Title: What Do You Need to Do More Of to Please God?
Text:
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
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.
1 Thessalonians 4:10 (ESV)
for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
Observation:
The members of this newly planted Church already showed evidence that they were walking in a way that pleased God. In this letter of encouragement and exhortation Paul urged them to do so more and more.
Today, we examine the appeal to be more holy.
1 Thessalonians 4:2-8 (ESV)
2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 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. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
The work of sanctification is a work that God does in us. It is a supernatural work of God. Paul described it this way.
Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
God puts holiness within us when He saved us by the precious and royal blood of Jesus. Our happy task is to work out through obedience what God has worked in us.
Philippians 2:13 (ESV)
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Prayer:
Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so glad that I don't have to try and be holy in the strength my weak flesh. Father, I thank You that it is by the power of the divine presence of Christ in me, and by the power of the Holy Spirit that I am able to obey the command to be holy. Father, make me more obedient and more holy. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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