TITLE: Walking Confidently
TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
THEME: Holiness
P.S. How can I be a Holy Christian if I am in the world? The Apostle Paul writes here reminding us that the answer is not in hiding form the worldly pressures. The answer is found in verse 3,For this is the will of God, your sanctification.
INTRODUCTION:
The Thessalonians believers lived in a corrupt society. Immorality was a way of life and pleasure at any cost was the philosophy of the day. In fact reading about eh culture of Pauls day is like reading the Ottawa citizen or watching a TV afternoon soap opera. For example, before Paul wrote his letters, the Greek philosopher Demosthenes wrote about marriage and relationships:
We keep prostitutes for pleasure; mistresses for the day to day needs; and wives for begetting children and faithful guardianship of our homes. (Fickett Jr.)
They further believed that if a man supported his wife and family financially, it was perfectly all right to have extra marital affairs. This mind set has not changed in over 2000 years.
We live in a day when the majority scoff at the very thought of living by traditional moral standards. People shamelessly and sometimes literally bare their ‘moral freedom; publically on stage or on T.V. What is the Christian to do? The pressure to conform grows stronger each day you go to school, the office the store. How do we respond when even our elected government leaders are willing to throw away biblical moral absolutes regarding marriage, for the sake of being re-elected?
The Christians in Thessalonika faced the same kind of questions and pressures. Some responded to the pressure by literally quitting their jobs, and living off the avails of other Christians, arguing, “Jesus is coming again so it doesn’t matter if I work. After all, He is coming for a perfect church. How can I be a Holy Christian if I am in the world? Others would respond by being quiet about their faith all together, being fearful of how they might be treated.
The Apostle Paul writes here reminding us that the answer is not in hiding form the worldly pressures. The answer is found in verse 3,For this is the will of God, your sanctification.
This is not an option for the Christian. It is not a multiple choice question. It is Gods plan, will, destiny that you live a life of holiness, separated to Him. But what is Holiness? Why is holiness so imperative for the Christian? How do I grow in Holiness? What difference does living a Holy life make to my world?
One of the Bibles favourite picture of the Christian life is it compared to a walk. The Christian walk demands strength and patience. In this passage Paul describes a three fold walk for the Christian to follow as he lives in the world, awaiting Jesus return.
1. WALK IN HOLINESS: (4:1-8)
ILLUSTRATION: Rob Thomas has always been motivated more by recess, than by any other of his classes. For an hour one day when he was in the second grade, Rob had avoided working on his math sheet. Then the teacher told him that every problem would have to be done before he could go out for recess. Within two minutes, his teacher reported, he had written an answer for every problem. Unfortunately every answer was wrong, and the teacher sent the work sheet home for him to do over.
““You’’ll have to do all these problems again,”” his dad told him. ““Why?”” he asked. ““They’’re all wrong,”” his dad replied. ““So?”” he shrugged. ““Nobody’’s perfect.””
Rob’’s final phrase pretty much sums up why some people reject holiness. Even bumper stickers proclaim, ““Christians aren’’t perfect, just forgiven.”” What is holiness?
Paul uses the Greek word that is translated sanctified. It signifies a separation to God that results in a lifestyle that is befitting someone who is separated.”(VINES) In other words, when a person becomes a Christians, he is a new person and conducts himself in a lifestyle that reflects his allegiance.
Why does God demand that we live a holy lifestyle? Paul gives three reasons;
First, In order to please God (1). It is fascinating to watch a little child following his/dad. At a certain age, the child begins to mimic certain things the parent does? Why because he wants to please his parent. Similarly we want to live our lives in such a way that pleases God. We do this by listening to Him, spending time with Him in prayer and study. But mostly as we live to obey God (2-3).
People mistake Gods commandments as if HE is punishing them. But Gods commandments are not meant to steal your joy, they are meant to protect you so that you don’t lose your joy. This is so that as we live Holy lives, we will bring glory to God(4,5). This is the positive side of Holiness. There is nothing that brings more joy to a fathers heart to hear people say of his son, “He is just like his dad” There is nothing that brings more joy to the Fathers heart when people can say of us,” so and so doesn’t just preach to us about religion, he is a real Christian.” How you live will be a reflection of who your father is. This is why another reason we are to live a holy life is in order to escape the judgement of God.” We do not like to think of Gods judgements. But, if we choose to disobey Gods commands, and live our own life, then we must be prepared to reap the consequences of our actions. God is not looking to heap judgement on anyone. But you might say, I have tried, but can’t it. Holiness is just too hard”“ It is his will that we walk in relationship with Him that is growing and developing each day. “
Illustration: When two people decide to get married, they make a commitment to one another and decide that they will no longer live their lives separate from another. The day of their wedding the marriage relationship is as complete as it can be that day. But as the weeks and months of marriage continue, the couple can grow in the relationship.
Was this couple’’s relationship less complete on the wedding day than it was at an anniversary many years later? No. It was as complete as it could be at each moment.
