1 ThessaloniansWeek 5

Plan for this StudyWeek 1 – Overview of the Study and Introduction to 1 Thessalonians (1:1)

Week 2 – 1:2-10 Thanksgiving for the Church

Week 3 – 2:1-16 Reminders for the Church

Week 4 – 2:17-3:13 Concerns for the Church

Week 5 – 4:1-8 Moral PurityWeek 6 – 4:9-12 Disciplined Living

Week 7 – 4:13-18 Death and the Rapture

Week 8 – Eschatology

Week 9 – 5:1-11 Holy Living and the Day of the Lord

Week 10 – 5:12-15 Church Relationships

Week 11 – 5:16-22 Basics of Church Living

Week 12 – 5:23-28 Paul’s Benediction and Closing Remarks

Week 13 – Review, Conclusions, Application

ThemesReminder of our 5 Major Themes in 1 Thessalonians: 1) An apologetic theme with the historical correlation between Acts

and 1 Thessalonians

2) An ecclesiastical theme with the portrayal of a healthy, growing church

3) A pastoral theme with the example of shepherding activities and attitudes

4) An eschatological theme with the focus on future events as the church’s hope

5) A missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation and church planting

Week 4 Review1 Th 2:17-3:13 Concerns for the Church

• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Welfare 2:17-20

o Satan’s attack against God’s purpose

• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Faithfulness 3:1-10

o Timothy’s Mission 3:1-5

o Timothy’s Report 3:6-10

• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Continued Growth 3:11-13

o Paul’s Prayer for Himself 3:11

o Paul’s Prayer for the Church 3:12-13

Week 5 Overview1 Th 4:1-8 Moral Purity

Sanctification - A walk toward Holiness

• To Please God (1 Th 4:1-2)

• Avoiding sexual impurity (1 Th 4:3-8)

Sexual Immorality in Church2014 Survey - Proven Men Ministries the Barna Group

Christian Men

• 77 % of Christian men between the ages of 18 and 30 view pornography at least monthly

• 36 % look at it at least once a day

• 64 % of Christian men between the ages of 31 and 49 view pornography at least monthly

• 35% of men admit to having a marital affair

• 17% of women admit to having a marital affair

• 75% of those having 1 affair have had multiple affairs

1 Thessalonians 4:1-81 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. 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,

1 Thessalonians 4:1-85 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.

Pleasing God1 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. 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,

Pleasing God1 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. 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,

Avoiding Sexual Impurity1 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. 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,

Avoiding Sexual Impurity1 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. 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,

Avoiding Sexual Impurity5 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.

Avoiding Sexual Impurity5 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.

Avoiding Sexual Impurity5 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.

Avoiding Sexual Impurity5 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.

Conclusions1. Through scripture

a) God has exhorted us to please Him

b) We receive instruction as to how we ought to walk to please

Him

I. With our hearts right

II. With a strong desire to serve God

III. With repentance from our sins

IV. With a full trust in the Lord

V. Walking as a disciple

VI. Knowing we are never complete

Conclusions2. God desires our Sanctification

3. Sanctification requires abstaining from sexual

immorality

4. A full fear of God enables us to fully love Him by the

grace He has provided

5. Rejecting God’s word is a direct rejection of God

Conclusions6. We can abstain from sexual immorality by:

a) Avoiding situations and circumstances that will cause temptation

b) Avoiding places where we will be tempted

c) Avoiding viewing things that will cause temptation

d) Avoid watching, reading, or listening to things that will cause

temptation

e) Instead, fill your mind with the things of God by

I. Reading His word

II. Listening to sermons

III. Doing His works that He prepared for us

IV. Surrounding yourself with fellow believers

Conclusions7. God has provided us with a process for sanctification,

according to 1 Peter 1:13-16:

a) Prepare your minds

b) Keep sober in spirit

c) Fix your hope completely on the grace to brought to you

d) Be obedient

e) Do not be conformed to the former lusts

f) Be holy in all your behavior