TITLE: The Believer's Walk: Walk In Holiness (1 of 4)
TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

INTRODUCTION
It is important that we see Christianity as more than a series of emotional experiences. Christianity does involve experience, but it is also involves obedient faith acting in submission to the will of God by the power of His indwelling Spirit. Paul calls the Christian life a walk (4:1) and thereby implies at least five things.

It implies life, for the dead cannot walk.
It implies growth, for an infant cannot walk.
It implies liberty, because a bound man cannot walk.
It implies light, for those who walk in darkness stumble.
It implies progress, for those who walk are going somewhere. [1]

Paul indicates that the believer should walk in holiness, in harmony, in honesty, and in hope. He exhorts his readers to go beyond what they have already attained and "to excel still more" (v.1).

The believer's first responsibility is to walk in holiness.

I. THE POWER OF THE COMMAND
A. IT IS FROM GOD (4:2, 8) - Sexual morality is not the invention of the Church or the conservative fundamentalist, it was instituted by God himself (Lev. 20:10-16; Dt. 22:22-30; Mt. 5:27-28). Sexual morality is not an option, but a divine imperative or command.
B. ITS FULFILLMENT PLEASES GOD (4:1) - Sexual morality is acceptable to and pleasing to God.
C. IT IS GOD'S WILL (4:3)

II. THE POINT OF THE COMMAND
A. THAT YOU ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY - Sex is not sin (Gen. 1:27-28, Heb. 13:4), but the perversion of it is. Sexual immorality involves any and all sexual activity outside of marriage. It is any activity that stimulates sexual desire. This would include pornography, petting, fondling, and such like. One does not have to go all the way to be guilty of sexual immorality. Sexual foreplay is inappropriate in a relationship in which intercourse is inappropriate.
B. THAT EACH OF YOU KNOW HOW TO POSSESS HIS OWN VESSEL - The vessel in this case in one's body with all of its passions and appetites. The believer is to possess or have it under his control at all times.
1. In sanctification - You can rent a room at a Holiday Inn in Washington D.C., but you cannot rent the White House. It has been sanctified or set apart for a special purpose.
2. In honor - One should have a proper estimate of the purpose and preciousness of their body and the sexual union. The body should be viewed as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19) and yielded to God as an instrument of righteousness (Rom. 6:13).
3. Not in the unbridled passion of those who do not know God. The believer should not be controlled by unbridled passion. This kind of behavior indicates that one does not know God.

III. THE PROBLEM OF THE COMMAND
A. IT VIOLATES MY BROTHER (4:6)
1. Adultery is a violation of marital trust and a means of gain at the expense of another. Nathan's indictment of David graphically illustrates how adultery violates the rights of others (II Sam. 12:1-7).
2. Promiscuity among single adults robs others of that purity which ought to be brought to the marriage bed-virginity. The single individual needs to view their date with the possibility of that person being the future spouse of one of their friends.
B. IT REAPS JUDGMENT (4:6) - "…murders and immoral persons…shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone…" (Rev. 21:8).
C. IT DENIES THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S CALL (4:7) - God has set us apart to fulfill His purpose. Sexual immorality violates God's design. My toothbrush was purchased for my use only. If you use my toothbrush to clean your dog's teeth, you've rendered it useless for my purpose. The fork I use for eating my meal is set apart for my use only. If you use it to dig worms, you've made it unusable for my purpose.
D. IT IS A REJECTION OF GOD, NOT MAN (4:8)
E. IT DISHONORS THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT (4:8)

CONCLUSION

1. The principle Paul applies to the sexual life of the believer are applicable to other areas of the believer's life. To condemn sexual immorality in others while I practice falsehood, is hypocrisy. The moral ethic Paul sets forth in this passage should be applied to the whole of our life.

2. The power to live a separated life is only found in the person of the Holy Spirit. In view of this every believer should seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

3. For those who have failed morally, there is forgiveness and cleansing from sin. (See 1John 1:9.) With forgiveness comes release from debt and restoration of relationship. With cleansing comes restoration of usefulness. A has been can be again.

Footnotes:

1. From New Testament notes by Warren Wiersbe.

(c)1999 by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved.

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