Holiness and Purity
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Introduction: The Illinois Department of Resources reports that more than 17,000 deer die each year after being struck by motorists on state highways. I’m sure that a number of us have helped some of these beautiful animals commit suicide in the last few years. (Tell my story.) According to Paul Shelton, the State Wildlife Director, the peak season for road kills is in late fall. Why? The bucks are in rut in November. "They’re concentrating almost exclusively on reproductive activities," he said, "and a lot less wary than they normally would be." Unfortunately, deer aren’t the only creatures destroyed by a preoccupation with the sex drive. We all know that countless lives have been ravaged by sexual immorality as well. So this morning, in the fourth message in our series, "In the World, But Not of It," we’re going to talk about holiness and sexual purity.
Setting: During Paul’s past ministry to the believers in Thessalonica he had instructed them about how to live in a manner that is pleasing to God (See 1 Thessalonians 4:1). Obviously this was a primary concern of Christ’s (See John 8:29) and should be for us too (See Colossians 1:10). They had done well, walking in obedience to Christ. There is no evidence that sexual sin was a problem among the Thessalonians. This is no small thing because they lived in one of the most sexually decadent civilizations ever. Among the Greeks immorality was only lightly condemned. Self-control was regarded as an unreasonable demand to place upon men (remember that women exercised very little rights and privileges at that time). It was taken for granted that they would naturally seek the satisfaction of their sexual desires outside of marriage. Though the pressures must have been strong to conform to this view, the church refused to be influenced by the ideas of contemporary society. Paul now reminds them to excel more and more in the pursuit of holiness. He reemphasizes two important truths in order to properly motivate these believers.
I. God’s Will Regarding Our Sexuality: We should be holy (See 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6a). By way of review, this means that we are called to be set apart from the world, here in light of its views and practices regarding sexuality. Instead we are called to be set apart to God so that we can conduct our sexual lives in keeping with His instruction. (Note: Our sexuality was created by God, and commanded of God to be practiced so that we could have godly offspring. Contrary to the opinion that Christians believe it to be dirty and disgusting; we know that God called it good (See Genesis 1.) And what was that instruction?
A. We should avoid sexual immorality (See 1 Thessalonians 4:3b). The KJV translates this phrase as "fornication," which is a sexual relationship outside the bonds of marriage. The term, however, is broader and refers to any illicit sexual act. Permit me take a moment and list for you some of the sexual prohibitions found in Leviticus 18:6-23. Each of these assumes that the proper context for a sexual relationship is with the person to whom you are married. (1) Do not have sexual relations with any close relative who is a blood relative. (2) Do not have sexual relations with any person who has become a close relative through marriage. (2) Do not have sexual relations with a woman during her monthly cycle. (3) Do not have sexual relations with any person who is married to someone else. (4) Do not have sexual relations with a person of the same gender. (5) Do not have sexual relations with an animal. Those who engaged in these practices defiled (polluted) themselves! Many of us cringe at these prohibitions and can hardly stand to hear them read, yet God gave them to the Israelites. We would be remiss if we failed to ask "Why?" The answer is found in Leviticus 18:1-3. These were the practices of the unbelievers who inhabited the land from which they came (Egypt) and to which they were headed (Canaan)! Though they were clear perversions of God’s plan for sexual unity in a marriage, they were not uncommon!
B. We should learn to control our own bodies (See 1 Thessalonians 4:4-6a). James says that the mature man is able to control his body in all things (See James 3:2). Here, Paul reaffirms this truth, particularly as it applies to our sexuality. If people are to embrace God’s will for the sexual union between a man and his wife, it must be taught to them. Paul informs us that this is a learned behavior. And who is responsible to do this? Primarily it is the parents (See Ephesians 6:4), and secondarily it is the church’s (See Titus 2:6). The word "avoid" in verse 3 means to "hold oneself off." It implies that we are to teach others restraint when it comes to their sexual passions. There is one right and many wrong frameworks for a sexual relationship. The world in which we live is not concerned with teaching the former. Today you can buy a book in many bookstores entitled "Affair! How to Manage Every Aspect of Your Extramarital Relationship with Passion, Discretion and Dignity" for just $19.95. It was no different 2,000 years ago.
1. We must do this in a way that is holy (for God’s sake). There is a right use of the body that is set apart (sanctified) for service to God. Christians must conduct our sexual lives in such a way that God is pleased with the results. Paul contrasts this with the nations who have no concern for holiness because they do not know God (See 1 Thessalonians 4:5).
2. We must do this in a way that is honorable (for other’s sake). The word "honor" here means "to value." The idea is that we must conduct our sexual lives in such a way that in so doing we value and respect others (See Romans 12:10). Application: At a conference Josh McDowell challenged us to treat any member of the opposite sex with the same respect that we would want someone else to show to our future mate. This doesn’t happen by default. It is the result of a series of intentional choices we make day in and day out. Illustration: Joseph refused to have a sexual relationship with the wife of Potiphar for the same two reasons! It would have dishonored his master and been a sin against God (See Genesis 39:9).
