WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:08.540 Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, my name is Luca, and I'm one of the members here at Bransfield Evangelical Church. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:15.580 I wonder what the most difficult thing is that you ever did to please someone. 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:23.519 That sacrifice that you would have never considered making, had it not made someone who really matters to you really happy. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:30.300 Anyway, I'm going to tell you the most difficult thing I did to please my brother around five years ago. 00:00:30.699 --> 00:00:33.740 He's actually here tonight, and he's given me permission to share this. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:36.579 It involved going to a concert. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:43.439 Now, to give you some context, I reckon I'm probably the least musical person in here tonight. 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:49.780 And not just because I'm a bad singer, which I am, and because I cannot play any instruments, which I can't, 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:55.560 but also because, to be completely honest, I'm just not that fussed about music in general. 00:00:56.660 --> 00:00:59.539 It is a great way to worship God, and I totally get that. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:04.280 But otherwise, I reckon I listen to music more by accident when I go to the supermarket 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:08.900 than as a result of me intentionally turning on a speaker when I get home. 00:01:09.799 --> 00:01:15.180 So you can see how going to concerts would be way down at the bottom of my list of favorite things to do. 00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:22.000 However, just to make things worse, this was no standard concert I was going to go to. 00:01:22.800 --> 00:01:27.540 We were going to see a metalcore band, a Christian metalcore band. 00:01:28.100 --> 00:01:29.180 They worship God. 00:01:29.360 --> 00:01:30.760 There's no doubt about that. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:35.700 But their worship style is very different from what we used to at Brunsfield, 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:40.340 or possibly any other church, because it involves a lot of jumping and screaming. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:46.280 So I'll spare you the details, but let's just say I spent the longest couple of hours of my life 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:51.620 in a dark, smelly room, pushed around by people who would not stop jumping, 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:57.820 while the best I could do to try and blend in was to stand still, arms crossed, 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:02.920 but I was tapping my foot to pretend I could kind of feel the rhythm, 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:04.800 though I'm sure I didn't fool anyone. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:06.659 It was difficult. 00:02:06.659 --> 00:02:10.139 I was hated every minute of it kind of difficult. 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:16.159 But, and I fear for myself as I say this in front of my brother, I would do it again. 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:20.000 Because I knew how much this concert mattered to Alberto, 00:02:20.419 --> 00:02:26.180 and it did give me great pleasure to know that it made him so happy, so pleased. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:32.919 If we wanted to summarize in just a few words the key point from the verses that Esther just read for us, 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:38.459 I think we can safely say that these verses are all about pleasing God. 00:02:39.079 --> 00:02:43.439 And not just as a one-off effort, like I did to please my brother, 00:02:43.679 --> 00:02:46.899 or you probably did to please people in your life, 00:02:47.019 --> 00:02:49.939 but as a constant commitment to please God. 00:02:50.279 --> 00:02:53.919 So they're about pleasing God more and more. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:58.039 We're going to split the passage in three short sections, 00:02:58.459 --> 00:03:03.439 starting by introducing the main theme of pleasing God more and more in verses 1 and 2, 00:03:03.679 --> 00:03:07.379 and then we will move on to talk about purity in verses 3 to 8, 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:12.039 and finally we will focus on love for one another in verses 9 to 12. 00:03:12.959 --> 00:03:16.219 So I recommend, if possible at all, that you keep your Bible open in front of you, 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:20.379 as we will be jumping from one verse to another as we examine the passage together. 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:27.620 Before we dive in, though, I'd like to draw your attention to something I realized as I prepared for this sermon. 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:32.639 I think Paul here is communicating on two levels. 00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:36.439 He's sending a personal message addressed to individuals, 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.840 but also a more general message addressed to a community. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:45.159 I appreciate this is probably true of most letters in the Bible, 00:03:45.359 --> 00:03:47.000 as they're written to churches, of course, 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:52.120 but my impression is that it is somehow even more true of these verses here. 00:03:53.360 --> 00:03:58.000 For instance, I think each of us could easily add their name to verse 3. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:02.259 It is God's will that you should be sanctified, Luca. 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:08.719 But there are going to be verses where Paul will be putting the emphasis more on the fact 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:11.180 that we are members of our church community. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:14.460 So we could easily read verse 10 as, 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:20.220 yet we urge you, brothers and sisters of Brunsfield, to do so more and more. 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:25.460 So I want to encourage you as we go through these beautifully direct and practical verses 00:04:25.460 --> 00:04:29.639 to think of yourselves as the actual recipients of these words, 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:33.600 and not just as individuals, but also as Brunsfield people, 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:38.620 or more generally as church members who are part of the body of Christ. