Pure Vessels
1
Thessalonians 4:1-8
1 Thess 4:1-2
Finally then, brethren, we urge and
exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you
received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;2 for you know what
commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Abound more and more:
A) The emphasis to
this church doing well is: “Do
better. Continue on. Mature even more in your faith.”
A) Have a walk that is
pleasing to God !
1)
Paul is going to focus here in one specific area – their Sexual Purity !
B)
V. 3 For this is the will of God -
1)
People are always wondering – what is God’s will for my life?
C) Easy question to ANSWER! -
1
Thess 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
2 Peter 3:9 It
is God’s will that none should perish but that all should come to repentance.
1 Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you
should abstain from sexual immorality
A) Sexual
immorality is a broad term – Greek word is
porneia { Our English word pornography comes from this word
B) So sexual
immorality would include pornography – but it is not limited to pornography
1)
The word basically describes any type of sexual activity outside of marriage:
Adultery / Homosexuality
C) Including: Oral sex – popular today/
Petting / Foreplay/ Fantasizing/ Even heavy kissing /
1)
Basically anything that would cause someone to be aroused falls under the tree
of Sexual immorality
D) This is something that a
lot of People fail to realize is the
broadness of this term
1)
Many are under the impression that if they are not having intercourse – then
anything goes – it
is Ok –
E) Biblically
that is not true. { Anything sexual outside of marriage
So
This is the Will of God your Sanctification: You abstain from Sexual immorality !
A)
Abstain = to refrain – hold back from something !
B)
Also used of the Fast – keeping from food !
C)
Refrain from Sexual immorality !
A
SEX CRAZED SOCIETY
A) Every day we’re bombarded with thousands of
sexual messages through advertising, television, radio, movies, bumper
stickers, , email.
Magazine rack
at the Check out line at a super market – Every Mag – tips to improve sex life
…..
B) Today, people use sex as
a tranquilizer, as an antidepressant, as a way of venting anger, as a way of
proving their worth,
1)
as a way of dominating other people and, probably most of all, as a way of
finding some sort of joy or meaning out of life.
Sex
and TV
A) Study performed by the
Henry Kaiser foundation found that 64% of all shows on
TV have some degree of sexual content per episode.
1) Primetime shows it is even higher – 75% 7out of 10 episodes
B) And in the top 20 shows aimed at teenagers
it is even higher 83% of the episodes have some
sexual content
D) TV, Movies and today’s
Secular music is feeding us this myth: REAL LOVE IS
SEX.
1)
This is the myth portrayed in movie after movie, song after song in our
culture. – We have bought into!
One Reason why: 70 million Americans have an incurable sexually
transmitted disease
A) 2/3 of those are between
the ages of 15- 24 = 52 million and there are 15million new cases every year.
B) Was it any different in
Paul’s day?
1)
No Paul was writing to a culture that viewed sex as a sport, as a
normal bodily function like eating.
Bb)
Further contributing to the sexually
permissive environment in Thessalonica was the influence of the religions that advocated ritual prostitution.
1)
They taught that if a follower engaged in sex
with a temple prostitute, he would be
communing transcendentally with the deity the prostitute represented.
C) In Paul’s day there was
nothing sacred about sex – or the marriage relationship
D) One Greek writer reflected the attitude of that day when he wrote, "We keep
mistresses for pleasure, concubines for our day-to-day bodily needs, but we
have wives to produce legitimate children and serve as trustworthy guardians of
our homes."
Thessalonica
was part of that debased Greco-Roman culture.
A) When Paul , Silas, and Timothy planted the
church there, they rescued people out of that pornographic society.
B) Many of those new converts, who had lived
in immorality, no doubt had mistresses,
1)
and many of the women likely engaged in harlotry.
C) But now Paul was calling them to abstain from that type of
behavior
1) In many ways – this would have been a
great Shock to them – Sexual immorality was such a
way of life to them.
Question:
Is it becoming a way of life to us?
A)
Christians who have lowered their standards –
Singles
who think – no big deal
B)Parents
who take an attitude that kids will be
kids
1)
We did it and turned out ok –
C) Like saying I smoked and didn’t get cancer
– so I don’t care if they do
1)
Just don’t get Pregnant –
D) There is so much more at Stake than getting
pregnant of getting an STD
Why
is being sexually pure so important? 3
Reasons in our text
A) One reason is that sexual
sin reflects secular values (4:5).
