L 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Lesson 5 Sanctification, Sex and Love 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 July 4, 2010 Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

I.Introduction to Lesson 5 A.Why sex is the centerpiece of 1 Thessalonians. 1.Relax and appreciate the discretion of Paul’s words. 2.It is the centerpiece of 1 Thessalonians and rightly so. a.The fall b.Its prominence in the Scriptures c.The corruption of that day (pornography), and ours B.The major elements of our text: 1.Sanctification – the main topic (vss. 1-2) 2.Sexual purity (vss. 3-8) 3.(Brotherly) Love (vss. 9-12)

II.Sanctification A.“Finally” = “And now...” (Stott, p. 75) B.About sanctification 1.It is the main topic of our passage. 2.It is not a new topic for the Thessalonians (vss. 1-2, 6, 11). 3.It is not optional, but required. 4.It is God’s will (vs. 3a), the purpose for which we were called (vs. 7). 5.Rejecting (or ignoring) this matter has serious consequences (vss. 6, 8). 6.It is not static, but progressive (“more and more,” vss. 1 and 10). 7.It is about pleasure – God’s pleasure (v. 1; compare Ephesians 5:10).

III.About sex (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8) A.Sexual purity is an essential element of our sanctification, which impacts every aspect of our lives – the corollary to total depravity (see Ephesians 4:17—5:10). B.Sanctification requires abstaining from sexual immorality (vs. 3). C.Sexual purity is seeing sex differently and acting in a way that is contrary to our unsaved past and culture (vss. 3-5). D.Sanctified sex should be Spirit-directed (vss. 7- 8). E.Privacy: closed doors don’t keep God out (vss. 6-8; compare 2 Kings 6:8-12).

F.Sanctified sex is a matter of self-control over one’s body,* not ungodly, uncontrolled, self- indulgence (vss. 4-5; see Exodus 32; Numbers 25; 1 Corinthians 10 & 11). G.Sanctified sex respects boundaries (vs. 6). 1.Authority (see 1 Corinthians 7:4) 2.Convictions (1 Cor. 8; Romans 14-15) 3.Weakness (vs. 6; 1 Peter 3:7) IV.About brotherly love and work (4:9-12) A.They have done well B.This is a matter of personal discipline C.Not meddling, gossiping, but working hard D.Not being a burden on others E.Is socialism spiritual? I don’t think so.

VI.Conclusion and application A.This is the 4th of July, so let’s talk about freedom (from the power of sexual sin; from the punishment of sexual sin; from the guilt of sexual sin). B.Sanctification is a matter of divine enablement and human responsibility. C.Sanctification continues to go deeper D.Sanctification is all-encompassing E.Sanctification goes behind closed doors. F.Two questions for you to consider

Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 5 in the series, Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for July 4, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.