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:43.840 And if any of us tonight do not identify themselves as Christians, 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:49.519 then these are verses that really go to the heart of what being a Christian should look like. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:53.579 So my hope is that as we work our way through the passage, 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:56.060 you'll be intrigued by Paul's words, 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:00.600 and that you will want to find out why it is that he exhorts us, 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:04.160 exhorts Christians to live as he says we should live. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:09.920 And hopefully think that, yes, you can see why someone would want to identify as a Christian, 00:05:10.020 --> 00:05:11.600 that it does make sense after all. 00:05:12.760 --> 00:05:14.220 So let's dive in. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:17.120 Pleasing God more and more. 00:05:18.400 --> 00:05:23.060 Paul is speaking to a church that he is the founder of, the Church of Thessalonica. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:28.220 He didn't spend much time with them, but he knows their faith is authentic. 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:32.300 And we saw last week with Tim how much he loves them, 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:34.880 and how they are his brothers and sisters. 00:05:35.380 --> 00:05:38.620 So when Paul says, we instructed you in verse 1, 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:42.340 and then what instructions we gave you in verse 2, 00:05:43.080 --> 00:05:47.040 he's referring to the time that they spent together when the church was formed, 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:48.980 and during the few weeks which followed, 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:52.820 until he was forced to leave Thessalonica, 00:05:53.020 --> 00:05:55.480 as we can read in the book of Acts in chapter 17. 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:58.500 In the first two verses of this chapter, 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:02.220 Paul declares again the Thessalonians' identity as Christians. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:04.640 He calls them again brothers and sisters, 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:08.500 and says they already live in a way that pleases God. 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:12.620 I'm sure these must have been really encouraging words for them, 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:17.420 and maybe words that we might want to repeat to ourselves every now and then, 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:20.240 just to remind ourselves of our identity, 00:06:20.640 --> 00:06:22.340 that we are Christians, 00:06:22.339 --> 00:06:23.719 and as such, 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:26.359 we are already pleasing God, 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:28.500 because of who we are in him. 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:30.899 And we'll see more about this later, 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.579 about our identity as Christians. 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:35.779 Paul, however, 00:06:36.299 --> 00:06:37.259 he doesn't stop here. 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:38.959 Yes, you are Christians. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:42.079 You have been transformed by God, 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:44.079 who has already changed your identity, 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:46.219 and this was all his doing. 00:06:46.739 --> 00:06:50.579 Now you have to grow in your new identity. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:54.719 God has taken care of the first radical transformation. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:07:00.180 Now he wants you to take part in a more synergetic and gradual effort, 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:02.740 the process of sanctification, 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:06.240 by which we become more and more similar to God. 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:10.699 So the Thessalonians are not expected to just persevere. 00:07:11.159 --> 00:07:13.199 They should grow, improve. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:18.439 We ask you and urge you, 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:19.199 says Paul. 00:07:19.599 --> 00:07:21.839 These are strong words of exhortation. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:27.959 There is no room for the idea that this growth process is optional in any way. 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:32.579 So what should this sanctification look like? 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:35.120 Purity. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:36.919 Sexual purity. 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:38.840 Verse 3 reads, 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.800 It is God's will that you should be sanctified, 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:44.560 that you should avoid sexual immorality. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:50.140 The same Greek word has been translated into English as sanctified in verse 3, 00:07:50.460 --> 00:07:53.620 and then as holy in verses 4 and 7. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:56.879 And what Paul means by using this word in these verses 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:00.000 is that the Thessalonians are to be set apart, 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:02.000 as we were just singing. 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:07.819 Set apart, they have to differentiate themselves as Christians from the non-Christians. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:10.100 And how are they going to do this? 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:11.399 By how they live. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:15.899 And the word live in verse 1 is literally walk in the original. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:19.459 So the Thessalonians are to walk day after day 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:21.979 in a way that looks different, 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:24.279 in a way that looks holy. 00:08:27.919 --> 00:08:33.480 Although Paul begins by saying that the Thessalonians are already walking in a way that pleases God, 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:38.519 he still seems to have much to say about how he expects his church to do it. 00:08:38.939 --> 00:08:40.519 He seems to be between two feelings. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:46.039 On the one hand, he's satisfied and happy about where the Thessalonians already are. