sanctified

sexuality

Empire . . .
The godless dominant culture whose values shape the beliefs and behaviors of the majority.

Initial Gospel Impact

1 Thess 1:3 FAITH constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love 1 Thess 1:9-10 turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

LOVE HOPE

and steadfastness and to wait for His Son of hope in our Lord from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus Christ in the that is Jesus, who presence of our rescues us from the God and Father, wrath to come.

Timothys Report
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
1 THESSALONIANS 3:6

FAITH

LOVE HOPE

X.

Pauls Wishes
1 Thessalonians 3:10-13 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your FAITH. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your LOVE increase and overow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father WHEN OUR LORD JESUS COMES with all his holy ones.

Current Instructions
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 Issues related to their FAITH . . . turning to God from idols. It is Gods will that you should be sanctied (4:3) 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Issues related to their LOVE . . . labor of love Now about your love for one another (4:9) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:12 Issues about their HOPE . . . waiting for Jesus we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope (4:33)

Brackets
Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is Gods will that you should be sanctied:
that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.

7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Faith . . .
The new set of beliefs and behaviors embraced as a result of believing the gospel and turning from empire life.

4 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is Gods will that you should be sanctied: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
1 THESSALONIANS 3:4-3

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 THESSALONIANS 4:4-5

their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
PHILIPPIANS 3:19-20

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 THESSALONIANS 4:4-5

Sexuality Contrasted
The Way of Christ Controlled body Governed by honor and holiness Rooted in a knowledge of God The Way of the Empire Uncontrolled body Governed by passionate lust Void of the knowledge of God

Sow What ??
We tend to separate sexuality from spirituality yet Paul places our sexuality under the umbrella of sanctication . . . which means it matters to God and He wants it set apart so it reects who He is, illustrates the gospel, and reveals what the kingdom of God is like. Have you ever considered sex in light of the nature of God and the gospel? What has been the primary source of shaping your understanding of sexual issues? Purpose to begin understanding sexuality as highly spiritual.

Sow What ??
When we think of all the sexual immorality that is promoted by the empire it can seem impossible to actually be sanctied in this area. How do you resist sexual immorality in your own life? Do you have someone who you can talk honestly with and share things when they are at the though level before they give birth to sin? How are you preparing your children to face the Empires inuence towards sexual immorality?

Sow What ??
Remind yourself that it is only through the work of Christ that you are able to develop sanctied sexuality. We need to remind ourselves of the gospel every day . . . it is only through Christs death, burial, and resurrection that we have a chance to remain pure and when we dont we need to remember that we were given the righteousness of Christ as a gift, it wasnt earned so we cant loose it, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin.

Sow What ??
If God has started to bring conviction about issues please keep responding to His work and taking appropriate steps. One of those initial steps may be bringing someone into your situation that can help you. I want to encourage you to talk with me or Elaine, or someone else in the faith community who is equipped to move you through a process of restoration. Elaine and I have committed ourselves to come alongside anyone who is moved to confession and repentance during this series. We will do whatever is necessary to help you directly or to nd appropriate resources that God will use to restore you.