1Thes4:3-12 Growing in Purity and Love

# Growing in Purity and Love 
## 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12

[Saxon, Switzerland. Artem Sapegin](https://unsplash.com/photos/e2uTOpgW5Ec "caption")

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+ **uncomfortable** topic
+ but we **need** to talk about it
+ bc God cares about our **holiness**:

---

# How should we handle **sexual temptation**?

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+ tempt might seem **harmless**: 
  + e.g., indulge in **porn** / fantasy
+ or might **hurt** others:
  + e.g., harming other's **reputation**
  + as **revenge** bc didn't get
  + sort of **attention** we wanted
+ or **actions** w/long-term repercuss: 
  + e.g., extra-**marital** sex relation
+ Sexual **desire** is powerful force
  + To **ignore** it is to ignore reality
+ Aim is not to **condemn** but seek
  + practical **guidance** from Scrip:
+ Behold **Lamb** of God
______
+ **[ PRAYER ]**

---

## Growing Together, While Apart

| *1* | Impact of **Faith** | 
|---|---|
| *2a* | Toil of **Love** |
| *2b* | Orphaned but **Loved** |
| *3* | Strength from **Hope** |
| *4* | Growing in Purity + **Love** |
| *5a* | **Hope** of Salvation |
| *5b* | Acts of **Faith** |

>>>
+ Theme of 1Thes: encour **FHL**
+ 1st half: Thess' **rl** w/Paul 
  + and their **response** to gospel
+ 2nd half: 4 specific **Qs** / issues:
  + 1: How to deal w/**sexual** tempt
  + 2: How to show godly **love**
  + 3: What happens after we **die**?
  + 4: **When** is Christ returning?

---

## Purity and Love [(1Thes4)](# "ref")
1. The **Will** of God [(v3-6a)](# "ref")
1. Our **Identity** in Christ [(v6b-8)](# "ref")
1. From Selfishness to **Service** [(v9-12)](# "ref")

---
For this is the will of God, your **sanctification**:

1. **Flee** Immorality 
2. Honour God with Our Own **Bodies**
3. Honour **Others**

[1 Thessalonians 4:3a (ESV)](# "ref")
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+ "sanctif": God **makes** us holy: not
  + stand far off, **demand** we be holy,
+ but HS **dwells**: why **deemed** holy.
  + So live **worthily** of that calling.
+ God's **will** for us regarding sex,
  + in 3 **commands** *(infinitives)*:
+ **Flee** sexual immorality
+ Honour God with our own **bodies**
+ Honour God in our rl w/**others**

---

that you **abstain** from 
sexual **immorality**;

[1 Thessalonians 4:3b (ESV)](# "ref")
[StockSnap](https://stocksnap.io/photo/bullseye-darts-ZPKNKYW4GH "caption")
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+ What do we **mean** by "sex immoral"?
+ Some cultures: only **adultery**
  + Or **prostit** (xch sex for money)
  + Or pedophilia + sexual **slavery** 
    + (**coercion** of w/less power)
+ e.g., **Spartans**: strict on adultery 
    + but open w/homosexuality
+ But God's truth like **bullseye**:
  + **many** wrongs, only 1 **truth**
+ Creator **design** sex rl w/in **marr**:
  + 1M1F, lifelong **covenant** eq partner
+ So sex immor is anything **not** that
+ **gas** good for cars, but only if in
  + gas **tank**, acc to **design** engine
+ Hold **true** to God's design
  + **Run** away from any off bullseye
+ 1Cor6 expands on this:

---

**Flee** from sexual immorality. 
Every other sin a person commits 
is **outside** the body, 
but the sexually immoral person 
sins against his **own body**.

[1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Clem Onojeghuo](https://unsplash.com/photos/Apj4nSemkzk "caption")
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+ Christ paid greatest **price** to redeem
  + So we **belong** to Him: 
  + spirit, heart, mind, and **body**
+ Set apart as place where HS **dwells**
+ But don't I have **freedom** to
  + do what I **want** with my own body?
+ 2nd **command** in v4:

---

that each one of you know how to 
**control** his own **body** 
in **holiness** and **honor**,

[1 Thessalonians 4:4 (ESV)](# "ref")
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+ "control": acquire for self, **possess**:
  + both **ownership** and responsib
+ But "It's my body, my **choice**!"
  + Yes, but what will I **do** w/choice?
+ But "**consenting** adults: not your biz!"
  + Yes, **necess**: but not **suff**
+ "body": vessel w/purpose, **utility**
+ Purpose: for "**holiness** + honour"
  + bodies not dirty / **shameful**
+ Not **ashamed** of sex (design by God)
  + rather, **protect** / treasure

---

not in the **passion** of **lust** 
like the Gentiles who do not **know God**;

