How to walk and please God… (3 things)

• Finally my brethren… vs. 1-2 (2 points)
  • FINALLY – does not mean in conclusion – we still have two chapters to go… vs. 1
    • The word concludes the first section of the book – INFORMAITON about the church!
      • FINALLY is translated in other places as – from now on / from that time / moreover…
      • The idea is having confirmed the church was strong in their FAITH in Christ…
      • Paul was now going to move on to APPLICATION – how to WALK and PLEASE God!
    • We URGE you…
      • Paul was going to URGE them – meaning to request – even to beg…
      • Paul would use WORDS – ask them – to WALK in a way that PLEASED God!
    • We EXHORT you…
      • Paul was going to EXHORT them – parakaleō – to call alongside / to support…
      • Paul would use ACTIONS – come alongside them – to WALK in a way that PLEASED God!
  • 1^st – How they were EXHORTED… vs. 1 (3 subpoints)
    • 1- They were EXHORTED through the EXAMPLE they had received…
      • Paul – and those who were with him – were the EXAMPLE…
      • Paul was moving towards Christ – if they followed his WALK – they would PLEASE God!
      • I Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
      • We need to be careful whom we spend time with – who we are influenced by… 
      • We all follow the example of someone – they lead us either towards or away from God…
      • Surround ourselves with godly people – those who encourage our walk in the Lord!
    • 2- EXHORTED to WALK and PLEASE God…
      • WALK – used 96x in NT – a word that describes HOW we go about daily living our lives…
      • PLEASE – used 17x in NT – to seek to make happy – follow the WILL of someone else…
      • The EXAMPLE they were given was to WALK in a way that followed the WILL of God…
      • Romans 8:8 – “Those who are in the flesh cannot PLEASE [same word] God…”
      • Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not WALK [same word] according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
      • We cannot WALK in life to PLEASE ourselves and PLEASE GOD – two different directions…
      • We have to make a choice – do we WALK in our flesh – live for ourselves…
      • Or do we WALK in the Spirit – live for the LORD – to PLEASE the Lord!
      • Luke 16:13 – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other…”
    • 3 – EXHORTED to abound (subjunctive) more and more…
      • The GOOD news from Timothy – they were WALKING in LOVE – I Thessalonians 3:12
      • But Paul wanted them to ABOUND – OVERFLOW in their WALK with the Lord!
      • There is no middle ground in the Christian walk – we are either WALKING with Jesus…
      • Or we are WALKING away from Him – caught up in the care of this world!
      • A branch apart from a tree dies – in the same way apart from Jesus we die spiritually!
      • John 15:4 – “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me…”
  • 2^nd – How they were URGED… vs. 2
    • Through the COMMANDS they were given – COMMAND – only used 5x in NT (2x here) …
    • Parangelia – from an angel – or we would say from a messenger…
    • These were NOT the COMMANDS of Paul for the church – these were COMMANDS from God!
    • Paul will take the next two chapters to cover these COMMANDS…
    • There are 3 we will look at here – WALK in purity / WALK in love / WALK properly!

• 1^st – WALK in purity… vs. 3-8 (4 points)
  • 1^st – This is the WILL of God… vs. 3
    • There are two ways we can KNOW the WILL of God – SPECIFIC / GENERAL…
      • The SPECIFIC will of God speaks of individual choices we have in life – go left or right…
      • We can know the SPECIFIC WILL of God for our WALK by being transformed!
      • Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God…”
      • We will be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our mind – if we look to Jesus!
      • But it is really easy to be CONFORMED – get caught up in cares/concerns of this world…
      • If we conform to the world – then we will NOT be transformed by Jesus!
      • And we will NOT know the good / acceptable / and perfect WILL of God for our lives!
    • The GENERAL WILL of God speaks of principals that should guide our lives…
      • The phrase – the WILL of God – is used 23 times in the New Testament…
      • Of those – four occurrences HINT at what the GENERAL WILL of God for us…
      • I Thessalonians 5:18 – it is the WILL of God that we give THANKS in everything…
      • I Peter 2:15 – it is the WILL of God we silence ignorant men by doing good…
      • I Peter 3:17 – it is the WILL of God we SUFFER for going good…
      • I Thessalonians 4:3 – this is the WILL of God – our SANCTIFICATION…
  • 2^nd – Our SANCTIFICATION…vs. 3
    • This idea of SANCTIFICATION is important – the word is repeated 3 times in our passage…
    • Will of God is our SANCTIFICATION – vs. 3 / possess our vessels in SANCTIFICATION – vs. 4…
    • And we are called to HOLINESS [same word] – vs. 7…
    • Hagiasmos – used 10x in NT – noun form of the verb hagiazo – to be HOLY – set apart!
    • Who makes us HOLY – Hebrews 2:11 – we are sanctified (made HOLY) by Jesus Christ!
    • The moment we believe in the cross of Christ – we are forgiven – JUSTIFIED…
    • We are also made positionally HOLY – SANCTIFIED – set apart for the Lord!
    • If I get hired to work as a schoolteacher at DepEd – positionally I am a teacher…
    • But practically I still have a long way to go – I need to learn to WALK as a teacher!
    • So – although we are SANCTIFIED positionally – we are still sinners practically…
    • Therefore – we need to learn to WALK in HOLINESS – specifically here in the area of purity!
      
