WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.060 If you would like to follow passage in your Bibles, if you have the Pew Bible, it's page 1173, 1 Thessalonians 4. 00:00:12.580 --> 00:00:22.980 ! I'm actually going to read the section that Zach preached on last week and then flow into the next section verses 9-12. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:26.219 That'll kind of help us to see how this all connects, I think. 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:30.579 So, Paul writes to the Thessalonian church, 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:26.219 00:01:26.219 --> 00:01:38.939 Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:45.060 For that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:55.459 But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:06.079 and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:12.039 You can see some phrases that Paul uses again in the second part that he used in the first part, 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:22.180 about the idea of, for you yourselves have been taught, and so forth, and I ask you to do this more and more, those kinds of things. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:23.819 So I think all this connects. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:31.319 Generally speaking, we try hard to please people, and that's appropriate, at least usually. 00:02:32.459 --> 00:02:35.359 We certainly are not to be people pleasers. 00:02:35.859 --> 00:02:41.560 The Bible's pretty clear about that, in the sense that we would sacrifice truth and righteousness to accomplish that. 00:02:41.699 --> 00:02:46.699 But when we do something, I think we do hope that people are pleased by our efforts. 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:55.519 Surely, we don't begin to do something with the expressed intention of irritating other people, like, I hope this really ticks them off. 00:02:55.679 --> 00:02:57.339 You know, we don't start that way. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:05.019 I'm sorry to say that some people, even believers, are not immune to such immature and unspiritual reactions, 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:08.579 but that really should never be a pattern of life for us. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:14.699 Even more important than living so as to please others, however, is living to please God. 00:03:14.699 --> 00:03:18.060 I mean, do we want God to be pleased with the way we live? 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:18.799 I hope we do. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:26.419 The author of Hebrews reminded us that without faith, it is, what, impossible to please God. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:32.299 So, if we have any desire to please God, that can only really happen if we have trusted the Savior, 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:35.679 if we have been born again in Him. 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:41.259 Paul told the Corinthians that God was pleased with the foolishness of preaching, 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:46.719 which God uses as a means to make Himself known through the proclamation of the gospel. 00:03:47.679 --> 00:03:54.120 Salvation is, remember, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:58.699 revealed through the Scripture alone, or the glory of God alone. 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:01.120 So, that's the faith that we have. 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:04.840 That's the understanding of the gospel that we should believe. 00:04:05.539 --> 00:04:09.819 The author of Hebrews, remember, commended Enoch as one who pleased God. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:16.480 So, I take it from that that it must be possible for us as believers to be able to please God with the way we live. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:24.300 Though we who belong to Jesus Christ have the capacity to please God, it's not automatic. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:29.659 We read in the Scripture that sometimes God is not pleased. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:31.300 Surely we don't want that. 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:33.819 These are specific statements. 00:04:34.459 --> 00:04:39.659 There are specific statements in the Bible that declare that God is pleased if we do what He says. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:42.399 That's what we have in this particular text. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:48.860 So, if you want to please God, Paul tells us in this first Thessalonian letter how we can. 00:04:49.599 --> 00:04:56.219 And what he declares to us through the written revelation, I think it's practical, it's understandable, 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:00.740 but it's not always very well accomplished or very easily accomplished. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:05.400 But if we want to please God, this is what we're called to do. 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:11.620 So, the areas that kind of shape in this passage, at least in my understanding, 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:18.040 first, Paul deals with what Zach did last week, how we use our bodies to please God. 00:05:18.400 --> 00:05:22.439 And then the next two sections in the little passage that we read after that, 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:26.680 how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ, how we treat other believers, 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:29.620 and then how we conduct our business. 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:34.360 All of those are important in our understanding of how to please God. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:40.500 So, I'm going to sort of do a little bit of a recap on some of the things that Zach said, 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:43.240 not because I think he missed anything, 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:47.019 but because I think it's sometimes good for us to be reminded, 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:52.040 and this also kind of gives us a movement ahead into the rest of the passage. 00:05:52.040 --> 00:05:57.040 So, if we are to please God in the way we use our bodies, 00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:59.100 we have to meet the goal of holiness. 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:04.840 I want to start out with some preventative maintenance just for a minute. 00:06:05.400 --> 00:06:09.120 I mean, we may need to hear some things again, so that's what we're going to do. 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:15.060 Growing in Christ means learning how to walk through life in all kinds of situations 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:17.020 with the goal of pleasing God. 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:21.539 Because of factors such as our own sinful tendencies, 00:06:22.719 --> 00:06:24.199 the allurements of the world, 00:06:24.919 --> 00:06:26.879 and the relentless tempting of the enemy, 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:29.439 we need periodic checkups. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:36.219 Without realizing it, I think we suffer something I've kind of called carnal creep. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:37.279 All right? 00:06:37.919 --> 00:06:42.779 We slowly slide towards sin without realizing how far away we've wandered. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:46.339 Now, anything with the word creep in it usually isn't good. 00:06:46.339 --> 00:06:50.439 And by the way, though we may creep into carnality, 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:52.500 we do not creep into righteousness. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:53.179 Okay? 00:06:53.419 --> 00:06:55.659 That's a challenge. 00:06:56.719 --> 00:06:57.859 That's intentional. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:01.219 That's work to do that. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:03.620 That's the direction we should be going. 00:07:04.039 --> 00:07:06.219 Well, Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians 00:07:06.219 --> 00:07:09.539 to accept as a priority some mid-course corrections, 00:07:10.039 --> 00:07:12.159 and we would do well to pay attention. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:16.760 So, what is at stake here is doing the will of God, 00:07:16.900 --> 00:07:18.820 pleasing God, being set apart, 00:07:19.380 --> 00:07:22.360 becoming sanctified people of God. 00:07:22.880 --> 00:07:26.580 To be set apart to God is the will of God, 00:07:26.980 --> 00:07:29.520 and when that happens, God is pleased. 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:32.160 So, there is to be a difference, 00:07:32.520 --> 00:07:34.780 an uncommonness in our walk. 00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:37.179 It should be a walk of holiness, 00:07:37.339 --> 00:07:38.379 a walk of purity. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:41.479 One way that we should look different 00:07:41.479 --> 00:07:45.759 than the walk of the world is, 00:07:46.059 --> 00:07:47.739 and by the way, I think sometimes we think 00:07:47.739 --> 00:07:50.719 Christians should be weird. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:51.559 No, they shouldn't. 00:07:51.719 --> 00:07:51.879 Okay? 00:07:52.059 --> 00:07:53.399 We're not weird. 00:07:53.739 --> 00:07:53.879 Okay? 00:07:53.979 --> 00:07:55.279 We're not, we're different. 00:07:55.539 --> 00:07:55.779 All right? 00:07:55.919 --> 00:07:57.899 That's not, there's two different things there. 00:07:57.979 --> 00:07:58.259 All right? 00:07:58.679 --> 00:08:02.099 I've met some Christians that were probably that way, weird. 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:04.439 But we're to be different, 00:08:04.580 --> 00:08:06.200 and the world should pick up on that. 00:08:06.320 --> 00:08:08.020 And I think that as we understand 00:08:08.020 --> 00:08:09.879 what Paul is saying here, 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:11.100 we'll get that. 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:14.280 The word sanctification is kind of a big word, 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:16.580 but it doesn't need to be a foreign word to us. 00:08:17.140 --> 00:08:18.800 It carries the idea of being uncommon, 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:22.800 different, special, set apart for a purpose. