Bible Study - Simplicity (6) - Uncmplicated Relationships - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12 - October 6, 2019

Bible Study – Simplicity (6) – Uncomplicated Relationships – October 6, 2019


This is our sixth and final study in our series entitled “Simplicity: Finding Contentment in a Busy Life.”


Our focus scripture is 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12.


Let GOD’S love drive how you relate to others.


Often, Christians do not realize their own bias or prejudice. When we meet a certain person, people group or ideology, that hidden bias or prejudice may raise its head. We need to ask why? It could be a nature within that needs to be brought under the authority of GOD. This nature can come from a variety of sources. Often, such nature comes from our own nature programed into us by our DNA, influences of parents, grandparents, friends, society and the list goes on.


How do we deal with such natures and tendencies as Christians?


We ask the indwelling Holy Spirit to search us and reveal to us such natures or tendencies. This is a basic step in the process of sanctification.  Let’s explore!

The Call to Sanctification (Lead-in)

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2:

4:1 Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God—as you are doing^[a]—do so even more. ² For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5:

³ For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality, ⁴ so that each of you knows how to control his own body^[b] in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not with lustful desires, like the Gentiles who don’t know God.

First, what is “sanctification?” It is being set aside for use by GOD as HE chooses. Our part is the be available. As Christians, the shed blood of JESUS cleanses us from all sin and purifies us to obediently serve GOD. 

We are set aside, sanctified, available to be used by GOD as HE deems suitable. Our part is to be willing to remain clean and available to obediently serve GOD, when HE gives us opportunity.

Sex was a major part of pagan religions, replete with religious practices centered around sex. The pagan temples provided temple prostitutes, as well as food and drink.

It was difficult for a Gentile to become a God-fearer (Gentile converted to Judaism) in the Jewish religion, thus Gentiles were drawn to pagan worship plus pagan worship appealed to the senses and pleasures of the flesh. The flesh appeal of the pagan religion was a temptation for both God-fearers, Jews and Christians. The Apostle Paul was admonishing Christians to be keenly aware that they were set aside to be light and salt to those who were attracted by the things of the senses and flesh, sex being one.

This is true for us as Christians today. We are to be examples to the world of what it means to be born-again believers in JESUS, through our faith in HIM.

Our faith in JESUS and the miracle of rebirth sets Christians apart from all others. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20:

¹⁸ Run from sexual immorality! “Every sin a person can commit is outside the body.”^[h] On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

^[i] 

A Christian is more than a born-again Person/GOD’S Son or Daughter but a beacon of truth who represent GOD through his or her faith in JESUS. A sweet-smelling fragrance to those seeking truth.

WOW! Yes, impossible when we walk in the flesh and that is why Christians must walk as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, sanctified and ready to be used by GOD.

What message is the world transmitting today? What message was being transmitted in Sodom and Gomorrah. Were the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah the progressives of that day? America pay attention. It is our time, as Christians, to be sanctified to obediently serve our LORD JESUS as led by the Holy Spirit. Look around and ask yourself, is the world waxing better or worse? Who has the answer? Are our Christian ministers preaching and living the true Gospel?

The future of America is at stake. Those of us who have grandchildren and great grands, what legacy are we leaving them? When we consider leaving the world and leaving a legacy, we generally think of leaving material possessions. But the greatest legacy for Christians to leave is an eternal legacy of faith in JESUS. This life will be gone like a vapor but eternity is forever. The gift of eternal life through faith in JESUS is eternal. Which legacy is lasting and of the greatest value? Which legacy do you want to leave for your family that GOD has entrusted to you?

How we, as Christians, conduct our daily lives are of great importance. It reflects our born-again nature of living truth because JESUS has transformed our lives and GOD lives within us and the Holy Spirit leads us in all things and matters.   

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8:

⁶ This means one must not transgress against and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses,^[c] as we also previously told and warned you. ⁷ For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification. ⁸ Therefore, the person who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who also gives you His Holy Spirit.

The Greek word “transgress” carries the idea of “not stepping over a boundary.” Transit systems powered by electricity via a third rail have a sign “Do not touch the third rail.” When a Christian step’s over the boundary and takes advantage of brotherly love or advantage of a fellow human, there are consequences from GOD. A Christian’s relationship with GOD should be the seal of trustworthiness.


Paul reveals that the LORD is the avenger when we transgress and defraud a fellow Christian or non-Christian. Why? It is because GOD has called Christians “to live in holiness.” Notice, Christians are “called” to “sanctification.” Christians are set apart to “live in holiness.”

Christians must keep in their minds that they are the temple of the Holy Spirit.


Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12:

Loving and Working

⁹ About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. ¹⁰ In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, ¹¹ to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business,^[d] and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² so that you may walk properly^[e] in the presence of outsiders^[f] and not be dependent on anyone.^[g]


The Christians in Thessalonica were already demonstrating their love to 
others throughout the region. Paul encouraged them to continue to reach out to others. Paul encouraged them “to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business,^[d] and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² so that you may walk properly^[e] in the presence of outsiders^[f] and not be dependent on anyone.^[g] 


Christians were reaching out to others both in Thessalonica and beyond. Paul encouraged them to continue to reach out but to be careful of the image they portray. Yes, GOD provides for them as Christians but being a Christian is not looking for a handout but an opportunity to share with others while working to provide for themselves.


Some who accepted JESUS as their Savior were Gentiles. They thought that being a Christian meant that they did not have to work. It is true that GOD provides. When HE provides, it is via work. GOD desires for HIS Children to be in the community building relationships not only with whom they work but with GOD as they obediently serve HIM.


Christians are GOD’S representatives to both those seeking meaning to this life but also to those pondering life beyond this earthly life. Life beyond earthly life is embodied in the entire life of JESUS, HIS death, HIS resurrection, living upon earth for 40 days, then ascending into Heaven to be the advocate for born-again believers. When the work of JESUS was completed upon earth, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every person who places his or her faith in JESUS. The indwelling Holy Spirit is a born-again believer’s assurance he or she is a child of GOD.


What does Romans 8:16-17 reveal to us - ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that^[k] we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.


Christians need to be mindful that others, both Christians and non-Christians, are watching thus – lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your own hands. Why? It is because Christians represent JESUS/GOD as they walk/live in the community where GOD has placed us to obediently serve HIM. Bloom where GOD has planted you! 

Blessings!!!