Ba) We are acting like
people who don’t know God !
B) The Thessalonians lived in a society that
didn’t value marriage or the Lord at all.
1) It was a do whatever you
want society ! What ever makes you happy view of Sexuality!
C) Men / women / animals /
Multiple partners or one – it didn’t matter
Our
Society today is not much different:
A) Five popular ideas that constitute our
world's immoral & unscriptural outlook regarding sex.
B) First, like
in Paul’s day people say: since sexual activity is only a biological function
it is normal and necessary to engage in it without placing on it any moral restrictions.
C) Second
since "casual" sex is just another form of fun and pleasure, it is
permissible to enjoy sexual activity recreationally, any
time with any consenting partner.
Third, fulfilling one's sexual desire is a major goal in life, more
important than developing meaningful personal relationships.
Fourth, instant gratification is
more important than delayed satisfaction.
Therefore,
having premarital sex is legitimate and preferable to waiting until marriage to
have sex.
Fifth, enjoyable sexual intercourse is the most important factor in
establishing a good marital relationship.
Therefore, the early stage
of every romantic relationship should include sex.
A couple
should live together to determine sexual compatibility and fulfillment before
they marry.
Hey
that is the mindset of the world – that is the mindset of the people who don’t
know God!
A) The person who doesn’t
know God is not going to trust that God knows what is best for them.
B) God says Marriage
should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure. Heb 13:4
NIV
1) God says – Save yourself for marriage 1 Cor 7:1,2
2) God says your body is the
temple of the HS 1 Cor 6:19
3) God says abstain from
sexual immorality
1Thess 4:3/Eph. 5:3 / 1 Cor. 6:18
C) God says that
the person who sins in this area of sexual immorality sins against his own body
– He is hurting himself! 1 Cor 6:18
The
person who doesn’t know God says – what does He know!
A)
God’s commandments concerning sex are not for the purpose of robbing people of joy, but rather of protecting them
that they might not lose their joy.
B) The world doesn’t believe
that – they don’t know God
C) But we Know God – we know
His heart
We
know that Father truly does Know Best!
A) Father says Abstain –
from Sexual immorality: Here is why
Sin
is not bad because it is forbidden – it is forbidden because it is bad !
B) In other words the heart
of a loving father says – there are certain things that I want to keep you from
– because although they might bring temporal
pleasure – ultimately they will destroy your lives
C) You might not notice a
little bit of poison in a batch of Chocolate chip cookies but by the time you
eat the batch – you will be dead!
D)
So first of all Sexual sin reflects a secular society
1)
A society that doesn’t know God
E) But A loving father – says I want you to be
different – good for you – better for you –
Rom 12:2
2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God.
Reason #2 Sexual sin defrauds people v.6a
that no one should take advantage of
and defraud his brother in this matter,
A)
The word defraud does not refer to
business practices, but speaks of sexual matters. “I
got a piece of her,” the world says regarding sexual union.
B) That’s exactly right. Whenever sexual
intimacy takes place outside of marriage, a piece of
one’s soul is taken away, simply to fulfill a lustful desire.
C) You see, physical intimacy is not simply
two bodies expressing passion.
1)
It’s the essence, the souls of two people being made one.
2) Consequently, if it’s done outside of
marriage, people are defrauded, deceived, and cheated out of what would have
otherwise been theirs to enjoy.
D). Sexual
sin always leaves victims because by its very nature it devalues people by
turning them into sexual objects.
1)
The people who buy the lie that real love is sex are victimized, as they live
with shame.
Prov
6:26 By
means of a Seductress
A man is reduced to a crust of bread;
And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
Prov
6:32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks
understanding;
He who does so destroys his own soul.
E) Sexual sin
also victimizes the spouse of the person we sleep with.
An adulterous
partner robs his or her partner of trust, security and intimacy.
A)
Sexual sin also victimizes the children of the people involved, as well as any
child conceived as a result of their actions.
B) In the end sexual sin
reduces people to objects to be used rather than people to be valued.
Sexual
sin results in a harvest of sorrow !
