1 00:00:00,560 –> 00:00:02,980 Well, please have your Bible open. 2 00:00:02,980 –> 00:00:05,840 At this very important passage of scripture, 3 00:00:05,840 –> 00:00:08,240 1 Thessalonians in Chapter 4. 4 00:00:08,240 –> 00:00:11,180 Now, as we continue through Thessalonians, 5 00:00:11,180 –> 00:00:13,360 you’ll remember that our aim in this series 6 00:00:13,360 –> 00:00:15,820 is to recover a sense of urgency 7 00:00:15,820 –> 00:00:18,020 about God’s call to us in the Christian life 8 00:00:18,020 –> 00:00:21,580 and his commission for us as a Christian church. 9 00:00:21,580 –> 00:00:24,280 And that theme runs throughout the letter. 10 00:00:24,959 –> 00:00:29,959 Four times Paul uses the word, urge in 1 Thessalonians. 11 00:00:30,379 –> 00:00:33,419 You have it right here in Chapter 4 in verse one. 12 00:00:33,419 –> 00:00:36,220 Brothers, we instructed you how to live 13 00:00:36,220 –> 00:00:38,220 in order to please God. 14 00:00:38,220 –> 00:00:42,000 Now, we ask you and urge you in the Lord 15 00:00:42,000 –> 00:00:44,799 to do this more and more. 16 00:00:44,799 –> 00:00:47,580 And so, our theme today is this whole matter 17 00:00:47,580 –> 00:00:51,259 of the urgency of living a life that is pleasing to God, 18 00:00:51,259 –> 00:00:54,259 that is the urgency of personal purity, 19 00:00:54,259 –> 00:00:57,220 or of sexual purity. 20 00:00:57,220 –> 00:01:00,119 Now, Paul had already taught these believers about this. 21 00:01:00,119 –> 00:01:03,200 You’ll see in verse two, he says you know 22 00:01:03,200 –> 00:01:05,080 what instructions we gave to you 23 00:01:05,080 –> 00:01:07,360 by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 24 00:01:08,480 –> 00:01:12,720 And these Thessalonians had made a good start. 25 00:01:12,720 –> 00:01:16,440 Paul had, and I think this is very significant, 26 00:01:16,440 –> 00:01:18,839 taught them about sexual purity 27 00:01:18,839 –> 00:01:21,540 as part of his foundational discipling. 28 00:01:22,699 –> 00:01:25,180 He was only in Thessalonica a very short time, 29 00:01:25,180 –> 00:01:29,760 but he established Christian ethics, 30 00:01:29,760 –> 00:01:32,779 a Christian way of living, a Christian way of relating 31 00:01:32,779 –> 00:01:36,139 as part of his foundational teaching 32 00:01:36,139 –> 00:01:38,639 to these new believers. 33 00:01:38,639 –> 00:01:40,699 And he acknowledges in verse one 34 00:01:40,699 –> 00:01:42,919 that they have indeed responded to that. 35 00:01:42,919 –> 00:01:44,220 We instructed you how to live 36 00:01:44,220 –> 00:01:45,680 in order to please the Lord, 37 00:01:45,680 –> 00:01:47,900 as you are in fact living. 38 00:01:47,980 –> 00:01:49,800 By the way, quick sidebar for parents 39 00:01:49,800 –> 00:01:52,279 and folks in an accountability group, 40 00:01:52,279 –> 00:01:55,260 it’s always a good thing to affirm 41 00:01:55,260 –> 00:01:58,400 what God is doing in the life of another person. 42 00:01:59,360 –> 00:02:01,000 Because sometimes we’re so focused 43 00:02:01,000 –> 00:02:02,199 on what God is still to do 44 00:02:02,199 –> 00:02:04,959 and the battles still to be fought and won 45 00:02:04,959 –> 00:02:06,779 that we go on about that all the time 46 00:02:06,779 –> 00:02:08,520 and neglect simply to recognize 47 00:02:08,520 –> 00:02:09,880 that God’s grace is at work 48 00:02:09,880 –> 00:02:11,880 and that progress is being made. 49 00:02:11,880 –> 00:02:14,380 And Paul does not fall into that trap. 50 00:02:14,380 –> 00:02:16,779 He clearly affirms what God has done. 51 00:02:16,779 –> 00:02:17,619 We’re going to speak, 52 00:02:17,639 –> 00:02:20,080 he says now about living in order to please God 53 00:02:20,080 –> 00:02:22,220 as in fact you are living. 54 00:02:23,080 –> 00:02:24,759 And so he acknowledges 55 00:02:24,759 –> 00:02:27,240 that as these believers have turned to God from idols, 56 00:02:27,240 –> 00:02:29,360 there is a significant work of God’s grace 57 00:02:29,360 –> 00:02:31,039 that is already going on, 58 00:02:31,039 –> 00:02:32,479 but it does need to continue. 59 00:02:32,479 –> 00:02:33,860 There is more that God has to do 60 00:02:33,860 –> 00:02:36,800 in their lives as in ours. 61 00:02:36,800 –> 00:02:38,919 And so he lays out the continuing path 62 00:02:38,919 –> 00:02:41,399 of the Christian life in verse three, 63 00:02:41,399 –> 00:02:43,460 where he says, and this is the central phrase 64 00:02:43,460 –> 00:02:45,360 for us to get hold of today. 65 00:02:45,360 –> 00:02:50,360 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. 66 00:02:51,380 –> 00:02:52,479 Verse three. 67 00:02:52,479 –> 00:02:57,479 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. 68 00:02:59,759 –> 00:03:01,639 Now I want to take just a moment 69 00:03:01,639 –> 00:03:05,279 to explain what that means, sanctified. 70 00:03:05,279 –> 00:03:08,559 What is sanctified or what is sanctification? 71 00:03:09,820 –> 00:03:11,699 And I promise you I wouldn’t bother with this 72 00:03:11,699 –> 00:03:15,139 if it wasn’t for the fact that these are Bible words. 73 00:03:15,160 –> 00:03:17,220 If a word’s not in the Bible then you probably 74 00:03:17,220 –> 00:03:18,500 don’t need to know too much about it, 75 00:03:18,500 –> 00:03:20,979 but if it is in the Bible and we’re Bible Christians, 76 00:03:20,979 –> 00:03:23,020 we wanna know what Bible words mean 77 00:03:23,020 –> 00:03:26,699 and what they refer to and how they differ. 78 00:03:26,699 –> 00:03:28,679 So let’s take a moment on this together 79 00:03:28,679 –> 00:03:31,979 so that you can better understand your own Bible. 80 00:03:31,979 –> 00:03:36,759 When Jesus Christ lays hold of a person’s life, 81 00:03:36,759 –> 00:03:41,759 he brings two primary blessings to your life in this world. 82 00:03:41,759 –> 00:03:46,759 These are justification and sanctification. 83 00:03:48,059 –> 00:03:53,059 Now these Bible words are very important, 84 00:03:54,679 –> 00:03:57,220 they’re central to what it means to be a Christian 85 00:03:57,220 –> 00:03:59,979 and it’s important not only to understand what they mean, 86 00:04:00,839 –> 00:04:02,080 but also how they differ. 87 00:04:02,080 –> 00:04:03,919 Let me distinguish them in this way. 88 00:04:05,220 –> 00:04:10,220 Justification is about Christ’s work for us on the cross. 89 00:04:11,220 –> 00:04:15,100 Sanctification is about Christ’s work in us 90 00:04:15,100 –> 00:04:16,619 by the Holy Spirit. 91 00:04:17,859 –> 00:04:20,679 In other words, justification is Christ’s completed work. 92 00:04:20,679 –> 00:04:22,660 He said on the cross, it’s finished. 93 00:04:22,660 –> 00:04:24,619 There’s nothing more that needs to be added 94 00:04:24,619 –> 00:04:27,320 for you to have peace with God. 95 00:04:27,320 –> 00:04:28,820 But sanctification is different, 96 00:04:28,820 –> 00:04:32,019 it is his continuing work, God’s continuing work, 97 00:04:32,019 –> 00:04:33,779 which is why Paul talks here 98 00:04:33,779 –> 00:04:36,579 about living to please God more and more, 99 00:04:36,579 –> 00:04:39,839 it’s continuing, progressive, developing, growing. 100 00:04:40,700 –> 00:04:43,459 He talks in verse four about learning 101 00:04:43,459 –> 00:04:48,459 to live with your body in control, that’s progressive. 102 00:04:50,179 –> 00:04:53,179 In justification, Christ deals with the effect 103 00:04:53,179 –> 00:04:57,179 of your sin before God, he cleanses, 104 00:04:57,179 –> 00:05:01,100 he lifts and removes the condemnation before God. 105 00:05:02,339 –> 00:05:05,679 But in sanctification, Christ deals with the effects 106 00:05:05,679 –> 00:05:07,559 of sin in your life, and we’re going to see 107 00:05:07,559 –> 00:05:09,559 how important that is this morning. 108 00:05:10,760 –> 00:05:13,160 Justification is about removing the guilt of sin, 109 00:05:13,160 –> 00:05:16,220 sanctification is about breaking the power of sin. 110 00:05:16,220 –> 00:05:21,140 Justification involves the righteousness of Jesus Christ, 111 00:05:21,140 –> 00:05:24,100 his own unique righteousness, being given to us. 112 00:05:24,100 –> 00:05:26,559 Sometimes that’s called an alien righteousness 113 00:05:26,559 –> 00:05:28,839 or an imputed righteousness, that is, 114 00:05:28,839 –> 00:05:30,579 the perfect righteousness of Jesus, 115 00:05:30,579 –> 00:05:33,040 by which we are counted to be right with God 116 00:05:33,040 –> 00:05:38,040 is given to us in justification by Jesus Christ. 