That is what holiness is like, as we grow each day in our relationship with God. We are perfect at each moment of growth, as a result of having a perfect God residing in us.
2. WALK IN HARMONY: (9-10)
A hoy walk begins with a right relationship with God. This relationship finds its application with our relationship with others in the Body of Christ. Pauls argument is a simple one,
The more we live like God, the more we will love one another.”
The word Paul uses for Love is the Greek word “Philadelphia” It is commonly translated, brotherly love. Christians mistakenly presume that since this is a lessor form of love from Agape (God’s love) that it is not important. However, as W.Wiersbe points out,
Because Christians belong to the same family, have the same father and have the same blood flowing through their veins(mine) they should love one another
Illustration: Have you noticed that animals do instinctively what is necessary to keep them alive and safe? Fish do not have to go to school to learn to swim. Birds by nature put out their wings and flap in order to fly. Contrary to belief, dogs do not have to be trained to beg, it is their nature.
It is nature that determines action. L:isten to what Peter says in his letter,
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the Divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.(2 Peter 1:4)
As a Christian, born again by the Spirit of God and washed by the blood of Jesus, I proclaim that you are a new person. Distinct, separated unto God. Therefore, because of God’s love you can love others. “We love because He first loved us.)1 John 4:18)
But let me ask you a question. In 3:12, Paul prayed for the Thess. That their love would ‘increase and abound.” Sometimes, I don’t feel like loving every Christian in the body. There are some in the body who are just plain strange. Quite frankly, there are some I have trouble even liking. How them does God cause my love to abound?
Some would say “Prayer, prayer and more prayer.” Others would say, study the word! Still others would say, “Let the Holy Spirit fill you with His love. In fact that is what Rom.5:5 says He does. While each of these is essential towards spiritual maturity, God causes our love to increase,
BY PUTTING US IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT FORCE US TO PRACTISE CHRISTIAN LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is why we cannot separate ourselves from the body. You might think that someone in the church is difficult to get along with. Maybe you don’t like the way they dress or worship, or maybe they talk too much. Consider this. The difficulties you have with another believer is an opportunity for you to grow in your love for that person. I will never forget a quote that Bill Downs made when he was here last winter, “You will only love God to the level to hate your enemies”
People today are looking for manifestations of Gods presence in the church.. Listen to what Jesus said was the manifestation that will draw people to Jesus,
By this shall all men know you are my disciples that you love one another deeply from the heart (Amplified)
Believers have an obligation to love each other, but also to have a good testimony to the people of the world. What is our relationship with the world? It is too
3. WALK IN HONESTY (11-12)
The KJV translates v.12 as ‘honestly’. It carries the meaning of seemingly or becomingly. In 1 Cor.14:40 it is translated decently. The emphasis of the word is on the believers witness to those outside the Christian fellowship.
In other words, non-Christians will not be impressed by how many times you witness, how many verses you have memorized or how many church lunches you have served. What will catch their eye is, a more than 15% tip for the waitress at Louis. What will cause them to shout is when your bills are paid on time. What will make them take notice is when you put in more than your time at work and not just put in time.
Another word you could insert in verse 12 is integrity. Our relationship with the world ought to be one of integrity. But, you might ask, What difference does my life have to the unbeliever? Did you know that how we do our work and live our lives speaks volumes about our love for God? It’’s true, and more true than you know!
The Apostle Paul, a man of integrity said, ““I discipline my body daily, bringing it into all subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified”” (I Corinthians 9:27)
If you claim to be a Christian, you are then called to be a person of integrity. If someone asks you to do something that is underhanded or sneaky, walk away. If you think about doing something that is not right, rethink it. Jesus is watching and you might not know who else. Like I’ve said many times, ““The greatest witness you will ever have is the life that you lead.””
When ministering to others, there is another saying that says, ““What you do speaks so loudly that I can’’t hear what you’’re saying!”” Being a man or woman of integrity means doing what is right in the eyes of God and man, and especially in the eyes of unbelievers. This is all that they may need to deny the Power of Christ. You may lose the opportunity to bring someone to the saving grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, all because of a bad choice that compromises your integrity.
““For this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His foot steps.”” (I Peter 2:21)
Your workplace habits reflect mightily on your personal life. Did you know that? And if your reputation at work is marred, it carries over to other aspects.
Others will find it hard to put their trust in you, and you may find yourself the topic of conversations that go something like this: ““I’’m sure he’’s a nice guy and all, but around here at the job site,……”” You fill in the blank.
Actions speak louder than words. In fact, your actions bear out your words –– either proving your integrity or exposing your hypocrisy. Let me read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16 ––
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
God help us to be men and women of integrity, thereby reflecting His holiness in our lives.
CONCLUSION: AS we review this message we see how practical the Christian walk really is. The obedient Christian will have a holy lifestyle that is disciplines; A harmonious lifestyle by loving his brothers and sisters in Christ; and an honest lifestyle by living a life of practical integrity in the world. When unbelievers see Christ magnified in our lives, they will either run from it in conviction or desire to have it themselves.
