How to Live a Life Pleasing to God | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 | Pastor Jose

All right. So as you know, we are on a series on the book of 1st Thessalonians book of 1st Thessalonians a book about faith Love and Hope and last week with looked at chapter 23, which is about caring for fellow Believers and last week. We learned that three ways we could care for fellow Believers is by a being encouraging on to them and support it by sharing God's word with them in their time of need to give them a Rhema word a just-in-time word whether they like it or not, but it is the word that is able to change them that is able to really do the work that is needed in them. And also when when we are not able to provide encouragement able to share the word or irregularly, we need to be praying for one another and sometimes we just will not have any connection with them in the way. We are careful fellow Believers is by praying for them today. We going to be in chapter 4, which is really continuing the same thoughts from chapter 3 at the end of chapter 31 verse 13 actually starts and verse 11 in chapter 3. It says now may Our God and Father himself in our lord Jesus direct our way to you and may the Lord make you increase and abounding love for one another and for all as we do for you. So that he may establish your hearts blameless in Holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. So it ends there about talking establishing their Walk In Christ and calling them to Holiness. So that's why I today in chapter 4, we going to look at verse 12 12 and the title of our message this morning is how to live a life pleasing to God just like he answers a chapter 3 about looking toward the glory of God. So he we're going to get some more details about what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God and hear a Paul is going to tackle some very important things here that may not be PG-13 So here let's go through our texts and if you were to look at the whole message and and ask yourself, what is the message all about the message in one sentence is simply this your walk matters as much as your talk your work matters as much as your talk the first part of this message, I would rather be breaching its online like the recovery time. I will be in my room all by myself and just preaching that's the only time I approve online Church. Okay, I would have much rather be just in the in a room all by myself and just preaching to the screen but as we look at the text here are all the words every word of God is profitable. And it starts inverse one another for you to live a life pleasing to God you need to do this. So the first thing that Paul shares with us about living a life of Holiness is that we need to walk in Holiness in order for us to live a life pleasing to God. There are three things we must do the first one is that we have to walk in Holiness. What does it mean to walk in Holiness? Let's read verse one. It says I therefore a prisoner for the Lord urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been call as you remember when we were stating the book of Philippians as we studying the book of Philippians on Wednesday nights at one of the key things that Call always talk about is our walk Walking worthy of the Gospel in Ephesians chapter 14 verse 1 Paul tells us the same thing here our walk needs to matter as much as our talk. We need to walk worthy of the Gospel. So now in Philippians four ways in Thessalonians 4 ways to live a life pleasing to God. The first one is that we need to walk in Holiness. If you remember the end of chapter 3 the last verse it says we need to establish our walk. The Christian Life is it is described as a walk. So it's it's progress continual progress. None of us is perfect. Any perfect people here. Okay, Bible says all have sinned. If you just raise your hand, you said you're perfect you just a liar because the Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory. Now is this is this an excuse for us to continue to stand in the Book of Romans for clear that Paul says absolutely not certainly not no way in the world that we should continue in sin because our faith in Christ should Propel us to walk for him to walk in Holiness not to make an excuse for sin. So the first one Paul says we need to walk in Holiness inverse one. It is finally Than Brothers. We asked an urge you posted. This is not a suggestion. I am begging you here and I'm urging you what I'm about to tell you you need to do this. If you want to live a life that is pleasing to God Holiness is not an option. And it says I heard you in the Lord Jesus just as that as you receive from us, how you up to work and to please God just as you are doing that you do so more and more and here. There was not a problem with them. Remember the testolone Ian's was a good church. He'll fall is simply warning them against what's around them. What's in the culture around them as we go to the tax, you will not see Paul mentioning any specifics in that they were doing but Paul was just warning them a this things are around you remember what I told you when I was with you so you don't fall into the sins of the culture. So as we go and sharing God's word this morning take it as a warning. That doesn't mean that this is what you are doing. It means like it's a warning here. The people Paul was wanting them you ought to walk to please God just as you are doing that you do so more and more so he'll probably stopping them. It's a commendation that I'm giving you in this text here. Probably say hey, what you doing continue in its continue to live as such continued to live in holy mess because the Bible says you cannot please God unless you living in holy Ness says just as you are doing that you do so more and more for you know, what instructions we gave you flew the Lord Jesus Christ. The boss has a remember what I have taught you remember the word of God and here it says for how many of you here wants to do God's will in your life anybody? Here's one here that you don't have it. You ever ask questions. It says for this is the will of God. What is it? Don't think the vacation what is the will of God for you your Holiness your certification. All of you just said you wanted to live holy right? So this one you don't have to ask for my life when it comes to Holiness. That's always God's will for your life. You don't need any advice. You don't need any counseling. You just need to do what it says and here when we talkin about Holiness encompasses much more than sexual sin. It says that you abstain from sexual sin Holiness is much more than just sexual sin. But testolone I car was part of the Greco Roman Empire. In the Greco Roman Empire you had a lot of sexual sin of any kind that you can think of. Okay. That's why us Cicero one of the Greek philosophers called Rome a cesspool of sin. It's just if you wanted to find sin just go to the Greco Roman Empire, you will find plenty of it and it says here that for this is the will of God your holy Nest male or significant action significations in the Holiness has the same word sanctification means to be set apart set apart for something special see in the Old Testament. You had just things in the temple that were dedicated to God. That's why we need to be useful vessels. Muscles that were dedicated to the temple where not to be desecrated there were not to be used for anything else but the house of God and that's why I see some people got some strong punishment when they desecrated the vessels in the house of God and God isn't using that same Old Testament concept that teachers about sanctification as Believers. We need to be set apart people set apart for Christ because this is the will of God for us since with the will of God is your sanctification that you abstain from sexual immorality. You see sin were so bad in the Greco Roman Empire. Another philosopher says prostitutes for pleasure Mistresses for the day-to-day needs of the body and wives for the faithful guardianship. all of our homes