Five facts about Sex!
1) Those who live together before marriage are 80% more inclined
to get divorced and report a much higher incidence of marital infidelity.
2)
The introduction of sex in a dating relationship almost always ushers in the
“break-up” of that relationship.
3)
Sexually transmitted diseases (including AIDS) can remain dormant for up to a
decade or more; but be passed on to others during that time.
There
is no such thing as “victimless” sexuality immorality!
A) This is why God is so strong on this issue—because he loves us and
knows what is best for us.
B) He doesn’t want to see People Defrauded
C) Contrast
4) Those who abstain from sexual intercourse
before marriage report the highest levels of sexual satisfaction in marriage.
5)
Those who abstain from sexual intercourse before marriage have the highest
rates of fidelity in marriage.
D) So sexual purity is important because sexual immorality reflects
a secular society
#2 it defrauds others
#3
SEXUAL SIN QUENCHES THE HOLY SPIRIT
A) Sexual sin involves
willful disobedience – rebellion
B) If you are a Christian
the HS serves as an alarm – get out – stop – no
1) Doesn’t matter that He or
she is not saying no – the HS says – Stop/ NO/ GO
C)
To engage in that behavior is to ignore his voice
1) Ignore him – you are
quenching Him
D) Cutting yourself off from
the flow of His power – the sense of His presence in your life { Dam of a river – get parched dry – powerless – hard
1)
Nothing worse – than a Christian who is no longer operating under the influence
of the HS – Flesh is the result
E) Seen Christian people – get sexually involved – grow very
hardened in their hearts – Calloused
So For those reasons Paul
says – Abstain from sexual immorality: How ?
Sexual Purity Demands a Game plan
1) Develop
Convictions : Purity requires a personal commitment to the
truth.
Eph
5:2-3 Walk in Love
Walk
in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and
a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named
among you, as is fitting for saints
True
Love SAYS I WILL WAIT
A) Not going to defraud or hurt their
relationship with the Lord waits - Love
for the Lord
B) Love for the other person – Not defile
2)
Ponder the Consequences
Fear can be a legitimate and healthy motivator for delayed gratification. STD’s Avenger
A)
Cause one of his Children to stumble – better if a millstone be put around neck
…………….
Eph
5:5-6
5
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is
an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.6 Let no one
deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience
Sign
that you don’t know God !!
3)
Make Pre- Decisions
Advanced decision making is an absolute necessity for sexual purity.
1
Thess 4:4-5
4
that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification
and honor,5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God
Know
how to possess your own vessel in Sanctification and honor
A)
What to avoid – places – her apartment / Places that sell porn / KL / dresses /
Prov
6:27-28
27 Can a man take fire to his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be seared?
4) Get
accountability!
Asking
others to help you keep your commitments to God will empower you to walk
“pleasing to the Lord.”
2
Tim 2:22
22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with
those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart
Flee
= Fugo –Fool go !
If
you find yourself in a situation of temptation, do what Joseph did when
Potiphar’s wife grabbed him.
“Lie
with me,” she said. Joseph fled youthful lusts. He ran for his life (Genesis
39:12).
Run
to those who are following the Lord -
Oregon
lived by a River –
A) Always see these Geese flying overhead in a perfect “V.”
B) Why do geese fly in this
formation? The reason is AMAZING .
C) You see, while the geese
in the back are cruising, they’re honking to the geese in the front, saying,
“Keep
it up in the front. You guys are doing great.”
D) Then, when the front boys
get tired and drop to the back, the geese in the back work their way toward the
front.
E) The geese now in the back
honk encouragement to them.
For
the geese to make it all the way to nice weather, they must encourage one
another.
A) They can’t leave the
flock, or they’ll tire out.
If
you say, “I’ll flee from temptation, but I don’t really need to be with other
Christians,” you’re in for real problems because you’ll never make it alone.
B) Run from temptation to
the congregation.
1)
Run to the place where there are people who love the Lord and want to walk with
Him.
2) Run from sin to the
saints.
Already
Blown it – God will and can forgive !
A) Always consequences –
B) But you and your spouse
can make it thru
1) Focus is the Lord
C) He forgives – so should
we !
D) See them the way Jesus
does!
Better still to avoid
Better still – Virgin