I want to thank the Lord for another opportunity to post the sermon. Thank you for taking the time to read the message. I hope that all of you are doing very well.
Last week, we finished up with chapter three in our study of I Thessalonians. In today's message, we will begin studying what the Lord has to teach us in the first section of chapter four of I Thessalonians.
In the first verse of chapter four, the Apostle Paul reminds that people that when he was with them, he instructed them in the way that they should live in order that they might have lives that were pleasing to the Lord. Paul was encouraged by the fact that the members of the church in Thessalonica were following his teachings and they were living for the Lord Jesus. However, Paul wanted them to take the next step so to speak. He wanted them to keep progressing in their walk with the Lord. He wanted them to do more and more for the Lord.
Verse three is an important verse. It states, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified," What does all this mean?
The Christian life is a process. When a person comes to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, that person is starting a journey. We aren't all that we should be the moment that we accept the Lord. We begin a process of growth. We begin to become more and more like Jesus each and every day.
As we progress in the Christian life, the ultimate goal is to live a life of holiness that is pleasing to God and to become more and more like Jesus. This involves removing from our lives those behaviors and attitudes that are displeasing to God. We lay aside our sin. On the other hand, becoming more like Jesus doesn't just mean not doing certain things, it means doing the things that Jesus did while He was here on this earth.
In our passage today, Paul focuses on sexual ethics. There is a certain pattern of behavior that is expected in this regard according to the Scripture. The Bible is quite clear that believers are not to engage in sexual activity outside of the bonds of marriage. However, there is much more to living one's life for Jesus than this one area of moral behavior.
We are to be sanctified. That means that we are to be set apart to the Lord. We are to live for Him, and He is to live His life in and through us. Day by day, we grow in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.
It should be our goal that the longer we are followers of Jesus, the less our lives are beset by sin. In the church that I was raised in, there was a belief that one sinned every day, and we had God's grace that forgave us. I don't think that this is the right teaching according to the Bible. If we do sin, the Lord does forgive us. However, our attitude should be not to be sinning all the time. I believe, and I believe that this is the teaching of Scripture, that as we grow in the Lord, we sin less and less. We won't ever be perfect this side of Heaven. But it should be our goal as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives free from sin.
The best way that I know to live a life that is free from sin is to first of all immerse yourself in the Word of God. Read and study the Bible thoroughly especially the four Gospels. Also, be in prayer every day. Spend time with the Lord Jesus. It is also vitally important to go about one's life doing good. If we spend our time doing the right things that please the Lord and make this world a better place, we won't have time to succumb to the sin that can so easily beset us.
The Christian life is a journey. It is a journey of growth in the Lord. As we are on this journey, we must keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. If we follow His example, we will not go wrong. Amen
Prayer Request
I am having a lot of trouble with my back and hip joints. Please pray that I will get to feeling better. Please pray for my uncle who is dealing with cancer and another family member who is having trouble with her legs. Thank you.
Please pray for the royal family and the people of the UK and the Commonwealth as they are grieving the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. She did a great job as a leader, and she will be greatly missed. Pray for King Charles III during this time.
Pray for those in Pakistan dealing with the terrible flooding. Pray that the people will get the aid that they need.
Continue to pray for peace in this world. Remember to pray for Ukraine, Syria, Libya and Yemen.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those who live in India and Kosovo. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will continue our study in I Thessalonians. I will post the verses on Monday. I will try to post a review midweek. This week, I wasn't feeling up to it. May God bless you all.
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