Well, here's one in the Thessalonians... Your life. Now. This is what's around you and it was even coming place that older man would at free reins if they had money to take younger men's that's where you get the word that pay the ramus. It was a bad messed up culture just messed up in every way that you can think of and Paul wanted to warn the testimony and said hey because you live in that culture don't get into all that mess that all those people are getting into because you are a Believer and those things are not for you. Does that sound like America?

Everything that doesn't everything go in our culture. Do it. It's totally normal to move in with your boyfriend and girlfriend. Linda totally normal parents would put their kids in birth control at certain point. What are you saying? Are you teaching them the ways of God or you just assume that it's just normal. It's just going to happen.

It says no no, no because you live in that culture you can that just live like those around you and living the same way. You always say no no, no. No, this is that from you it says that you abstain from sexual immorality in the word. There is the word for Nia in the Old King. James was say 40 k k when it's talking about this you're stalking any form of sexual immorality, whatever that you can think that it is. You see the wool when it comes to sex sex is only for married couples man and wife sexual couples. That's the only place where sex is allowed because God created sex doesn't God have Option to tell us this is the way to do it. God is the one who created sex and God says this is the only way faithful in marriage abstain from it and singleness. Faithful in marriage abstain from it and singleness any sexual activity outside of the marriage bed is sin and must be avoided. It's not in the marriage bed. It is wrong and it is not for believers. And Paul is reminding them here a because you live in the culture people do whatever they want to do with their sexuality fall is saying no this is not for you. You cannot do that a survey was done of 19 year olds to 29 year olds 36% only 36% So that watching pornography was wrong but 56% of them so that not recycling is a big problem.

So recycling is a bigger deal. Then messing up your mind. So something we are young girl talking being like an onlyfans and then she just didn't see anything that or she's also a Christian.

