WEBVTT

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 All right. King's Kids, you can go ahead and head out to your King's Kids class. God bless you.

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! And the rest of us, we've been making our way through 1 Thessalonians. That's where we're going to be again this morning.

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 We were just in chapter 3 last week. We're going to be in chapter 4, verses 1 through 8 this week.

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 If you are using a pew Bible, that's going to be on page 1173. Now, in the passage this morning,

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 Paul is going to make a shift in how he's addressing these young but incredibly faithful believers.

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 Paul has just shared Timothy's good report that their faith has been strong in the midst of persecution,

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 which is exciting and encouraging for Paul to hear. And now he's going to turn his attention

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 to some ways that he wants the Thessalonians to grow in their faith and in their character.

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 So this morning, we'll be in 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 through 8. And here's where we're going as we

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 look at the passage, just so that we're all on the same page, so to speak. The first move of the

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 passage this morning is going to be our new aim, okay? Our new aim. Next, Paul is going to give us

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 three pictures of holiness, three pictures of holiness. And then lastly, we're going to be looking

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 at three motivations for holiness. So let's hear what Paul has to say to the Thessalonians and to us

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 as well. Picking up in verse 1. Finally then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus

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 that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing,

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 that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

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 For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,

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 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of

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 lust like the Gentiles who do not know God, that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter,

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 because the Lord is an avenger in all these things. As we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you,

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 for God has not called us for impurity but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this

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 disregards not man but God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

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 And may God bless the reading of his word this morning.

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 All right, so the first move of this passage is our new aim. As we read that, I'm guessing that

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 what stands out to you as we hear those words is the serious tone that Paul takes in this passage,

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 especially when we contrast it to what we heard last week in chapter 3, where there's a lot of

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 celebration that was just going on over the fact that the Thessalonians were standing strong, right?

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 But now things take a shift in Paul's tone. And that's because he wants the Thessalonians

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 to take seriously this call to guard against a sin that is a very real threat to their faith.

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 The Thessalonians, by God's grace, they've been faithful. They've been strong in the midst of

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 persecution, which is absolutely worth celebrating. But persecution is not the only danger on the

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 horizon. So there's a seriousness that's happening here. There's sobriety to Paul's words.

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 But even so, there's still warmth there, right? Notice how Paul begins the passage in verse 1.

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 Finally then, brothers or brothers and sisters, finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge

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 you in the Lord Jesus. Even though he's about to talk about the serious call of holiness on the lives

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 of the Thessalonians, Paul, he doesn't just come out swinging, right? He doesn't come out making

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 demands. He approaches this with an appeal, which is consistent with how he treated them when he was

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 with them, how he's spoken to them actually throughout this entire letter. If you remember back in chapter 1,

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 verses 11 through 12, Paul says,

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 This is what good dads do, right? Is that even though they wield authority, they seek to win their

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 kids to the goodness of obedience, to the goodness of listening and following and doing what dad says.

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 So good dads teach their kids to obey and they win them to obedience.

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 Why? Because they love their kids.

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 And Paul loves the church at Thessalonica.

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 So everything that he says in this letter, in this passage, he calls them to because he loves them.

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 Okay? That's the heart behind this appeal.

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 So what is he appealing for?

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 Verse 1 again.

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 That as you received from us how to walk and to please God just as you are doing,

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 that you do so more and more.

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 However, Paul is calling them to walk in a way that pleases God, to conduct their lives in a way that pleases God.

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 And encouragingly, he says that they're actually already doing this, but he wants them to press into it more and more,

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 that you do so more and more.

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 Now, just as we thought just for a minute on Paul's heart for the Thessalonians, let's pause for a moment and let's ask ourselves,

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 what kind of God is this that Paul says that they should please?

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 Because God is, he's all over this passage, right?

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 Unsurprisingly.

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 Paul calls the Thessalonians to please God.

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 He says that their sanctification is the will of God.

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 He says that the Gentiles who give themselves over to lust reveal that they do not know God.

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 He says that the Lord God is an avenger.

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 He says God has called the Thessalonians to holiness, and those who disregard those words disregard God.

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 So, who is this God who Paul is calling us to orient our lives around pleasing?

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 And I know this sounds like a very basic question like Christianity 101, but seriously, what kind of person is this God?

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 If you look back on chapter 1, verse 4, I think it's on the same pages in your pew Bible.

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 Paul writes this, 1 verse 4.

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 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he, that God has chosen you.

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 That this is a God who has set his love on you.

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 A God who has chosen you in the midst of your sins to rescue you, and he did not do that begrudgingly.

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 He does not love you with annoyance and irritation.

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 He's not a God who just kind of holds his nose around you.

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 If you are in Christ right now, you are loved with a, and here I quote from the theology tome that is the Jesus Storybook Bible,

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 that that is God's heart for you.

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 If you are in Christ.

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 So, do not lose sight of that God as we hear about our responsibility to honor him in this passage.

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 Okay?

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 That God, the God who is worthy of all of the honor and all the glory and all of the praise and who has somehow set his love on us,

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 not because we deserve it, deserved it, but because he is gracious,

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 that God is now the controlling center of our lives.

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 We belong to him, and now his desires are our commands.

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 Our lives are about pleasing him, no longer about pleasing ourselves.

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 This is our new aim as Christians, to please God.

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 He is the one who sets the agenda.

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 We accept his authority, and we strive to do what honors and makes much of him in every area of our lives,

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 resting in the fact that he knows what is best.

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 And there is no component of our lives that does not fall under this call to please God.

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 And one of the things that pleases God is our sanctification.

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 So, if you look at verse 3,

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 For this is the will of God.

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 Okay, pause really quick.

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 If you came in today wanting to know God's will for your life, get excited,

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 because you are about to hear it.

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 For this is the will of God,

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 your sanctification.

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 So, congratulations.

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 You now get to live the rest of your life knowing exactly what God's will is for you.