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:26.560 We belong to God because he purchased us. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:28.879 You remember what Paul said to the Corinthians, 00:08:29.580 --> 00:08:31.200 you are not your own. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:31.639 What? 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:32.399 You are what? 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:34.439 Bought with a price. 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:38.200 Therefore, glorify God in your bodies. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:42.500 So how we live is to be different 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:43.899 from the way other people live. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:44.779 How does that look? 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:47.980 Well, he tells us negatively, 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:50.819 some things have no place in the life of believers. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:55.120 And as Zach addressed this faithfully and firmly last week, 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:57.799 we are to abstain from immorality. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:01.659 This is a negative aspect of Paul's counsel. 00:09:01.959 --> 00:09:05.679 We learned last week that sexual immorality is a general term 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:10.759 describing various forms of behavior that the Bible calls perversion. 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:14.340 We should not be surprised when we see that in the world, 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:18.639 though it is in the world and always before us, 00:09:18.700 --> 00:09:22.039 it ought not to have any place in our lives. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:28.500 To abstain from immorality suggests that we do not participate in the things that would lead in that direction. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.500 Somewhere along the way, 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:33.559 instead of concentrating on pleasing God, 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:37.320 we might begin thinking about pleasing ourselves. 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:40.440 And when that happens, 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:44.920 we begin to see things in the world that appear to answer 00:09:44.920 --> 00:09:47.280 the desire for our own pleasure, 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:51.760 which falsely promises to satisfy our appetites. 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:54.680 With approval of flesh 00:09:54.680 --> 00:09:57.700 and the encouragement of the enemy, 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:01.200 we start down that slippery slope of perversion. 00:10:02.380 --> 00:10:04.500 So Paul says it's time to pump the brakes 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:06.660 and do a rapid 180. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:13.060 Years ago, I remember coming across a commentary by Warren Wearsby, 00:10:13.300 --> 00:10:15.140 and he said something like this 00:10:15.140 --> 00:10:19.220 as he was describing this problem of a worldly attitude 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:21.440 and a worldly walk by a believer. 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:22.460 He said, 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:24.700 Anything in the Christian's life 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:29.020 that causes him to lose the enjoyment of the Father's love 00:10:29.020 --> 00:10:32.220 or his desire to do the Father's will 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:33.700 must be avoided. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.180 I like that. 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:38.459 Because there are some things that sometimes we do and say 00:10:38.459 --> 00:10:41.000 that, frankly, we know 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:46.759 cause us to lose the enjoyment of the Father's love. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:50.779 And sometimes they cause us 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:54.599 to leave the desire to do the Father's will. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:59.040 Well, you know that immorality has destroyed countless marriages 00:10:59.040 --> 00:11:03.139 and families and careers and churches and reputations. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:06.720 And for those who have managed to dabble in such things 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:08.779 without actually being exposed, 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:11.959 their lives are at best weak and ineffective, 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:16.839 failing at the very core of Christian responsibility, 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.500 which is to please God. 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.839 Thankfully, there is a God 00:11:20.839 --> 00:11:23.179 who gets our attention, 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.819 changes our hearts, 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.419 and turns us around. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:28.599 That's great. 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:30.979 But if we get involved in those things, 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:31.899 we're going to be in trouble. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:34.719 And we're going to bring chaos 00:11:34.719 --> 00:11:36.779 in our lives and the lives of others. 00:11:37.699 --> 00:11:38.599 Positively, again, 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:39.959 we are to maintain control. 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:43.299 The believer should be marked by holiness and honor 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:46.599 to provide what we need to live such lives. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.839 We're given the Holy Spirit. 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:50.299 We are to be controlled by the Spirit. 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:53.120 You probably are aware in Galatians chapter 5, 00:11:53.219 --> 00:11:55.740 Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:59.199 The last one he mentions is self-control. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.719 How do those two work together? 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:02.339 Well, on the one hand, 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:04.199 we are to be controlled by the Spirit. 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:05.359 On the other hand, 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:07.819 we are equipped by the Holy Spirit 00:12:07.819 --> 00:12:10.339 to exercise control over ourselves. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:13.279 So it's the Holy Spirit who gives us the desire 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.959 and the energy to be self-controlled 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:17.379 to the point that we avoid, 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:19.860 even flee from those things 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:22.460 that you read about in the first eight verses. 00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:26.480 Always, the nature and work of the Holy Spirit 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.659 is holiness. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.679 When we're under his control, 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:32.779 we are moving in the direction of holiness. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:37.000 One author I came across some time ago said this, 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:38.899 to go on living in impurity 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:42.759 is a direct insult to the divine giver 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:44.659 and a sin against the Holy Spirit 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:46.740 who is the power unto holiness. 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:49.639 He supplies not only the desire, 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:52.360 but also the ability to live a life of purity. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:56.340 His indwelling puts an end to the pagan plea 00:12:56.340 --> 00:13:00.220 that man has no power to resist impure desires. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:03.340 For believers to go on living in immorality 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:07.939 is to repudiate the gracious provision of God for holiness 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:12.220 and invites his sure judgment as the avenger of sin. 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:15.980 The way to escape is to fly to the giver 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:19.660 and accept and cherish his gift. 00:13:21.260 --> 00:13:22.600 So, question, 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:26.840 do we possess a passionate love set on pleasing God, 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:30.580 or is there a passionate lust fixed on satisfying 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:32.220 our carnal desires? 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:36.440 Verse 6 always puzzled me a little bit. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:40.180 In the text, again, you heard from last week, 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:44.840 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this manner. 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:46.300 I used to scratch my head and think, 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:48.340 what are you talking about brother here? 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:50.500 I thought this was talking about this individual. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:58.019 Well, it is true that maybe immorality occurred 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:59.799 and broke up a family or something like that. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:01.480 I could see how that would hurt another brother. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.960 But it might be simpler than that. 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:06.980 I think Zach hit on this last week. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.460 It goes something like this. 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:10.039 We never sin in a vacuum. 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:14.419 Our sin has a ripple effect on the body of Christ. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:18.000 When a brother or sister in Christ falls morally, 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:22.320 the church is marked as hypocritical. 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.759 The world looks at that, 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:25.879 eh, they're all alike. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.700 Ministry is made more difficult. 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.399 The enemy is given more ammunition. 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:34.559 The credibility of Christ takes a hit. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:38.940 But also, the potential ministry of the person who sinned 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:41.659 is marred or sometimes destroyed. 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:44.539 And God will discipline that individual 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.620 and possibly discipline the church 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:49.320 depending on how they respond to the sin 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:51.740 further impacting the work of Christ. 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:54.159 It's a big deal 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:56.759 not to walk in holiness. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:15:00.120 If we think we can play around with impurity 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.879 while maintaining our walk with Christ, 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:03.779 we really are deceiving ourselves. 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:06.919 And if we blow this off as no big deal, 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:08.460 we are reminded that 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:10.519 to disregard the warning 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:13.159 is not disregarding mere man, 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:15.319 but it's disregarding God. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.360 God has given us this Holy Spirit 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:22.240 to go toward impurity 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.279 puts us at odds 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:26.039 with the purpose of God 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:27.219 to sanctify us 00:15:27.219 --> 00:15:29.339 and to conform us 00:15:29.339 --> 00:15:30.419 to the image of Christ. 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.000 If we want to please God, 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:33.459 it really does matter 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:35.219 how we use our bodies. 00:15:36.579 --> 00:15:37.159 Check out 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:39.379 Zach's sermon from last week. 00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:40.220 You'll be blessed 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.540 and taught. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.879 Now let's move into 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.800 what he says 00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:46.600 in verses 9 and 10 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.500 and 11 and 12. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.399 Verse 9 and 10, 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.080 he says, 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:51.139 not only do we need to 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:53.779 be careful 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.160 how we live our lives 00:15:56.160 --> 00:15:57.600 in terms of our bodies, 00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:59.200 but also he's saying 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.879 how we treat our brothers and sisters 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.639 is important. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:04.160 If the first is the goal of holiness, 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.540 the goal here is love. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.700 So again he says in verse 9, 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:09.520 Now concerning brotherly love, 00:16:09.640 --> 00:16:10.720 you have no need 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.160 for anyone to write to you, 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:13.540 for you yourselves 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:15.000 have been taught by God 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:16.040 to love one another, 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.580 for that indeed 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.820 is what you are doing 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.759 to all the brothers 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.860 throughout Macedonia. 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:22.900 But we urge you brothers 00:16:22.900 --> 00:16:23.879 to do this 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:25.280 more and more. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.500 So abstaining from 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.520 the selfish, sinful actions 00:16:29.520 --> 00:16:31.220 produced by a fallen world, 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.480 believers are called 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.759 to focus attention 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.660 and efforts 00:16:34.660 --> 00:16:36.360 toward loving one another 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.240 by the purest of motives 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:40.139 and the best of conduct. 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:41.980 Such a response 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:44.080 is a strong outward testimony 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:46.860 to the change in us 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:48.500 due to the Spirit's working 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.200 of regeneration 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:50.320 and transformation. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:52.539 So if we're to please God, 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.300 it does matter 00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.480 how we treat other people. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.700 And sometimes, 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.220 we don't treat them 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:57.940 all that nicely. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:01.039 This brotherly love 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.340 is the supernatural love. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.620 We're basically selfish people. 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:07.599 We love for other people. 00:17:08.459 --> 00:17:09.039 I'm sorry, 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.919 love for other people 00:17:09.919 --> 00:17:11.139 does not come naturally. 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.379 We want others 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.699 to show love to us, 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:16.859 but we're not so quick 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:19.139 sometimes to love them. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.539 There's a selflessness 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.779 that all of us have 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:23.379 that we're thinking about 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.379 how do they view me, 00:17:24.479 --> 00:17:25.619 what are they thinking about me, 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.719 do they like me, 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.039 you know, 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:28.059 and it's like, 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.819 just kind of forget that, 00:17:29.939 --> 00:17:30.199 please. 00:17:30.679 --> 00:17:31.839 It's about them, 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:33.359 not really about us. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.439 Yes, 00:17:34.199 --> 00:17:35.299 but it's a tough one. 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.219 But the Father, 00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:36.559 actually, 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:37.119 it's interesting, 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.959 the Trinity here 00:17:38.959 --> 00:17:41.379 has taught us 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:43.240 how to love one another. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.599 When Paul says 00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.639 in the text, 00:17:47.219 --> 00:17:47.919 you have been taught 00:17:47.919 --> 00:17:48.719 by God 00:17:48.719 --> 00:17:49.500 to love one another, 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.319 I'm scratching my head 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:50.719 a little bit, 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:50.939 okay, 00:17:50.979 --> 00:17:51.839 what does he mean by that? 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:53.339 And this sort of 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.000 came to mind. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:56.219 The Father taught us 00:17:56.219 --> 00:17:57.359 to love each other 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.399 when he gave us 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:59.079 his Son 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.039 to die for us. 