The Best Way
1 Thess. 4:1-8
Sex – Difficult to preach about, not a popular subject
Absolutely necessary – sex is at the heart of who we are.
God made us that way
Genesis 1:27 “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male andfemale He created them.”
Culture tells us that our understanding sex is evolving.
Bible: the simplest and most obvious explanation
God created the sexes and He defines sexuality.
Message today is God’s directions about sex for Christians.
Back up a moment
Ask - Why Traditional Marriage?
Can we show the benefits without the Bible?
1. It’s natural.
Why did women have babies before there was any sex education?
Because sexual relationships are normal.
People are going to have sex.
Why is there such a thing as the “nuclear” family?
Because men and women naturally commit to each other.
“But they fall ‘out of love.’”
What do they do? They start another family.
Illus.: birds in our building – tear down their nest and they will build another next somewhere else.
Marriage is natural.
2. It’s normal.
No whispering about people who are “married.”
Everyone has been doing it as long as we can look back in time.
Put aside tv programs – people are still marrying.
Headline: “25% of Millennials Will Never Marry”
75% will
Other 25% are not opposed to marriage
Our society is built upon marriage. It is normal.
3. It’s necessary.
The Labor of Love. Com
In earlier times, marriage helped to stabilize the economics of a rural agricultural society. By having one man and one woman together with their children, a regular workforce for the farm was grown at home.
In industrial society, this emphasis changed from children who contribute to the family economy to a view in which the family serves as the training ground and shelter for children, preparing them for life in the adult world.
In the modern world, marriage is no longer a situation of bondage or slavery for women, as it was in medieval times. Both men and women benefit financially as well as emotionally and spiritually from the arrangement of marriage. Some studies even suggest a link between better health and marriage.
Everyday I see the necessity of traditional marriage.
Children being raised in “traditional” homes.
The Security of the Traditional Home
Role Modeling of Parents
Boys being taught masculine characteristics.
Girls being taught feminine characteristics.
Children know there is a difference between mommy and daddy.
*The traditional family is absolutely necessary to human survival.
Illus.: farming – technology has come a long way
Still the basics are working the soil, planting, cultivating, and harvesting.
Still planting corn and bean seed.
Not expecting that to change
Many things have changed in our families. Families are still basically the same.
4. It has spiritual benefits.
Today I am talking to you as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ.
That is who Paul is speaking to in our text.
Paul makes his goal in writing very clear – Read verse 1.
He wants them to live in a certain way.
Who is the authority? Verse 2
– “the commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus”
Paul says: “Not just what I think”
“What does God say?”
Why Christians Do Things That Others Don’t
Verse 3 This is your sanctification and “the will of God.”
Your sanctification
Sanctify – to be “holy” or set apart for God
*Christians are different.
Two ideas here:
1. Result of God Saving You
1 John 3:9 “No one who is born of God practices sin, because God’s seed abides inhim; and he cannot sin because he is born of God.”
NIV 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.
Disobeying God is sin.
Christians are changed and no longer seek to live in sin.
2. Mark of identification
Illus.: ball teams have uniforms – all players wear the same ones
How can Christians be identified? Their behavior.
*All of us should be living the same way.
What is Paul talking about here? Purity
We must abstain from sexual immorality
Verse 4 We are to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor.
What is our vessel? Our bodies
Interesting concept – Paul separates the body and the soul
Your body is your vessel.
You choose how to use your body.
Illus.: how you drive and care for your automobile
Verses 4-5 Not in lustful passion but in sanctification and honor
The way of people who do not know God
People who are driven by their own desires
“What about people who aren’t Christians but who still honor marriage?”
Their hearts recognize the truth of creation.
Verse 8 IfChristians don’t honor God’s word on marriage,they aren’t rejecting Christian teachers; but God who gives them the Holy Spirit.
*God doesn’t give as much “room” as some Christians want.
“God understands.”
Illus: Saul disobeyed God and lost his kingdom.
Israel disobeyed God and wandered for 40 years in the wilderness.
God is “the avenger in all these things.”
NIV “The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins . . . “
*God is not as tolerant as many think.
Conclusion
Notice: Sanctification is coupled with honor. (Verse 4)
Obviously, when we obey we honor God.
We are honored by God.
Illus.: the value of a coach in sports – helps us to become much better