This is a quiet lengthy Bible Study. There is a lot to it, and it's important for us to understand. I have posted a lot of Scripture to authenticate the study. You may not finish it in one reading, but please take the time to finish it. Thanks and God Bless.
1 Thess 4:1-8
4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. NIV
\1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8 - 1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8\Earnest exhortations to a high sanctity
Vers. 1-8. Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you --
Earnest exhortations to a high sanctity: -- Purity is the perfection of the Christian character. It is the brightest jewel in the cluster of saintly excellencies, and that which gives a lustre to the whole. It is not so much the addition of a separate and distinct grace as the harmonious development of all. As Flavel has said, "What the heart is to the body that the soul is to the man; and what health is to the heart holiness is to the soul." In the prayer just offered the apostle indicates that God will fill them with love to this end. He now urges the attainment. Human agency is not destroyed but stimulated by the Divine.
Earnest exhortations to a high sanctity
Observe --
I. THAT A HIGHER SANCTITY CONSISTS IN LIVING UNDER A SENSE OF THE DIVINE APPROVAL.
1. Religion is a life. A "walk" implies continual approach to a goal. Religion is not an ornament, a luxury, a ceremony, but a life, all penetrating, ever progressing, but sometimes concealed.
2. Religion is a life modelled after the worthiest examples. "As ye have received of us." The Thessalonians not only received the wisest counsels from their teachers but they witnessed their holy and consistent lives; and their attention was constantly directed to the all-perfect example -- Christ Jesus. It is the tendency of all life to shape itself after the character of its strongest inward force. The love of God is the mightiest power in the life of the believer; and the outer manifestation of that life is moulded according to the pattern of the inner Divine ideal.
3. Religion is a life which finds its chief joy in the Divine approval. "And to please God." It is possible, then, so to live as to please God. What a powerful incentive to a holy life. Donne, on his death bed, said, "I count all that part of my life lost which I spent not in communion with God, or in doing good."
4. Religion is a life capable of vast expansion. "So, ye would abound," etc. God has made every provision for our increase in holiness. There is no limit in our elevation but our faith.
Earnest exhortations to a high sanctity
II. THAT THE NECESSITY OF A HIGHER SANCTITY IS ENFORCED BY DIVINE AUTHORITY. "For this is the will of God even your sanctification."
1. A higher sanctity involves a conformity to the Divine nature. God is holy, and the aim of the believer is to be like Him. There is to be not only an abstinence from impurity but a positive experience of purity. By faith we participate in the Divine nature, and possess qualities analogous to the Divine perfections -- mercy, truth, justice, holiness.
2. A higher sanctity is in harmony with the Divine will what God proscribes must be carefully avoided; what He prescribes must be done. His will is here emphatically expressed; it is supported by abundant promises of help; and it is declared that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. The will of God is at once the highest reason, the strongest motive, and the final authority.
3. The Divine will regarding a higher sanctity is enforced by duly authorized messengers, and well understood precepts (ver. 2). The apostle did not assume authority in any dictatorial spirit. He delivered unto others what he had received. These precepts were well known. Obedience should ever be in proportion to knowledge. Knowledge and practice are mutually helpful to each other. To know and not to do is to incur the heaviest condemnation. "Not My will, but Thine be done."
III. THAT THE POSSESSION OF A HIGHER SANCTITY IS REPEATEDLY URGED BY EARNEST EXHORTATIONS. "We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you." Doctrine without exhortation makes men all brain, no heart; exhortation without doctrine makes the heart full, leaves the brain empty. Both together make a man. The apostle laboured in both. Here we have a fine example of the combination of a tender, brotherly entreaty, with the solemn authority of a divinely commissioned ambassador. Some people, says a certain writer, are as thorns; handle them roughly and they pierce you; others as nettles; rough handling is best for your safety. A minister's task is an endless one. Has he planted knowledge? -- practice must be urged. Is the practice satisfactory? -- perseverance must be pressed. Do they continue in well-doing? -- they must be stimulated to further progress. The end of one task is the beginning of another. Lessons: The believer is called to the attainment of a higher sanctity --
