Introduction:
Isaiah had predicted the establishment of the Lord’s house, the
church, in Isaiah 2:1-2. He prophesied that those of the house
of God would walk in the Lord’s path. Isaiah 2:3 In our
text, Paul used this concept of walking to show that the Christian
life must follow a particular course of life. The Christian life is
one that is sanctified, both holy and honorable.
Text: I Thessalonians 4:1-8
Theme:
Being sanctified means walking a certain way.
Body:
I.
It Means Abstaining from Sexual Immorality (Verses 1-3)
Just prior to this, in I Thessalonians 3:13, Paul exhorted these
Christians to live so as to be found blameless at the second coming
of Christ. In this section, he exhorted them to abound
in their walk as much as possible. To do this, he urged them
to remember and respect the commandments, not suggestions, of the
Lord. Pursue excellence, not mediocrity. God, the
Father, wants men to respect the Lordship of His Son.
Philippians 2:9-11 Since Paul desired that these Christians
please God, he exhorted them to put into practice what Paul and
Silas had taught them. Principles are lifeless without
application.
God wanted them to be sanctified, set apart for His special service.
We are to be holy, belonging to God, His property. This
included abstaining from sexual immorality as fornication, adultery,
prostitution, and homosexuality. Recall many of these
Christians had come out of pagan religions where these practices
were very common, the normal way of life. I
Corinthians 6:15-20
II.
It Means Knowing How to Possess Your Own Vessel (Verse 4)
Paul here instructed the Thessalonian Christians (and us) to learn
how to keep their bodies under control. This concept is out of
vogue in society today. Recall self-control is one of the
Christian graces. Without it, one has no hope of reaching the
gates of heaven. The drunkard, the liar, the sexually immoral
person must quit his sin and control himself if he wants to inherit
the kingdom of heaven. Galatians 5L19-21 Live in
sanctification and honor, a pure life set apart for God.
Colossians 3:5
III. It
Means Refraining from Lust (Verse 5)
Many of these Christians may have been formerly involved in sexually
immoral practices associated with pagan, idol worship. Being
sanctified now meant never returning to them. Note: II
Corinthians 6:16, 7:1 Paul instructed Timothy on how to
refrain from lust. II Timothy 2:20-22
Determine
to live a holy and honorable life. Flee those
situations in which you are tempted by your lusts. Lust is a
corruption of something good. Romans 13:13-14 Involve
yourself in activities which develop righteousness, faith and love.
Engage
in these good activities with other like-minded Christians.
IV. It
Means Living a Separated Life (Verses 6-8)
Paul first stressed that coveting and taking a brother’s wife is
also sinful because you are defrauding your brother.
‘Transgress’ means to cross a forbidden boundary. God will
take vengeance upon that person - . . . “but fornicators and
adulterers, God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4
The Thessalonians were called by God, through the gospel, to live a
sanctified life, dedicated, set apart to the Lord’s service. That
call has moral implications for a holy life. Recall that
sanctification and holiness come from the same Greek word. [It
doesn’t give you a ‘get-out-of-hell-free’ card!] I Peter 1:13-16
The one who rejects this teaching of Paul is actually rejecting God,
Himself. Why? What Paul spoke and wrote was what the
Holy Spirit told him to say and write.
Conclusion:
When the Thessalonians had obeyed the gospel, they had been
sanctified, made holy and pure, set apart for the Lord’s service.
One is purified when his sins are washed away in baptism.
Acts 22:16 Then we are to ‘pursue’ a holy life as God’s
people.
Bobby
Stafford
June 12,
2011
What Must One Do to become a
Christian and be saved?