That's all messed up. Our world has become I can do whatever I want with my sexuality, but I can still call myself a Christian. Get even though the Bible is very clear, but certain things but you know, we're going to have our own church. No, no, no. No. God says 8:00 as Believers if you want to take your work, seriously, we've got you want to live a life that is pleasing to him Holiness is not negotiable. Your sexuality is not negotiable. You know what I'm saying? Okay, you have to do what God's word says you have to live according to his word. God says it's wrong. You cannot justify yourself saying that I have needs but look at verse 3. This is an invoice for it says. that each one of you know how to but if it's a control your own body in Holiness and honor number here is talking about every kinds of way that also includes sales tax that is wrong. The only place for sex is in a marriage relationship between a man and a woman that's it. Nothing else. And if you cannot use an exit as an entrance, okay, it's it's clear the word of God. God doesn't play with his word. It says that Holiness is very important because it's been going to the culture and people don't even mind making videos and showing themselves and videos and sometimes you look at some of those things in Tik-Tok. I'm just asking where young girl's parents. What is stuff they are staying out for the whole world to see?

It says each one of you need to know how to control his own body in Holiness and honor some of this week, but the spirit is willing. If you are willing to live in holiness. God will help you to live in Holiness not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles would do not know. That's the reason he's telling him. That's what's going on around you. That doesn't mean that's what you need to be doing. Also. Remember you are the thermostat for the culture. You are the light in the culture do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So you are the one that needs to tell the culture of how they need to live and all those people are promoting all sexual promiscuity just say them when they go at night when they just all by themselves and then do they really feel good about themselves when they trying to pretend that it's all good.

Trust God's word doesn't verse 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter because the Lord is an Avenger in all this thing's not only that the police God you need to live in Holiness. You need to be obedient. KU not conforming to the culture but God says there will be a judgment involve here.

You see more sex. No one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter because the Lord is an adventurer and all the things as long as we told you beforehand and solemnly warn you so anytime you have sex outside of marriage to you using the other person you taking advantage of the other purse and God here is saying 8, this will be judge. Whether you were Christian or not, this is not talkin about losing your salvation, but there are consequences for you since member David when David's sin with Bathsheba. New life was miserable unless the baby and then read some 32 to see how depressed he got over this and then look look at Psalm 51 to see how much he had to repent and then see what God would clean him. This is no joke and I don't think that elected, you know your election, you know, I'm going to get for having. Yeah, but the consequences of stared will still come to you. That no-one transgressed and ruined his brother in this matter. Are you helping the person was going to met that person later on? Cuz you rubbing it from them because they not yours. If you're not married, the person is not yours is so committed relationship. It's not yours stealing pretty much. That's what Paul is saying here that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter because the Lord is an adventure and all this face. Or somebody committing sins while they are married adulterous relationship. You messed up a family. It might cause a divorce kids now not having a father in the home with them because of this sin. And God says this will not go unpunished too. Many homes have been broken because of sexual sin and fall is saying here. Messed up if you are a Believer and that live in those ways. You need to live in holding ass because no one turns grass and wrong his brother in this matter because the Lord is an Avenger in all those things as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you there's no evidence that any of the people there were doing those things. But Paul wanted to give a Stern warning are we away from does The Temptations worked on Paula staying stay away? This is not for you you belong to God. It tells you the invoice 7 for God has not called Spore impurity, but in holiness

Therefore whoever disregards this disregards now at man, cuz I know some of you. We want to blame me cause I'm not going to let you guys off the hook. This is Deborah wherever this regards this disregard that

but God so far is making it clear for them hate. This is a commandment for God. This is not my idea at this is a god idea who gives his holy spirit to you and God father saying that you are believers you have God's holy spirit, you know, what is right and you know, what is wrong?

Would you what if the Rapture happens would you want to be doing what you were doing?

It says for God has not called you just for impurity that God calls us in Holiness there for whoever disregards this disregard that man, but God gives his holy spirit to you. Matthew Henry put it this way to talk. Well Living Well will never bring us to heaven. For the character of those who are in Christ, Jesus exist, they walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Warren wiersbe put it this way God's Commandments concerning sex are not for the purpose of rough drawer.