1. By the voice of God.
2. By the voice of His faithful ministers.
3. And by the aspirations of the life divinely planted within him.
A fuller consecration
A fuller consecration: -- A superstructure is nothing without a foundation; neither is a foundation anything without a superstructure. Each, indeed, has its appropriate place, but both are alike important; for if, on the one hand, the superstructure will fall without a foundation, so, on the other hand, it is for the sake of the superstructure alone that the foundation is laid. St. Paul, "as a wise master builder," was careful at all times to lay his foundation deep and strong; but, having done this, he was careful also to raise upon it a beauteous edifice, such as God Himself would delight to inhabit. This is evident in all his letters; and hence in this to the Thessalonians, having been the instrument of their conversion, he would excite them to the highest possible attainments in universal holiness.
I. HIS APPEAL He had not sought to amuse them by curious speculations; nor had he given them maxims whereby they might please and gratify their fellow creatures. His object had been to bring them to such a holy and consistent "walk" as would be pleasing and acceptable to their God. What kind of a walk that is it will be profitable for us to inquire.
1. Walk in Christ by a living faith.
2. Walk after Christ by a holy conversation.
II. HIS ENTREATY. In this the apostle acknowledges that the Thessalonians had already done well; but he wishes them to redouble their exertions in their heavenly path. Let us notice here --
1. The fact conceded.
2. The duty urged. He might well have enjoined these things in an authoritative manner, but "for love's sake he rather besought them." He calls them "brethren," and as brethren he entreats them --
(1) By the consideration of all that Christ has done and suffered for them.
(2) By the consideration of all the interest He yet took in their welfare.
(3) By the consideration of the honour He would derive from them.
(4) By the consideration of the glory that will accrue to Him in the day of judgment.
\1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8\A deepening consecration -
A deepening consecration: --
I. THE IDEA OF A DEEPER CONSECRATION IS A FAMILIAR ONE. Moses was set apart for special work. Aaron and his brother priests were consecrated. Paul as an apostle, and others, were separated by the Holy Spirit. That is the Old Testament idea of consecration -- "setting apart a person or thing for sacred uses." The person might not at first be holy in himself; but because of his daily association with sacred things, holiness was required of him. In New Testament times holiness of person and holiness of service move along together. Conversion is the dedication of oneself for the first time to God. A revival of religion is a rededication to more faithful service. The discipline of sorrow, meditation, the work of faith and labour of love, etc., still further deepen its spiritual life, and strengthen its activities.
II. THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHEN THE CALL FOR DEEPER CONSECRATION IS CLEAR AND LOUD. Such was the preaching of the Baptist, and of Peter and Paul, summoning to repentance. A great popular excitement that moves deeply a people is providential preparation. An exigency in life when one is hurled from his self-dependence down upon his dependence upon God; a responsibility that compels one to put up new bulwarks to faith and a new criticism upon life; a calamity that opens all the doors and windows of life -- those things teach you of your exposure and of your need that some pavilion drop its curtains around you. These indeed are felt to be Divine exhortations to higher, closer walk with God.
III. THIS DEEPER CONSECRATION IS NOT NECESSARILY THE DOING OF NEW THINGS, BUT DOING THE OLD THINGS BETTER.
The advice of Paul to the Thessalonians was to abound more and more in the very things in which they had been active. We can fritter away strength in variety. We can make the moral nature nervous by seeking continually a new excitement. Perfection and finish are not gained in trying new things, but by repetition. We become perfect penmen by making the same letters over and over again. Skill in the mechanic arts, in sculpture and in painting, is gained by repetition of the fundamentals of each. Wear the channels of the old religious routine deeper then. Lean with more entire self-abandonment upon the tried methods of Church activity. The Christian teacher will find the occasion of deeper consecration in the deeper work along the old lines of fidelity, study, and prayer. The officers of the Church will find their open door into more satisfactory life along the tried ways of tender consideration, faithful regard to vows, bearing still better responsibilities. The Christian father and mother will find their life growing less troubled and worldly if they make the family altar a place of greater regard, and the religious oversight of the family a matter of more constant attention. "Which things also ye do, but I beseech you, abound more and more." Depth comes in running constantly in the old curriculum.