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:52.579 On the other hand, he's either aware of some individuals who are struggling with sexual purity, 00:08:52.959 --> 00:08:57.899 or at the very least, he's concerned about the risks that this church is exposed to. 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:00.279 And who could blame him? 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:06.360 These are young believers who just turned from worshipping the visible idols mentioned in chapter 1 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:11.719 to worshipping an invisible God in a city where sexual purity is basically unheard of. 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:16.420 I think sometimes we have this idea that as time goes by, 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:21.300 each new generation compromises on ethical and moral principles more than the previous one. 00:09:21.680 --> 00:09:25.519 And as we grow older, we tend to think that if we keep going at this rate, 00:09:25.800 --> 00:09:30.560 there won't be any ethical standards whatsoever to rely on in the future. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:39.379 And when it comes to sexual purity, I think this might make somewhat sense if we compare ourselves to Victorian Brits, 00:09:39.959 --> 00:09:43.959 but certainly not if we compare ourselves to first century Thessalonians. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:51.479 As Graham mentioned during the first sermon on this letter, Thessalonica is a big, diverse and religious city. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:57.840 And Paul is writing to people who live in a place where sexual promiscuity is considered not just normal, 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:01.399 but even good by the local religious institutions. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:06.779 So it is absolutely expected for men to have a very free lifestyle 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:11.220 and to take part in sexual rituals at the local temples of all places. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:15.879 And I dare say most people in Edinburgh today, whether they're Christians or not, 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:20.519 wouldn't think twice before labelling this sort of practice as immoral. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:28.220 So as we consider these verses on sexual purity, let's not make the mistake of thinking they are outdated, 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:33.840 because Paul had no idea how difficult it would be to strive for sexual purity in our age. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:39.000 Yes, it is true that we live in a society where marriage is often ridiculed, 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:44.240 where sex is seen more often than not as having very little to do with love, 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:50.139 let alone with being a gift from God to be enjoyed within the context that God meant it for. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:55.759 But Paul is writing to people who are faced with the exact same temptations as we are. 00:10:56.460 --> 00:11:01.340 They took different shapes, these temptations, back then than they do today. 00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:08.980 We're probably not tempted to enter promiscuous temples and are more concerned with the challenges of online porn these days. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:15.240 Nevertheless, it is the same desires of the flesh that the Thessalonians and us are fighting against. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:22.960 Can we imagine how difficult resisting these temptations must have been for the Thessalonian believers? 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:30.080 One day they're worshipping sexually promiscuous gods, and the day after this Paul appears, 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:35.860 and the power of God's word is so amazing that it convinces them of their sinful condition. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:40.759 They believe in Jesus, they accept his forgiveness, and form a church. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:45.039 And then after just a matter of weeks, the church planter, 00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:50.340 and possibly the only mature Christian of their congregation, is driven out of the city. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:56.680 No wonder Paul is concerned and sends Timothy to Thessalonica as soon as he can. 00:11:57.180 --> 00:12:02.019 How easy would it be for this congregation to fall back into old habits, 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:05.000 especially now that he's not there anymore? 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:12.580 2,000 years later, I think we too can find ourselves in a similar situation as the Thessalonians 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:14.620 when it comes to sexual sins and temptation. 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:21.700 We too are at risk of looking around us and beginning to wonder whether sexual sin is that bad after all. 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:27.019 Maybe we think, it won't hurt anyone, and it's just the way things are done in our society. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:34.460 We too might have people who like to ridicule us for what they might see as a prudish sexual conduct. 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:40.440 So I'm sure Paul would be just as concerned also about us falling back into old habits, 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:42.860 just as he was for the Thessalonians. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:49.700 So why is Paul asking the Thessalonians and us to avoid sexual immorality? 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:55.960 Why do we achieve sanctification by learning to control our body? 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:02.800 Is this maybe just a restriction imposed on Christians by a God who's perhaps a bit too demanding? 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:10.519 By a God who has unrealistic expectations when it comes to the behavior of his own creatures, after all? 00:13:11.719 --> 00:13:12.699 Certainly not. 00:13:13.359 --> 00:13:20.359 I think if we look carefully, these verses hide some wonderful truths which can turn an objection like this right on its head. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:28.180 The first truth is that being Christians defines our identity. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:30.080 It's our starting point. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.980 Verse 5 reads, 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:35.560 Unlike the pagans who do not know God. 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:38.139 But we do know God. 