They might not lose their Joy. Liver, and then you enjoying having sex outside of marriage. You not a believer. If you are believer you are having sex outside of marriage that would create great pain for you. Then when you go by yourself, you cannot live with yourself because it will take away your joy because you saw oil in yourself you getting yourself dirty because you not living in holiness. When God put boundaries it is for our protection not to Rob us of Joy because God designed us God designed you got traded you got treated me. And God is the one who created sex as well. And God says the only way it is acceptable. It's in a committed marriage relationship between a man and a woman for life. now look at 1st Corinthians 6:18 to 20. The only way you get rid of sexual temptation to sexual immorality. What is the rule? the first word said with me

if you got in the room you already too far. God says you flee and you flee and you flee and you flee you flee from sexual immorality, every other sin is a person commits is outside the body but the sexual immoral person sins against his own body all seems our sins, but something's of Greater consequences. And this is one here Paul is saying clearly a you will not like the consequences that you will get from that, you know may be suffering from STDs. The psychological issue is even worse. That's why you have a lot of people are taking a pills for depression and a lot of them are dealing with those issues that are cruising depression because of the way that they had lived their life previously.

He went God's word says something we'd better take heed would rather listen. Because God design us and God knows how we work. And when he says this is the way to live that the way to live the only way you do that is to sleep. Is he that's why it now in our culture. It's the common place you not married you're going on vacation together you staying in the same hotel rooms over strong? Okay.

You might even have a bigger problem there. Okay, even when you go and you just staying in different places, it's still hard. Busy, that's why the nuclear family is still was a better way just like in some cultures if you're not married you still living at home this protection in that. Sing some Italian cultures you to my own home country of Haiti if you're not married you stay home. But now you know, everybody is just an adult and you have your place and then you see all kinds of problems. That's why you know, like sexual sin is so rampant into our culture. You think it is a problem. See you in college students are doing like Champion Knights crazy stuff. Text things you cannot even imagine, you know, what is being done. Say hear you flee and you flee you flee you flee from sexual immorality because it's around you. That doesn't mean you need to practice it.

This is not for you Believers his or do you not know that your body is a temple of God?

They're probably saying did you forget your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you is you have from God and policymakers. You are not your own like Tony Evans love to put it any time. You have sex you have church. The only difference is that is God in the church. The only time he's in the churches and if it's in a married relationship.

Am I clear? It is the word of God very clear. Does your body is not your own for you were but with a price Jesus died for your body?

So glorify God in your body the way you glorify him is to live in Holiness and stay away from all sexual immorality Hebrews 13:4 verse 2nd verse for says let marriage be held in honor among all and let the marriage bed be undefiled before God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. What's the word clear? Are you going to be at ease now number to you need to walk in love another for you to live a life that is pleasing to God you walk in holiness?

Then you walk in and my subject now. Let's talk you walk in love pressure is off. Now. Let's look at verse 9. It says for what Thanksgiving wrong passage there if you go verse 4:9 it says there. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you for you yourself have been touched by God to love one another. You're probably saying hey, you want to live a life pleasing to God, not only you walk in Holiness. But you also do I you walk in love it says na concerning brotherly love and they all connected remembered was talking in the door 6 about not robbing one another and here is continuing saying now 8th to live a life pleasing to God you walk in love concerning brother. Love you have no need for anyone to write to you for you yourself have been taught by God man. I'm so proud of you guys this by God himself. Because you living at it says you've been taught by God to love one another. For that indeed is what you doing. You are a great church. I am so proud of you the way that you are living you are living in love and he says for Dad indeed you are doing to all the brothers who out Macedonia, but we argue Brothers remember I told you this is a commendation. This is not a get out of sin. This is I love the way you living keep living that way. Don't let the culture mess you up and it says to do this. More and more if you are living you are living in love. That's why you're not taking advantage of anybody sexually because of love you doing this. Well reading it again and not concerning brotherly. Love you have no need for anyone to write to you know, this not only you know, this bosses you living at you living in love for you yourself have been taught by God to love one another and you living at 4 that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers flew out Macedonia not only in 2019, but it did the greater region. They already had a good reputation that they Were living for, but we urge you like I'm begging you. You really need to do this brothers and sisters to do this more and more. See there's no limit to love some people remember love is a choice love is a choice. There are a lot of people who are not lovable. There are a lot of people who do not deserve our love. But God wants us to increase in love more and more and God want us to choose love even when we don't want to be loving even when people do not deserve our love Jesus tells us the same in John 13 3435. It's a new commandment. I give to you that you love one another this is easy for me. Actually. This is the part that gets me you ready. Just has I have loved you. How did Jesus love us? sacrificially he died for us.