117 00:05:38,559 –> 00:05:40,920 But sanctification is about the righteousness 118 00:05:40,920 –> 00:05:43,000 that Christ works in us, in other words, 119 00:05:43,000 –> 00:05:44,739 it is the purpose of the gospel 120 00:05:44,739 –> 00:05:46,420 that you should become good, 121 00:05:46,420 –> 00:05:49,239 that you should reflect the goodness of God 122 00:05:49,239 –> 00:05:51,040 because his Spirit lives within you 123 00:05:51,040 –> 00:05:54,679 and that is what sanctification is all about. 124 00:05:56,019 –> 00:05:59,980 Justification is about forgiveness, 125 00:05:59,980 –> 00:06:02,899 so that you may come to God, 126 00:06:02,899 –> 00:06:05,839 sanctification is about holiness, 127 00:06:05,839 –> 00:06:09,779 so that you may become like God. 128 00:06:09,779 –> 00:06:11,640 Now here’s an important distinction, 129 00:06:11,640 –> 00:06:15,500 in justification you are called to believe, 130 00:06:15,500 –> 00:06:18,059 that’s God’s calling to you in justification. 131 00:06:18,059 –> 00:06:23,059 We are justified by faith, okay, so we believe. 132 00:06:25,320 –> 00:06:30,320 Now in sanctification God speaks different words to us, 133 00:06:31,320 –> 00:06:33,720 in sanctification the words that God speaks to us 134 00:06:33,720 –> 00:06:35,839 in the scripture are words like these, 135 00:06:35,839 –> 00:06:40,839 watch, fight, pray, put on the whole armor of God 136 00:06:42,000 –> 00:06:46,079 and so forth and so on and so the calling of God 137 00:06:46,079 –> 00:06:47,959 to us in relation to justification 138 00:06:47,959 –> 00:06:51,079 and sanctification our responsibilities are quite distinct. 139 00:06:51,079 –> 00:06:52,920 Here’s a last distinction, 140 00:06:52,920 –> 00:06:56,079 justification is Christ’s hidden work. 141 00:06:56,079 –> 00:06:57,600 You can’t tell if another person 142 00:06:57,600 –> 00:06:59,559 has been forgiven by God because it’s a gift 143 00:06:59,839 –> 00:07:02,339 given in secret when a person comes to faith 144 00:07:02,339 –> 00:07:03,779 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 145 00:07:03,779 –> 00:07:07,480 but sanctification is God’s visible work. 146 00:07:07,480 –> 00:07:09,399 You certainly can tell if someone else 147 00:07:09,399 –> 00:07:11,399 is becoming like Jesus Christ, 148 00:07:11,399 –> 00:07:16,140 that’s why Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them. 149 00:07:16,140 –> 00:07:17,559 A good tree bears good fruit 150 00:07:17,559 –> 00:07:21,500 and a bad tree bears bad fruit, 151 00:07:21,500 –> 00:07:23,799 but here’s the practical relevance. 152 00:07:23,799 –> 00:07:25,959 You see, justification and sanctification 153 00:07:26,019 –> 00:07:27,320 are quite distinct 154 00:07:29,100 –> 00:07:31,459 and when we get them confused, 155 00:07:31,459 –> 00:07:33,299 we get into difficulties, 156 00:07:34,380 –> 00:07:36,540 so there are some Christians for example 157 00:07:36,540 –> 00:07:38,100 who think all the time 158 00:07:38,100 –> 00:07:39,720 that their acceptance with God 159 00:07:39,720 –> 00:07:42,140 depends on the degree of their success 160 00:07:42,140 –> 00:07:43,380 in the battle with sin 161 00:07:44,420 –> 00:07:46,700 and if you think your acceptance with God 162 00:07:46,700 –> 00:07:48,320 depends on the degree of your success 163 00:07:48,320 –> 00:07:50,000 in the battle with sin, 164 00:07:50,000 –> 00:07:52,079 you will never have peace 165 00:07:53,019 –> 00:07:56,420 and you will never have a joyful knowledge 166 00:07:56,420 –> 00:07:59,140 of the love of God surrounding you 167 00:07:59,140 –> 00:08:02,100 because you’re basing your acceptance with God, 168 00:08:02,100 –> 00:08:04,459 your justification on your sanctification, 169 00:08:04,459 –> 00:08:06,500 you’ve confused them. 170 00:08:06,500 –> 00:08:09,660 There are many Christians who are precisely there 171 00:08:09,660 –> 00:08:10,660 and therefore they never have joy 172 00:08:10,660 –> 00:08:12,440 and they never have assurance. 173 00:08:14,239 –> 00:08:15,920 Then there’s another kind of error. 174 00:08:15,920 –> 00:08:16,899 There are other Christians 175 00:08:16,899 –> 00:08:19,260 who have grasped that salvation is about forgiveness 176 00:08:19,260 –> 00:08:20,540 and it’s about heaven, 177 00:08:20,540 –> 00:08:21,399 it’s about the past 178 00:08:21,799 –> 00:08:22,739 and it’s about the future, 179 00:08:22,739 –> 00:08:24,119 but they have never really grasped 180 00:08:24,119 –> 00:08:26,519 that it is also about the power of Jesus Christ 181 00:08:26,519 –> 00:08:28,760 in your life now by the Holy Spirit, 182 00:08:28,760 –> 00:08:30,200 and so here’s what’s happened, 183 00:08:30,200 –> 00:08:32,299 they say that they believe that they made a decision 184 00:08:32,299 –> 00:08:33,239 that they’re going to heaven, 185 00:08:33,239 –> 00:08:37,880 they never change and they deceive themselves 186 00:08:37,880 –> 00:08:39,979 by thinking that they are truly Christian. 187 00:08:42,020 –> 00:08:43,880 Now the point to grasp here then 188 00:08:43,880 –> 00:08:46,659 is that justification and sanctification 189 00:08:46,659 –> 00:08:51,039 are found together in Jesus Christ. 190 00:08:51,039 –> 00:08:52,840 They are different blessings 191 00:08:52,840 –> 00:08:54,960 and they should not be confused, 192 00:08:56,119 –> 00:08:58,280 but they are found together in Christ 193 00:08:58,280 –> 00:09:00,880 and therefore they should not be separated. 194 00:09:01,799 –> 00:09:04,000 I find it very helpful to think of justification 195 00:09:04,000 –> 00:09:08,140 and sanctification being together and yet distinct, 196 00:09:08,140 –> 00:09:11,179 using the picture if you like of the sun, 197 00:09:11,179 –> 00:09:13,280 the sun’s heat and its light, 198 00:09:13,280 –> 00:09:15,119 it was John Calvin who first suggested 199 00:09:15,119 –> 00:09:17,599 this image, and I think it’s helpful, 200 00:09:17,599 –> 00:09:21,840 you see the sun’s heat and its light 201 00:09:21,840 –> 00:09:23,780 are two distinguishable things. 202 00:09:25,000 –> 00:09:29,520 They are not the same, but they are always found together. 203 00:09:29,520 –> 00:09:33,640 They flow from the very nature of what the sun is, 204 00:09:33,640 –> 00:09:37,679 and you cannot have the sun’s heat without the sun’s light 205 00:09:37,679 –> 00:09:40,119 in the same way you cannot have justification 206 00:09:40,119 –> 00:09:41,880 without sanctification. 207 00:09:41,880 –> 00:09:44,580 The two belong together, because though they are distinct, 208 00:09:44,580 –> 00:09:46,960 they are the twin blessings of the Gospel 209 00:09:46,960 –> 00:09:49,880 and they are always joined together in Jesus Christ, 210 00:09:49,880 –> 00:09:52,039 and you cannot receive the one without the other 211 00:09:52,039 –> 00:09:54,020 because they are both contained in him. 212 00:09:55,059 –> 00:09:56,859 So to put this in one Bible text 213 00:09:56,859 –> 00:09:58,979 though it runs throughout the whole of the New Testament, 214 00:09:58,979 –> 00:10:00,900 1 Corinthians chapter one, in verse 30, 215 00:10:00,900 –> 00:10:04,479 Paul says that Christ has become for us 216 00:10:04,479 –> 00:10:07,640 our righteousness, that’s our justification, 217 00:10:07,640 –> 00:10:09,820 and he’s also become our holiness, 218 00:10:09,820 –> 00:10:11,580 that is our sanctification. 219 00:10:12,520 –> 00:10:16,280 And when you embrace Jesus Christ as your savior 220 00:10:16,299 –> 00:10:18,400 who forgives and justifies you, 221 00:10:18,400 –> 00:10:20,159 you are at the same time embracing 222 00:10:20,159 –> 00:10:23,239 the Lord who sanctifies you. 223 00:10:23,239 –> 00:10:26,280 And you can’t tear Christ into pieces. 224 00:10:26,280 –> 00:10:29,460 He is who he is. 225 00:10:29,460 –> 00:10:32,020 He is the Lord who sanctifies, 226 00:10:32,020 –> 00:10:33,880 the savior who justifies. 