  • 3^rd – No sexual immorality… vs. 3-5 (5 subpoints)
    • 1 – Abstain from sexual immorality… vs. 3
      • Abstain – used 6x in NT – where we get the word abstinence – to avoid…
      • Sexual immorality – porneia – can be pornography / adultery / or sex before marriage!
      • The battle over sexual immorality is not just fought in what we do…
      • We avoid sexual immorality by fighting the battle in our mind – Matthew 5:28
      • Temptation becomes sin when we dwell on – fantasize about it – then act…
      • We allow our mind to dwell on a desire – then that desire turns to action – sin!
      • James 1:12-15 – “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it… brings forth death.”
    • 2 – Each person should know HOW to possess (own) his own VESSEL (body)… vs. 4
      • We might say all of us should know how to control our desires…
      • Genesis 39 – Joseph was a handsome man – and always around the house…
      • The beautiful wife of his master – daily demanded that Joseph sleep with her – he RAN!
      • Because if he did not run – there is a fair chance he would give into sin…
      • King David learned this the hard way with his affair with Bathsheba – II Samuel 11:2
      • Bottom line – if we are tempted by sexual immorality – run!
      • II Timothy 2:22 – “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue… the Lord out of a pure heart.”
      • If we are tempted to have sex outside marriage – do not be alone with the opposite gender!
      • If we are tempted to look at pictures / computers – do not go near them!
      • Be accountable – do not trust ourselves because given the chance – we will likely sin!
    • 3 – In SANCTIFICATION… vs. 4
      • The thought here is we have been SANCTIFIED by Jesus – we belong to Jesus…
      • I Corinthians 6:20 – “You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your BODY and in your spirit, which are God’s…”
      • We might try and argue – it is my body and I can do with it what I chose…
      • But our lives are no longer ours to live as we want – we have been purchased…
      • We are called to glorify Jesus with our BODY and with our spirit!
    • 4 – In HONOR – timē – used 43x in NT – to have value… vs. 4
      • God intends intimate relationships to be ONLY for marriage…
      • We are SANCTIFIED in our bodies by ONLY having those relationships with our spouse!
      • Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage is honorable [same word] among all, and the bed undefiled…”
      • Which means that if someone is struggling with purity – better to be married!
      • I Corinthians 7:9 – “For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
    • 5 – NOT in PASSION of LUST – like the Gentiles who do NOT know God… vs. 5
      • Those who do not know God just blindly follow their PASSIONS and LUSTS…
      • We who know Jesus – have His Word / Spirit – see the dangers of SEXUAL IMMORALITY!
      • Sexual sin is unlike any other sin – it is a sin against our own body – I Corinthians 6:18
      • If we lie / cheat / steal / curse – none of these things affect our body…
      • But sexual sin has serious – lasting – physical consequences!
      • We may end up with a child – outside of marriage – that we were not planning on having…
      • We may end up with a disease – one that may or may not be curable!
      • Therefore – do NOT be like the those who do NOT know God – led by passion and lust!
  • 4^th – WHY we should abstain… vs. 6-8 (4 subpoints)
    • 1 – No one should take advantage and defraud…
      • Take advantage – only here NT – to step over the boundary (of what God intends) …
      • Defraud – 5x in NT – can also be interpreted to cheat / take what does not belong to you…
      • The world / satan do their best to take ADVANTAGE of us – make sexual immorality ok…
      • Convince us that it is ok to CHEAT – to take something that does not belong to us…
      • Every time we turn on the TV / every time we pick up a magazine…
      • Sex immorality sells – the world / satan do their best to convince us it is normal…
      • Everyone is doing it – just this one time – it does not hurt anyone…
      • One day we will get married – is just an excuse to live in sin!
    • 2 – The Lord is the avenger – 2x in NT – the one with the authority to punish…
      • Sexual immorality has terrible consequences emotionally…
      • Men look for sex – but do not stop to consider the consequences for the girl…
      • Women are not looking for sex – they are looking for love – they give sex to get love…
      • Men devastate a girl by taking her purity – not an act of love – just a response to lust…
      • And the Lord is the one who will punish those who take advantage of His kids!
      • Luke 17:2 – “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones…”
    • 3 – God has NOT called us to uncleanness – but to holiness (sanctification)…
      • It is written – Be Holy because I am Holy – Leviticus 19:2
      • We are to be like God – because we are His ambassadors to a lost and dying world…
      • And the last things we want to do is be UNCLEAN like the world – and misrepresent God!
      • We are called saints [hagios] – it means we are to be set apart from the world for God!
      • The NT word for church – ekklesia – means to be called out – of the world…
      • It is only as we are HOLY – that we are able to shine and point others to Christ!
    • 4 – NOT reject the Holy Spirit…
      • Therefore – 2x in NT – consequently – in light of HOW / WHY we are to WALK in purity…
      • Anyone who rejects this COMMAND – is not rejecting men – but the God…
      • The same God who gives us His Holy Spirit – tying our rejection to Him giving His Spirit!
      • Sex before / outside of marriage (legal marriage) is sin – sin separates us from God…
      • And that sin keeps us from being able to receive the power of the Holy Spirit!
      • Therefore – we should obey the COMMAND – and abstain from sexual immorality!
      • Ephesians 4:30 – “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…”

