LLesson 5Sanctification, Sex and Love

1 Thessalonians 4:1-121 Thessalonians 4:1-12

July 4, 2010

Paul’s Epistles to the ThessaloniansPaul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians

I.I. Introduction to Lesson 5Introduction to Lesson 5A.A. Why sex is the centerpiece of 1 Thessalonians.Why sex is the centerpiece of 1 Thessalonians.

1.1.Relax and appreciate the discretion of Paul’s words.Relax and appreciate the discretion of Paul’s words.

2.2.It is the centerpiece of 1 ThessaloniansIt is the centerpiece of 1 Thessalonians

3.3.. . . and rightly so.. . . and rightly so.a.a. The fallThe fall

b.b. Its prominence in the ScripturesIts prominence in the Scriptures

c.c. The corruption of that day (pornography), and oursThe corruption of that day (pornography), and ours

B.B. The major elements of our text:The major elements of our text:1.1.Sanctification – the main topic (vss. 1-2)Sanctification – the main topic (vss. 1-2)

2.2.Sexual purity (vss. 3-8)Sexual purity (vss. 3-8)

3.3.(Brotherly) Love (vss. 9-12)(Brotherly) Love (vss. 9-12)

II.II. SanctificationSanctificationA.A. ““Finally” = “And now. . .” (Stott, p. 75)Finally” = “And now. . .” (Stott, p. 75)

B.B. About sanctificationAbout sanctification1.1.It is the main topic of our passage.It is the main topic of our passage.

2.2.It is not a new topic for the Thessalonians (vss. 1-2, It is not a new topic for the Thessalonians (vss. 1-2, 6, 11).6, 11).

3.3.It is not optional, but required.It is not optional, but required.

4.4.It is God’s will (vs. 3a), the purpose for which we It is God’s will (vs. 3a), the purpose for which we were called (vs. 7).were called (vs. 7).

5.5.Rejecting (or ignoring) this matter has serious Rejecting (or ignoring) this matter has serious consequences (vss. 6, 8).consequences (vss. 6, 8).

6.6.It is not static, but progressive (“more and more,” It is not static, but progressive (“more and more,” vss. vss. 1 and 10).1 and 10).

7.7.It is about pleasure – God’s pleasure (v. 1; compare It is about pleasure – God’s pleasure (v. 1; compare Ephesians 5:10).Ephesians 5:10).

III.III. About sex (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)About sex (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)A.A. Sexual purity is an essential element of our Sexual purity is an essential element of our

sanctification, which impacts every aspect of our sanctification, which impacts every aspect of our lives – the corollary to total depravity (see lives – the corollary to total depravity (see Ephesians 4:17—5:10).Ephesians 4:17—5:10).

B.B. Sanctification requires abstaining from sexual Sanctification requires abstaining from sexual immorality (vs. 3).immorality (vs. 3).

C.C. Sexual purity is seeing sex differently and acting Sexual purity is seeing sex differently and acting in a way that is contrary to our unsaved past and in a way that is contrary to our unsaved past and culture (vss. 3-5).culture (vss. 3-5).

D.D. Sanctified sex should be Spirit-directed (vss. 7-Sanctified sex should be Spirit-directed (vss. 7-8).8).

E.E. Privacy: closed doors don’t keep God out (vss. Privacy: closed doors don’t keep God out (vss. 6-8; compare 2 Kings 6:8-12).6-8; compare 2 Kings 6:8-12).

F.F. Sanctified sex is a matter of self-control over Sanctified sex is a matter of self-control over one’s body,* not ungodly, uncontrolled, self-one’s body,* not ungodly, uncontrolled, self-indulgence (vss. 4-5; see Exodus 32; Numbers indulgence (vss. 4-5; see Exodus 32; Numbers 25; 1 Corinthians 10 & 11).25; 1 Corinthians 10 & 11).

G.G. Sanctified sex respects boundaries (vs. 6).Sanctified sex respects boundaries (vs. 6).1.1.Authority (see 1 Corinthians 7:4)Authority (see 1 Corinthians 7:4)2.2.Convictions (1 Cor. 8; Romans 14-15)Convictions (1 Cor. 8; Romans 14-15)3.3.Weakness (vs. 6; 1 Peter 3:7)Weakness (vs. 6; 1 Peter 3:7)

IV.IV. About brotherly love and work (4:9-12)About brotherly love and work (4:9-12)A.A. They have done wellThey have done wellB.B. This is a matter of personal disciplineThis is a matter of personal disciplineC.C. Not meddling, gossiping, but working hardNot meddling, gossiping, but working hardD.D. Not being a burden on othersNot being a burden on othersE.E. Is socialism spiritual? I don’t think so.Is socialism spiritual? I don’t think so.

VI.VI. Conclusion and applicationConclusion and applicationA.A. This is the 4th of July, so let’s talk about freedom This is the 4th of July, so let’s talk about freedom

(from the power of sexual sin; from the (from the power of sexual sin; from the punishment of sexual sin; from the guilt of sexual punishment of sexual sin; from the guilt of sexual sin).sin).

B.B. Sanctification is a matter of divine enablement Sanctification is a matter of divine enablement and human responsibility.and human responsibility.

C.C. Sanctification continues to go deeperSanctification continues to go deeper

D.D. Sanctification is all-encompassingSanctification is all-encompassing

E.E. Sanctification goes behind closed doors.Sanctification goes behind closed doors.

F.F. Two questions for you to considerTwo questions for you to consider

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