227 00:10:33,880 –> 00:10:36,380 Like the sun’s heat and light these are two distinct things 228 00:10:36,380 –> 00:10:39,099 but they are found together in him 229 00:10:39,099 –> 00:10:41,440 and never the one without the other. 230 00:10:41,440 –> 00:10:43,640 Now that is why the Bible says, 231 00:10:43,640 –> 00:10:47,140 without holiness no one will see the Lord. 232 00:10:48,359 –> 00:10:50,919 Not because you’re saved by your holiness 233 00:10:50,919 –> 00:10:52,299 because you’re not, 234 00:10:52,299 –> 00:10:54,840 but because the pursuit of holiness in your life 235 00:10:54,840 –> 00:10:57,479 is evidence that you are in Jesus Christ 236 00:10:57,479 –> 00:10:59,179 who is the one who justifies you. 237 00:11:00,039 –> 00:11:03,200 And without him you have no other hope of justification. 238 00:11:05,320 –> 00:11:08,919 Now, let me give you a quote here from Bishop Ryle 239 00:11:08,919 –> 00:11:11,580 who I think writes helpfully 240 00:11:11,580 –> 00:11:14,059 on this whole subject of the place 241 00:11:14,059 –> 00:11:16,700 of holiness in the Christian life. 242 00:11:18,099 –> 00:11:19,080 He says this, 243 00:11:20,320 –> 00:11:23,919 most man hope to go to heaven when they die, 244 00:11:25,380 –> 00:11:27,840 but few take the trouble to consider 245 00:11:27,840 –> 00:11:31,719 whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there. 246 00:11:33,140 –> 00:11:37,799 Heaven, he says, is essentially a holy place. 247 00:11:37,799 –> 00:11:39,900 Its inhabitants are all holy 248 00:11:39,900 –> 00:11:42,320 and its occupations are all holy. 249 00:11:43,419 –> 00:11:47,219 What would an unsanctified man do in heaven 250 00:11:47,219 –> 00:11:49,080 if by chance he got there? 251 00:11:50,840 –> 00:11:54,419 To be really happy in heaven it is clear and plain 252 00:11:54,419 –> 00:11:58,500 that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven 253 00:11:58,500 –> 00:12:00,280 while we are here on earth. 254 00:12:01,940 –> 00:12:04,500 And then John Owen, whose writings are a little more 255 00:12:04,500 –> 00:12:05,960 difficult to read, as some of you have found, 256 00:12:05,960 –> 00:12:08,780 but always profitable, we referred to him last year 257 00:12:08,780 –> 00:12:11,419 and Owen makes the same point. 258 00:12:11,419 –> 00:12:14,599 I’ve paraphrased him for simplicity’s sake. 259 00:12:16,039 –> 00:12:20,799 No idea is more foolish or pernicious than this 260 00:12:22,340 –> 00:12:26,700 that a person who is not sanctified in this life 261 00:12:26,700 –> 00:12:29,299 should afterwards be taken into the blessedness 262 00:12:29,299 –> 00:12:31,900 that consists in the enjoyment of God. 263 00:12:31,900 –> 00:12:34,119 No idea more pernicious than that, he says. 264 00:12:34,960 –> 00:12:38,640 Such a person, that’s a person who’s not sanctified, 265 00:12:38,640 –> 00:12:42,799 cannot enjoy God, nor would God 266 00:12:42,799 –> 00:12:45,219 be a reward to such a person. 267 00:12:46,200 –> 00:12:48,960 Holiness says Owen is perfected in Heaven, 268 00:12:48,960 –> 00:12:52,780 but it has always begun in this world. 269 00:12:54,599 –> 00:12:57,320 Now I hope then that you see the importance 270 00:12:57,320 –> 00:12:58,679 of the verse that we’re coming to 271 00:12:58,679 –> 00:13:01,619 in 1 Thessalonians chapter four and verse three. 272 00:13:01,619 –> 00:13:06,619 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified, 273 00:13:09,280 –> 00:13:12,179 and this is not some kind of add on to the Christian life, 274 00:13:12,179 –> 00:13:14,539 this is the very essence of the Gospel. 275 00:13:14,539 –> 00:13:16,919 If you are in Christ, you have embraced Him 276 00:13:16,919 –> 00:13:19,820 as the Savior who justifies and the Lord who sanctifies. 277 00:13:19,820 –> 00:13:21,400 Never the one without the other. 278 00:13:21,400 –> 00:13:23,780 It is in this way that we are made ready for Heaven. 279 00:13:23,780 –> 00:13:25,580 It is in this way that we show evidence 280 00:13:25,580 –> 00:13:27,760 that we indeed bear the marks 281 00:13:27,760 –> 00:13:30,820 of authentic Christian men and women. 282 00:13:31,679 –> 00:13:33,219 It’s God’s will for your life. 283 00:13:35,400 –> 00:13:38,840 Now, I want to approach this really from three angles, 284 00:13:38,840 –> 00:13:42,539 and we’re going to look first at your calling to purity, 285 00:13:43,640 –> 00:13:47,380 second your battle for purity, 286 00:13:47,380 –> 00:13:50,960 and thirdly, our hope of purity. 287 00:13:52,559 –> 00:13:54,280 First, then, our calling, 288 00:13:54,280 –> 00:13:56,479 and I want us to look at verse seven. 289 00:13:56,479 –> 00:13:58,400 Really, this section runs from verse three 290 00:13:58,419 –> 00:14:00,059 through to verse seven, 291 00:14:00,059 –> 00:14:03,520 and Paul summarizes all that he’s been saying 292 00:14:03,520 –> 00:14:05,900 in these verses in these words. 293 00:14:05,900 –> 00:14:07,219 Verse seven, 294 00:14:07,219 –> 00:14:12,219 God did not call us to be impure, 295 00:14:12,919 –> 00:14:16,159 but to live a holy life. 296 00:14:16,159 –> 00:14:17,659 He’s speaking to Christian believers, 297 00:14:17,659 –> 00:14:21,479 and he says, when God laid hold of you in Christ, 298 00:14:21,479 –> 00:14:24,239 when Christ died on the cross for you, 299 00:14:25,580 –> 00:14:27,260 when your sins were forgiven, 300 00:14:27,260 –> 00:14:29,760 when you came to be a new person in Christ, 301 00:14:29,760 –> 00:14:32,440 it wasn’t so that you would just carry on being unpure, 302 00:14:32,440 –> 00:14:35,900 or so that you would drift into being impure, 303 00:14:35,900 –> 00:14:39,179 it was so that you would live a holy life. 304 00:14:39,179 –> 00:14:41,599 Now, what specifically does that mean? 305 00:14:44,299 –> 00:14:47,080 Well, two things Paul identifies, 306 00:14:47,080 –> 00:14:50,140 the first negative, and then the second positive. 307 00:14:50,140 –> 00:14:51,820 The negative is in verse three. 308 00:14:53,179 –> 00:14:56,820 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified, 309 00:14:56,820 –> 00:15:00,820 that you should avoid sexual immorality. 310 00:15:00,820 –> 00:15:04,539 There’s the negative, that you avoid sexual immorality. 311 00:15:06,119 –> 00:15:08,280 Now, the word that Paul uses here 312 00:15:08,280 –> 00:15:13,280 that is translated sexual immorality is the word pornea, 313 00:15:15,719 –> 00:15:19,940 from which, of course, we get our English word pornography. 314 00:15:20,979 –> 00:15:23,200 And it was a word that was used, 315 00:15:23,200 –> 00:15:25,479 pornea, in New Testament times, 316 00:15:25,659 –> 00:15:29,599 really, to describe any kind of sexual sin. 317 00:15:31,500 –> 00:15:34,400 And what Paul is stating quite clearly here 318 00:15:34,400 –> 00:15:36,880 is he says it is God’s will 319 00:15:36,880 –> 00:15:40,619 that you should be sanctified and then, applying it, 320 00:15:40,619 –> 00:15:43,679 he says here’s a first step in what that means, 321 00:15:43,679 –> 00:15:48,039 that you should avoid pornea, 322 00:15:49,000 –> 00:15:50,840 that you should distance yourself 323 00:15:50,840 –> 00:15:52,500 from all form of sexual sin, 324 00:15:52,799 –> 00:15:55,580 that you should cut yourself off from this, 325 00:15:55,580 –> 00:15:58,380 that it should find no place in your life 326 00:15:58,380 –> 00:16:00,380 as a Christian believer. 327 00:16:00,380 –> 00:16:03,539 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified, 328 00:16:03,539 –> 00:16:05,239 that you should avoid pornea, 329 00:16:07,840 –> 00:16:11,700 any form of sexual sin. 330 00:16:11,700 –> 00:16:12,880 Now that’s the negative. 331 00:16:14,020 –> 00:16:16,400 Here’s the positive, verse four. 332 00:16:17,619 –> 00:16:20,559 It is God’s will, verse four, 333 00:16:20,559 –> 00:16:25,559 that each of you should learn to control his own body 334 00:16:25,559 –> 00:16:29,419 in a way that is holy and honorable. 335 00:16:29,419 –> 00:16:30,619 Now what does this mean? 336 00:16:31,780 –> 00:16:35,059 Well, it could be that Paul is making a general statement 337 00:16:35,059 –> 00:16:37,919 about the importance of self-control. 