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 It's for you to grow in holiness and in Christ-likeness.

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 You are welcome.

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 Now, that word, that word for sanctification,

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 we can also translate that as holiness, by the way.

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 Sanctification, holiness.

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 So, again, verse 3,

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 For this is the will of God,

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 your sanctification,

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 that you abstain from sexual immorality,

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

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 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God,

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 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter.

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 So, what Paul gives us here is he's giving us three pictures, if you will,

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 of what holy sexuality looks like.

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 Remember that our aim as Christians is to please God,

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 and part of pleasing God is following his will for our bodies and how we use them.

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 What we do with our bodies sexually matters to God.

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 So, this isn't something that's off limits.

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 Okay, we don't get to just take this thing and separate it from our faith.

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 So, we're going to look at those three pictures,

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 and then after that, we're going to look at three God-centered motivations for holy sexuality.

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 So, three pictures of holiness, three motivations for holiness.

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 That's where we're going to be headed for the rest of this sermon.

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 All right, first picture of holiness.

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 This is at the end of verse three.

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 That you abstain from sexual immorality.

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 Now, when Paul uses that term, sexual immorality,

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 you might be wondering what all he has in mind there.

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 The Greek word that is translated in your Bible as sexual immorality

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 is the Greek word porneus, which comes from the root for pornea.

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 And if you're thinking, huh, that sounds an awful lot like one of our words in English.

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 And you would be absolutely right to think that and make that connection.

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 Pornea, in the Greek, it functioned as this kind of all-encompassing junk drawer term

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 that referred to just all sexual activity that happens outside of marriage between a man and a woman.

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 Okay, so this is everything that goes against the established sexual ethic of the Scriptures.

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 In Acts chapter 15, when the Jerusalem Council affirms the glorious reality

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 that the gospel is not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles,

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 one of the instructions that they give the Gentiles for how to live as believers in the Messiah

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 is to abstain from sexual immorality, porneus.

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 It's the same word.

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 So what Paul is teaching, the Thessalonians here in this letter,

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 is consistent with the teaching of the apostles in other places,

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 and it's consistent with what we're taught throughout the rest of the Scriptures as well.

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 So just to be clear, sex outside of marriage, that is pornea, that is outside of God's good design.

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 Homosexuality, that would be pornea, that is something that is outside of God's good design.

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 Prostitution, which was something that was readily available in that culture at that time,

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 that would be pornea, outside of God's good design.

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 Adultery, pornea, you get the point.

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 And for the Christians in Thessalonica, the idea of holy sexuality,

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 a sexuality that stays exclusively within the context of the marriage between a man and a woman,

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 this would have been a difficult concept for the Greek believers to get on board with

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 because the culture in Thessalonica was, shall we say, sexually loose.

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 Just about the only sexual act that that culture would have disagreed with was adultery,

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 and it was because of how that messed with the family lineage.

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 Okay, don't mess up my family line, right?

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 Just about everything else outside of that was mostly considered fair game.

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 So this idea of sexual holiness, this would have been a significant adjustment for many Greeks

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 who God had rescued out of a pagan and a sexually loose culture,

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 which should encourage us because our culture is also quite broken when it comes to sex and gender.

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 So there is a lot that we can relate to here with our brothers and sisters in Thessalonica,

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 even though we're 2,000 years removed from them.

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 Now, before we go on, I want to draw attention to a few things that can fly under the radar

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 that we need to acknowledge, that I think would be helpful for us to acknowledge.

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 If you're here this morning and you are a committed follower of Christ,

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 these are some areas where I think that you're most likely to fall into the temptation of sexual immorality.

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 We're capable of falling into anything apart from God's grace,

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 but I think that these are probably the strongest temptations for us.

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 First off, men, men in the room, you and I know this,

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 pornography has an incredible draw,

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 and it's incredibly, incredibly accessible.

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 If you have a smartphone, you are maybe three clicks away

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 from seeing anything that your sinful mind can imagine or desire.

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 That's how accessible this abomination is.

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 And let me also just say that this does not have to have the word porn attached to it

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 in order for it to be sin,

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 because you can get the same lustful high off of a music video or a scene in a movie,

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 and just because it doesn't have the word porn to it

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 does not mean that it is outside of God's design.

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 So here's the reality.

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 If what you are seeing on a screen

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 awakens in you a desire for any person other than your wife,

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 it is pornea.

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 It's outside of God's command.

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 And if you're single and you don't have a spouse,

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 it's still pornea.

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 Okay?

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 It is something that is off limits.

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 Now, if that happens to be you this morning,

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 and you are hiding,

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 and you love your Lord,

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 and you want to stop dishonoring Him through this sin,

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 then you have got to bring it to the light.

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 You've got to confess it.

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 And honestly, you can come tell me.

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 You can come and tell one of our elders.

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 And I can promise you this,

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 that we are not going to shame you.

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 Satan wants to shame men that are stuck in this sin.

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 And that is not how God changes sinners.

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 He changes them with forgiving and empowering grace,

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 and that's what we want to help you latch onto.

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 Okay?

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 That's where we're going to point you

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 if you get this thing out in the light.

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 We're going to point you to God's grace

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 as the means of fighting this thing.

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 Okay?

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 And that same thing,

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 that goes for any kind of sexual sin

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 that any of us might be caught in right now.

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 I want everybody in the room to hear that.

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 So if you are dating,

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 and your significant other,

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 and you are doing things that God has said not to,

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 let's get that out in the open.

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 Let us resist that with God's grace.

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 Confess it,

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 and let's work against it.

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 If you are experiencing homosexual desires,

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 and you are afraid of other Christians

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 knowing about that,

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 let's get that out in the open,

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 and let's work through that with God's grace.

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 Talk to one of us pastors and elders.

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 Talk to your life group leader.

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 And then lastly on this point,

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 I want to say to my dear sisters in the room

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 that you need to be careful

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 with the novels and the stories that you read.

