THE PRIORITY OF PURITY 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1. Our Walk must be our PRIORITY 1 Thessalonians 4:1–2 (ESV) “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

Psalm 119:9–11 (ESV) “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Three Analogies of the Commitment Required: The Good Soldier The Disciplined Athlete The Hardworking Farmer

2. God’s Will must be our GUIDE 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7 (ESV) “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”

Three Commands to help us walk in holiness: AVOID SEXUAL IMMORALITY

Abstaining begins with “possessing” our own vessels, that is, knowing our own bodies— how our sex drives function, what weakens our self-control, and what strengthens it. Possessing our bodies involves admitting temptations we can’t handle and avoiding those enticing situations. Certain conversations with coworkers may lure us, and friendly touches may be too personal— avoid those situations. Some films, books, or magazines may ignite lustful passions, and some settings may provide opportunities for compromise— stay away from them. No one remains pure by accident.

Three Commands to help us walk in holiness: Avoid Sexual Immorality RESPECT OTHERS 1 Thessalonians 4:6a (ESV) “that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.”

Three Commands to help us walk in holiness: Avoid Sexual Immorality Respect others ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY 1 Thessalonians 4:6b (ESV) “The Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.”

Hebrews 13:4 (NLT) “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.”

Colossians 3:5–6 (NLT) “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.”

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NLT) “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

3. God’s Approval must be our PASSION 1 Thessalonians 4:8 (ESV) “Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”