338 00:16:39,260 –> 00:16:42,020 But it seems to me, the more I’ve looked at this 339 00:16:42,020 –> 00:16:45,179 and read commentators on this passage, 340 00:16:45,179 –> 00:16:47,140 it seems to me much more likely 341 00:16:47,140 –> 00:16:50,500 that Paul is speaking specifically 342 00:16:50,500 –> 00:16:54,099 to Christian believers who are married 343 00:16:54,099 –> 00:16:59,099 and that he is speaking about the intimate relationship 344 00:16:59,359 –> 00:17:03,119 of a Christian husband and a Christian wife. 345 00:17:04,380 –> 00:17:06,819 Now if you look at the bottom of the page 346 00:17:06,819 –> 00:17:09,500 and if you have the new international version, 347 00:17:09,500 –> 00:17:11,780 I think you’ll see a little footnote there 348 00:17:11,780 –> 00:17:14,439 that’s, if you have very sharp eyesight, 349 00:17:14,439 –> 00:17:17,160 you will see a very little footnote 350 00:17:17,160 –> 00:17:18,719 relating to verse four, 351 00:17:18,780 –> 00:17:20,500 giving an alternative translation, 352 00:17:20,500 –> 00:17:23,239 which would be each one of you should learn 353 00:17:23,239 –> 00:17:26,300 to live with his own wife. 354 00:17:26,300 –> 00:17:28,260 And the reason that the new international version 355 00:17:28,260 –> 00:17:29,699 puts that in there 356 00:17:29,699 –> 00:17:32,099 is that there is some quite clear evidence 357 00:17:32,099 –> 00:17:34,380 that the context of Paul’s statement 358 00:17:34,380 –> 00:17:36,959 about control and so forth and relating 359 00:17:36,959 –> 00:17:39,239 is the context of Christian marriage, 360 00:17:39,239 –> 00:17:41,400 that is evidence from the language 361 00:17:41,400 –> 00:17:45,579 in the original text itself. 362 00:17:45,579 –> 00:17:47,579 Now I am convinced that Paul is speaking 363 00:17:47,579 –> 00:17:50,780 here about the issues relating to intimacy 364 00:17:50,780 –> 00:17:53,079 in a Christian marriage. 365 00:17:53,079 –> 00:17:55,339 And I think that is a very wonderful thing. 366 00:17:57,180 –> 00:17:58,699 Just pause with me for a moment 367 00:17:58,699 –> 00:17:59,959 to think about this. 368 00:18:02,060 –> 00:18:03,579 What we’re learning here 369 00:18:04,859 –> 00:18:06,780 is that the purpose of God 370 00:18:08,859 –> 00:18:13,540 includes the transforming power of the Gospel 371 00:18:14,520 –> 00:18:19,520 touching even the most intimate areas of private life 372 00:18:22,339 –> 00:18:24,500 that the change that the Gospel 373 00:18:24,500 –> 00:18:27,020 and bringing God brings 374 00:18:27,020 –> 00:18:29,319 in the life of a Christian husband 375 00:18:29,319 –> 00:18:31,400 or a Christian wife 376 00:18:31,400 –> 00:18:33,400 is actually going to extend 377 00:18:33,400 –> 00:18:36,640 even into the private world of your bedroom. 378 00:18:37,739 –> 00:18:38,579 Wow. 379 00:18:40,020 –> 00:18:42,339 Now what is Paul saying specifically here? 380 00:18:42,339 –> 00:18:43,380 Just this. 381 00:18:45,459 –> 00:18:47,660 That sanctification 382 00:18:48,959 –> 00:18:53,959 involves putting an end to sexual selfishness in marriage. 383 00:18:55,660 –> 00:18:58,500 Either the sexual selfishness 384 00:18:58,500 –> 00:19:01,160 that expresses itself in imposing 385 00:19:02,839 –> 00:19:04,619 or the sexual selfishness 386 00:19:04,619 –> 00:19:08,020 that expresses itself in withholding. 387 00:19:08,420 –> 00:19:11,260 Holy and Honorable. 388 00:19:11,260 –> 00:19:14,699 What Paul is saying is that every Christian husband 389 00:19:14,699 –> 00:19:17,040 should learn to relate to his wife 390 00:19:17,040 –> 00:19:19,780 in a way that is holy and honorable. 391 00:19:19,780 –> 00:19:21,579 Do you see these two words in verse four? 392 00:19:21,579 –> 00:19:23,239 These are the key words. 393 00:19:23,239 –> 00:19:24,699 Holy and honorable. 394 00:19:25,699 –> 00:19:29,420 And that every wife should learn to relate to her husband 395 00:19:29,420 –> 00:19:31,859 in a way that is holy and honorable, 396 00:19:31,859 –> 00:19:36,859 and that this is part of living to please God. 397 00:19:37,040 –> 00:19:39,979 This is part of God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 398 00:19:39,979 –> 00:19:42,859 This is part of growth in the Christian life. 399 00:19:42,859 –> 00:19:45,300 It is not outside of God’s purpose for you. 400 00:19:45,300 –> 00:19:47,520 It is very much a part of it. 401 00:19:49,540 –> 00:19:52,859 Now, these are deeply sensitive issues, 402 00:19:54,979 –> 00:19:57,140 but the way that a Christian husband 403 00:19:57,140 –> 00:20:00,479 and a Christian wife relate together 404 00:20:01,819 –> 00:20:05,579 is crucial for the harmony of our homes, 405 00:20:06,500 –> 00:20:10,959 and it is crucial for the holiness of our lives. 406 00:20:12,780 –> 00:20:16,400 Look at that word honorable, 407 00:20:17,339 –> 00:20:19,339 holy and honorable. 408 00:20:21,280 –> 00:20:24,699 God’s will for Christian husbands, 409 00:20:24,699 –> 00:20:28,579 if you’re a Christian husband today, 410 00:20:28,579 –> 00:20:31,160 God’s will for you as a Christian husband 411 00:20:32,439 –> 00:20:35,339 is that you should relate to your wife 412 00:20:35,839 –> 00:20:40,839 sexually in a way that causes her to feel honored. 413 00:20:45,479 –> 00:20:46,780 And for Christian wives, 414 00:20:46,780 –> 00:20:49,479 God’s will and purpose for you 415 00:20:49,479 –> 00:20:52,020 is that you should relate to your husband 416 00:20:52,020 –> 00:20:57,020 sexually in a way that makes him feel honored. 417 00:21:00,239 –> 00:21:03,880 And this is part of God’s will, 418 00:21:03,880 –> 00:21:07,099 his purpose for your life. 419 00:21:07,939 –> 00:21:09,859 Now I want you to notice a very important word 420 00:21:09,859 –> 00:21:11,939 right here in verse four. 421 00:21:11,939 –> 00:21:13,760 It’s the word learn. 422 00:21:14,619 –> 00:21:18,140 This is something that God wants us to learn. 423 00:21:18,140 –> 00:21:19,959 Now what that is saying is 424 00:21:19,959 –> 00:21:23,260 that this does not always come naturally. 425 00:21:24,500 –> 00:21:26,739 But in the goodness of God, 426 00:21:26,739 –> 00:21:30,160 you can grow by the power of the Holy Spirit 427 00:21:30,160 –> 00:21:32,300 in this area of your life 428 00:21:32,300 –> 00:21:34,939 as well as in every other area of your life 429 00:21:34,939 –> 00:21:39,180 in which God’s purpose for you is also advancing. 430 00:21:39,180 –> 00:21:44,180 Now, practical application for husbands and wives today. 431 00:21:46,260 –> 00:21:50,560 I want to suggest if you’re a Christian husband today 432 00:21:50,560 –> 00:21:51,859 that either later today 433 00:21:51,859 –> 00:21:56,540 or at some appropriate point in this next week, 434 00:21:56,540 –> 00:22:00,459 you should ask your wife this question 435 00:22:00,459 –> 00:22:02,020 that arises directly 436 00:22:02,060 –> 00:22:04,680 from the Word of God to us today. 437 00:22:06,540 –> 00:22:07,760 And here’s the question, 438 00:22:09,500 –> 00:22:12,619 do you feel honored 439 00:22:14,300 –> 00:22:18,780 by the way that I relate to you in the bedroom? 440 00:22:20,040 –> 00:22:21,579 I want you to ask that question. 441 00:22:22,660 –> 00:22:25,140 It is a very important discussion 442 00:22:25,140 –> 00:22:27,380 for Christian husbands and wives. 443 00:22:28,339 –> 00:22:30,920 And Christian wife, if he’s man enough 444 00:22:30,920 –> 00:22:32,380 to ask you that question, 445 00:22:33,579 –> 00:22:35,859 then after you’ve given him an honest answer 446 00:22:36,739 –> 00:22:38,579 perhaps you will be gracious enough 447 00:22:38,579 –> 00:22:41,819 to ask him the same question in return. 448 00:22:41,819 –> 00:22:45,660 Well, now tell me, do you feel honored 449 00:22:46,500 –> 00:22:51,160 by the way that I relate to you in the bedroom? 450 00:22:52,979 –> 00:22:55,800 And this is God’s will for you. 451 00:22:57,819 –> 00:22:59,540 And it is pleasing to him. 452 00:23:01,119 –> 00:23:03,180 It is part for a Christian husband and wife 453 00:23:03,180 –> 00:23:05,560 of pursuing a life that is pleasing to God. 454 00:23:05,560 –> 00:23:08,319 That’s what we’re learning right here in the Scriptures. 