How do you say hi to show you how much I love you?

The new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another.

love in any language Straight From the Heart

will know that you are my disciples. So how do people know that we are Believers by our love? by our love for one another that's how people will know that we are truly Believers not taking advantage of anyone that truly caring for one another. and loving sacrificially like Jesus love he says by this all people will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another so If you want to live a life pleasing to God, you need to live a life. You need to walk in Holiness. You need to walk in love and lastly you need to walk in Integrity. You need to walk in Integrity integrity means that it's a unit of one what you tell me.

What you tell what you saying fun of me is the same thing you're going to say behind me. You are a unit of 1K. You are the same when when when nobody's looking and you also is the same when people are looking you are not living a double life. You are the real deal. So God says you need to walk in Integrity. Let's look at the text now. May Our God and Father himself and our lord Jesus do wreck our way to you and I put the wrong passage again. We didn't 4:11 and 12 chapter 4 in Levin. It says an Aspire to live quietly and to mind your Can you say it let's let's let's it in current current current day. I don't even need to tell what what to use mind your own business.

Aspire to live quietly and to mind your own business and to work with your hands as we instructed you so that you may walk properly before Outsiders and be dependent on no one. So Paul is saying hey you need to walk in Integrity. You need to walk honestly, which is their work properly before I decided you need to walk. Honestly before outside is so guarded Our Testimony matters. Cuz people are looking at you alive. Are you living in Holiness? Are you living in love and polishing AAA Integrity matters, you need to live a quiet life. Don't be quarrelling with everybody that you come in contact with don't be somebody who just creates problems wherever you go, but be a peacemaker you saying that mind your own business don't be going around and gossiping about everybody that you come in contact with look at Hebrews 12:14. It says strive for peace with some people. Thank you with everyone and for what Holiness without which no one will see the Lord is only that serious. There is serious business strive for peace with everyone so pretty much just telling us when we were walking and integrity. We need to live free from quarrels or Strife. We need to free from Gossip. We need to free from idleness. That means we need to work. So these are the things you hear when Paul is saying that we need to walk in Integrity. So we see that in verse 11 and verse 12 see again the text and 1st 2nd Thessalonians start 3:11 to 12 second Thessalonians three 11:00 to 12. It says now may Our God and Father himself in our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you and may the Lord Make You Increase in abound in love for one another and for all the Believers and in 2nd Thessalonians 3 11 and 12. It says for we hear that some among you walk in. I do miss that means not working being busy bad. He's going around and talking about people remember at the end of every chapter Paul talks about the return of Christ member this look into the glory of Christ in every chapter. He goes here to some people call. It kind of wanting them. Don't be like those people because they know Christ can return at any moment. Now, they don't need to work they can just go around and just be busy bodies and then let you know. I don't need to do anything. You know, I don't need to build a house that I don't need to keep a job because way to live as a Believer you need to set a good example for Outsiders. You don't want people to look at you and think of you as a lazy person. They should see us somebody with strong work. Ethic is for we hear that some among you walk in idleness and not busy at work. Plus he got to work and that the butt butt busybodies now such purse. things we commit and encouraged in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn what their own living so far pretty much as telling them work is God's plan for society's progress father doesn't believe her. You got to work. You've got to earn your own wage. Does that mean we should not help now? I'm Bible is clear. Those were disable those what you widows those who might be struggling for a moment. We need to help but hear police talking about people with with able bodies were refusing to work pulses people like that. You don't help them. They need to figure it out the hard way probably went to miss a meal the miss a mortgage payment the Miss Arete then they have to sleep outside in a car for a day, then that's when they'll come to their senses so that they know the way of God. They need to work. So Paul is saying that you want to live a life pleasing to God you walk in Holiness you walk. In love and you walk and integrity, let's some Bible verses from our sponsor Ephesians 4:28. That's the Bible. It says let the thief no longer feel but rather let him do I work? Let him work doing what honest work not under the table stuff. Now, you know that I had legal gay or things that are illicit says you do honest work with his own hands so that he may have something to share with anyone in this as a Believer. It's your responsibility to share with people in see there's no controversy here right about working and helping We just helped the right people people were truly need help people who don't need help let them learn the hard way. That's what it's saying here again. Really all that. I'm trying to tell you is that it's a question. Do you want to live a life pleasing to God? The recipe is this do what God's word say and never attempt to justify yourself. if you truly want to live a life pleasing to God do what the word says and never attempt to justify your