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 I know that there's growing numbers of women

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 who are struggling with visual pornography,

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 so I just want to acknowledge that.

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 But by and large,

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 for women,

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 the main issue, I think,

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 is probably going to be in the stories

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 that you choose to read.

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 And I'll just say the same thing

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 that I said to the men,

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 which is that if you read something

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 that awakens a desire in you

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 for a man who is not your husband,

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 then that is pornea.

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 That is something that is against

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 the command of the Lord.

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 And again, I would say,

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 get it out into the open.

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 Bring a mature sister into that

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 and fight it with God's grace.

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 So flee, abstain,

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 distance yourself from sexual immorality.

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 And by the way,

00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:51.200
 extreme measures on this are not extreme.

00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:55.039
 If our Lord Jesus said to tear out your eye

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.400
 and throw it from you

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:58.019
 in order to avoid lusting,

00:20:58.160 --> 00:21:00.819
 it is not crazy to toss out your smartphone

00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.900
 and get a dumb phone.

00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:04.360
 That would not be crazy.

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.460
 What would be crazy

00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:08.120
 would be not treating the sin

00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:11.100
 like the spiritual disease that it is.

00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:12.779
 That would be crazy.

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.120
 Okay?

00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:18.000
 So abstain from sexual immorality.

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:21.220
 The second picture of holiness.

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:25.099
 Control your body in holiness

00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:28.099
 as one who knows the Lord.

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:31.539
 Control your body in holiness

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:35.740
 as one who knows the Lord.

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.319
 Verse four.

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.579
 That each one of you

00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:41.539
 know how to control his own body

00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:43.140
 in holiness and honor,

00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:46.140
 not in the passion of lust

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:47.759
 like the Gentiles

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:50.259
 who do not know God.

00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:52.620
 Now that word know

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:54.160
 for know how to control,

00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:56.040
 Paul isn't talking about

00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:57.220
 just knowing information

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.960
 like you know the capital of Wisconsin

00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:03.060
 or you know the freezing temperature of water.

00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.620
 That's not the kind of knowing

00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:06.880
 that he's talking about.

00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:09.120
 He is talking about knowing

00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:10.599
 like it's a life skill.

00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:14.579
 It's a learned competency

00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:17.479
 which involves intentionality.

00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:21.859
 Nobody stumbles and falls

00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:23.359
 into sanctification.

00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.339
 Okay?

00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.779
 That doesn't happen.

00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:27.779
 It comes from building

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.099
 a momentum of holiness

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:31.259
 and growing in knowing

00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.319
 how to control yourself

00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.619
 so you can use your body

00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:35.019
 to glorify God

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:38.559
 and not for your sinful pleasure.

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:41.319
 Which is the exact opposite

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:43.359
 of the culture

00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:46.119
 that these Greek Christians came from.

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.700
 Paul says that the Thessalonians

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:50.940
 should not be like the Gentiles

00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.700
 who do not what?

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.799
 That they do, yes,

00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:57.240
 that do not know God.

00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:00.400
 Those who don't know God

00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:02.200
 do not have an issue

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.539
 with handing themselves over

00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:05.319
 to the passion of lust

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.000
 which makes sense

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.279
 because if you don't know God

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.879
 your primary aim in life

00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:09.859
 whether you know it or not

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.079
 is to please yourself.

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:15.659
 But if you know God,

00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.920
 truly know Him

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:20.279
 like you know your closest friend

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.879
 then the natural result of that

00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:23.399
 is going to be

00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:26.700
 an increasing and growing holiness

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:29.220
 that aims at pleasing God.

00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:36.360
 This is the beauty of 2 Corinthians 3.18

00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.799
 And we all

00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:39.200
 with unveiled face

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:41.400
 beholding the glory of the Lord

00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.519
 seeing Him, knowing Him

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:44.079
 are being transformed

00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:45.500
 into the same image

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.960
 from one degree of glory

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.360
 to another.

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.380
 Getting transformed

00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:51.220
 by seeing Jesus

00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.400
 by knowing Jesus.

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.759
 Or in Ephesians

00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.440
 where Paul says

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.500
 that the ministry of the church

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.799
 is to build up

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.779
 the body of Christ

00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.379
 until we all attain

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.379
 to the unity

00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:01.180
 of the faith

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.440
 of the knowledge

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:04.599
 of the Son of God

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:06.119
 to mature manhood

00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.879
 to the measure

00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.720
 of the stature

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.259
 of the fullness of Christ.

00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.579
 Ephesians 4.12-13

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.419
 So here's the point.

00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.879
 Knowing God

00:24:13.879 --> 00:24:15.319
 transforms you.

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.799
 Knowing God

00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.639
 transforms

00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:20.579
 the very structure

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.339
 of our hearts

00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.220
 so that we come

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.200
 to love the things

00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.720
 that God loves.

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:28.660
 So we control

00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.440
 our bodies

00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.259
 as is right

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.840
 for those who know

00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:32.759
 the living God.

00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:36.100
 Final picture

00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:37.440
 of holiness.

00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.880
 Sexual sin

00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:41.840
 is never private.

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.220
 Sexual sin

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.039
 is never private.

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.259
 This is verse 6.

00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.220
 That no one

00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.140
 transgress

00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.779
 and wrong

00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.640
 his brother

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:52.259
 in this matter.

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:54.839
 Now I think

00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.299
 that the most

00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.319
 direct application

00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.000
 of this verse

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.079
 is a prohibition

00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.720
 against adultery.

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:02.319
 That is no doubt

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.119
 something that Paul

00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.940
 has prominently

00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.839
 in mind

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.460
 in this verse

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.579
 but note at the end

00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.619
 that he says

00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.359
 that no one

00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.779
 wronged his brother

00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:13.319
 in this matter

00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.160
 and the matter

00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.799
 that Paul

00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.400
 is addressing

00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.220
 right now

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.920
 is how every aspect

00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.920
 of our sexuality

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.200
 needs to be submitted

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.039
 to the aim

00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.680
 of pleasing

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:23.059
 the Lord.

