How in the World to Live Holy

Preliminary:

I invite you to 1 Thessalonians 4 today

Its a joy and a privilege to be in God’s house with you today.

1 Thessalonians 4 Paul wrote to the Thessalonian brethren to exhort them to live morally pure lives.

I want to talk to you today from the truth that God calls Christians to morally pure lives in a sermon I’ve entitled How in the World to Live Holy.

1 Thess. 4:3-8 says

1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 KJV 1900

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 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. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.

Introduction:

According to a Barna Study

“more than four out of five adults” say they are concerned about the moral condition of our nation. They evaluated ten moral behaviors of which 61% found gambling “morally acceptable” 60% said the same about cohabitation and 59% said sexual fantasies were acceptable.

Out of those surveyed nearly half of the adult population felt that abortion (45%) and having a sexual relationship with someone of the opposite sex other than their spouse (42%) were morally acceptable.

38% or about 1/3 gave the stamp of approval to pornography

36% to profanity

35% drunkenness

30% homosexual behavior

Only 17% was for using non-prescription drugs.

(Source: https://www.barna.com/research/morality-continues-to-decay/)

Yes, I would say that we have reason to be concerned about the moral condition of our nation.

Our passage shows that God has some concerns about our morality as well.

In fact according to our passage: God calls Christians to morally pure lives

TRANSITION: Paul identifies five specific’s as to the will of God on morality in our lives.

God’s will is our sanctification

It is a specific sanctification: abstaining from fornication

It is a possessive sanctification — in holiness and honor

It is a Self-less Sanctification - Cares for the brethren

It is an Obedient Sanctification —Receives not Rejects God’s Word.

1. God’s Will is Our Sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3)

Have you ever wondered why Paul would combine sanctification with a command to abstain from fornication?

Some of the confusion comes from our at times faulty terminology. Sometimes we only think of “sanctification” in terms of a second work of grace. In actuality, the term “sanctification” in the scriptures can apply to several things such as;

regeneration

holy living

maturity

entire sanctification.

In our text the term “sanctification” is referring to the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers especially in regards to morality and purity.

God is calling them to live differently than their past lives or the society and culture around them

Even though the world affirms and allows things as normal and acceptable - God’s call has never changed.

God calls Christians to morally pure lives

Are you living in God’s will of sanctification?

2. A Specific Sanctification: Abstaining from Fornication (1 Thess. 4:3).

These Thessalonian’s were probably not living immoral lives as some have suggested. Although it would have been possible and perhaps easy for them to fall back into their old way of life.

One of the oldest and best manuscripts includes a clause in 1 Thess 4:1 “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.”

Immediately following “please God” are the words, “just as you are doing” This is included in some translations.

We are also met with some hard words like, “fornication” what does that mean? Fornication refers to sexual immorality of any kind.

The culture of the Thessalonians was one that included prostitution cultic and recreational. Sex of nearly any kind was allowable and uninhibited.

Paul tells these Thessalonians that those who are in Christ live differently than that.

We abstain from immorality - to abstain means to keep away from or to avoid.

keep away from avoid anything that is outside the boundaries that God has set and established.

This message wasn’t just for the Thessalonians - we need to hear this today:

several unscriptural, erroneous and immoral tenets show us why immorality is so rampant:

Error #1) The popular belief that people are basically good and all but the really harmful activities should be tolerated. Virtually any kind of consensual physical intimacy is good (except child molestation)

Error #2) physical intimacy is only a biological function and is normal and should not be restricted in any way except when it hurts other people.

Error #3) Physical intimacy is just another form of fun and pleasure and is a permissible recreational activity, anytime with any consenting partner.

Error #4) Fulfilling one’s intimate desires is a major goal in life. Even more important that developing meaningful personal relationships.

Error #5) Instant gratification is more important than delayed satisfaction.

Error #6) The most important factor in establishing a good marital relationship is enjoyable physical intimacy.

Christians:

Recognize that sex is a gift from God to be used only within the bonds of a sacred marriage covenant between one man and one woman.