455 00:23:10,380 –> 00:23:12,280 And I brought a number of prayers to the Lord 456 00:23:12,280 –> 00:23:16,199 in preparation for speaking on these sensitive issues today. 457 00:23:16,199 –> 00:23:19,020 A number of prayers but one of them has been 458 00:23:20,199 –> 00:23:22,699 that God by his grace and through the spirit 459 00:23:22,699 –> 00:23:25,339 and from the word would blow fresh air 460 00:23:25,660 –> 00:23:29,079 into Christian marriages that are good 461 00:23:29,079 –> 00:23:30,920 but could be much better. 462 00:23:32,119 –> 00:23:33,819 For his grace and for his glory, 463 00:23:33,819 –> 00:23:36,359 for the harmony of our homes 464 00:23:36,359 –> 00:23:40,380 and for the growing holiness of our lives. 465 00:23:42,520 –> 00:23:45,319 Now notice that Paul goes on to describe 466 00:23:45,319 –> 00:23:46,839 how this is very different 467 00:23:46,839 –> 00:23:51,199 from what so often is the case in private and in secret. 468 00:23:51,199 –> 00:23:53,599 He says, it’s a very beautiful and wonderful picture 469 00:23:53,599 –> 00:23:57,579 of loving relationship and intimate relationship 470 00:23:57,579 –> 00:23:59,660 that is being described in verse four. 471 00:23:59,660 –> 00:24:01,359 And then, he goes on to say, 472 00:24:01,359 –> 00:24:06,359 not in passionate lust like the heathen 473 00:24:06,859 –> 00:24:09,439 who do not know God. 474 00:24:09,439 –> 00:24:11,479 You see how important practical this is? 475 00:24:11,479 –> 00:24:14,660 Knowing God, knowing God 476 00:24:14,660 –> 00:24:19,040 actually makes a difference to the way you relate 477 00:24:19,040 –> 00:24:22,880 in the most intimate areas of life. 478 00:24:22,920 –> 00:24:25,560 The heathen don’t know God. 479 00:24:25,560 –> 00:24:27,880 That’s pushed around by passionate lust 480 00:24:27,880 –> 00:24:32,219 but different with you, knowing God touches everything. 481 00:24:32,219 –> 00:24:34,400 You see, some of us have reduced the gospel 482 00:24:34,400 –> 00:24:37,199 to a tiny segment of life and we’ve lost 483 00:24:37,199 –> 00:24:40,479 confidence that in the gospel of Jesus Christ, 484 00:24:40,479 –> 00:24:42,640 all of life is transformed as we see 485 00:24:42,640 –> 00:24:44,479 the connection of God’s purpose 486 00:24:44,479 –> 00:24:45,959 and the presence of his spirit 487 00:24:45,959 –> 00:24:49,300 to every area of life, even this one. 488 00:24:50,199 –> 00:24:51,520 Thank God for it. 489 00:24:53,780 –> 00:24:57,099 And verse six, in this matter, 490 00:24:57,099 –> 00:24:59,880 still talking about the matter of the way 491 00:24:59,880 –> 00:25:04,180 that a Christian husband and wife relate to each other, 492 00:25:04,180 –> 00:25:06,040 the matter of intimate relationship, 493 00:25:06,040 –> 00:25:07,619 he says in this matter that no one should 494 00:25:07,619 –> 00:25:09,719 wrong his brother and of course his sister 495 00:25:10,859 –> 00:25:12,739 or take advantage of him, her. 496 00:25:12,739 –> 00:25:14,800 The Lord will punish men 497 00:25:15,800 –> 00:25:18,099 for all such sins 498 00:25:18,099 –> 00:25:22,060 as we have already told you and warned you. 499 00:25:24,900 –> 00:25:29,900 Now, here’s something that’s difficult to say 500 00:25:30,619 –> 00:25:31,859 but has to be said. 501 00:25:34,339 –> 00:25:37,540 One of the most grievous things in my own experience 502 00:25:37,540 –> 00:25:39,319 as a pastor over the years 503 00:25:41,380 –> 00:25:43,819 has been to find just from time to time 504 00:25:46,099 –> 00:25:47,780 that something comes to light 505 00:25:48,579 –> 00:25:49,420 that a Christian husband and wife 506 00:25:49,420 –> 00:25:53,239 thought would remain secret and private 507 00:25:53,239 –> 00:25:58,079 and what it amounted to was a horrible abuse 508 00:25:59,560 –> 00:26:01,219 that was going on in secret 509 00:26:02,760 –> 00:26:04,579 in the confines of their own home. 510 00:26:07,339 –> 00:26:10,660 And, frankly, sometimes that comes out years after the event 511 00:26:12,619 –> 00:26:15,979 and you look back, and there he was 512 00:26:16,959 –> 00:26:21,959 and there she was, together in the sanctuary 513 00:26:22,459 –> 00:26:26,420 smiling and shaking everybody’s hands and singing hymns 514 00:26:28,140 –> 00:26:32,000 and he thought what he was doing 515 00:26:32,000 –> 00:26:33,680 would remain a secret forever 516 00:26:35,859 –> 00:26:37,660 and no one would ever know 517 00:26:37,660 –> 00:26:40,839 and besides it was nobody else’s business. 518 00:26:41,800 –> 00:26:46,819 And I want us all to see from the Bible this morning 519 00:26:47,760 –> 00:26:49,339 right here in this passage 520 00:26:51,459 –> 00:26:55,079 that the Apostle Paul speaks directly to this issue 521 00:26:55,079 –> 00:27:00,079 of hidden abuse, roughness, brutality 522 00:27:05,420 –> 00:27:07,479 that too much it seems goes on 523 00:27:07,500 –> 00:27:11,599 within the privacy of what is called even 524 00:27:12,500 –> 00:27:14,979 or thought to be a Christian home. 525 00:27:17,079 –> 00:27:19,520 Now I want to read to you on this 526 00:27:19,520 –> 00:27:21,400 a quotation from John Stott 527 00:27:21,400 –> 00:27:24,839 in his commentary on Thessalonians on this passage. 528 00:27:24,839 –> 00:27:26,239 He puts it very plainly. 529 00:27:27,920 –> 00:27:29,979 He says, Paul is saying, then, 530 00:27:29,979 –> 00:27:31,839 he’s referring to verse six, 531 00:27:32,819 –> 00:27:37,260 that it is possible for sexual partners in marriage 532 00:27:37,900 –> 00:27:42,900 to wrong each other or to take advantage of each other. 533 00:27:44,020 –> 00:27:45,359 See, he’s referring to verse six. 534 00:27:45,359 –> 00:27:48,180 No one should wrong, no one should take advantage. 535 00:27:50,280 –> 00:27:53,239 He says it’s possible even in marriage for this to happen, 536 00:27:53,239 –> 00:27:55,800 for married partners to wrong each other 537 00:27:55,800 –> 00:27:57,619 or to take advantage of each other. 538 00:27:57,619 –> 00:27:58,599 And then he says this. 539 00:27:58,599 –> 00:28:03,599 The Lord, Himself, sees even the intimacies of the bedroom. 540 00:28:03,640 –> 00:28:08,599 He hates every kind of human exploitation. 541 00:28:10,339 –> 00:28:13,420 There may be no redress for such behavior 542 00:28:13,420 –> 00:28:18,420 in a human law court, but there will be at the bar of God. 543 00:28:20,69 –> 00:28:23,680 He continues in most countries, 544 00:28:23,680 –> 00:28:28,040 rape in marriage is not a criminal offense, 545 00:28:29,459 –> 00:28:32,219 but God Himself will avenge it 546 00:28:33,160 –> 00:28:37,199 because He did not call us to be impure, 547 00:28:37,199 –> 00:28:40,339 but to live a holy life. 548 00:28:41,719 –> 00:28:44,479 See, that’s the force of Paul’s extraordinary words 549 00:28:44,479 –> 00:28:45,780 here in verse six. 550 00:28:45,780 –> 00:28:48,800 The Lord will punish men for all such sins 551 00:28:48,800 –> 00:28:51,979 as we have already told you and warned you. 552 00:28:53,859 –> 00:28:56,160 And you see, the weight of this, I think, 553 00:28:56,160 –> 00:28:59,099 is signified by the way in which Paul ends 554 00:28:59,099 –> 00:29:00,939 this section in verse eight by saying, 555 00:29:00,939 –> 00:29:05,520 now, he who rejects this teaching 556 00:29:05,520 –> 00:29:09,099 rejects not man, but God. 557 00:29:11,719 –> 00:29:16,400 So if you persist in wronging one who has been trusted 558 00:29:16,400 –> 00:29:18,020 by God to you, 559 00:29:19,819 –> 00:29:22,339 if you persist thinking it is secret 560 00:29:22,339 –> 00:29:27,339 in taking advantage of one who God has trusted to you, 561 00:29:27,859 –> 00:29:32,560 you are not rejecting man but you’re rejecting God, 562 00:29:34,760 –> 00:29:37,119 and if that has been a reality in your life 563 00:29:37,119 –> 00:29:39,939 and in your home, you need to repent 564 00:29:39,939 –> 00:29:44,180 before the person or persons affected today 565 00:29:45,819 –> 00:29:47,479 and before God, 566 00:29:50,680 –> 00:29:52,219 and if you do not, 567 00:29:53,079 –> 00:29:58,020 I want you to know that God has spoken to you 568 00:29:58,020 –> 00:30:03,000 about it today and if you reject this instruction 569 00:30:03,459 –> 00:30:08,459 I quote Paul, you’re not rejecting men but God. 570 00:30:11,540 –> 00:30:14,020 Would that such things did not need to be said 571 00:30:14,020 –> 00:30:17,660 in a Christian church but they needed to be said 572 00:30:17,660 –> 00:30:19,619 in first century Thessalonica 573 00:30:20,339 –> 00:30:23,459 and they need to be said here today. 