00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.620
 So adultery

00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.740
 is not the only

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.680
 sin

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:29.299
 that's in view

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.620
 in this verse

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:32.620
 which means

00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.819
 that this verse

00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.519
 points us

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.620
 to the reality

00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:36.840
 that our

00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:38.080
 sexual sin

00:25:38.080 --> 00:25:39.319
 regardless

00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:40.259
 of who is

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.920
 or is not

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.080
 aware of it

00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:43.720
 always

00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.100
 does damage

00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.779
 to the church.

00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:48.559
 that sexual

00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:48.980
 sin

00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.099
 is never

00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.480
 private

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.339
 it always

00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.000
 impacts

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.579
 more

00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.980
 than just

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.399
 you.

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.480
 By God's

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.059
 good design

00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.539
 you are part

00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.279
 of a local

00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.119
 body

00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.920
 of believers

00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:01.579
 and when

00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.240
 you sin

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.879
 even if it's

00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.339
 something as

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.799
 private

00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.099
 as pornography

00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:06.139
 you do not

00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.920
 just wrong

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.339
 yourself

00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.000
 you wrong

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.539
 your brothers

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.180
 and sisters

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.980
 in Christ.

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.680
 we live

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.160
 in a culture

00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.640
 that wants

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.440
 us to believe

00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.360
 that what we

00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:15.900
 do with our

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.279
 bodies

00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.860
 as long

00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.620
 as it is

00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.620
 consensual

00:26:18.620 --> 00:26:19.039
 that it's

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.640
 nobody's

00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.120
 business

00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.420
 except our

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.700
 own

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:21.980
 and that it

00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.539
 doesn't affect

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.299
 anyone else

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.980
 but that's

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.839
 not true

00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.920
 because sin

00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:28.000
 always does

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.860
 collateral

00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.400
 damage.

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.000
 It always

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.579
 does

00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.700
 collateral

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.200
 damage.

00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:36.340
 Now as

00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.120
 important as

00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.660
 all this is

00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.100
 to know

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:39.259
 these

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.240
 things

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.720
 that we

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.160
 just talked

00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.559
 about

00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.660
 in and of

00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.240
 themselves

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.720
 knowing

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.100
 these

00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:44.600
 things

00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.860
 is

00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.660
 not

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.319
 sufficient

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.519
 to cause

00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:48.840
 us

00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:49.400
 to

00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.519
 change.

