoid πορνεία is to create distance between ourselves and it. That is actually the literal translation of the word for abstain here in verse 3… create distance.

In another book Paul wrote, SLIDE he adjured Timothy to flee youthful lusts. Create distance. Don’t sit passively by, get up, run away from evil. It is not there to please you, it is there to destroy your relationship with God and to keep you from pleasing God.

How do we create distance between ourselves and πορνεία… We do this by introducing space or a gap between ourselves and those things that do not please God. We abandon them, we leave them...

Do we have on our shelves DVD’s or books that contain πορνεία or sexual immorality - you would be hard pressed to find a secular fiction book or movie that doesn’t. Get rid of it! WINCE AND SHAKE HEAD Don’t donate it to Goodwill or the Senior Center where someone else can be tripped up by it, burn them, destroy them.

So, to increase our holiness, to increase our sanctification we need to create distance between ourselves and that which is profane SLIDE

2. Maintaining proper control over the body (4:4-6)

Here is another way to become sanctified and I take it from verse 4 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel (OR BODY) in sanctification and honor,

v4). Maintain proper control over the body by remembering who's body it is

Who should have mastery over the believer’s body? SLIDE. The physical human body is the Temple of Christ’s Holy Spirit. We are to treat it as such - as a tool on loan from God, which we are to steward well, getting the maximum use out of. We are to maintain these bodies with the full knowledge that they belong to Him. We are not to introduce into it that which grieves Him. He owns us now, we are not our own.

SLIDE Furthermore, married people, you are doubly not your own… God owns you and so does your spouse. If your spouse owns your body, if God owns your body keep it clean by avoiding πορνεία. Be controlled by the Lord and your spouse.

So, for our second point as to how to be sanctified to God, we need to remember that our body belongs to Him and if we are married also to our spouse and we need to steward it well.

3. Rejecting purity is rejecting God (4:7-8)

7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

What pleases God is being set apart strictly for Him. He is a jealous God and unwilling to allow us to be slaves to that which defiles. We have been transferred out of the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son and with such a price paid for our redemption - His own Son’s life - will He abide us returning to sin again… I think not!

I can not say it any clearer than Paul says it here in verse 8 he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Does God love us? Yes. Does God want us for His own? Undoubtedly. Has God sent His Son to pay for each and every sin and make us positionally pure and righteous before Him? Absolutely!

God is serious about those He has called His own. He is so serious that not only did He send His own Son to die for our sins but He also allowed the indwelling ministry of His Holy Spirit in our lives.

SLOW God is leaving nothing to chance here. We don’t do the work of sanctification alone, thank God... nor does the Holy Spirit do it without our permission. We work hand in hand together in our sanctification and it continues until He calls us home. Paul wrote in

CONCLUSION

As I wrap up this message I want to leave us with a couple of parting thoughts.

Paul was incredibly encouraged to hear of the church in Thessalonica growing and developing and maturing. He greatly loved them and they loved him too. They were a source of mutual encouragement to each other. CONCLUSION

When he heard from Timothy of their growth he encouraged them to excel still more and continue in sanctification.

We learned a bit about sanctification. That it means to be set apart, separate, distinguishable from what is around us. To be sanctified is to be holy. This holiness is not just an outward appearance on Sunday morning but is to impact every aspect of our lives.

We also learned a couple of practical ways to become more sanctified, through creating distance between ourselves and that which is profane and remembering who really owns us.

Perhaps the most important thing we heard today is that rejecting this instruction is rejecting God, which is an incredibly serious reminder that in the area of sanctification we need to be as serious as God is. CONCLUSION

The final thing that needs to be said is that we don’t do this alone. As we close please turn to 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24 which says

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 | 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

We don’t do this work of sanctification alone. We have never been strong enough to save ourselves and we are not strong enough to sanctify ourselves. We only become more pure by abiding in God’s word and submitting to the leading of His Holy Spirit. Faithful is He who called us and He is going to finish the work that He started in us.

Please stand with me and I will pray,