II. God’s Warning Regarding Our Sexuality: He will avenge those who are the victims of such sins (See 1 Thessalonians 4:6b-8). People who are engaged in sexual sin are usually so preoccupied in satisfying their lustful desires that they rarely stop to think about the victims. They don’t consider the effect of their choices on the people they know and love. Certainly this is true with the sin of pornography which might in fact be the moral plague of the 21st century. According to Family Safe Media pornography is a $57 billion dollar industry world-wide; Its revenues as larger than the combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises; Child pornography generates $3 billion annually; The number of total porn web-sites is 4.2 million (or 12% of total websites); The average pornographic viewer goes to 4.5 sites per day; There are 116,000 daily child pornography requests; 89% of the youth who use chat rooms are solicited sexually; Average age of a first internet exposure to pornography is 11; The largest consumer of internet pornography is those in the 12-17 age group; 90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn online; Christians who said pornography is a major problem in the home -- 47%; And finally, 17% of all women struggle with a porn addiction. Application: The Word of God issues a warning to those who willing engage in sexual sin. GOD WILL AVENGE THOSE WHO ARE VICTIMIZED (See Romans 13:4 for another use of the word). Don’t think for a moment that you are the only person affected by your lust. The lives of those you love will be strewn across a spiritual battlefield because you have neglected the call to holiness. I could march several people up here, some of whom would be willing to come, who could testify that their marriages, jobs, relationships with their children, and not least of all, their relationship with God were completely devastated by sexual promiscuity. You may think that yours is a secret sin, but God knows (See Jeremiah 23:24) and He is the One who will punish wrong-doers according to this text.
A. Why? God has called us to live a holy life (See 1 Thessalonians 4:7). We have come to God because His call is effective in bringing about our salvation and sanctification (See Romans 8:30 -- Note that all those He called are justified!). To be satisfied with any standard other than holiness is contrary to God’s call. Our heavenly Father isn’t seeking to remove some of the sin from our lives, but every last remnant of it.
B. Why? We reject God when we reject His instruction (See 1 Thessalonians 4:8). To reject this teaching is to reject God the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer and who is the source of the power to live a holy life. To "reject" something means to "hold as null and void (See Romans 1:24-28)." Therefore, any time we cling to sexual sin knowing that it is contrary to God’s active work in us we are rendering God’s instruction of no account. Application: If you are currently involved in any sexual impropriety, please understand that you are not merely guilty of violating a human code. You are sinning against God, who is present with you at that very moment that you engage in the sexual sin (See 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Too many of us, today, think that we can indulge our sexually perverted fantasies without seeing much effect in our lives. We couldn’t be more wrong. Chuck Swindoll, in his book The Finishing Touch, provides an incomplete list of what one has in store after his or her immorality has been discovered.
„Ï Your mate will experience the anguish of betrayal, shame and rejection, heartache and loneliness. No amount of repentance will soften those blows.
„Ï Your mate can never again say that you’re a model of faithfulness. Suspicion will rob her or him of trust.
„Ï Your immorality will introduce to your life and your mate’s life the very real possibility of a sexually transmitted disease.
„Ï The total devastation your sinful actions will bring to your children is immeasurable. Their growth, innocence, trust and healthy outlook on life will be severely and permanently damaged
„Ï The heartache you will cause your parents, family and peers is indescribable.
„Ï The embarrassment of facing other Christians, who once appreciated, respected and trusted you, will be overwhelming.
„Ï If you are engaged in the Lord’s work, you will suffer immediate loss of your job and the support of those with whom you worked. The dark shadow will be difficult to shake.
„Ï Your fall will give others permission to do the same.
„Ï The inner peace you enjoyed will be gone.
„Ï You will never be able to erase the act from your (or other’s) mind. This will remain indelibly etched on your life’s record, regardless of when you return to your senses.
„Ï The name of Jesus Christ, whom you once honored, will be tarnished, giving unbelievers further reason to sneer and jeer.
Conclusion: Are you in danger of making one of the worst decisions you could possibly make by stepping outside of God’s plan for your sexuality? Are you currently involved in sexual sin and secretly hoping that no one will discover what you’re doing? Are you trapped in a cycle of sin/confession/sin with little hope of seeing things change? Are you living under the deception that no one else will suffer for your choices? DON’T BE A FOOL! You will reap what you sow. God, who called us to holiness, is able to make us holy if we will but submit to His instruction and walk according to His Spirit. In the documentary Grizzly Man, Timothy Treadwell walked, talked and lived among the grizzlies that inhabit Alaska. He said that they would not harm him because he understood them and knew how to handle them. In the documentary we watch anxiously as he touches them and stands close by as they feed. We are amazed that he goes unharmed. Then, suddenly everything turned for the worse. In October of 2003 Timothy and his girlfriend are attacked and eaten by an ornery bear. THE MISTAKE TIMOTHY MADE WAS TO TREAT THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS CARNIVORE AS IF IT WERE A TOOTHLESS PET. I WONDER IF SOME OF US DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL IMMORALITY. WE PLAY WITH IT, TALK TO IT AND EVEN LIVE A LIFESTYLE FILLED WITH IT, ALL THE WHILE BELIEVING THAT IT WILL NEVER COME BACK TO GET US. IF THIS IS THE CASE WITH YOU, MAY I WARN YOU THAT YOU ARE EVERY BIT AS WRONG AS TIMOTHY WAS AND IT MAY COST YOU THE SAME PRICE!