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.519
 It's

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.200
 crucial that

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.740
 we know

00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.420
 what our

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.019
 target

00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.019
 of

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.700
 sexual

00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.100
 holiness

00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.819
 is

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.620
 but

00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.299
 defining

00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.819
 sexual

00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.299
 sin

00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.860
 knowing

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.200
 that we

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.380
 should

00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:01.779
 control

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:01.980
 our

00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.360
 bodies

00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:02.840
 and

00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.559
 recognizing

00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.279
 that sin

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.879
 is never

00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.659
 private

00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.359
 those

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.959
 three

00:27:06.959 --> 00:27:07.539
 things

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:07.899
 aren't

00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.199
 going

00:27:08.199 --> 00:27:08.419
 to

00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:08.579
 in

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:08.659
 and

00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:08.759
 of

00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.119
 themselves

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.399
 help

00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:09.539
 us

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:09.679
 to

00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:09.980
 get

00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.139
 to

00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:10.299
 the

00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:10.679
 target

00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:12.779
 knowing

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.539
 those

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.319
 things

00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.159
 is not

00:27:15.159 --> 00:27:15.500
 going

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.740
 to

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.379
 inspire

00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.259
 permanent

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.039
 change

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.759
 within

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.459
 our

00:27:19.459 --> 00:27:20.339
 hearts

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.039
 which is

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.299
 why

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.899
 Paul

00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.500
 ends

00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:22.759
 his

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.199
 plea

00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:24.119
 for

00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.619
 holiness

00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.500
 by

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.099
 drawing

00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.480
 the

00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.159
 Thessalonians

00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:27.639
 attention

00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.119
 to the

00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.559
 triune

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.959
 God

00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:31.480
 because

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:31.779
 at the

00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.079
 end of

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.179
 the

00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:32.480
 day

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.140
 you

00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.299
 and

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.720
 I

00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.440
 are

00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.140
 incapable

00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.880
 in

00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.039
 our

00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.460
 own

00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.339
 strength

00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:39.279
 of

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.799
 living

00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:39.960
 out

00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.099
 the

00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.420
 holiness

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.720
 that

00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:40.940
 the

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.099
 Lord

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.460
 calls

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:41.620
 us

00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:41.860
 to

00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:42.779
 in

00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.000
 this

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.380
 passage

00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:43.620
 we

00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:43.819
 are

00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.620
 totally

00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.140
 dependent

00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.960
 on

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.319
 the

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.940
 forgiving

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.299
 and

00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.880
 transforming

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.480
 power

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.900
 of the

00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.360
 triune

00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:49.779
 God

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.259
 in order

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.559
 to

00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:50.940
 live

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.819
 this

00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.120
 way

00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.200
 so

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.500
 let's

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.039
 follow

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.319
 along

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.500
 with

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:54.860
 Paul

00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:55.140
 and

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.339
 let's

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.480
 hear

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:55.660
 the

00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.000
 three

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.500
 God

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.900
 centered

00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:57.460
 motivations

00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:57.819
 for

00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.220
 pursuing

00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.120
 sexual

00:27:59.120 --> 00:27:59.460
 holiness

00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:01.120
 motivation

00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.420
 number

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:01.779
 one

00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:03.660
 God

00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:03.920
 is an

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.360
 avenger

00:28:04.360 --> 00:28:06.920
 God

00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.200
 is an

00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.519
 avenger

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:07.779
 verse

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.160
 six

00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.539
 that

00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.059
 no one

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.860
 transgress

00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:11.400
 and wrong

00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.000
 his brother

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.539
 in this

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.880
 matter

00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.400
 because

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.680
 the

00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.100
 Lord

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.559
 is an

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.100
 avenger

00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.720
 in all

00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.059
 these

00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.620
 things

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.460
 as

00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:17.640
 we

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:17.920
 told

00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.100
 you

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.600
 beforehand

00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.640
 and

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.360
 solemnly

00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.400
 warned

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.720
 you

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:23.279
 so

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.759
 Paul

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.059
 says

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.259
 that

00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.660
 God

00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:25.440
 is an

00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.080
 avenger

00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:26.560
 of

00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.259
 sexual

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.660
 sin

00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:27.779
 and

00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:27.900
 that

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.300
 should

00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:28.900
 motivate

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.560
 us

00:28:29.560 --> 00:28:30.860
 to

00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:31.600
 pursue

00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:32.620
 holiness

00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:34.380
 in other

00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.560
 words

00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:34.840
 God

00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.060
 will

00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:35.580
 bring

00:28:35.580 --> 00:28:36.380
 justice

00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:36.700
 on

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:36.980
 all

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.380
 sexual

00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:37.880
 sin

00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:38.400
 when

00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.580
 we

00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.080
 stand

00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.620
 before

00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.420
 the

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.080
 judgment

00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.400
 seat

00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:41.540
 of

00:28:41.540 --> 00:28:41.940
 Christ

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:43.100
 which

00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.279
 I'm

00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.500
 guessing

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:43.700
 is

00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:43.960
 not

00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.220
 a

00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.560
 typical

00:28:44.560 --> 00:28:45.160
 motivation

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.420
 that

00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:45.540
 we

00:28:45.540 --> 00:28:45.800
 think

00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:46.140
 about

00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.779
 when

00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.060
 we

00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.360
 think

00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:47.600
 about

00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:47.980
 our

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.040
 sanctification

00:28:49.040 --> 00:28:49.660
 this

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:49.900
 idea

00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:50.100
 that

00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:50.400
 God

00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.860
 is

00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.700
 an

00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.279
 avenger

00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.560
 and

00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:52.900
 part

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.060
 of the

00:28:53.060 --> 00:28:53.320
 reason

00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:53.519
 that

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:53.620
 we

00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:53.860
 don't

00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.080
 think

00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:54.200
 of

00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.420
 that

00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:54.640
 as

00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:54.800
 a

00:28:54.800 --> 00:28:55.160
 primary

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.779
 motivator

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.519
 is

00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.920
 that

00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.200
 throughout

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.400
 the

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:59.100
 New

00:28:59.100 --> 00:28:59.600
 Testament

00:28:59.600 --> 00:29:00.740
 the

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.580
 emphasis

00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:02.320
 in

00:29:02.320 --> 00:29:03.560
 strengthening

00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.360
 and empowering

00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.880
 the pursuit

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.420
 of holiness

00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:06.060
 is

00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.480
 God's

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:06.920
 grace

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.720
 and love

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.360
 and

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:09.400
 mercy

00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:12.480
 that's

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:12.700
 the thing

00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.000
 that gets

00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.620
 the emphasis

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.259
 in

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.840
 scripture

00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:15.720
 and gloriously

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.140
 so

00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:17.060
 but

00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.300
 there's

00:29:17.300 --> 00:29:17.580
 still

00:29:17.580 --> 00:29:17.820
 a

00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:18.340
 category

00:29:18.340 --> 00:29:19.180
 in

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.300
 the

00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:19.440
 New

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.779
 Testament

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.120
 for

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.540
 letting

00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:21.600
 judgment

00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.120
 day

00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:23.000
 fuel

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.320
 our

00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:23.720
 holiness

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.180
 in

00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.339
 the

00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.559
 here

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:24.700
 and

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:24.920
 now

00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.259
 that's

00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.720
 a

00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.140