• 2^nd – WALK in love… vs.  9-10 (3 points)
  • 1^st – Concerning brotherly LOVE… vs. 9
    • Brotherly LOVE – philadelphia – compound word phileo (like) and adelphos (brother)…
    • Paul said there was no reason for him to write about brotherly love for two reasons…
    • First because they were TAUGHT by God – only here in NT – theodidaktos
    • God taught them not just to like each other – phileo – He taught them to LOVE – agape!
    • Phileo LOVE means that we like our friend – which is good – but not enough…
    • Because those who do not know Jesus – will still phileo those who phileo them back…
    • Agape LOVE means we love our enemies – do good those who HATE us – Luke 6:27
    • That the world NEVER would never do – and it will prove we are the children of God!
    • Luke 6:35 – “Love [agape] your enemies… and you will be sons of the Most High.”
  • 2^nd – Their example toward ALL the brethren in ALL Macedonia… vs. 10
    • The believers in Thessalonica showed the fruit of LOVE in their heart for others…
    • They showed their LOVE by sharing the good news with ALL who were around them!
    • I Thessalonians 1:8 – “The word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out…”
    • If we listen to the world today the best way to LOVE someone is by not offending them…
    • But what kind of LOVE would doom someone to enteral separation – just to not offend them…
    • We have the answer the world needs – we have the message of the LOVE of God…
    • People might not like the Gospel – because it reveals their sin – John 3:19
    • But it is the most LOVING thing we can give to them because it will save them from their sin!
  • 3^rd – Increase in LOVE… vs. 10
    • Increase – used 9x NT – to SUPERABOUND – not just a little more / a LOT more…
    • If I told you I wanted you to fill a pitcher with water from the ocean – not problem…
    • What if I told you to put all the water in the ocean – in that one pitcher – WOW!
    • When we understand all the LOVE that God has for us – it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to contain it…
    • It will overflow us onto others – Galatians 5:22 – it will mark us as Christians – John 13:35

• 3^rd – WALK properly…. vs. 11-12 (2 points)
  • Aspire to lead a quiet life…vs. 11
    • ASPIRE – philotimeomai – compound of phileo and timē – to love honor…
    • Lead a QUIET – to stop arguing or debating – Acts 11:18 / Acts 21:14
    • How are we to ASPIRT to lead a QUIET life – Paul gives us 2 things…
  • 1^st – Mind your own business… vs. 11
    • Most of us are just nosy plain – not that we want to know so we can help…
      • We want to know so we can pass on the latest juicy gossip to others…
      • But looking for sin – and passing on the secrets only destroys lives…
      • We can justify it – I was not gossiping – I was letting them know so they could pray
      • James 3:5 – “The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do…”
      • We need to be very careful what we say – the hurtful words we speak…
      • You have heard the old saying – if you have nothing good to say – say nothing at all…
      • Because we will have to answer one day for every idle word – Matthew 12:36
    • People tend to think they have life figured out – and need to HELP those who do not…
      • But they truth is we are all messed up sinners – who desperately need Jesus!
      • Rather than assume we are more HOLY than the person next to us…
      • We need to realize God does not grade on a curve – He has only one standard – His Word…
      • And compared to His standard – all of us are in desperate need of Jesus!
      • So rather than focusing on what others are doing right or wrong…
      • We just need to make sure WE are WALKING pure and HOLY before the Lord!
      • I Peter 4:15 – “Let none of you suffer as… a busybody in other people’s matters…”
  • 2^nd – Work with your own hands – as we COMMANDED (second timeused) … vs. 11-12
    • That you may WALK properly – for those who are on the OUTSIDE…
      • We are to WALK to please God – vs. 1 – and we are to WALK for those OUTSIDE…
      • PROPERLY – 3x in NT – can also be translated as decently – we might say the RIGHT way…
      • If we as Christians look and act just like those who do not know Jesus…
      • Why would anyone want to hear about Jesus – come to church…
      • We are to WALK the right way – so we can be an example to those who do not know Jesus!
      • Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world…”
    • So that you LACK nothing…
      • God does promise to provide for us – give us food to eat – Matthew 6:26
      • But that does not mean we get to sit down and wait for the feast to arrive…
      • The most common way God provides – we work to put food on the table!
      • II Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
    • Why is it so important that we WALK POPERLY in LOVE and PURITY…
      • As we will see next week – because the Lord is coming soon – RAPTURE…

And we want to make sure that we are READY to meet Jesus – Luke 21:28