I Thessalonians 4:1-12

Walk In Holiness (4:1-8) “Walk” (vs.1) pres. act. inf. of peripateō (G4043) – to walk about. Walking is a favorite picture of Paul: – “…Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph. 4:1) – “…Stop walking as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the emptiness of their mind” (Eph. 4:17) – “…Walk in love” (Eph. 5:2) – “Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8) (cf. I John 1:5-7) Our walk begins with a step of faith, which leads to a walk of faith. – “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7) Walking suggests progress (Phil. 3:13-16).

The moral climate of the Roman Empire of Paul’s day was much as that of America today – Immorality was a way of life. They had slaves to give them leisure time, we have machines to do the same for us. It was not easy for this young church to battle the temptations surrounding them. To help them, Paul gives 4 focus points in vs. 1-8 – Walk In Holiness (4:1-8)

Focus Point #1 – Seek to please God (vs. 1) – Everyone lives to please someone – most live to please themselves. – Most people have no sensitivity to the needs or desires of others. – Believer’s are not to live to please themselves (Rom. 15:1). – Even pleasing others has its dangers (Gal. 1:10; I Thess. 2:4). – Pleasing God should be the major motivation in our lives (cf. Phil. 2:13; Heb. 11:5; John 8:29). Walk In Holiness (4:1-8)

Focus Point #2 – Seek to obey God (vs. 2, 3) – It is possible to obey God, yet not please Him (Jonah). – We need to obey the will of God from the heart (Eph. 6:6). – “Commandments” (vs. 2) is a military term referring to orders handed down from superior officers. – We are members of the Royal Combat Battalion (Royal SEALs) – as such, we must obey orders (II Tim. 2:4). – We must stand against the world system – in this case, the immorality that we find surrounding us (vs. 3). – In this instance, God’s purpose is our sanctification that we might live separated lives in purity of mind & body. Walk In Holiness (4:1-8)

Focus Point #3 – Seek to glorify God (vs. 4, 5) – “Know” pres. act. inf. of oida. – “Possess his own vessel” (vs. 4) – how to control his body. – Our bodies are the vessels of God (II Cor. 4:7; II Tim. 2:20, 21). Focus Point #4 – Seek to escape the judgment of God (vs. 6-8) – God must deal with His children when they sin (Col. 3:23-25) – We are not under condemnation (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1), but we are not free from the harvest of sorrow that comes when we sow to the flesh (Gal. 6:7, 8) – God forgives us, but He does not change the consequences of our sin. Walk In Holiness (4:1-8)

Because we have God’s nature (II Pet. 1:4) we are to love (I John 4:7, 8). This was a distinctive of the Church at Thessalonica from the beginning (1:3). How does God get our love to increase more & more? – By putting us into circumstances that force us to practice Christian love! – The difficulties that we as believers have with one another are opportunities for us to grow in our love! (Cf. Phil. 1:9-11.) Walk In Harmony (4:9, 10)