The Sanctifying Power of Sexual Morality

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

I. Explanation of the text

II. Commands within the text

that you abstain from sexual immorality

that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor

that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter

III. Consequences for not holding to these commands

1. Immorality shrinks our pleasures, v. 1

"Sin acts as a powerful astringent upon the soul to shrink it down to the size of the individual." -Jonathan Edwards

2.  Immorality misrepresents Christianity, v. 4-5

3. Immorality requires God to be the avenger, v. 6

4. Immorality violates the environment of your calling, v. 7

5. Immorality disregards God, v. 8

IV. The Context of Morality

1. The will of God, v. 3 & 8

2. Your sanctification, v. 3

Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives. -Wayne Grudem

Questions for reflection:

 How often do you think about holiness?

 What stirs in you when you hear of God as “an avenger?”

 If you took away the need to be constantly forgiven, what would you enjoy most about God? What would draw you to Him? 

 What will you most want to discuss as a result of this morning?

 Sanctification is a work of God and man.  In what ways are you cooperating with God in your sanctification?