[1 Thessalonians 4:5 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Francesco Ungaro](https://unsplash.com/photos/7A_yfNw528g "caption")
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+ "passion": pathos, deep **emotion**
  + (not neccesarily a **bad** thing!)
+ "lust": inflamed, consuming **desire**
  + ignores all other considerations
  + (always **bad** in Bible!)
+ Ppl of **world**: w/o God's **law**
  + so just try best, **"good"** person
+ Only has vague aphorisms like
  + "Just be true to **yourself**" 
  + "Just follow your **heart**"
+ Result: do what comes **naturally**:
  + i.e., indulging **sinful** nature
+ But we must stay **centred** God's law
  + Last **command** in v6:

---

that no one **transgress** and **wrong** 
his brother in this matter,

[1 Thessalonians 4:6a (ESV)](# "ref")
[Luis Quintero](https://unsplash.com/photos/ibWxfQOePt4 "caption")
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+ "transgr": **overstep** bounds, defraud
+ "wrong": have **more**, desire more:
  + **covet**, take advantage of s.o.
+ 2 **appl**: (1) if **bro** struggles
  + w/**control** of own body:
  + don't take **adv** / belittle him
+ (2) For **myself**: be warned, 
  + sex imm not **"victimless"** crime:
+ Indulging in lust is **selfish**
  + even if only **fantasy** / escape
+ It steps over **bounds** God drew 
  + for how we are to **treat** others
+ **Porn** (written or visual) encour
  + **objectification** of others:
  + just **tool** to satisfy own lust
+ To the **married**, 1Cor7:

---

Do not **deprive** one another, 
except perhaps by **agreement**
for a limited time, 
that you may devote yourselves to **prayer**;

[1 Corinthians 7:5a (ESV)](# "ref")
[Drew Coffman](https://unsplash.com/photos/llWjwo200fo "caption")

---

but then come **together** again, 
so that Satan may not **tempt** you 
because of your lack of **self-control**.

[1 Corinthians 7:5b (ESV)](# "ref")
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+ **Coercing** sex is aggression, so also
  + **Withhold** sex: use as **weapon**
+ If too **tired**: real, not excuse!
  + **Support** e.o., share burdens
+ If **trust** / intimacy issues:
  + **address** them, learn to comm
+ **Understand** spouse, and 
  + **accept** that they underst me
+ Don't let issues sit **unresolved**
  + don't simply **drift** apart
+ Work hard to **grow** rl
+ Cultivate **prayer** life:
  + both individually and together

---

# What is God's **will** for us regarding **sexuality**?

>>>
+ **Flee** immorality: any sex rl
  + outside God's **design** for marr
+ Honour God w/own **bodies**:
  + **Control** body, 
  + not be controlled by **passions**
  + Bodies made for **holy** + honour
+ Honour God in our rl w/**others**:
  + take **advantage** of another
  + overstep God's **boundaries**

---

## Purity and Love [(1Thes4)](# "ref")
1. The Will of God [(v3-6a)](# "ref")
1. **Our Identity in Christ** [(v6b-8)](# "ref")
1. From Selfishness to Service [(v9-12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Not just set of **rules** to
  + constrain our **freedom**
+ Remind selves of **who** we are:
  + our **identity** in Christ
+ And who **God** is, as our
  + Creator, Redeemer, and Judge

---

because the Lord is an **avenger**
in all these things,
as we told you beforehand
and solemnly warned you.

[1 Thessalonians 4:6b (ESV)](# "ref")
[© Søren Niedziella, CC-BY 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/albioneurope/8498095661 "caption")
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+ "avenger": comes forth from **justice**,
  + and carries out **judgment**:
  + **champion** / defender of the city
+ What is the Lord **defending**?
+ Holiness of my **body** He redeemed,
+ Honour + value of **others** 
  + whom we would **objectify**

---

For God has not called us for **impurity**, 
but in **holiness**.

[1 Thessalonians 4:7 (ESV)](# "ref")
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+ "impurity": **unclean**, as opp. to
  + "holiness": set **apart**
+ God gives special **ID** + purpose
+ We have been "called":
  + God **knows** you, sees you, calls you

---

Therefore whoever **disregards** this, 
disregards not **man** but **God**, 
who gives his **Holy Spirit** to you.

[1 Thessalonians 4:8 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Łukasz Łada](https://unsplash.com/photos/q7z-AUlHPaw "caption")
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+ If these were **man-made** rules, 
  + we'd say to those making the rules:
+ "You **yourself** are unable to keep these
  + (you're probably **repressed**),
  + you want to **control** / belittle us!"
+ But these rules are not set by **man**, 
  + but **Creator** who designed bodies
  + redeemed us to be **dwelling** for HS
+ So don't **"disregard"** His command:
  + set aside, deem **irrelev** / inappl
______
+ To the **singles**:
+ *[ SKIP READ ]*

---

For God has not called us for **impurity**, 
but in **holiness**.

