Announcements ICMC East -http://icmceast.com/ When: August 4-7 Where: Asheville, NC Bible Talk Thursday @ Roberts Wesleyan College @ 7PM Kevin and Andie Finnerty (Elder from NYC) -April 10th ; church devotion at Singhs home @ 7PM

More and More 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Recall… Theme: one-another relationships. Model behaviors Valuing one another highly Saturated with reminders: “for you yourselves know”, etc.

…Continuing That Purpose Still wanting to supply what is lacking in their faith (3:10), and strengthen them to be blameless and holy (3:13) 1Th 4:1-12 Still reminding them and warning them Calling them to do it ‘more and more’ But at this point he adds the aspect of instruction

Instructions on… Purity Love Work All these impact our relationships with others!

Purity Sanctification Effects of impurity. Sharing… 1Cor 6:18 – “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” Sharing… Q: Verse 5 says each should learn self- control. What are some safeguards or practices you use to be self-controlled in this area?

Purity and Relationships Immorality defiles – ‘consenting’ or not Destructiveness of adultery Pornography vs. real relationships Isa 44:20 – ‘Shall I bow down to a block of wood?’ Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, ‘Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?’ Pornography = abuse

Love One Another Ministering to one another V9: “for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another” Q: How have you seen brothers or sisters really encourage you by truly being spiritual family? What has helped you feel that you’ve been loved sincerely?

Love One Another Extend that love to the entire Church: V10 – “for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more”. Q: What can we do to love the brotherhood ‘throughout Macedonia’? That is, disciples outside our immediate circle?

Love One Another Q: How can you ‘do so more and more’? What is an area that you’ve wanted to grow in concerning love, that you can make commitment to doing more of – and how are you going make it happen?

Work With Your Hands A quiet life?? Work with your hands Eccl 11:6 “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Eph 4:28 “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Work With Your Hands Get out of debt Projection! Pr 1:1-2 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction… Ex: Pr 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Win the respect of outsiders. Q: What behavior would NOT “win the respect of outsiders”?

To Conclude… The apostle has instructed them – and us – directly on areas that improve personal holiness and relationships. You can achieve purity – and you want to. We all want love in our lives – thus we should give it. Attain an orderly and productive life … More and More.