IV. YOU ARE TO BE LED TO THIS DEEPER CONSECRATION BY AN OLD MOTIVE. "I beseech and exhort you by Jesus Christ." It was the love of God in Jesus Christ that first broke your heart from the ways of sin, and it is this same love that must lift the life to higher and finer activity.
V. THE DANGER TO WHICH THIS CONSECRATION IS EXPOSED. The danger of routine, of system, of familiar acquaintance with Biblical truths, the very thing the worth of which we have been advocating.
1. Simply because consecration must run in the old channels and be drawn on by the same motive, there is danger that we miss the vital contact with the Lord Jesus, that the spirit dies out while the system goes on. Church and prayer meeting attendance may degenerate into a profitless habit. Your soul may be satisfied with the form and die for want of sustenance. Class teaching may become as spiritless as school teaching -- the mere teaching of the lesson. Great alarm about our own spiritual condition should smite us when we find ourselves doing Christian duties for the sake of getting rid of them and of appeasing the conscience.
2. Then, again, the performance of Christian duties leads us into expressions of faith and desire that they may become stereotyped. Biblical language is the fittest medium by which to express our prayer and our faith. And the quickened soul can find comfort and relief for itself in repeating the same form. But let the fire die out, and living contact with Jesus shrink, and the form of words will remain, and we will have the startling inconsistency of devout expression enveloping a shrivelled and dead heart.
3. There may be movement in Christian life but no progress. Like the water wheel that turns round in the same place that it did ten years ago, may be the Christian life that runs the weekly round of Church services. Like the door that swings on the same hinge, but never moves from the door post, may be the Christian life excessively busy, continually in and out, but never advancing into the interior truths of God's Word. Christian life is not a treadmill round; Christianity is not meant to teach us how to talk, but to teach us how to walk, and walking is orderly, constant progress towards a terminus, a glory. The path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
VI. THE PRACTICAL METHODS BY WHICH THE DEEPER CONSECRATION CAN BE MAINTAINED WITHOUT FALLING INTO SPIRITLESS FORM.
1. Let there be an act of consecration; a holy hour when we surrender ourselves anew to God. We know that specious argument of the evil one about "resolving and re-resolving, and doing the same." We know that timidity of the honest mind that shrinks from a new self-dedication where it has so often failed; and yet how is life to be lifted up to finer issues unless there is the strong desire and resolve of the spirit? We do not drift into consecration and holy life?
2. Assist the memory. We fail in our consecration because we forget. Business engrosses the mind. A multitude of cares drives out the one special thought of the heart. Time slips along, weaving into the web of life new things with bright or dark colours. The very success of the first efforts of consecrated days has a subtle danger. Against this flood of insidious attack we must rear a defence that shall remain with us. I have known a book, for instance, selected because its contents and aim were along the line of the consecrated purpose, to be to the memory a continual reminder. I have known a text of Scripture chosen for its appropriateness to some individual weakness or to fill up the gaps of failure, or to string the soul to its best music hung as a motto on the wall, that every time you looked you were reminded of the weakness, the failure, the hope of your life. I have known men who have sat down and drawn up for themselves rules of life, meeting their deficiencies and aspirations by specific regulations, making their daily activity run along these prescribed channels, and their biographies have proved how good, how conscientious, how holy they were. I need only mention the names of Jeremy Taylor and Jonathan Edwards. I have known a voluntary service given to some spiritual meeting whose regular recurrence was continual reminder, or to some charity whose blessed work was constant call for service, or to some personal visitation of the poor and the sick.
3. Assist the spiritual nature by renewed study of the character of Jesus. The sculptor who is to make a model of your face and head, the painter who is to paint your portrait, asks of you many sittings, and the more sittings you can give him the more perfect will be bust or portrait. The daily study of Jesus will fashion the life after the glorious model.