[1 Thessalonians 4:7 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Alex Jones](https://unsplash.com/photos/p0W9Q9gei4g "caption")
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+ Sexual desire is **powerful** force:
+ What we want is beyond **intercourse**
  + not unthinking **beasts** just repro
+ Want phys **intimacy**, human **touch**
+ Companion: **underst** + accept: **love**
+ Cannot **ignore** desire, but recog it:
  + Not immoral / shameful to **want** sex
+ God-given, part of **glue** in marriage
+ Need for **love** ult. is need for **God**
+ Advice to young men, **tempted** alone:
+ **Get up**, do housework, walk, exercise
  + phys grounds **reality**, not fantasy
+ Remember **ID** in Chr is for **holy**

---

# What role does **sexuality** play in our **identity** in Christ?

>>>
+ Sexuality not **core** of who we are:
  + so who are we?
+ God's **elect**, 
  + **sons/daughters** of Most High King
+ We're the **forgiven**, the redeemed,
  + we're called to **holiness**
+ So what role does **sex** play?
  + **precious** and sacred gift
  + reserved for marriage

---

## Purity and Love [(1Thes4)](# "ref")
1. The Will of God [(v3-6a)](# "ref")
1. Our Identity in Christ [(v6b-8)](# "ref")
1. **From Selfishness to Service** [(v9-12)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Instead of **selfish** fantasy, 
  + turn to **generous** action
+ Instead of satisf own **desires**,
  + **work** quietly so as to
+ provide **generously** for others,
  + esp fellow **believers** in Christ

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you yourselves have been 
**taught by God** to **love one another**, 
for that indeed is what you are doing 
to all the brothers throughout Macedonia.

[1 Thessalonians 4:9b-10a (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption")
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+ **Care** for fellow believers in Chr,
  + exhibit in **useful** aid + gifts
+ Taught not by inner **conscience**
  + but by **HS** dwelling w/in them,
  + **prompting** to show love to others
+ Didn't **wait** to be reminded to do so,
+ But extended love both **w/in church**
  + and **outward** to sister churches
+ So Paul **encourages** them:

---

But we urge you, brothers, 
to do this **more and more**,

and to aspire to live **quietly**, 
and to mind your **own affairs**, 
and to work with your **hands**, 
as we instructed you,

[1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ian Espinosa](https://unsplash.com/photos/oXo6IvDnkqc "caption")
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+ "aspire": deem **honourable**,
  + of great personal **value**,
  + so zealously **pursue**
+ To "live quietly": **silent**, still,
  + not **restless**, raucous, 
  + not drawing **attention** to self
+ We tend not to **notice** quiet ones:
  + do we **aspire** to be ignored?
+ "mind own affairs": **practise**
  + make **habit** of diligence
+ Concern for **others** should not be
  + excuse to neglect **own** responsib
+ "work w/hands": **labour** to accompl
  + satisf bldg **value**: "I made that!"

---

so that you may 
**walk properly** before outsiders 
and be **dependent** on no one.

[1 Thessalonians 4:12 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Helsinki, Finland. Thomas Drouault](https://unsplash.com/photos/IBUcu_9vXJc "caption")
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+ "walk": daily conduct + habits
+ "properly": good **form**, 
  + respectable, becoming
  + **outward** app: how others perceive us
+ (remember God knows **heart**: not fake)
+ "dependent": not **burden** to others
  + able to provide for our own **needs**
+ And even **more**:

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You will be **enriched** in every way 
to be **generous** in every way, 
which through us will 
produce **thanksgiving** to God.

[2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Neven Krcmarek, Popovec, Croatia](https://unsplash.com/photos/M4KpA7NC-l0 "caption")
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+ live **quietly**, tend to **own** work,
  + **produce** something useful
+ **Share** generously w/those in need
+ End result is **thanksgiving** to God

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# How can I **abound** in love for fellow **believers**?

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+ Do I **aspire** to do own **work** quietly,
  + to be productive
+ To provide tangible, useful **aid** 
  + to the needy within our own **church**,
  + out to **sister** churches, and
  + out to the **world**?

---

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+ Creator, You are **love**
 + made us to love + be loved.
+ You created us w/strong sexual **desires**,
 + which You made to be **precious** + holy.
 + But we are so easily **tempted**:
+ Help us to **flee** from immorality,
 + to sanctify **bodies** for holiness,
 + not to take **advantage** of others.
+ Remind our **ID** in You, as redemeed
 + to be clean dwelling for **HS**
+ Move us from **selfish** to **service**
 + work quietly to provide **generously**