Any sexual behavior outside of that boundary is condemned and forbidden by God and his will of sanctification for believers.

This includes

Shacking up

Hooking up

And even pornography and cyber-sex

Severe consequences await those who reject God’s design as we are told later in this passage.

Do you subscribe to the world’s definition of morality or God’s? God’s will is that we be holy, and pure. Are you living pure in this impure world? We need to align our concept of morality with God’s.

Are you just living with someone outside the bounds of marriage? This text would indicate that God would be pleased with you to either get out of that type of relationship, or to take the next step and enter into a life long marriage commitment with that person.

The church is here to offer its support, council, advice, and prayer.

God calls Christians to morally pure lives

It’s not just a call to God’s will for our sanctification, and an abstention from sexual immorality but also

3. A Possessive Sanctification - In Holiness and Honor (1 Thess. 4:4-5).

This verse shows us the positive side of holiness. We are told that we should know how to possess our vessels.

This “know how” is not just a cognizance of right behavior, it is more practical and has to do with acting on that knowledge.

The Greek word for vessel can be translated either body or wife according to the context I would say it has to do with self-discipline of your body and living pure morally.

This is type of living is contrasted with those who do not know God.

Notice that Paul pointing out that there are Gentiles who do not know God he is implying there are some who do, perhaps some of the very ones he is writing to. They were to be different set apart – live sanctified lives.

Have you learned to “possess your vessel” do you control your body in holiness and honor?

God calls Christians to morally pure lives

4. Its a Self-Giving Sanctification - It cares for the brethren (1 Thess. 4:6)

We should be giving respect and care to our brothers and sisters. When boundaries are put in place they are to be respected. Christians shouldn’t be attempting to tear down other’s boundaries.

Possessing our own vessels - is setting up our boundaries - to not defraud means respecting boundaries others have in place.

To defraud could be applied to not cheating your brother in any matter — but the context argues strongly for the moral boundaries set up by other individuals.

Loving others demands that I respect those boundaries and not cross them in any way.

This is true for single unmarried people

This is true for married people

It is especially applicable to those of the opposite sex (but if one struggles with Same-Sex Attraction it applies as well)

We should avoid compromising situations and incidents.

Do you keep your boundaries and respect the boundaries of others?

If you don’t know what they are - perhaps you should ask them.

God calls Christians to morally pure lives

5. Its an Obedient Sanctification — Receiving instead of Rejecting God’s Word (1 Thess. 4:7-8).

God’s call and will is holiness not uncleanness. It is up to us to receive or reject this call.

Our despising or rejection to this call is a rejection of the Holy Spirit who enables man to live according to the command.

A good father is going to protect and provide for his children. Making decisions that the child doesn’t fully understand. He knows however, what is best for the child. If a child with a metal object is headed for the electric outlet on the wall for instance. The dad is going to say, “NO!” and then do all in his power to take the metal object away and steer the child clear of the danger. The child’s fun and plans are destroyed, but it was for their good. So God has designed our sexuality not to explore beyond the boundaries He has given us, but to learn to discipline our bodies for purer and better things. To live obediently by his commands is the only way to experience true happiness and fullness of living.

If we reject God’s Word and the enabling of the Holy Spirit there is no hope for us but to fall back into the lust of concupiscence of the Gentiles which know not God.

I’m so thankful this isn’t a battle we fight on our own - God gives us the Holy Spirit that enables us to have victory even in our sexuality.

God calls Christians to morally pure lives

Call to Action:

Think about your actions and attitudes...

Are you living carefully and conscientiously when it comes to your boundaries and those set by others?

Even the appearances of your interaction with those of the opposite sex matter.

How do you know that your actions and attitudes are holy and god-honoring?

Maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking to you right now about steps you know you should be taking but are not.

Utilize the Holy Spirit you have been given to empower and assist you in this area.

If you have failed in this area, I want you to know there is restoration and help for you. I would invite you to turn it over to Jesus the healer of broken hearts and relationships.

When your relationship with Christ is restored He will give you the Holy Spirit who will help you to be faithful and pure. To live in the will of God in your sanctification.

Let us pray.