 category

00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.759
 of

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.700
 thinking

00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:27.940
 and

00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.160
 that's

00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.299
 the

00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.740
 category

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.019
 that

00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.420
 Paul

00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:29.680
 is

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.000
 pointing

00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.259
 us

00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.539
 to

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.220
 here

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.539
 in

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.380
 1 Thessalonians

00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:32.640
 4

00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.000
 6

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.160
 here's

00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.400
 another

00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.779
 passage

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.180
 in that

00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:35.819
 same

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.600
 category

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.079
 to show you

00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.339
 some other

00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.640
 places

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:37.980
 that this

00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.460
 shows up

00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.620
 2 Corinthians

00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.380
 5

00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.839
 10

00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.319
 for

00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.319


00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.519
 we

00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:41.819
 must

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.399
 all

00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.000
 appear

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.699
 before

00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.019
 the

00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.419
 judgment

00:29:44.419 --> 00:29:44.819
 seat

00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.179
 of

00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:45.959
 Christ

00:29:45.959 --> 00:29:46.959
 so

00:29:46.959 --> 00:29:47.139
 that

00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.459
 each

00:29:47.459 --> 00:29:47.799
 one

00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.000
 may

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.439
 receive

00:29:48.439 --> 00:29:48.720
 what

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:48.879
 is

00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.379
 due

00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.099
 for

00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.279
 what

00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.439
 he

00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:50.699
 has

00:29:50.699 --> 00:29:51.099
 done

00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.319
 in

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.459
 the

00:29:51.459 --> 00:29:51.759
 body

00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.039
 whether

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.480
 good

00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:52.939
 or

00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.959
 evil

00:29:53.959 --> 00:29:55.299
 so

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.879
 every

00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:56.159
 single

00:29:56.159 --> 00:29:56.659
 person

00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:58.099
 Christian

00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.619
 or not

00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.119
 is going

00:29:59.119 --> 00:29:59.839
 to stand

00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.159
 before

00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:00.399
 the

00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:00.720
 judgment

00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.139
 seat

00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.539
 of

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.099
 Christ

00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.379
 one

00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:02.539
 day

00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:02.939
 everyone

00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:03.480
 shows

00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:03.720
 up

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:03.959
 in

00:30:03.959 --> 00:30:04.159
 the

00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:04.519
 courtroom

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.339
 of

00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:05.659
 heaven

00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:05.879
 and

00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.000
 when

00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.159
 we

00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:06.539
 do

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:06.539


00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.259
 our

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.639
 sexual

00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:07.939
 sin

00:30:07.939 --> 00:30:08.099
 is

00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.319
 something

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:08.599
 that's

00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:08.779
 going

00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.099
 to be

00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.279
 on

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.419
 the

00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:09.720
 table

00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:12.140
 that's

00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.380
 according

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:12.580
 to

00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:12.779
 1

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.360
 Thessalonians

00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:13.600
 4

00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:13.940
 6

00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:15.940
 another

00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.279
 verse

00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.580
 in this

00:30:16.580 --> 00:30:16.900
 category

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.080
 of

00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:17.320
 thinking

00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:17.700
 James

00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.100
 3

00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.620
 1

00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.960
 James

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.320
 says

00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.620
 not

00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:20.960
 many

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.140
 of

00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.259
 you

00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.440
 should

00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.680
 become

00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.100
 teachers

00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:22.340
 my

00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:22.759
 brothers

00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.420
 for

00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:23.680
 you

00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:23.940
 know

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.180
 that

00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.360
 we

00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:24.519
 who

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:24.900
 teach

00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.560
 will

00:30:25.560 --> 00:30:25.860
 be

00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.560
 judged

00:30:26.560 --> 00:30:27.440
 with

00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.160
 greater

00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.360
 strictness

00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:29.580
 that

00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:29.900
 verse

00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.180
 is

00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.420
 in

00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:30.580
 the

00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:30.880
 scriptures

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.240
 to

00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.920
 motivate

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.720
 teachers

00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:32.980
 in

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.360
 God's

00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:33.700
 word

00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.160
 to

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.400
 teach

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.060
 faithfully

00:30:35.060 --> 00:30:35.560
 and

00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:35.740
 to

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.140
 prevent

00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.539
 people

00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:36.860
 from

00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.440
 flippantly

00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.940
 pursuing

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.500
 becoming

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.160
 Bible

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.700
 teachers

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:41.300
 and

00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:41.480
 in

00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:41.720
 a

00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.240
 similar

00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.640
 way

00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:42.860
 in

00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:43.040
 this

00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:43.340
 verse

00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:43.660
 Paul

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:43.920
 is

00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.800
 soberly

00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.040
 and

00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:45.779
 seriously

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:47.160
 motivating

00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.680
 us

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.360
 towards

00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:48.800
 sexual

00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.160
 holiness

00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.540
 because

00:30:49.540 --> 00:30:49.860
 God

00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.360
 himself

00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:50.720
 will

00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.000
 one

00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.300
 day

00:30:51.300 --> 00:30:51.880
 judge

00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:52.380
 all

00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.100
 sexual

00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:53.800
 sin

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.039
!

00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:53.799


00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.500
dens

00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:54.980
 which

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.399
 means

00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:55.700
 that

00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:55.980
 based

00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.220
 on

00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.259
 Christ's

00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:57.779
 faithfulness

00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:57.960
 we

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.119
 do

00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:58.539
 not

00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:58.940
 look

00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.359
 at

00:31:59.359 --> 00:31:59.919
 judgment

00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:00.399
 day

00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.059
 with

00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.279
 the

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.480
 fear

00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:01.700
 of

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:01.980
 hell

00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.039
 that

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.359
 is

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:03.759
 not

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.059
 how

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.579
 Christians

00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.339
 look

00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:05.740
 at

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.460
 judgment

00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:06.720
 day

00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:06.960
 because

00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.180
 we

00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.339
 know

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:07.480
 that

00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:07.639
 the

00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:07.879
 joy

00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.039
 of

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.259
 heaven

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.460
 is

00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:08.579
 on

00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:08.700
 the

00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:08.919
 other

00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.619
 side

00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.559
 of

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.099
 that

00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.559
 day

00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:13.680
 but

00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:13.859
 we

00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.339
 still

00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:15.659
 strive

00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:16.359
 so

00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.559
 that

00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:16.819
 on

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.039
 that

00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.200
 day

00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.319
 we

00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:17.460
 get

00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:17.599
 to

00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:17.779
 hear

00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.059
 those

00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.480
 words

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:22.579
 of well done, good and faithful servant.

00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:24.480
 Enter into the joy of your master.

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:28.680
 So by God's grace, that's the thing that we're striving for.

00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:30.860
 We're striving for that kind of faithfulness.

00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:33.720
 So that's the first motivation in this passage.

00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:35.140
 God is an avenger.

00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:43.180
 Motivation number two, God has called us in holiness.

00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:47.599
 God has called us in holiness.

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:55.019
 Verse seven, for God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.940
 So that's that glorious reminder.

00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:58.400
 God has called us.

00:32:58.680 --> 00:33:03.759
 He has chosen us, but he has not just chosen us for salvation.

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:08.539
 The story of the Christian life is not believe in Jesus and be saved from your sins and then

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:10.640
 wait around until you die and go to heaven.

00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:13.980
 Okay, that's not the story of the Christian life.

00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:23.339
 When God saves you, he saves you onto a path of relationship with the triune God that goes

00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:26.240
 from now until all of eternity.

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:33.400
 And the path that you're on right now is a path in which you are called to grow in your personal

00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:35.200
 holiness before the Lord.

00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:41.160
 No one earns their way to heaven, but we are on a path of growing and increasing holiness

00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.960
 that honors God.

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.799
 This is 1 Peter 1.16.