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.440 That's really what 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.599 John was saying 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.399 in 1 John 4, 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:03.859 19. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.579 The Son taught us 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:08.359 to love each other 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.159 when he said 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:10.159 in John 00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:11.859 chapter 13, 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:12.720 verse 34, 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.799 a new commandment 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.579 I give you 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.720 that you love 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.240 one another. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.319 The Holy Spirit 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.940 taught us 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.819 to love each other. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.259 Romans chapter 5, 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:22.779 verse 5, 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.480 Paul says, 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.700 God's love 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.700 has been poured 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:27.519 into our hearts 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:29.299 through the Holy Spirit 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:31.099 who has been given 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.879 to us. 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:33.359 So, 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.980 God has been teaching us 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.720 all along, 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.240 the whole Trinity 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.720 has been teaching us 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.339 all along 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.259 to love one another. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.619 If we fail 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.779 or refuse 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.660 to love one another, 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.779 we're not pleasing God 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.400 and frankly, 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.480 we're not without excuse. 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.740 We have been given 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.879 both the example 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:50.940 and the power 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.900 to love one another. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.480 This is a supernatural love. 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.599 I've watched 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.180 over the years 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:56.879 a lot of Christians 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.980 take each other apart. 00:18:58.100 --> 00:18:58.660 It's not pretty 00:18:58.660 --> 00:19:01.460 and it's hard 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:01.980 in churches. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.280 It's anything 00:19:04.280 --> 00:19:05.080 but love. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.180 One of the greatest 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.140 demonstrations 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.540 of the power 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:08.980 of God 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.680 and the reality 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.320 of salvation 00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:10.980 in Christ 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:12.840 is selfless love 00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:13.880 of one person 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.420 to another. 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:16.580 I think that's 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:17.060 one of the reasons 00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:17.800 why we were told 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.180 in the Bible 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.040 to see how they 00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:19.740 love one another 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.940 was a big deal 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:23.500 in the early church. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.520 When Paul 00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:26.840 told the Ephesians 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.279 men, 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.259 husbands, 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.379 love your wives 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:30.240 as Christ loved 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.720 the church 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.799 and gave himself 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.679 up for her, 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:34.679 that was in the context 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:35.279 of one of the most 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.779 amazing descriptions 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:38.480 of the love of God 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.220 toward sinners 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.000 that you will ever read. 00:19:42.699 --> 00:19:44.019 Christ is the example. 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.339 The commandment 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:46.899 has been given 00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:48.139 without qualification 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:50.240 in that text. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.240 God has been given 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.500 to us. 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.859 And such a seeming 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.960 impossible love 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.960 has been made possible 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.759 by the presence 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.420 and the power 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.220 of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.299 He's poured out 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.900 his love upon us. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.200 It's a supernatural love. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.200 But it's also 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.420 a developing love. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.859 The acknowledgement 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.940 here is made by Paul 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.779 that the Thessalonians 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.660 were doing a good job 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.180 with this. 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.559 But their generosity 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.140 and their acts 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.740 of mercy, 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.920 their selfless 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.279 service throughout Macedonia 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.820 had not gone unnoticed 00:20:20.820 --> 00:20:21.500 by Paul, 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.920 nor had it gone noticed 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.300 to those who'd received it. 00:20:24.800 --> 00:20:25.140 However, 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.820 in everything we do 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:28.019 in our walk with Christ, 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.480 there's always room 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.360 for improvement. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.820 We don't graduate 00:20:31.820 --> 00:20:32.340 from that 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.300 until we go to heaven. 00:20:34.320 --> 00:20:35.600 We just keep on 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.860 more and more. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.039 However, 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:44.800 I guess I could say it this way. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.960 It's impossible 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:48.159 to overdo 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:49.119 loving one another. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.919 I read in a commentary 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:53.440 somewhere, 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.119 and I forgot to 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.500 note where it came from. 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.460 I hate it when that happens. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.099 I got this great quote, 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.480 and I don't know 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.059 who to give it to, 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.799 but there is an endless 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.720 source of divine energy 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.319 available for Christian living. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.639 Paul was not satisfied 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.599 until he 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.440 and those he worked with 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.200 had it all. 