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:43.879 We do believe in Christ and in his sacrifice for our sins on the cross. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.899 And this makes us Christians. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:55.579 And one of the direct consequences of me being a Christian is, and in fact it has to be, it is God's will that it is avoiding sexual immorality. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:58.360 Learning to control my body. 00:14:00.199 --> 00:14:04.959 My pure sexual conduct should flow from my identity as a Christian. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:10.379 If I am struggling with sexual immorality, this does not mean I am not a Christian. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:14.779 Our human nature means we remain sinners, even as Christians. 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:18.919 But maybe I should pause and I should question where my allegiance is. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:25.699 So how does God expect sinners like us to avoid sexual immorality? 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:29.100 This takes us to the second truth. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:34.899 God has equipped us with the Holy Spirit to resist temptation. 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:38.360 He is not asking us the impossible. 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:40.399 It might feel like it. 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:44.799 Everyone around us might want us to think that we can't do it. 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.860 But it is simply not true. 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:53.139 I remember when I was in high school, the Italian MP in charge of education at the time and her team, 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:57.559 they published some material that our teachers used during sex ed classes. 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:04.220 There were the explanatory booklets that one would expect with information about STDs and, of course, about contraception. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:12.139 And one thing this little book stressed more than once is that no contraceptive method had a 100% success rate. 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:17.320 Whether you were trying to avoid a pregnancy or trying to avoid contracting a disease, 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:21.740 the only 100% safe system was abstinence, they said. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:31.799 And however scientifically accurate, this still sparked the rage of some journalists who were criticizing this material on national TV. 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:35.960 Their point was, why would you say something like that to a teenager? 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:40.320 Teenagers couldn't possibly choose to go for sexual abstinence. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.799 So why mention it at all? 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.659 Just focus on the other methods. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:48.039 They won't be 100% successful, but at least they are a viable option. 00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:53.799 Well, just as if Paul had these journalists in mind, he says in verse 8, 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:56.679 the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:00.839 The God whose will is for us to be sanctified, 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:06.740 and part of this sanctification process involves avoiding sexual immorality, as we just read, 00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:10.919 he is also the very God who gives us the Holy Spirit. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:15.039 The Holy Spirit who, as we read in other parts of the Bible, 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:21.159 convinces us of sin and fights against the desires of our flesh with us. 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:26.479 So Paul is not asking us to learn how to control our body by ourselves. 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:30.439 As Christians, the Spirit lives in us, 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:34.860 and it's a lie that we cannot overcome sexual temptation. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:40.899 We can't by ourselves, but we can if we let the Holy Spirit work in us. 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:51.360 A third truth that we can see in these verses is that sexual purity is God's will. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:56.759 Paul spells it out for us in verse 3 and reminds us in verse 6 00:16:56.759 --> 00:17:03.580 that God takes his will very seriously and will punish those who do not respect it. 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:06.819 What we mustn't forget is that God is perfect, 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.940 and that means his will is perfect too. 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:14.140 And as such, God's will will never impose on us 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:19.120 what we see from our human perspective as restrictions just for the sake of it. 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:22.660 Sexual purity, says verse 4, 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:27.700 makes us walk in a way that is holy and honourable. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:31.000 It's not a restriction, it's a blessing. 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:33.079 Let me say it again. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:36.799 Sexual purity is not a restriction, it is a blessing. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:43.240 In these verses, Paul does not go into details as to what sexual immorality consists of, 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.980 but the word he uses in the original is pornea, 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:49.359 which commonly referred to any sexual practices 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:54.500 which deviate from what God intended as the only context for sex, 00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:58.439 namely a man and a woman married to each other. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:01.039 Sex is God's invention, 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:04.600 and it is one of his beautiful blessings for us, 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:10.640 but we need to learn to control our body and to practice sex as God intended, 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.620 Paul is saying. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:18.980 If we want sex to bring honour and holiness instead of damaging us and those around us. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:25.980 And this takes us to our fourth and last point of this section. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:31.000 Paul reminds us that our sexual conduct does not concern just us. 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:34.579 It isn't only ourselves that we are accountable to, 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:38.519 and it's not even just something between us and God alone. 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:41.740 Verse 6 reads that in this matter, 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:45.579 no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:50.579 And it's a very direct reminder of the seriousness of sexual sin 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:53.859 and of the impact it has on the people around us. 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:58.720 Paul is warning us that the damage sexual impurity leaves in its wake is huge 00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:04.000 for couples, extended families, churches, businesses, and the list goes on. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:11.220 So, to sum up these four points, why should we strive for sexual purity? 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:15.940 It is God's holy and perfect will for us, 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:19.500 and a natural consequence of our Christian identity. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:23.960 But also, as we just said, possibly less obvious, but just as true, 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:29.359 it is out of love for our neighbour that we should learn to control our body. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.859 And how can we do this? 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.200 Through sanctification. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:39.319 Which is a God-dependent effort on our part, prompted by the Holy Spirit, 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:43.440 who will encourage us to satisfy God's desires, 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:46.500 rather than the desires of our flesh. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:52.299 Thinking back to the two levels I mentioned at the beginning, 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:54.200 personal level and community level, 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:57.779 the second section of the passage puts the emphasis more 00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:00.259 on our belonging to the body of Christ. 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:03.779 So, the header here, as we move on to verse 9, 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:06.740 would be Dear Brunsfield Evangelical Church. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:15.099 I wonder if you, like me, find it easy to see the link between sanctification and sexual purity, 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:18.900 but perhaps find that the connection between sanctification and brotherly love 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:21.799 is somewhat less obvious. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:28.200 I personally was quite surprised to see how the last verses that Tim took us through last Sunday, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.299 and which introduce our passage today, 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:35.599 say that it is actually through love for one another that holiness is maintained. 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:39.919 Chapter 3, verses 12 and 13, 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:43.039 and I'm reading from the ESV where the connection is clearer, 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.879 say, 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:49.380 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.720 as we do for you, 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:58.000 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father. 00:20:59.040 --> 00:21:06.180 We can please God more and more by living a sexual life that honors him, us, and those around us, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:09.140 but also by loving our brothers and sisters. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:14.460 In this second section, like in the first, 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:20.000 we see that Paul begins by stating that the Thessalonians are doing well when it comes to brotherly love, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:23.360 to the point that Paul does not need to write any instructions, 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:29.100 as they already show love, not just for one another within their own congregation in Thessalonica, 00:21:29.300 --> 00:21:31.920 but for all churches throughout Macedonia. 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:33.660 What an amazing church. 00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:38.200 And yet, just because Timothy comes back with a positive report, 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:44.539 it doesn't mean that Paul will not remind them to keep loving each other more and more. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:52.299 Here, too, we do not know if Timothy's report mentioned any specific concerns about a lack of love, 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:55.019 but even if that weren't the case, 00:21:55.500 --> 00:22:00.740 Paul clearly thinks it is worth stressing again that God wants us to love one another. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:07.039 I came to this church through Toastor almost six years ago. 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.400 Fiona might remember. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.880 I certainly remember her welcome. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:15.660 And what I found then was a welcoming church that showed love to anyone who came in 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:18.740 and whose members clearly loved one another. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.559 And as I look around today, 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:27.179 I still continually see expressions of that same loving Christ that I was amazed to find back then. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:31.819 And I am so grateful to God for such a loving family. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:34.460 When people ask what keeps us in Scotland, 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:37.899 Simone and I often say it's because we feel at home here. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:40.740 And the main reason for that is this church, 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.899 apart from the amazing weather we enjoy, of course. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:49.540 Nevertheless, Paul was challenging the loving church of Thessalonica 2,000 years ago. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:53.740 And he is challenging us, the loving Brunsfield church, tonight. 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:55.440 He doesn't say, 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:58.360 I do not need to write to you about love for one another. 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.540 You're good at it. 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.800 Now just take a sabbatical. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.660 He says once again, 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.019 we urge you, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:06.340 do so more and more. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.540 He doesn't say, 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.880 try to keep it going, 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:10.540 but do it more. 00:23:10.540 --> 00:23:12.100 And not just a bit more. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.679 He says, 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.819 do it more and more. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:19.939 Let's think about these words as we go home tonight. 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:25.019 Am I growing a bit tired of loving my brothers and sisters? 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:29.059 Do I just join the Rotas to serve my church every year, 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:31.219 just because I feel like I have to? 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:34.919 Or do I do it out of love for my congregation? 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.019 Or maybe, 00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:39.319 do I think I love my brothers and sisters, 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.399 but I'm not serving the church? 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.180 If so, 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.040 why is that? 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.600 Is there a problem in my heart? 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:47.080 Is it time to stop being shy 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:49.440 and go get in touch with some ministry leader 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:51.900 who needs help with their work? 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.740 Is it maybe time I pay a visit 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:57.140 to that someone I've had in mind for weeks 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:58.720 and show them my love? 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:03.220 And our love for our brothers and sisters 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:07.059 should even go beyond the walls of our own church. 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:10.519 The Thessalonians have been helping other churches in Macedonia 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:12.980 and they're being praised for it by Paul. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:18.180 Perhaps prayer is one of the ways that we can show love 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:21.100 for other churches in our city or Scotland. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:24.059 And I have been really enjoying hearing about 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:26.359 and praying for other churches in Edinburgh 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:30.779 during our Wednesday prayer meetings over the past year or so. 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:33.559 So do we see those meetings, 00:24:33.699 --> 00:24:34.439 and as we heard, 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:36.179 the next one is happening this coming Wednesday. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:39.980 Do we see them as an opportunity to obey God's commandment, 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.359 to love our brothers and sisters? 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:45.659 And I also wonder, 00:24:46.479 --> 00:24:49.299 does our love for each other go out? 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:53.019 Does it transpire when we interact with the people outside, 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:55.539 whether individually or as a congregation? 00:24:57.719 --> 00:25:00.539 Paul might have heard about some members of the congregation 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.379 in Thessalonica 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:04.519 who are living off wealthier members of the church, 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:08.339 being convinced that Jesus will return imminently 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:11.659 and therefore assuming that there is no point in working. 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:14.979 There are several verses in both letters to this church 00:25:14.979 --> 00:25:16.759 about this specific issue. 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:20.539 Paul is aware that people are looking in. 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.859 Christians were a target then, 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.099 like we are today, 00:25:24.459 --> 00:25:26.659 and he experienced it firsthand, 00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:29.500 having had to flee that same city. 00:25:29.959 --> 00:25:31.459 So Paul urges them 00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:35.859 to not stir even more what is an already tense situation, 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:39.500 but to mind their own business and be irreprinciable. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:42.759 The title of this sermon series is 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.880 Set Your Sight on Christ. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:48.140 And this is what he is telling the Thessalonians to do. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.920 Set your sight on Christ. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.359 Despite the difficulties, 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:53.220 do not be a troublemaker, 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.619 but work with your hands. 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.180 Those who are looking in 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:58.380 will respect you and the church 00:25:58.380 --> 00:26:00.000 for your work ethics. 