amen A few words from our sponsor again 1st Corinthians, 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you read them read it read me. No temptation has overtaken you that is not coming to men God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. But with the Temptation, he will also provide the way of Escape that you may able to and do it. Is there room here for its uses justifying your sin. Whatever send whatever Temptation that you face God said, I will always provide a way of Escape. You don't have to fall into you that's in. then Proverbs 28:26 says will ever trust in his own mind is why I said with me. I can't hear you.

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he walks in wisdom will be delivered. today all but I've been got it all I got a special circumstance by yourself or just live your life. Gus's take me seriously wherever truest in his own mind is a fool but He Who Walks In wisdom will be delivered Proverbs 28 verse 9 says if one turns away his ear from hearing the word of God. What does it say? They're safe with me even his trailer is an Abomination to God is saying when you're not living right your prayers like a custome is Singapore Malaysian. It's like you have no business spraying.

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law that means you know what God's word says but you willingly going against what God's word says God says, I cannot even hear your prayer because your prayer is an Abomination to me why so many people living messed-up lives and then they think that they Walking with God, but God has left them a long time ago.

They make that I'm praying and put that God is not listening to me.

is repentance I want to listen from you and not the lip service. Call Chu repentance because a lot of people are very sorrowful. But the hearts of not being sure I hate that I did that but there's no chance still the same you would do it again given another opportunity. And you've gone and do it again. And again, if one turns away his ear from hearing the law. That's the word of God even his prayer is on domination to the Lord and lastly Proverbs 28:13, wherever conceals his transgressions will not prosper. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper. But here's the hope. But he will. Confesses agree with god with What God Says About That sin that you are concealing. Would when you agree that God is right and you are wrong that's confession and then 46 them that means you turned away. And now you do it God's way not your way. What does it say? You will help tan Mercy. That's what I love about God's word doesn't matter or hard what he asks us to do how Bleak that it sounds are horrible that it looks there's always Mercy at the cross. And hear God says 8 I'm calling you. I'm begging you. I'm urging you don't leave like culture lives and he saying that if this is your case, you were actually living like the culture is living and you are falling into the Trap. God says. No more no more no more no more because we'll be shocked what people do in the dark as opposed to what they do in the light. You would not know you could not even believe but God says a concealed it no more if that's you God says confess it agree with me and do it my way and then for sake hum to me and got to his eighth I give you a clean slate. Thank God good. Got so you can start over today father. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your word this morning as we all seek to live a life that is pleasing to you. So father as we live in this culture saturated Lord, God was sexual immorality. May we be the light in the culture? May we be the thermostat? May we change the narrative and may we live for you and Live For Your Glory to Father? It is my prayer for each one of us here today, then we would walk in holiness. In every way that you will free us love God from all sexual immorality of the culture and that you would help us look God to walk in love always and always always choosing the way of love. And father help us to walk in Integrity. They will be truly a unit of one that whatever we say people can believe it. Then we are believable and that Lord God, whatever we do when people and watching and when people are watching made all be the same. Thank you Lord. Jesus made you seal your words into our hearts that we might not sin against you. Thank you Lord God for Using the words from testimonials Lord God to warn us. of the dangers of sin and to also encourage us to live. Holy righteous Godly life loving life. And lives of Integrity, but you be with each one of us here today and you help us look guy not to be conformed to this world, but that would be transformed by the renewing of our minds. So that by testing with my prove to be your children? Walking with you and holding us in love and integrity.

Jesus name we pray. everybody we agree says amen. Amen. Why don't you stand as we sing the last song together and ask God to heal his word into our hearts so that we walk with him. So let's let's let's sing together.