\1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8\The Christian's walk and its object -
The Christian's walk and its object: --
I. THE CHRISTIAN'S WALK.
1. You young Christians have just got a walking power. There was a time when you thought you could stand, and you tried, but fell helplessly by the wayside. But Jesus of Nazareth passed by and said, "Wilt thou be made whole." You responded in faith, and like the man at the Gate Beautiful you found a new energy and walked and leaped and praised God.
2. This new power was given you to enable you to realize that "they that wait upon the Lord shall...walk and not faint." The sun may be very hot, and you ready to give way, but remember this promise; and remember it when the goal of the journey seems a great way off. Don't be discouraged.
3. Paul had given these Christians directions how to walk. He did not leave them to wander about in the darkness. We, too, have directions. Look up the word "walk" in your concordance. We are to --
(1) "Walk by faith." We do not behold the form of Jesus leading us on to victory, nor is our reward visible, but we apprehend both by Faith.
(2) "Walk in the Spirit," opposed to which is "walking after the flesh," by worldly considerations, and a desire for gratification.
(3) "Walk in wisdom." Do not give unnecessary offence, or obtrude your religion in a disagreeable way. The perfect Christian is a perfect gentleman.
(4) "Walk honestly," or rather honourably. There is a certain un affected dignity that belongs to the friend of God, and commands the respect of men. The child of the heavenly royal household cannot stoop to social meannesses, or commercial sharp practices.
(5) "Walk circumspectly," i.e., accurately. Be particular about little things, little vanities, self-indulgences, worldlinesses, sins of tongue and temper. There are some who have only a vague, not an accurate notion of what a Christian's walk ought to be; others walk timorously always expecting to make mistakes. Some strike out wildly never thinking of where they are going; others go painfully as though they were walking on egg shells or glass bottles. Let us avoid these two mistakes -- not to allow ourselves to be so bound and hampered as to lose our spiritual liberty; but not to disregard trifles which put together make such a great thing in the end.
II. THE MOTIVE. "To please God." We shall not walk rightly without a right motive. God looks at that as well as at the effect.
1. What are you going to live for? To be happy? To get to heaven? You may get both, but these are not what you were sent into the world for.
2. If you want to find out what should be the object of your life, look at Jesus. From first to last He lived simply to please the Father. He came to do the Father's will, and He did it.
(1) You may do a man's will because you are his ,servant paid to do it, and therefore your duty to do it, or because he is your friend and you delight to do it. Between these two classes of motives lies the difference between the law and the gospel.
(2) There are two ways of seeking to please God, We often notice in earthly relationships that there is less of conscious anxiety to please where love and confidence are strongest, while on the other hand strenuous efforts to please are frequently the results of misgivings as to the disposition of the person they are designed to please. The same may be said of our relationship towards God. There are some who really wish to please Him, and yet say, "I wonder whether this or that has pleased Him." But the blessedness of the Christian position is this, that we are accepted in the Beloved so that He can regard us with complacency in order that we may go on to please Him.
3. Let the thought of pleasing God ever take precedence of the thought of pleasing ourselves and others.
4. You are pleasing God much if you are trusting Him much. To doubt Him is to cast a reflection on His changeless love.
How to walk so as to please God: --
I. WITH FAITH. Without this "it is im possible to please" Him.
II. WITH HUMILITY. He abases the proud, show ing His abhorrence of them, but exalts the humble because He delights in them.
III. WITH OBEDIENCE.
1. Active. "To obey is better than sacrifice." "Children, obey...for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."
2. Passive. When in sickness, trial, etc. Nothing is more acceptable than the spirit which says, "Thy will be done." "The servant that doeth not his Lord's will shall be beaten with many stripes."
IV. IN COMMUNION WITH HIS PEOPLE. "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard." Would He have done so had He been indifferent or displeased? "Where two or three are met together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."
V. BENEVOLENTLY. "With such sacrifices God is well pleased."
Walking so as to please God: --
I. WHAT IS IT TO PLEASE GOD?
1. Negatively. Not as if we could do anything in its own nature pleasing to God.
(2 Cor 3:5) Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. NIV
2. Positively. So that He may accept us in Christ
(Matt 3:17) And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." NIV
(1) Our persons Eph 1:5 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. NIV
(2) Our actions (1 Peter 2:5
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. NIV
(Luke 2:14) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." NIV
(a) So as not to be angry with us for them.