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:50.039
 For you shall be holy, for I am holy.

00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.000
 Right?

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:54.180
 This is Ephesians 1.4.

00:33:54.180 --> 00:34:02.900
 God chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless

00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:04.360
 before him.

00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:11.400
 One of the commentators that I read this week says that when God called us as Christians,

00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:16.659
 he called us into the sphere where sanctification takes place.

00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:25.460
 That he calls us into a realm where God graciously starts to shape us more and more into his image

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:33.920
 and likeness, making our character his character in the context of a personal relationship with

00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.679
 him.

00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:43.699
 So when God saved you, he called you into a lifelong pursuit of holiness and sanctification.

00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:53.279
 He called you to strive towards maturity as you walk with him, rooted in his love and grace.

00:34:55.159 --> 00:35:02.259
 And I can guarantee you, God's word guarantees you that this path of holiness is better than

00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:06.879
 any sexual sin that God calls you to lay down.

00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:13.679
 So whatever it is, you can name whatever struggle, anything that you are facing, whatever that thing

00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:18.599
 is that you don't want to give up, whatever desire that you want to hold on to, it is not going

00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:26.219
 to be as satisfying or as fulfilling as walking in the holiness that God has called you to,

00:35:26.299 --> 00:35:29.359
 this God who loved you and gave himself up for you.

00:35:30.399 --> 00:35:35.279
 That is going to be far more satisfying than anything that the world has to offer you.

00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:39.440
 We've been called in holiness.

00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:44.400
 Last motivation in this passage.

00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:51.080
 If you disregard this, you disregard God.

00:35:52.760 --> 00:36:01.920
 Verse 8, therefore whoever disregards this disregards not man but God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:10.760
 Throughout this passage, even though he is appealing to the Thessalonians in love, Paul makes it quite

00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:16.400
 clear that the holiness that he is describing, it comes from an authority that is other than himself.

00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:24.760
 That these words are not guidelines or suggestions or opinions.

00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:30.180
 And that's because the ultimate source of this sexual ethic is God himself.

00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:37.640
 In verse 1, Paul says, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus.

00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:41.680
 So they are making their appeal not on the basis of their own authority.

00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:45.020
 They're making it on the basis of the authority of Christ.

00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:51.920
 Then in verse 2, for you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:58.340
 The instructions, the commands, the marching orders, if you will, of this passage are instructions

00:36:58.340 --> 00:37:01.159
 that come ultimately from the Lord.

00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:10.220
 And I apologize, I lost my place.

00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:10.639
 There we are.

00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:16.159
 And then finally at the end of this passage, we're going to the last verse now, okay?

00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:22.259
 Verse 8, we have the clearest claim of authority of all, which is what we just read.

00:37:22.379 --> 00:37:28.879
 Therefore, whoever disregards this disregards not man, but God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:34.940
 So if you belong to the living God, Paul is not delivering a TED Talk, okay?

00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:38.259
 Nor is this sermon meant to function as one.

00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:46.260
 For Christians who ignore what the Bible teaches on sexuality, Paul says quite clearly that they are not disregarding men,

00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:54.500
 but that they are disregarding God, the God who claimed us and has rescued us.

00:37:54.500 --> 00:38:04.239
 When we come to Christ, God's views on sex and gender and marriage, those things become our views.

00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:10.980
 Because again, we're a people who care about pleasing God.

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:16.199
 We are a people who care about God's will and not our own.

00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:22.099
 And so that means that we lay everything down at his feet and we say, you are God and we are not.

00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.460
 Give us wisdom.

00:38:26.279 --> 00:38:31.219
 So that's the posture of the Christian is sitting underneath the word of God.

00:38:34.919 --> 00:38:40.399
 Before we close, there's one final thing that I want to point out in this passage.

00:38:40.399 --> 00:38:42.139
 It's the last thing that Paul says.

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:51.159
 And I think that this is hugely significant for this very serious topic that I hope will encourage you.

00:38:52.559 --> 00:38:58.039
 Paul says, God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

00:38:59.179 --> 00:39:04.379
 God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:12.400
 So what's the significance of the fact that God gives his Holy Spirit to us?

00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:20.720
 How does he, the Holy Spirit, how does he relate to this whole conversation surrounding our holiness?

00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:33.280
 The fact that God gives his Holy Spirit means that God does not leave us to pursue holiness in our own strength.

00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:45.180
 He does not abandon us to our sinful desires and expect us to live holy lives through sheer force of will.

00:39:46.599 --> 00:39:51.460
 He in his kindness has given us his Holy Spirit.

00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:58.500
 So work harder and do better is not the Christian path to transformation.

00:39:58.500 --> 00:40:01.300
 Okay, that is not it.

00:40:01.559 --> 00:40:08.820
 The Christian path to transformation is striving in the grace and the strength of the Holy Spirit.

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:12.500
 That's what Christian transformation looks like.

00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:18.219
 In his high priestly prayer, praise God that this passage is in your Bible.

00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:21.739
 John 14, 15 through 17.

00:40:21.739 --> 00:40:23.359
 Jesus said this,

00:40:23.359 --> 00:40:27.139
 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

00:40:28.339 --> 00:40:35.239
 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper to be with you forever.

00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:44.439
 Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him.

00:40:44.679 --> 00:40:45.639
 You know him.

00:40:45.879 --> 00:40:46.159
 Why?

00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:51.679
 For he dwells with you and will be with you.

00:40:52.639 --> 00:41:00.980
 Which means that every believer in Christ in this room is indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:03.940
 Every single one of us.

00:41:04.019 --> 00:41:05.339
 Just pause.

00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:11.100
 Just be amazed at that for a moment.

00:41:11.420 --> 00:41:19.039
 That the Spirit of the living God dwells in you to strengthen you and to help you in your fight for holiness.

00:41:20.180 --> 00:41:21.500
 Whatever that is.

