Pleasing to God
(Morning Service)
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Christians often look like rabbits frozen in the headlights when questioned about sexuality & purity. Few have much to say about sex and marriage that is faintly inspiring or compelling. When forced to publish some kind of official statement, it reads more like the terms and conditions of a software upgrade than a manifesto for human flourishing. This morning, in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, we hear a clear call to sexual holiness & flourishing.
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
(1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 ESV)”