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.720 Some might say, 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.639 but you have no idea 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.840 what I must put up with. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.259 You would not believe 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.240 the selfless, 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:17.840 arrogant, 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:18.980 self-righteous, 00:21:19.080 --> 00:21:19.420 and they go, 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:19.860 you know, 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.820 eh, 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.100 it happens. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:27.259 But if God gave the command 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.120 to love one another, 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.340 and he gave us the capacity 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.560 to love one another, 00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:32.900 it seems to me 00:21:32.900 --> 00:21:34.240 that there's only one thing missing, 00:21:35.040 --> 00:21:35.720 our obedience 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.860 to love one another. 00:21:38.060 --> 00:21:39.060 No excuses, 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.080 no buts, 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.420 just do it. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:43.000 And we can, 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:43.400 really. 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.820 We have the Spirit of God. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.660 And in fact, 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.539 in Peter's letter, 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.700 he says this, 00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:49.960 just, 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:51.080 I'm going to read this slow, 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.539 kind of let it sink in. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.539 Having purified your souls 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.800 by your obedience 00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:59.100 to the truth 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:02.580 for a sincere brotherly love, 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:05.480 love one another earnestly 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.259 from a pure heart. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:09.839 Since you have been born again, 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.960 not of perishable seed, 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.180 but of imperishable, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.379 through the living 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:16.519 and abiding word of God. 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.379 When God saved us, 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:18.700 remember, 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:21.640 he poured his love into us 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:23.579 so that now we have the capacity 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.819 to pour out that love 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.740 to one another. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.400 It's there. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.539 So when we say, 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.819 I don't know, 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.859 I can't love that person, 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:34.240 maybe we need to re-examine that. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.259 Yeah, you can. 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:39.700 So the goals so far 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.440 in pleasing God 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.440 have been holiness, 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:43.420 verses 1 through 8, 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:45.039 and love, 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.359 verses 9 and 10. 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.759 The final one 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.859 that Paul deals with here 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.720 is respect. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.519 And he sets the context here 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.680 that it's important 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.480 not only how we use our bodies 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:59.140 and how we treat one another, 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:01.279 our brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:03.119 but how we conduct our business. 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:05.319 So here the goal is respect. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.839 Here are the verses. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.019 I'm going to pick up on verse 10 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.200 running into verse 11. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.879 We urge you, brothers, 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.200 do this more and more, 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:14.000 and to aspire 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.980 to live quietly, 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.180 to mind your own affairs, 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:20.160 to work with your hands 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:22.379 as we instructed you, 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:24.779 so that you may walk properly 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.859 before outsiders 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:27.299 and be dependent 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:29.299 on no one. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.299 ambition. 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.659 So ambition 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:33.379 of a quiet life 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.419 he addresses first. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.000 Now that may seem 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.579 a little bit paradoxical. 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.799 It's kind of interesting 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.779 how Paul says it. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.639 Strive eagerly 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.480 and zealously 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.659 to be quiet. 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.960 Kind of weird, 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.399 you know. 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.339 But 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:50.759 he said something similar 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.419 to Timothy 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:52.059 when he said 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.279 that you may lead 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:55.079 a peaceful and quiet life, 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.519 godly and dignified 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.279 in every way. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.559 So, 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.680 regardless of your personality, 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.920 there is a responsibility 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:06.639 to live a quiet life. 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.319 That's an ambition. 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.819 Let's see if we can figure out 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.539 what that means. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.339 The word quiet 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.420 probably carries 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.160 the idea 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.379 of peace of mind. 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.379 It's a striving 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.700 to have a balanced, 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:19.339 tranquil perspective 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.420 in life. 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.119 It's not all hyper, 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.879 crazy, 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.819 or look at me, 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:26.359 or always stirring the pot. 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:27.479 It's not that. 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:30.019 It's living in quiet confidence 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:32.479 of God's providence, 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.119 trusting him 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.839 through all kinds 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.679 of circumstances, 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.679 all kinds of situations, 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.279 both pleasant 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.919 and difficult. 00:24:41.639 --> 00:24:42.539 That says something 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.699 about those around us. 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:44.899 It gains 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:45.979 their respect. 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:48.079 It speaks volumes 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.719 about our great God. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.759 And such a life 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.339 pleases God. 