00:41:21.660 --> 00:41:22.940
 It could be sexual holiness.

00:41:23.079 --> 00:41:24.220
 It could be any other way.

00:41:24.320 --> 00:41:27.780
 Any other sin that you are trying to put to death.

00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:34.380
 There is no step of the Christian life that you walk apart from his empowering strength upholding you.

00:41:36.260 --> 00:41:40.460
 Which means that there is always hope for holiness.

00:41:41.740 --> 00:41:42.380
 Always.

00:41:42.380 --> 00:41:42.680
 Always.

00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:53.700
 If you have made a mess of your life through sexual sin, there is hope for holiness.

00:41:53.699 --> 00:41:58.299
 Don't sit in self-pity.

00:41:59.179 --> 00:42:03.359
 Don't fall for the accusations of your enemy.

00:42:03.799 --> 00:42:10.179
 Don't fall for the lie that this is a sin that you cannot gain victory in.

00:42:10.179 --> 00:42:14.879
 Because God is so unbelievably for you that he gave you his Spirit.

00:42:16.519 --> 00:42:22.500
 And the Holy Spirit is in you to strengthen you in this fight.

00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:24.760
 So do not give up.

00:42:27.460 --> 00:42:33.719
 Now what I'm not saying is that all you have to do is believe more in the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:42:34.119 --> 00:42:34.860
 And then snap.

00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:36.159
 Everything is going to be better.

00:42:36.380 --> 00:42:36.619
 Okay?

00:42:36.920 --> 00:42:38.420
 So that's not what I'm saying.

00:42:38.420 --> 00:42:41.639
 I'm not saying that the fight for holiness should be easy.

00:42:41.760 --> 00:42:42.619
 Because it's not.

00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:52.480
 And it's especially not going to be easy if you have built up a momentum of sin in your life that you're trying to stop.

00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:56.739
 That is something that is going to take time.

00:42:57.139 --> 00:43:03.039
 It's going to take hard and painful work in denying yourself and putting your sin to death.

00:43:03.139 --> 00:43:14.219
 But if you have the Holy Spirit at work in you, then you should abound in the hope that a new momentum of holiness is possible.

00:43:14.219 --> 00:43:18.039
 If it was just up to you, then sure.

00:43:18.539 --> 00:43:20.699
 Change is just like a pipe dream.

00:43:20.919 --> 00:43:21.739
 Like not going to happen.

00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:30.639
 But if it's up to you living in the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and striving in the strength that God provides,

00:43:30.739 --> 00:43:36.279
 then you can kick despair and self-loathing to the curb.

00:43:36.339 --> 00:43:38.279
 And you can say, you don't have a place here.

00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:45.340
 You tell your downcast heart those words from Psalm 42.

00:43:45.960 --> 00:43:49.040
 Why are you downcast, O my soul?

00:43:50.160 --> 00:43:53.900
 And why are you in turmoil within me?

00:43:54.380 --> 00:43:56.260
 Hope in God.

00:43:57.560 --> 00:44:00.660
 For I shall again praise him.

00:44:01.500 --> 00:44:04.600
 My salvation and my God.

00:44:04.599 --> 00:44:11.579
 We serve a God who has given his Holy Spirit to us.

00:44:13.079 --> 00:44:21.519
 And so as we strive for holiness, we have all the reason to boldly hope for change.

00:44:21.619 --> 00:44:21.920
 Amen?

00:44:22.819 --> 00:44:23.159
 Amen.

00:44:23.159 --> 00:44:28.819
 So let's acknowledge the fact that God is an avenger of sin.

00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:35.679
 Let's remember that God's calling on our lives involves our holiness.

00:44:36.859 --> 00:44:47.359
 And let's give all regard to the God who has graciously given us his Holy Spirit as we seek to live lives that are pleasing to him in accordance with his will.

00:44:48.019 --> 00:44:48.759
 Let's pray.

00:44:48.759 --> 00:44:48.839
 Amen.

00:44:48.839 --> 00:44:48.839


00:44:48.839 --> 00:44:48.839


00:44:48.839 --> 00:44:48.839


00:44:48.839 --> 00:44:48.839


00:44:48.839 --> 00:44:48.839


00:44:53.159 --> 00:44:53.759
 Let's pray.

00:44:53.759 --> 00:44:56.319
 From Psalm 119, 33 through 40.

00:44:58.239 --> 00:45:02.799
 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will keep it to the end.

00:45:04.099 --> 00:45:08.779
 Give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

00:45:10.119 --> 00:45:14.259
 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

00:45:14.260 --> 00:45:18.860
 Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain.

00:45:19.660 --> 00:45:25.340
 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways.

00:45:26.080 --> 00:45:29.740
 Confirm to your servant your promise that you may be feared.

00:45:30.960 --> 00:45:34.480
 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.

00:45:35.940 --> 00:45:38.480
 Behold, I long for your precepts.

00:45:39.080 --> 00:45:42.380
 In your righteousness, give me life.

00:45:42.380 --> 00:45:48.000
 Heavenly Father, would you help us to trust that your way is best?

00:45:48.960 --> 00:45:52.420
 Would you help us to live lives of integrity?

00:45:52.900 --> 00:45:57.680
 We want to walk faithfully, Lord God, but we cannot do that alone.

00:45:59.280 --> 00:46:01.260
 Thank you for giving your Holy Spirit to us.

00:46:02.440 --> 00:46:05.700
 Thank you for not leaving us to our own strength.

00:46:05.699 --> 00:46:11.480
 Thank you for being both our Savior and our strength, Father.

00:46:13.059 --> 00:46:18.419
 Would you continue doing a work in our church so that we might grow in our faithfulness to you.

00:46:19.739 --> 00:46:21.539
 And it's in Jesus' name that we pray.

00:46:22.199 --> 00:46:22.519
 Amen.

00:46:22.519 --> 00:46:22.659
 Amen.

00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659


00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:22.659