WEEK 4: Until He Comes, We Will Be a Holy Church

DATE: March 22nd

KEY SCRIPTURES: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

- Paul starts this chapter by stating, "we have taught you how to live in order to please God." The way we live is important, that is our holiness is important to God.

- "This is the will of God, your sanctification" (v. 3). Holiness is an explicit divine intention from God for His church. It is not an option.

- Paul begins to outline a sexual ethic framed as covenant faithfulness to God within a pagan context (v. 3–6). Essentially, holiness involves self-control and honor, not exploitation or gratification of desires.

- To disregard this instruction toward holiness is not disregard to Paul or any church leaders, but it is to disregard God, "who gives his Holy Spirit" (v. 8).

- Ethical behavior is Spirit-enabled, and God-honoring because holiness has a relational aspect, not only an inward aspect; in that sense, holiness is how one treats a "brother."

- Paul encourages the church to live out their holiness by showing great love for one another, more and more, and your daily life should win the respect of "outsiders" (v. 9-11)

- Our holiness should become a winsome witness. (v. 12)

APPLICATION:

- Pursue integrity in areas most shaped by cultural distortion.

- View holiness as relational faithfulness, not mere rule-keeping.

- Depend upon the Spirit for sustained obedience.

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