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.539 Closely connected 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.839 to this ambition 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.279 of a quiet life 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.679 is an ambition 00:24:58.679 --> 00:25:00.899 of a private life. 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:03.359 We need to live lives 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.559 that give attention 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.919 to our own business 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:08.039 and not be pressing in 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:09.599 on everyone else's business. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:12.500 It's long been a problem 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.679 among believers 00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:15.379 to be over-interested 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:17.220 in other people's affairs 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:19.199 while failing to attend 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:20.179 to our own. 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:24.620 Paul would later 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.259 have to tell 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.240 the Thessalonians 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.320 in his second letter 00:25:27.320 --> 00:25:28.980 in chapter 3 this, 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.560 For we hear 00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:31.920 that some among you 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.560 walk in idleness, 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:36.000 not busy at work, 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.900 but busy bodies. 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:41.279 Now such persons 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.519 are we command 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.340 and encourage 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.160 in the Lord Jesus 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:46.060 to do their work 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:46.180 quietly 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.820 and to earn 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:49.600 their own living. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:53.279 Pastor Mike 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:55.240 will get to 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.220 the idea 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.940 of something 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.660 that was happening 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.060 in Thessalonica, 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.000 but apparently 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.180 people were waiting 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.420 for Jesus to come. 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.259 And they're excited 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.259 about Jesus to come. 00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:05.920 Is that a good thing? 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:06.860 Sure. 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.279 But they were so excited 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:11.519 and so anticipating 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.620 that return 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:14.600 that they quit working. 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:16.559 And then when they quit 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.079 working, 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.779 they run short 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.619 on things. 00:26:20.719 --> 00:26:21.339 And then when they run 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.159 short on things, 00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:23.039 they start depending 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.480 on somebody else 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.219 to take care of them 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:26.039 while they're 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.619 righteously waiting. 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.159 And Paul says, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.579 no, 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.619 don't do that. 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:32.219 You have a responsibility 00:26:32.219 --> 00:26:35.899 to have a quiet life 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:37.699 and a private life, 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.299 and we'll get to it 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.740 in a minute, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.279 productive life. 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.959 That's the call. 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.079 Well, 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.400 so, 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:48.340 he said, 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:48.940 I mean, 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.539 again, 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.360 this was a problem 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.259 in the first century. 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.380 Paul attested to Timothy, 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.500 besides that, 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:56.420 you learn to be idlers 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.980 going about 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.160 from house to house, 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.980 and not only idlers, 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:02.100 but also gossips 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:02.960 and busybodies 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:06.019 saying what they should not. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.579 That's a problem. 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.319 So, 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.720 if you would please God, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.440 then if we would please God, 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.519 we need to take care 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.900 how we conduct our business. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.579 Paul continues to make the case 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.339 that if we would be respected, 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:21.339 we should also make it 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.160 our ambition 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:25.079 to be that of a productive life. 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.380 Now, 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.319 we ought not to be afraid 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.360 to work with our hands. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.180 The Greeks believed 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.279 that free men 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.480 should never stoop 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.880 to the level of manual labor. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.700 There was a slave for that. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.539 So, 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.500 you don't need to do that. 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.660 That's what they would say. 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.580 But the attitude 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:39.560 is inconsistent 00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:41.660 with true Christianity. 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:44.519 There's no inconsistency 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.700 between holy living 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.860 and honest work. 00:27:48.380 --> 00:27:50.740 By so living to please God 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.500 in what we do, 00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:52.600 we will gain the respect 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.820 of a watching world, 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.620 and we will gain 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:58.320 a dignified independence. 00:27:59.600 --> 00:28:00.720 It's kind of weird. 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.720 Looking back over my life, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.660 I'm not sure anybody 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:06.220 was enamored by sermons 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.900 I preached, 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.079 but a couple times, 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:09.960 and this, by the way, 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.319 was done with the wrong attitude, 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:13.860 but we were in a church 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.660 for a while 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.720 that there really wasn't, 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.720 there wasn't paid people 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.180 to help clean 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.839 and so forth. 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.620 And so people would clean 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:23.539 on a scheduled basis, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:23.960 you know, 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.539 and I would go in 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.100 really early 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:26.900 on a Sunday morning 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:29.799 and work on the message 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.579 and so forth, 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:32.259 and then I'd kind of 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.019 get my heart ready 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.740 for the day. 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:36.539 And a few times, 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.179 I'd go in 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:38.119 and realize that 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:39.960 the volunteer person 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.559 on the list 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.179 didn't come in 00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:42.019 and clean the church. 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.500 Sermon laid aside, 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.740 time to clean the church. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.179 And a couple of times, 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:51.059 I hadn't finished yet 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.539 when somebody came in 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.599 and I was vacuuming 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.859 or cleaning the bathroom 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.399 or something. 00:28:55.939 --> 00:28:57.579 It probably made more impact 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.500 on them spiritually 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.659 than the sermon 00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:00.559 I preached that day. 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:01.579 And they said, 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.539 what is wrong 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.079 with this guy? 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.159 Oh, well, 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:04.839 I guess it's good 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.679 that he's doing that. 00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:08.419 And I, again, 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:10.019 I was like irritated 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:11.220 that people didn't do it, 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.779 but I think what happened 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.199 was that they said, 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.960 oh, this guy, 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:17.599 he's doing the right thing here. 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.740 He's, 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.079 that's good to see that. 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:23.799 And it does make a difference 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:25.220 when we demonstrate 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.919 that we're not afraid to work 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:27.759 and that we pitch in 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.119 and help. 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:30.719 Paul is saying that 00:29:30.719 --> 00:29:31.619 to a certain extent. 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:36.699 We need not be dependent 00:29:36.699 --> 00:29:37.519 on other people 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.559 for our basic needs. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:40.179 And all this kind of works 00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:41.679 around that idea of love. 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.699 If we love each other, 00:29:42.739 --> 00:29:43.339 we're not going to be 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.579 messing around with immorality. 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:46.119 If we love each other, 00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:46.919 we're going to be doing 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.279 our own, 00:29:47.379 --> 00:29:48.399 doing the right thing 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.439 by taking care 00:29:49.439 --> 00:29:50.159 of our own needs, 00:29:50.199 --> 00:29:51.199 by living a quiet life, 00:29:51.199 --> 00:29:52.659 by not stirring up things. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:54.340 All that's around 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:55.220 the idea of love 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.420 that he centers on, 00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:57.120 love your brothers 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:58.340 and sisters in Christ. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:02.060 Paul wrote to the Ephesians 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:04.779 about slaves, 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.820 about bond servants. 00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:06.259 He said, 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:07.019 bond servants, 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.500 obey your earthly masters 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.779 with fear and trembling, 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:12.160 with a sincere heart, 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:14.240 as you would Christ. 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:17.040 Not by way of eye service, 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.840 as people pleasers, 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.579 but as bond servants 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.459 of Christ, 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:23.279 doing the will of God 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.220 from the heart, 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.799 rendering service 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.839 with a good will 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:28.279 as to the Lord 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.539 and not to man. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.259 So when we're serving 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.899 other people, 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.379 when we're doing honest work, 00:30:33.439 --> 00:30:34.139 those kinds of things, 00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:36.240 it's not just doing that, 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.119 it's as to Christ, 00:30:38.179 --> 00:30:38.959 as to the Lord. 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.939 That's the kind of service 00:30:41.939 --> 00:30:44.339 that we're supposed to do. 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:48.339 Such ambition, 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.559 men pleases the Lord 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:51.039 and it gets the attention 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.299 of a watching world. 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.199 You've probably heard 00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:54.339 this little poem. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.480 You are writing a gospel, 00:30:58.699 --> 00:30:59.899 a chapter each day, 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.959 by the deeds that you do 00:31:01.959 --> 00:31:04.259 and the words that you say. 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:06.220 Men read what you write, 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.619 distorted or true. 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.039 So, 00:31:09.459 --> 00:31:10.539 what is the gospel 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.480 according to you? 00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:15.339 Oh, that we would set 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:17.480 our desires on pleasing God. 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:19.299 Pleasing God 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:21.240 is not a checklist activity 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.240 that can be completed 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:23.399 and considered accomplished. 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:26.019 It's an ongoing responsibility 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.919 that every believer carries. 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.659 And it's inclusive, 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:33.319 involving our personal lives, 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.899 involving our relationships 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:35.879 with other people, 00:31:36.459 --> 00:31:36.919 and particularly 00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:37.980 in the body of Christ, 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:41.099 as well as our interaction 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:42.099 with our community. 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.179 So, 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.500 we are to walk in purity 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:46.579 and respond in love 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:48.139 and gain respect 00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:48.839 from those 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:50.059 with whom we live 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:50.759 and work. 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.500 And when that's true, 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.379 Paul says, 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.319 God is pleased. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.899 And when we fail 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:57.679 at those things, 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.859 we fail to please God. 00:32:00.179 --> 00:32:00.879 And when we act 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:02.419 in impure ways, 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.199 we are not loving 00:32:03.199 --> 00:32:03.759 one another. 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:05.539 We are self-absorbed. 