574 00:30:26,819 –> 00:30:28,859 God did not call us to impurity. 575 00:30:30,180 –> 00:30:32,099 It’s not why Christ died for you. 576 00:30:32,099 –> 00:30:34,260 It’s not why the Spirit’s been given to you 577 00:30:35,540 –> 00:30:38,540 but he called us to a holy life. 578 00:30:41,020 –> 00:30:43,380 Now, having established what Paul teaches here 579 00:30:43,380 –> 00:30:47,300 and the weight of it, I want us to see secondly 580 00:30:47,819 –> 00:30:50,459 not just our calling to purity 581 00:30:50,459 –> 00:30:54,339 but secondly, our battle for purity. 582 00:30:54,339 –> 00:30:55,699 I want to make a very simple point here 583 00:30:55,699 –> 00:30:58,839 and that is that purity, of course, is always a battle 584 00:30:58,839 –> 00:31:01,979 and that these issues of pursuing holiness 585 00:31:01,979 –> 00:31:03,979 and all the dimensions of what that means 586 00:31:03,979 –> 00:31:05,380 will be a struggle for us 587 00:31:05,380 –> 00:31:08,619 throughout the entire course of our lives. 588 00:31:08,619 –> 00:31:10,900 Now let me suggest to you 589 00:31:10,900 –> 00:31:12,719 that one of the dangers for us today 590 00:31:12,719 –> 00:31:15,260 is that we become self-pitying 591 00:31:15,339 –> 00:31:17,859 about how difficult it all is in our culture. 592 00:31:17,859 –> 00:31:20,900 Obviously, we face some temptations and pressures 593 00:31:20,900 –> 00:31:23,660 that are different from other generations. 594 00:31:23,660 –> 00:31:25,900 We have particular temptations 595 00:31:25,900 –> 00:31:27,619 that come through the internet 596 00:31:27,619 –> 00:31:29,459 and through the television and the cable 597 00:31:29,459 –> 00:31:31,420 and all the rest of it 598 00:31:31,420 –> 00:31:33,739 that are different from other generations 599 00:31:33,739 –> 00:31:36,719 and more casual sexual standards at work 600 00:31:36,719 –> 00:31:38,619 and the way people speak at the school 601 00:31:38,619 –> 00:31:40,439 and so forth and so on. 602 00:31:40,439 –> 00:31:43,000 Sometimes, we begin to feel sorry for ourselves 603 00:31:43,020 –> 00:31:45,540 and say, it’s so, so difficult for us 604 00:31:45,540 –> 00:31:47,939 being raised in this culture and this generation. 605 00:31:47,939 –> 00:31:49,660 Boy, no one’s ever faced the pressures 606 00:31:49,660 –> 00:31:51,099 that we face like this. 607 00:31:51,099 –> 00:31:52,939 Well, no so fast. 608 00:31:54,000 –> 00:31:56,380 I found it helpful to learn a little more 609 00:31:56,380 –> 00:31:58,479 about the background and culture 610 00:31:58,479 –> 00:32:02,760 of these first believers in Thessalonica. 611 00:32:02,760 –> 00:32:04,660 And again, I want to quote to you this morning 612 00:32:04,660 –> 00:32:08,260 from John Stott in his commentary to the Thessalonians. 613 00:32:09,319 –> 00:32:11,640 On the Thessalonians, this is what he says. 614 00:32:13,319 –> 00:32:18,319 Paul was writing from Corinth to Thessalonica 615 00:32:19,420 –> 00:32:23,819 and both cities were famed for their immorality. 616 00:32:25,540 –> 00:32:29,180 It was widely accepted that men could not 617 00:32:29,180 –> 00:32:32,660 or would not limit themselves to their wife 618 00:32:32,660 –> 00:32:35,040 as their only sexual partner. 619 00:32:36,239 –> 00:32:39,760 He then quotes F.F. Bruce, who is really a world expert 620 00:32:39,760 –> 00:32:42,640 on New Testament background and culture and so forth. 621 00:32:42,920 –> 00:32:44,339 Bruce says this. 622 00:32:45,699 –> 00:32:47,619 Referring to the culture in Thessalonica, 623 00:32:47,619 –> 00:32:51,280 a man there might have a mistress 624 00:32:51,280 –> 00:32:56,280 who could provide him also with intellectual companionship. 625 00:32:56,319 –> 00:32:58,640 The institution of slavery made it easy 626 00:32:58,640 –> 00:33:01,000 for him to have a concubine, 627 00:33:01,000 –> 00:33:03,619 while casual gratification was readily available 628 00:33:03,619 –> 00:33:04,819 from a Harlot. 629 00:33:05,819 –> 00:33:07,579 The function of the wife, 630 00:33:07,579 –> 00:33:11,739 think about this, in Thessalonica, in the culture. 631 00:33:11,760 –> 00:33:15,520 The function of the wife was to manage his household 632 00:33:15,520 –> 00:33:20,079 and to be the mother of his legitimate children and heirs. 633 00:33:22,900 –> 00:33:27,060 Now, that’s the culture of these folks in Thessalonica 634 00:33:27,060 –> 00:33:28,699 to whom Paul is writing. 635 00:33:28,699 –> 00:33:31,119 And I want you just to think about that description. 636 00:33:31,119 –> 00:33:33,439 Think about the effect of living 637 00:33:33,439 –> 00:33:36,180 and being raised in that culture. 638 00:33:36,180 –> 00:33:41,359 Think about the effects on the men 639 00:33:41,359 –> 00:33:46,140 and now think about the effects on the women. 640 00:33:47,920 –> 00:33:50,079 This is the background from which 641 00:33:50,079 –> 00:33:53,119 these new Christians had come. 642 00:33:53,119 –> 00:33:55,599 Not one of them had been raised 643 00:33:55,599 –> 00:33:58,660 in a nice Christian home. 644 00:33:58,660 –> 00:34:01,000 They’ve been raised in this culture 645 00:34:01,000 –> 00:34:04,020 that Bruce has just described, for us. 646 00:34:04,800 –> 00:34:06,800 Most of them we know from chapter one 647 00:34:06,800 –> 00:34:09,439 had turned to God from idols, 648 00:34:09,439 –> 00:34:10,679 not from a Jewish background, 649 00:34:10,679 –> 00:34:12,520 but from an idolatrous background 650 00:34:12,520 –> 00:34:14,840 with all of the paganism and all the rest 651 00:34:14,840 –> 00:34:15,959 that went with that. 652 00:34:18,219 –> 00:34:21,639 So it’s very clear that in this town in Thessalonica 653 00:34:21,639 –> 00:34:24,760 when Paul was writing to a congregation 654 00:34:24,760 –> 00:34:27,360 not so different from ours today, 655 00:34:27,360 –> 00:34:30,239 that he was writing this letter to a congregation 656 00:34:30,239 –> 00:34:33,959 that must have included many, many, many Christians 657 00:34:33,979 –> 00:34:37,979 who were sexually scarred and brought all kinds of baggage 658 00:34:37,979 –> 00:34:40,219 from their past years in paganism 659 00:34:40,219 –> 00:34:43,280 into the world of the church with them. 660 00:34:43,280 –> 00:34:45,979 And they had to find a way of dealing with it. 661 00:34:45,979 –> 00:34:47,300 And here’s the wonderful thing 662 00:34:47,300 –> 00:34:49,979 that Paul writes to these folks 663 00:34:49,979 –> 00:34:51,620 living in that environment, 664 00:34:51,620 –> 00:34:54,899 and he says it is God’s will 665 00:34:54,899 –> 00:34:57,020 that you should be sanctified. 666 00:34:57,020 –> 00:35:01,419 Well if these sexually scarred Christians 667 00:35:01,419 –> 00:35:03,719 could be sanctified so can you. 668 00:35:04,739 –> 00:35:05,719 So can you. 669 00:35:08,199 –> 00:35:11,320 Our battles are not so different 670 00:35:11,320 –> 00:35:13,479 from the battles faced by other Christians. 671 00:35:13,479 –> 00:35:15,459 So let’s get rid of the self pity 672 00:35:16,719 –> 00:35:18,959 that feels that we’re somehow unique, 673 00:35:21,020 –> 00:35:23,479 the forms perhaps change with technology 674 00:35:23,479 –> 00:35:25,540 but the world never changes. 675 00:35:26,479 –> 00:35:28,760 Human nature never changes. 676 00:35:29,679 –> 00:35:31,399 Now knowing that this is a battle 677 00:35:31,399 –> 00:35:33,399 and just getting honest about that, 678 00:35:34,540 –> 00:35:37,699 will help to set the right expectations. 679 00:35:37,699 –> 00:35:39,739 The battle will be hard, 680 00:35:39,739 –> 00:35:41,040 the battle for purity. 681 00:35:43,879 –> 00:35:45,699 In any battle, 682 00:35:45,699 –> 00:35:47,800 you will know your defeats 683 00:35:47,800 –> 00:35:49,419 as well as your victories. 