(b) So as to be favourable to us
(Prov 8:35) 35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD. NIV
(Zeph 3:17) The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." NIV
(c) So as to give us a reward
(Matt 6:4) so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV
(Matt 10:42) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." NIV
II. WHY SHOULD WE PLEASE GOD? Because --
1. He is so great and mighty (Jer 5:22) Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD. "Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it. NIV
2. So just.3. So gracious (Ps 130:4) But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. NIV
4. His pleasure is the highest happiness (Ps 30:5) 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. NIV
5. This is the end of Christ's incarnation and our profession (Acts 3:26) 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways." NIV
(2 Tim 2:19) Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." NIV
III. HOW MAY WE PLEASE HIM?
1. In general (Heb 11:5) By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. NIV
(1) We must be renewed (Rom 8:8) 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. NIV
(2) Do what He has commanded.
(3) Therefore do it that we may please Him.
(4) Do it with understanding and discretion. (1 Cor 14:15) So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. NIV
5) With cheerfulness (2 Cor 9:7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. NIV
(Ps 40:8) I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." NIV
(6) In faith (Heb 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV
(7) To His glory (1 Cor 10:31) 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. NIV
2. Particularly, these things please Him -- Walking so as to please God
(1) Repentance (Ezek 33:11) Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?' NIV
(Ps 51:17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
NIV
Walking so as to please God
(2) Humility - (Isa 57:15) 15 For this is what the high and lofty One says he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. NIV
(66:2) Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. NIV
(1 Peter 5:8) 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. NIV
(3) Trust in His promises (Ps 147:11) the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. NIV
(4) Submission to His providences (1 Sam 3:18) 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes." NIV
(Ps 39:9) I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. NIV
(5) Prayer(1 K ings 3:10) 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. NIV
(1 Tim 2:1-4) 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth NIV
(6) Frequent meditations upon Him (Ps 19:14) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. NIV
(7) Justice (Mic 6:7,8) 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. NIV
(Ps 51:19) Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar. NIV
(8) Mercy and forgiveness (Ps 103:9-11) nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; NIV
(Matt 6:14) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. NIV
.(9) Charity to the poor (Phil 4:18) I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God NIV
(10) Thankfulness (Ps 69:30,31) I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. NIV
IV. USE: Endeavour to please God. Consider --
1. Otherwise you cross His end in making you (Prov 16:4) The LORD works out everything for his own ends even the wicked for a day of disaster. NIV
2. So long as He is displeased you are in danger of hell.
3. If you please Him you need please none else (Prov 16:7) When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. NIV
4. Nor take care of anything (Matt 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV
(1 John 3:22) and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. NIV
5. He will bless all His providences to you (Rom 8:28) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. NIV
6. Pleasing God is the work of heaven (Ps 103:20,21) 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. NIV
7. Please Him here, and enjoy Him hereafter.
\1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8\Pleasing God -
Pleasing God: -- There are in the world self-pleasers, men-pleasers, God-pleasers. The last only deserve our imitation.
I. GOD CAN BE PLEASED. That being the case --
1. He notices our conduct.
2. Observes the character of our actions.3. Has a disposition with regard to men.
II. HE CAN BE WELL PLEASED (Col 3:20) Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. NIV
Those please Him best who are most like in character and action to Him in whom He was "well pleased."
III. HE CAN BE EASILY PLEASED. He requires no impossible services. His approbation is not wrung from Him with difficulty.
IV. HE CAN ALWAYS BE PLEASED. "He waiteth to be gracious." When the Christian walks in the way of His commandments, he walks with God.