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:02.119 It's a strong reminder 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:03.680 that we have the responsibility 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:06.519 not to bring Christianity into discredit, 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:09.660 but to preach Christ through our lives, 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:12.059 even through our secular jobs. 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:16.539 So as we draw to a close, 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.599 these verses remind us 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:20.759 that the moment we accepted Jesus, 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:23.339 his sacrifice on the cross for us, 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:26.259 our identity changed from that of a hopeless sinner 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:29.779 into that of a redeemed child of God. 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:33.059 And as such, as a child of God, 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:35.539 it is imperative for our life 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:38.920 to express integrity and purity 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:42.879 that are appropriate to our new identity as Christians. 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:45.299 So the question for us isn't 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:48.119 if we should strive for sanctification, 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.299 but how to. 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:54.379 One of the main themes of the letter 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:57.440 to the Thessalonians is Christ's return. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:27:01.440 And we will hear more about it in the coming weeks. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:04.940 So let's take these 12 verses from Paul 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:07.879 as an exhortation to wait for the Lord 00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:09.779 as God expects us to. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:12.419 As we head into a new week, 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:14.579 let's keep our sight on Jesus 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:16.680 and wait for his return 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:18.500 with the help of the Holy Spirit, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:20.460 practicing personal purity, 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.519 loving our brothers and sisters, 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:25.200 and behaving honestly in the world. 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.660 And let's always remember 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:29.299 that we have brothers and sisters 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:31.920 who are eager to show us the love of Christ. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.299 Because if it is true 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.720 that we can bring each other down 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:36.440 through sexual sin, as we read, 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:39.240 it is also true that we can and should 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:42.279 support each other in our fight against sin. 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:44.579 So if we are struggling with anything 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.220 that was mentioned tonight, 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.799 let's talk to one another. 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.819 Let's give our brothers and sisters 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:51.519 the opportunity to please God 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.299 by showing us his love. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:58.539 Let's aim for growth through sanctification, 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.180 not for stagnation. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:02.919 And let's please God more and more 00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:05.079 so that waiting for Christ's return 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:07.019 will have a purifying effect 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.839 in these areas of our life 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.639 that we've looked at. 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:11.820 Let's pray. 00:28:11.820 --> 00:28:11.860 Let's pray. 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.500 Lord and Father, 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:21.320 we thank you for your word 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:22.600 and for your commandments. 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:25.340 Thank you for the love you show us 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.660 through these commandments. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.940 Thank you because you care about us. 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.960 You want the best for us. 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:34.360 We ask you to help us set our side in Jesus. 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.380 Help us see the world 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:37.960 through your perfect will. 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.440 Sexual purity and love 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.660 for our brothers and sisters 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.320 please you. 00:28:47.760 --> 00:28:49.280 And we make the choice tonight 00:28:49.280 --> 00:28:51.200 to work hard as we go home 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:53.140 to work hard on pleasing you 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.380 in these areas of our life. 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:57.080 Comforted by the knowledge, 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.980 knowledge that you are with us 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.200 through the Holy Spirit 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:02.080 as we fight our flesh 00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:04.140 and as we wait 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:05.279 for the return of Jesus 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.200 for that day 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.480 when the fight will be over 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:10.440 and we will be in your glory. 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:13.160 Bless us as we leave church tonight 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.960 and as we head into a new week. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.019 Amen.