“The Walk of the Believer” 1 Thessalonians 4: /01/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Walk of the Believer” Introduction The life that began with a “step of faith” is now a “walk of faith.” Throughout the New Testament we have the comparison of the Christian life with a walk. 1 …I urge you to walk according to the calling you have received. (Eph 4:1)

“The Walk of the Believer” 17 You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do… (Eph 4:17). 17 …I pray that you walk in love… (Eph 3:17). 8 …walk as children of light… (Eph 5:8). 8 …for we walk by faith, not by sight… (2 Cor 5:8).

“The Walk of the Believer” Walking suggests progress, and we must make progress in our Christian lives. Walking also demands strength, and God has promised to supply the strength that we need to walk with Him. At the end of life’s walk, we will step into the very presence of the Lord. And Enoch walked with God, and He was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:25)

“The Walk of the Believer” But we all realize that it takes actions, rather than mere words, to walk according to God’s will.

“The Walk of the Believer”  Walk in Holiness To please God. 1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. (1 Thess 4:1)

“The Walk of the Believer” 9 …They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God… (1 Thess 1:9) 8 “I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Everybody lives to please somebody.

“The Walk of the Believer” There are three groups: 1.People who live only to please themselves. 2.People who live to please men. 3.People who live to please God.

“The Walk of the Believer” Pleasing God means doing God’s will. Ω Definition of obedience = doing what we are told with the right attitude of heart.

“The Walk of the Believer” 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. (Eph 6:5-6)

“The Walk of the Believer” To obey God (4:2-3). 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. (1 Thess 4:2) 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; (1 Thess 4:3)

“The Walk of the Believer” 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; (1 Peter 1:14-15)

“The Walk of the Believer” Ω We are commanded to abstain from fornication! Ω We are to be sanctified or holy and set apart from sin! To glorify God. 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; (1 Thess 4:4-5)

“The Walk of the Believer” ΩChristians are supposed to be different. ΩBut we, who know God, are obligated to glorify God in this world!

“The Walk of the Believer” To escape the judgment of God (4:6-8). 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thess 4:6-7)

“The Walk of the Believer” 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thess 4:8)

“The Walk of the Believer” Ω God is no respecter of persons. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Gal 6:7) Ω Being saved is to encourage us to live holy lives!

“The Walk of the Believer” Ω A holy walk involves: –a right relationship with God the Father (who called us) –a right relationship with God the Son (who died for us) –a right relationship with God the Holy Spirit (who lives within us)

“The Walk of the Believer”  Walk in Love 9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more. (1 Thess 4:9- 10)

“The Walk of the Believer” Brotherly love knows no boundaries. Brotherly love must encompass everything else. It is not enough that we love each other. We must expand our love to include the lost.

“The Walk of the Believer”  Walk in Honesty 11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thess 4:11-12)

“The Walk of the Believer” We need an honest testimony at our jobs. Ω They had misunderstood the doctrine of the second coming. Ω They had become a burden on others. Ω Christians must work! Ω Otherwise, their lives reflect upon all other Christians. We need an honest testimony to win the lost.

“The Walk of the Believer”  Walk in Hope We have God’s Truth. 13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (1 Thess 4:13-15)

“The Walk of the Believer” 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thess 4:15)

“The Walk of the Believer” Ω Without Christ, there is no hope for the future. Ω The basis of our hope is that we believe the gospel. Ω The comfort is in knowing that the dead in Christ will live again!

“The Walk of the Believer” There will be a resurrection. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thess 4:16)

“The Walk of the Believer” Ω The Lord Himself will return personally to claim His own. Ω When Jesus comes back resurrects all the dead in Christ, they will begin an eternity with God!

“The Walk of the Believer” There will be a second coming. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thess 4:17)

“The Walk of the Believer” ΩWe will be caught up with them in the air where we will meet the Lord. ΩWe will continue to be together with Him throughout eternity. There is comfort in that hope. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess 4:18)

“The Walk of the Believer” Ω There is comfort that death for the believer is but sleep…not of the soul but of the body! Ω There is comfort in knowing that there will be a reunion. Ω There is comfort in knowing we will experience these eternal blessings with the Lord forever.

“The Walk of the Believer” Conclusion Walk in Holiness Walk in Love Walk in Honesty Walk in Hope How is your walk today?

“The Walk of the Believer” 1 Thessalonians 4: /01/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles