1. Studies in Thessalonians
Holiness isn’t Easy
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

2. Expound the scriptures….expound the whole purposes of God
(Leith Samuel)
Our main aim in preaching is not to bring our thoughts to the Bible but to bring out God’s thoughts before the gaze of our fellows…nothing so overcomes the resistance of the sinner than, ‘Thus saith the Lord’.’

4. 1. WHY ALL THE FUSS? What about deceit, anger, greed etc?

5. The language of the New Testament
Frequency
Primacy in ethical lists
2. God’s creation ordinance in Genesis
3. Christian distinctiveness in a morally dissolute world.-’not as heathens’v5

6. 2. What do we understand by sexual immorality?

7. God’s creational ordinance
Marriage is the coming together of male and female
In an exclusive and lasting relationship
Of which sexual intercourse is the ‘symbol’ of two people becoming one new person/flesh.

8. And so porneia is anything which goes against the divine intention and command.
Intercourse before or outside of marriage
Between any but heterosexuals

9. 3. Why is sexual immorality wrong for the Christian?
After all, the non Christian might argue:
1. Sex is just an appetite like hunger or thirst. We meet these needs so why not our sexual needs also?
2. Just because you believe something to be wrong, it does not mean that it is for me.

10. So why is it wrong for the Christian?
It flouts God's commands to us
It is theft
I take something which belongs to another
I involve my body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit in actions contrary to the work of that Spirit.
I exhibit heathen lust rather than Christian love
I take the physical without full commitment to that person.
I dishonour God by my actions and frustrate his desires for my life of holiness.
I cause sadness and sorrow to the lives of others for my own selfish ends.

11. 4. What if I have sinned in this area of my life?
Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11

12. And if other have sinned in this area of their lives?
Do not judge, condemn or ostracise them
Love them as Christ loves them
‘Neither do I condemn you’, said Jesus.
‘Go and sin no more’.