This Sunday’s order
- Sunday
- Reading
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
- Preaching
- Kendall Ellis
This is a sermon preview for the fourth week of our 1 Thessalonians series.
The reading1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Visit FBCM’s YouTube channel to view video live stream (live) or audio version of sermon (published week after).
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…For God did not call us to be impure,
but to live a holy life.” -excerpt from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
1Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more. 2For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; 4each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. 8Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit. 9Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. 10And you are indeed showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more 11and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. 12Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
Berean Standard Bible, public domain
I had the “bright idea” to pop into a spin exercise class last week. The good news is that it was the most thorough workout I’ve done in years. The bad news is that it was the most thorough exercise I’ve done in years.
Being the first time I had ever done a cycling-based class, I was shocked to find out how much cardio, core, and strength this childhood hobby took. At one point in the class, we were already 3 speeds above our starting point and cycling while standing, as if going up a huge hill. I was sweating something awful, huffing and puffing. That’s when I heard the instructor say to turn up the gear two more settings.
Um…excuse me. I’m already working as hard as I can! I’m already at my limit! What more do you want from me, crazy fit Instructor lady?!
Sometimes when churches talk about holiness, this is how we feel. Sometimes the idea of God revealing our imperfections and calling us to repentance initially feels stressful. Aren’t we already doing enough for you, Lord?
But just like my spin instructor wasn’t being mean by pushing us to bike up the hill, Paul is not being hyper-critical of the Thessalonians by reminding them to live a holy life.
After all, in chapter 3, Paul just bragged and celebrated the Thessalonian church! The church of Thessalonica is doing many things well. Paul is amazed at their faithfulness! But they are not perfect. None of us are.
Paul says the Thessalonians love, but can love more. Paul says that they live holy, but could be more holy.
Isn't this true for all of us? Being a Christian doesn't mean that we are perfect or better than others. It means that we surrender all of ourselves--the parts that are good and the parts that still need work--to Christ so that God may continue to form us more and more into his likeness. And the real miracle is this: the more we allow God to transform us into his image, the more like ourselves we begin to feel and act.
Let’s be Easter people who embrace holiness, rather than being offended by it. God is not finished with the Thessalonians. And God is not finished with us yet. This is actually good news, even if it is hard spiritual labor.
Reflection Questions
- What do you think a life pleasing to God looks like?
- What is sanctification? What does sanctification look like in your life of faith?
- How can you encourage others to live holy lives without being judgmental or overly critical?