00:32:05.879 --> 00:32:06.639 And when we fail 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.939 to respect others 00:32:07.939 --> 00:32:09.000 by not living 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.459 a quiet, 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.299 productive life, 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.440 we're not loving 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.039 one another. 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:13.519 We're depending on others 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.500 to do for us 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.399 what we should be doing 00:32:15.399 --> 00:32:16.220 for ourselves 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.339 and others. 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.579 Sometimes when the Scriptures 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:21.279 take us in a direction 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:22.619 where we're called 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.460 to look at ourselves 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.700 and make some corrections, 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.279 we stumble. 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:29.059 We might want to make 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.879 those corrections, 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.599 but we either believe 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:33.180 that we are so far off 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.180 the path of righteousness 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.220 that we can never 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.200 find our way back, 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.700 or we believe 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.659 we're just too weak 00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:40.039 to make the return journey. 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:41.899 In either case, 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.379 we are thinking 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:44.619 that if we have failed 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.619 to please God 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:47.059 at that point in our lives, 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:48.059 we will never be able 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.740 to please Him. 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:49.819 That's not true. 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:51.859 There's a way back. 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:53.919 There's hope, 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.220 and there's help 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.899 in the Lord. 00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.680 We confess our failures. 00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.059 We trust Him 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.740 to cleanse us, 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.680 and He will. 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.519 And then we start 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.579 walking in holiness 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.680 and love and respect. 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:06.159 He promises 00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:07.240 to walk with us. 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.480 He promises 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.620 to provide us 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.380 with protection 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.240 and grace, 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.660 with power 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.440 and provision. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.359 And in the process, 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.539 God will be pleased, 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:19.599 and we will gain respect 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.900 from a watching world, 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:22.579 and the best part of it 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.839 is God will be glorified 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.539 in all of that. 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.160 So, 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:29.099 God will someday, 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.920 for all believers, 00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.819 sanctify us completely. 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:35.460 He will someday 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:37.359 present us blameless 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.599 before Him 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:40.119 with exceeding joy. 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:43.179 And how do I know that? 00:33:44.159 --> 00:33:44.839 Because 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:46.659 He who calls me 00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:47.599 is faithful. 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:50.200 What does that mean? 00:33:50.679 --> 00:33:51.200 It means 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.779 He will surely do it. 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.740 And that's the promise 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.819 that Paul recorded 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.220 at the end of this letter 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.579 in chapter 5, 00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.879 verses 23 and 24 00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:00.759 that you'll hear about 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:02.000 before too many weeks. 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:04.159 And that's God's promise 00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:05.519 to us as well. 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.659 Let's pray. 00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:09.299 Father, 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:09.860 thank You 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.779 for Your 00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:11.920 kind grace 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.599 as You're working 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.340 in our lives. 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.880 We're flawed people, 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:19.880 but thank You 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:20.400 that You are 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.259 a faithful God 00:34:21.259 --> 00:34:23.400 and a forgiving God 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:25.819 and a merciful God. 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:28.480 and so our 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:30.500 hope is in You, 00:34:30.580 --> 00:34:31.800 our trust is in You. 00:34:32.100 --> 00:34:32.740 Thank You 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:34.420 that even if we're 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.500 really struggling 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.580 and some of these things 00:34:36.580 --> 00:34:37.320 have us 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:39.700 pinned down, 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:40.700 thank You 00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:42.580 that by Your Spirit, 00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:45.539 through Your Word, 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:47.980 with Your grace, 00:34:48.680 --> 00:34:49.780 You're able to 00:34:49.780 --> 00:34:51.420 turn us around 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:54.180 and make us 00:34:54.180 --> 00:34:54.659 productive 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:56.740 and pleasing to You 00:34:56.740 --> 00:34:58.240 all for Your glory. 00:34:59.340 --> 00:35:00.519 May You make that happen 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:02.300 in us today. 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.139 If we're doing 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:05.099 reasonably well, 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:05.519 may we, 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.920 with Paul's words, 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:09.119 keep on doing it, 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:10.079 keep on 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:10.780 more and more 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:11.740 loving one another, 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:14.019 maintaining a purity 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:16.139 as we live our lives 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:16.800 in this world, 00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:19.160 and serving, 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.380 working, 00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.200 to be respected 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:24.360 by the community 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.260 and again, 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.539 pleasing to You. 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.100 Thank You 00:35:28.100 --> 00:35:28.900 for this congregation. 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.320 Thank You 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.019 for Your kindness 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.780 that You've poured out 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.380 upon us. 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.360 Thank You 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.280 for Your mercies. 00:35:35.580 --> 00:35:36.500 May we be 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.820 a light 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:39.920 to a watching world 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:41.780 for the glory of Christ. 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:43.200 In His name we pray. 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.740 Amen.