V. HE OUGHT TO BE PLEASED. This is required by --
1. Himself. His commands all amount to this. His glory is promoted by this.
2. Man. Pleasing God is the directest way of securing the welfare of the world.
3. Our own well being. To please God is to have a tranquil conscience, the approbation of the God, an endless reward.
\1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8\Pleasing God is -
Pleasing God is --
I. POSSIBLE. He has been pleased with men -- Enoch, Noah, Daniel, etc. This is wonderful -- wonderful that the Infinite should condescend to notice any one individual so insignificant as man. Still more wonderful that He should be pleased with anything that man can do. God is a pleasable Being, and man can contribute something to His pleasure.
II. INCUMBENT. "Ye ought." Why?
1. Because He is the absolute Proprietor of your existence. He has a right to everything you have.
2. He is the most righteous of sovereigns. He does not require you to do anything that is not right and just.
3. He is the most tender of fathers. The only way to please yourselves is to please Him.
\1 Thessalonians\Chapter 4\4:1-8\So ye would abound more and more -
So ye would abound more and more --
I. WHAT IS IT TO ABOUND?
1. Negatively. Not as if we could do more than is required. For --
(1) We cannot do all that is required (Ps 119:96) To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless. NIV
(2) We can do nothing as it is required (2 Cor 3:5) Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. NIV
(3) Yet if we could it is no more than our duty (Luke 17:10) So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" NIV
2. Positively.
(1) Endeavour to go beyond others (1 Cor 12:31) But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. NIV
(2) Be more serious in pleasing God than in anything else (Eccl :10) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. NIV
(Rom 12:11) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. NIV
(Matt 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV
(3) Every day excel ourselves and grow better (2 Peter 3:18) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. NIV
II. WHAT SHOULD WE ABOUND MORE AND MORE IN?
1. In works of piety towards God; in --
(1) Godly sorrow for sin (2 Cor 7:9-11) 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. NIV
(2) Turning from our present lusts (Rom 6:12) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires NIV
(3) Faith in Christ for pardon (Eph 1:7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
for grace (Acts 3:26) When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways." NIV
(John 15:4,5) 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. NIV
(Phil 4:13) I can do everything through him who gives me strength. NIV
(4) Dependence on God's mercy (Prov 3:5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; NIV
(5) Making Him our only joy and love (Matt 22:37) Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. NIV
(6) Prayer (Rom 12:12) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. NIV
(7) Hearing His Word (Luke 4:16) He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. NIV and receiving His sacrament.
2. In works of equity to our neighbour --
(1) Wronging none (Matt 5:44) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, NIV
(2) Endeavouring the good of all (Gal 6:10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. NIV
(3) Being charitable to the poor (1 Tim 6:18) Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. NIV
(2 Cor 9:6-8) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: NIV
III. WHY SHOULD WE ABOUND MORE AND MORE?
1. We are commanded (Heb 6:1) Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, NIV
(2 Peter 1:5,6) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; NIV
(Eph 6:10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. NIV
(1 Cor 15:58) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. NIV
2. Unless we grow better we shall surely grow worse.
3. We can never abound too much; nor indeed enough (Phil 3:11) and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. NIV
4. The more we abound the more glory we shall have (Luke 19:16-19) 16 "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17 "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' 18 "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19 "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' NIV
( 1 Cor 15:41,42) 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; NIV
IV. HOW SHALL WE ABOUND MORE AND MORE?
1. Often think of spiritual things --
(1) Of God (Ps 63:6) 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. NIV
(139:18) Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. NIV
(2) Of Christ.
(3) Of the world to come (Amos 6:3) You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror. NIV
Conclusion: 1. Motives.
(1) We have abounded in sin too long (1 Peter 4:3) For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. NIV
(2) Our life is continued for that end.
(3) The more we abound the more comfort we shall have.
(4) Abounding is the best sign of the truth of grace (James 2:26) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. NIV
(5) Heaven will make amends for all.
2. Uses.
(1) Of reproof.
(a) To those who never please God, but abound in sin.
(b) To those who take more pains to abound in riches than in graces.
(2) Of examination. Compare your present with your past.
(3) Of exhortation. "Abound more and more."
God Bless, Rev. Zack Martin Sr.
--
In His Name,
Rev. Zack martin Sr.
updated by @zack-martin: 03/03/15 03:55:08PM