684 00:35:50,780 –> 00:35:52,820 You will not meet with unbroken success. 685 00:35:55,040 –> 00:35:56,699 You get discouraged sometimes. 686 00:35:56,699 –> 00:35:59,919 You’ll think, am I ever going to finally prevail? 687 00:36:01,899 –> 00:36:03,800 There’ll be times when you make progress 688 00:36:03,800 –> 00:36:06,659 and these will be the times when surprise attacks come. 689 00:36:06,659 –> 00:36:08,300 That’s what happens in battle. 690 00:36:08,300 –> 00:36:10,000 And you just wonder where did that come from? 691 00:36:10,000 –> 00:36:11,540 How did I fail there? 692 00:36:13,560 –> 00:36:15,919 Your holiness will never be complete in this life 693 00:36:15,919 –> 00:36:17,840 but it will progress by the grace of God 694 00:36:17,840 –> 00:36:19,439 and by the power of the Spirit. 695 00:36:21,760 –> 00:36:24,100 Now expect this battle to be intense 696 00:36:24,100 –> 00:36:26,000 and expect it to be ongoing. 697 00:36:26,000 –> 00:36:27,719 Don’t think that you’re going to be able 698 00:36:27,719 –> 00:36:29,340 to set a date when it will disappear. 699 00:36:29,340 –> 00:36:30,560 That date will be the day when you go 700 00:36:30,560 –> 00:36:32,199 into the presence of the Lord. 701 00:36:34,379 –> 00:36:36,840 Listen to the language of the New Testament 702 00:36:36,840 –> 00:36:40,840 setting expectations for the Christian life. 703 00:36:40,840 –> 00:36:42,800 Here’s what you and I should expect 704 00:36:42,800 –> 00:36:47,479 as we follow this path, pursue this path of purity. 705 00:36:47,479 –> 00:36:48,600 Here’s what it’s like. 706 00:36:49,419 –> 00:36:51,860 Fight the good fight of faith. 707 00:36:52,800 –> 00:36:56,939 Endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 708 00:36:56,939 –> 00:36:59,760 Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able 709 00:36:59,760 –> 00:37:02,280 to stand against the devil’s schemes. 710 00:37:02,280 –> 00:37:05,479 Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. 711 00:37:05,479 –> 00:37:07,800 Jesus speaking, don’t suppose that I’ve come 712 00:37:07,800 –> 00:37:09,479 to bring peace to the earth. 713 00:37:09,479 –> 00:37:11,959 I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 714 00:37:11,959 –> 00:37:15,679 What’s he saying, my coming will launch you into a fight. 715 00:37:15,679 –> 00:37:17,620 And here’s what the fight looks like. 716 00:37:17,620 –> 00:37:19,919 Paul says, we’re wrestling not against flesh and blood. 717 00:37:19,919 –> 00:37:20,879 We’re not fighting people. 718 00:37:20,879 –> 00:37:23,080 But we’re up against principalities and powers 719 00:37:23,080 –> 00:37:26,560 and spiritual wickedness in high places that our darkened 720 00:37:26,560 –> 00:37:29,280 demonic powers that want to ruin your life. 721 00:37:30,239 –> 00:37:31,159 So be on your guard. 722 00:37:31,159 –> 00:37:32,360 Stand firm in the faith. 723 00:37:32,360 –> 00:37:34,040 Be men of courage. 724 00:37:34,040 –> 00:37:34,959 Be strong. 725 00:37:34,959 –> 00:37:36,179 Fight the good fight. 726 00:37:36,179 –> 00:37:38,780 Hold on to the faith and a good conscience. 727 00:37:40,919 –> 00:37:44,919 Again Bishop Ryle I think is so helpful on this subject. 728 00:37:44,919 –> 00:37:47,620 He says, there are two ways that you know a Christian. 729 00:37:48,580 –> 00:37:52,360 The first is, that he has peace of conscience, 730 00:37:52,360 –> 00:37:56,260 the second, he has a battle going on inside him. 731 00:37:56,260 –> 00:37:59,080 And Ryle says, a true Christian may be known 732 00:37:59,080 –> 00:38:04,080 by his warfare as much as by his peace. 733 00:38:05,300 –> 00:38:06,699 See you’ve been talking all the time about, 734 00:38:06,699 –> 00:38:08,699 how wonderful it is to have peace with God 735 00:38:08,699 –> 00:38:11,459 justification that’s great. 736 00:38:11,459 –> 00:38:13,280 But if you have no awareness of 737 00:38:13,280 –> 00:38:16,280 an ongoing battle, sanctification. 738 00:38:17,459 –> 00:38:18,340 You’ve missed the heart of what 739 00:38:18,340 –> 00:38:19,659 the Christian life is all about. 740 00:38:19,659 –> 00:38:20,739 In fact, 741 00:38:22,340 –> 00:38:25,479 if you really don’t know what I’m talking about 742 00:38:26,100 –> 00:38:29,080 in describing the battle of the 743 00:38:29,080 –> 00:38:31,699 Christian life to pursue purity. 744 00:38:32,979 –> 00:38:34,239 Then I have to say to you, 745 00:38:34,239 –> 00:38:38,340 you are almost certainly not a Christian. 746 00:38:40,219 –> 00:38:41,919 I assume therefore that the vast majority 747 00:38:41,919 –> 00:38:44,139 of us in this congregation do know 748 00:38:44,139 –> 00:38:46,520 what I’m talking about here, right? 749 00:38:46,520 –> 00:38:47,639 It’s a battle. 750 00:38:47,639 –> 00:38:48,899 You don’t look so sure? 751 00:38:49,739 –> 00:38:51,139 Don’t you know this battle? 752 00:38:52,139 –> 00:38:53,739 And isn’t it important that we 753 00:38:53,800 –> 00:38:56,520 recognize that this is precisely what we’re to expect 754 00:38:56,520 –> 00:38:58,719 and precisely what the Bible tells us 755 00:38:58,719 –> 00:39:01,100 the nature of the Christian life is about. 756 00:39:02,239 –> 00:39:05,959 If you are experiencing this conflict be encouraged 757 00:39:05,959 –> 00:39:08,320 because the fact that you are experiencing the conflict 758 00:39:08,320 –> 00:39:10,919 is in itself a mark that you are a true believer 759 00:39:10,919 –> 00:39:13,760 not that you are somehow less than a true believer. 760 00:39:13,760 –> 00:39:16,360 This is what the normal Christian life is like 761 00:39:16,360 –> 00:39:17,199 in this world. 762 00:39:17,199 –> 00:39:19,600 This is what sanctification looks like. 763 00:39:19,600 –> 00:39:22,919 We’ve looked at the calling to purity, 764 00:39:22,919 –> 00:39:26,459 we’ve looked at the battle for purity. 765 00:39:26,459 –> 00:39:27,719 If you don’t know this battle, 766 00:39:27,719 –> 00:39:30,340 if you have no experience of what it is 767 00:39:30,340 –> 00:39:33,080 to struggle to pursue holiness you’re not yet a Christian. 768 00:39:33,080 –> 00:39:34,780 Just find out what a Christian is 769 00:39:34,780 –> 00:39:36,280 but don’t think that you are one 770 00:39:36,280 –> 00:39:38,120 if you don’t know what this is about. 771 00:39:39,479 –> 00:39:44,320 And here’s the last thing, your hope of purity. 772 00:39:45,840 –> 00:39:48,280 Now I want to end on this note on hope 773 00:39:48,280 –> 00:39:50,800 because some of us have known so many defeats 774 00:39:50,800 –> 00:39:52,500 and we’ve become so discouraged 775 00:39:52,560 –> 00:39:55,340 and we wonder if we’re making any progress 776 00:39:55,340 –> 00:39:58,020 and the battle’s so hard and so long and so difficult 777 00:39:58,020 –> 00:40:01,020 and so often we feel like is it really worth it 778 00:40:01,020 –> 00:40:02,379 and so forth and so on. 779 00:40:02,379 –> 00:40:04,340 Well let’s come back to a great encouragement 780 00:40:04,340 –> 00:40:06,040 that I don’t want us to miss 781 00:40:06,040 –> 00:40:08,580 and it’s right here in verse three. 782 00:40:08,580 –> 00:40:10,540 It is 783 00:40:11,419 –> 00:40:12,860 God’s will 784 00:40:14,179 –> 00:40:16,500 that you should be sanctified. 785 00:40:18,100 –> 00:40:20,219 This is fantastic. 786 00:40:20,219 –> 00:40:22,300 It is God’s will 787 00:40:23,219 –> 00:40:26,080 that you should be sanctified. 788 00:40:26,080 –> 00:40:28,100 And I say it’s fantastic because 789 00:40:28,100 –> 00:40:32,520 this is more than a command, it is a promise, 790 00:40:32,520 –> 00:40:35,979 it is a commitment of Almighty God 791 00:40:36,939 –> 00:40:38,260 to your sanctification 792 00:40:41,340 –> 00:40:46,139 and praise God that the gospel is more than forgiveness. 793 00:40:48,699 –> 00:40:51,080 You see forgiveness, 794 00:40:51,080 –> 00:40:53,080 what a precious gift from God 795 00:40:53,080 –> 00:40:56,260 that deals with the effects of your sin in heaven. 796 00:40:57,959 –> 00:40:59,820 But forgiveness doesn’t deal 797 00:40:59,820 –> 00:41:02,659 with the effects of sin in your own life. 798 00:41:04,280 –> 00:41:06,879 You may say I’ve been forgiven for what I have done, 799 00:41:06,879 –> 00:41:09,639 for what I have pursued and for the, 800 00:41:09,639 –> 00:41:11,600 for the sins that I have committed, 801 00:41:11,600 –> 00:41:13,899 the condemnation has been lifted but listen, 802 00:41:13,899 –> 00:41:15,560 what about the power of habit 803 00:41:15,560 –> 00:41:19,699 that was formed as a result in your life over the years? 804 00:41:19,760 –> 00:41:21,500 What about the memories you carry? 805 00:41:22,479 –> 00:41:25,439 What about the way in which it has distorted 806 00:41:25,439 –> 00:41:27,659 the way that you look at men or women? 807 00:41:28,800 –> 00:41:31,000 What about the effects of sin in your own heart? 808 00:41:31,000 –> 00:41:32,340 In your own mind? 809 00:41:33,300 –> 00:41:35,199 Forgiveness doesn’t change that. 810 00:41:37,120 –> 00:41:41,139 James Denney, I’ve quoted a number of times before, 811 00:41:41,139 –> 00:41:45,379 describes the effects of sexual indulgence 812 00:41:45,379 –> 00:41:48,399 I think more incisively than any other writer I’ve read 813 00:41:50,239 –> 00:41:52,879 and I want us to think about what he says here, 814 00:41:52,879 –> 00:41:54,780 not only in relation to immorality 815 00:41:54,780 –> 00:41:57,919 but in relation to pornography, 816 00:41:57,919 –> 00:42:00,459 which seems to be so endemic in our culture. 817 00:42:02,300 –> 00:42:05,120 One of the worst effects of pornography 818 00:42:06,659 –> 00:42:09,260 in this life 819 00:42:10,540 –> 00:42:15,540 is that it shrivels a man’s capacity to love. 820 00:42:16,600 –> 00:42:17,840 That’s what it does. 821 00:42:18,580 –> 00:42:20,760 Let me read Denny. 822 00:42:20,760 –> 00:42:22,820 He’s writing a hundred years ago but boy, 823 00:42:22,820 –> 00:42:24,060 he’s right on the mark. 824 00:42:25,260 –> 00:42:30,260 Sensual indulgence extinguishes the capacity for feeling. 825 00:42:32,300 –> 00:42:35,159 The profligate man, that is the man who 826 00:42:35,159 –> 00:42:38,260 indulges himself in these ways, 827 00:42:38,260 –> 00:42:42,340 he would like to love but he cannot. 828 00:42:43,939 –> 00:42:46,800 All that is inspiring and elevating 829 00:42:46,840 –> 00:42:50,800 and redeeming in the passions is lost to him 830 00:42:50,800 –> 00:42:55,800 and all that remains is a dull sense of incalculable loss. 831 00:42:57,239 –> 00:42:59,520 This inward deadening Denny says 832 00:42:59,520 –> 00:43:04,280 is one of the most terrible consequences of immorality. 833 00:43:04,280 –> 00:43:09,280 It is so unexpected, so unlike the anticipations 834 00:43:09,300 –> 00:43:12,479 of youthful passion, so stealthy in its approach, 835 00:43:12,479 –> 00:43:15,739 so inevitable, so irreparable. 836 00:43:17,639 –> 00:43:21,260 And forgiveness doesn’t address that. 837 00:43:23,399 –> 00:43:26,939 But sanctification does. 838 00:43:28,879 –> 00:43:33,879 I want to say to sexually scarred Christians today, 839 00:43:37,600 –> 00:43:42,600 it is God’s will that you should be sanctified. 840 00:43:43,120 –> 00:43:44,560 Should be sanctified. 841 00:43:44,560 –> 00:43:47,979 That is a marvelous statement of hope. 842 00:43:47,979 –> 00:43:52,159 The Creator God recreating capacities 843 00:43:52,159 –> 00:43:57,159 that have been shriveled by the indulgence of lust, 844 00:43:57,360 –> 00:44:00,780 recreating them by the power of his holy spirit, 845 00:44:00,780 –> 00:44:02,159 sanctification. 846 00:44:05,219 –> 00:44:07,139 When Paul says it’s God’s will 847 00:44:07,139 –> 00:44:08,520 that you should be sanctified, 848 00:44:08,520 –> 00:44:11,459 what that means is that God is on your side. 849 00:44:12,620 –> 00:44:17,620 When it comes to assaulting the strongholds 850 00:44:17,760 –> 00:44:20,979 of sin in your life and pulling them down, 851 00:44:20,979 –> 00:44:24,939 think of your sanctification as being like a tug of war. 852 00:44:24,939 –> 00:44:28,060 And here’s this rope with a flag in the middle. 853 00:44:28,060 –> 00:44:30,959 And you think about all that’s pulling against you 854 00:44:30,959 –> 00:44:33,320 in this great struggle or battle, 855 00:44:33,320 –> 00:44:35,459 there’s the power of memory, 856 00:44:35,459 –> 00:44:37,419 there’s the power of habit, 857 00:44:37,419 –> 00:44:40,699 there’s the power of the flesh, 858 00:44:40,699 –> 00:44:42,540 there is the power of Satan, 859 00:44:42,560 –> 00:44:44,260 there is the power of temptation, 860 00:44:44,260 –> 00:44:46,780 all lined up on this side of the line. 861 00:44:46,780 –> 00:44:50,020 And here’s you on the other side of the rope 862 00:44:50,020 –> 00:44:51,919 and you say what chance have I got 863 00:44:51,919 –> 00:44:54,699 of winning this tug of war against all that lot? 864 00:44:54,699 –> 00:44:56,219 Here’s the answer, 865 00:44:57,100 –> 00:45:00,979 Almighty God stands and pulls on this end 866 00:45:00,979 –> 00:45:02,280 of the rope with you. 867 00:45:02,280 –> 00:45:03,419 That’s what Paul is saying. 868 00:45:03,419 –> 00:45:06,340 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. 869 00:45:06,340 –> 00:45:07,540 He’s committed to this. 870 00:45:07,540 –> 00:45:10,699 He is pulling with you in this matter. 871 00:45:12,540 –> 00:45:14,100 As you know it and as you believe it, 872 00:45:14,100 –> 00:45:15,879 you will be refreshed and renewed 873 00:45:15,879 –> 00:45:17,860 and you will be strengthened and encouraged 874 00:45:17,860 –> 00:45:19,760 in the ongoing struggle. 875 00:45:21,659 –> 00:45:23,120 That’s why Paul ends in verse eight 876 00:45:23,120 –> 00:45:25,840 by saying God who gives you his spirit, 877 00:45:25,840 –> 00:45:28,560 greater is he who is in you and with you 878 00:45:28,560 –> 00:45:30,080 than he who is in the world. 879 00:45:30,080 –> 00:45:32,260 If God be for us, who can be against it? 880 00:45:32,260 –> 00:45:37,260 Listen, Christ, shed his blood for you, 881 00:45:37,459 –> 00:45:41,620 but he also offers his hand to you. 882 00:45:43,439 –> 00:45:45,300 And in offering his hand, 883 00:45:46,760 –> 00:45:51,540 he puts strength and victory within your reach. 884 00:45:52,919 –> 00:45:56,520 And so there is in God’s great mercy 885 00:45:56,520 –> 00:46:00,239 forgiveness for yesterday 886 00:46:00,239 –> 00:46:02,959 and there is strength for today 887 00:46:02,959 –> 00:46:05,659 and there is hope for tomorrow. 888 00:46:06,760 –> 00:46:09,560 There is no sin that you cannot overcome 889 00:46:09,560 –> 00:46:11,879 in the strength of God’s spirit 890 00:46:11,879 –> 00:46:14,860 and that is the promise of the gospel. 891 00:46:17,080 –> 00:46:19,719 And so whatever your failure in the past, 892 00:46:19,719 –> 00:46:21,760 I invite to you today 893 00:46:24,239 –> 00:46:27,800 to put your trust in Jesus Christ 894 00:46:28,959 –> 00:46:33,320 and to commit yourself anew and afresh 895 00:46:34,840 –> 00:46:38,560 to the pursuit of holiness. 896 00:46:39,600 –> 00:46:41,840 Let’s bow in God’s presence in prayer together. 897 00:46:42,739 –> 00:46:45,959 Lord, apply the word today 898 00:46:45,959 –> 00:46:49,379 just where it is most needed in every life. 899 00:46:54,800 –> 00:46:55,979 For singles, 900 00:46:58,560 –> 00:46:59,399 married, 901 00:47:01,679 –> 00:47:03,439 wives, husbands, young old, 902 00:47:05,699 –> 00:47:08,939 kids growing up in the temptations of our culture. 903 00:47:11,939 –> 00:47:16,939 May many strongholds of sin be broken today. 904 00:47:22,419 –> 00:47:25,979 May some Christian marriages that are good or just okay 905 00:47:27,659 –> 00:47:29,919 be places where the wind of your spirit 906 00:47:29,919 –> 00:47:34,479 and the refreshing breeze of your grace blows through, 907 00:47:35,860 –> 00:47:39,100 bringing a husband and a wife in Christ 908 00:47:40,000 –> 00:47:43,459 to a new experience of blessing and holiness 909 00:47:43,459 –> 00:47:46,100 and honor in every sphere of life. 910 00:47:47,760 –> 00:47:52,760 Work by your grace and to your name be all the praise 911 00:47:54,959 –> 00:47:59,659 and all the glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. 912 00:48:00,780 –> 00:48:01,620 Amen.