Before we come to 1 Thessalonians we’d like to begin with a short video clip.  The visual quality of this clip isn’t all that great.  But, what we’d like you to listen to is the words.  Some of you may have seen this - which will probably give you an advantage.  This is the opening segment to NBC’s coverage to the US Open in June.  As a hint for what you’re listening for - listen for what you don’t hear.

(Video:  NBC Alters Pledge)

What’s missing?  The words, “under God” and “indivisible.”  Apparently enough people called in so that 3 hours later Dan Hicks issued an on air apology saying that NBC wasn’t trying offend anyone.  Later NBC issued a statement saying that the omission was a bad editing decision by a small group.

You can imagine that all of that has opened up a plethora of discussion.  How can NBC - in what was a well thought out dramatic piece leave those words out and then claim that it was simply a opps.

On one hand - who cares?  In the grand scheme of the universe does it really matter that NBC chose to leave out the words “under God.”  Probably not.

On the other hand - the omission and the subsequent discussion - point to a nagging reality.  Is the US moving closer to God or farther from God?  What do you think?  Closer or farther?  Maybe NBC was right - we’re no longer one nation under God.  The culture we live in is increasingly anti-God - and anti-God’s people.  

Where the rubber meets the road for us is how that anti-God culture works to mold us - to transform us - to shape us into its image.  And even more relevant - how do we respond to all that?

John Tyson - who pastors with a church in New York - identified 6 forces that are at work pressing us into the mold of this world.  Here’s what John Tyson says - see if you agree with these.

#1 - Education:  John Tyson says:  Almost all education is secular, even at a kindergarten level.  At college or graduate school level, belief in God is often seen as childish at best, and a serious intellectual impediment.

#2 - Media:  Media is pervasive, pouring story after story into our lives, most of them contradictory to the way of Jesus.  What was once held sacred has been transformed into entertainment.  In most media, truth has been reduced to sound bites, and the sensational drowns out the substantive.

#3 - Marketing:  One commentator estimates that we see more advertisements in a single year of our lives than someone 50 years ago saw in an entire lifetime.  We ourselves - as Christians - have been branded - marketed to, mocked, rewarded, seduced.

Molding force #4 - Economics:  We learn from our earliest years that more is better, and better is not enough.  We spend much of our lives trying to keep up, acquire things and experiences in order to feel good about ourselves.  The supreme value of life is how much we can acquire.  Success is defined by one word:  more.

#5 - Sexuality:  The message of our culture is that sex is purely physical, and that as long as no one is hurt, people can determine their own sexual practices.  The rise of pornography has taken sex out of the bedroom and turned it into a form of entertainment.

#6 - Religion:  All religions are seen as equal and valid, and to claim that one is true and the others are not is cultural treason.  The only belief you can hold with conviction is that there isn’t any true-for-everybody belief. (1)

What should really rock our boat - more than whether NBC leaves out “under God” and where our culture is heading - what should really rock our boat are the stats that indicate that believers and non-believers live almost identical lives:  similar sexual ethics - similar spending patterns - similar lifestyle choices.

The bottom line is that Christians in the US are remarkably like the world.  And - here’s the really scary part:  Most Christians don’t seem to either notice or care.  When it comes to conformity to the world Christians are being molded.

If we do see a problem - if we can see the disaster unfolding - its like trying to bail water in a sinking ship with no way to plug the holes.  How do we live in response to all that?  How do we live victorious on a sinking ship?

Coming to 1 Thessalonians 4 - starting at verse 1 - what we’re looking at this morning is an urgent appeal by the Apostle Paul to live differently - even victoriously in a culture accelerating away from God.

If you need a Bible there’s one someplace under a chair in front of you.  If you’re in the front row - good luck.  As always remember that your seat cushion can be used as a floatation device.

1 Thessalonians 4 - starting at verse 1:  Finally then - notice that.  We’re in chapter 4 with 2 chapters to go.  Paul writes “finally.”  Is he joking?  Paul’s a preacher.  Sometimes a tad long winded.  Remember Paul once preached so long a guy died.

“Finally” has the idea of a therefore - referring to what we’ve been studying through in chapters 1 to 3.  The relationship we have in Christ - the longing for each other - the suffering - the prayers.

Finally has the idea of wake up and smell the coffee.  Based on what I’ve written this next part is really really crucial.  Don’t miss what I’m about to say.  Hear Paul’s passion and urgency in what he’s writing.

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.  For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, your sanctification;

Let’s pause there and grab where Paul is going with this.

Verse 1 - the word “request” is what a friend asks of another friend.  “Can you do this for me?”  “Exhort” is more of an apostolic plea - an instruction that comes with top down authority.  “This is what you must do.”  Both have the idea of an emotional appeal.  From the depths of our hearts we urge you to pay attention to what you’ve been taught.

What have they been taught?  Verse 1:  How they ought to walk and please God.  What Paul wrote about in chapters 1 to 3.  Ought means its necessary - not optional.  To please God is doing what... pleases God.  Living God’s way.  Obeying the commandments - verse 2 - obeying the commandments of the Lord Jesus.

Paul writes that the Thessalonians are walking that way.  To walk has the idea of progress.  One foot in front of the other forward progress through life - living life the way God desires for us to live life - in obedience to Him.  They’re progressing through life God’s way.  Its a huge pat on the back.  High fives all around.

Paul’s urgent passionate plea is that they would excel more.  Don’t just settle for doing well - excel.  Don’t just rest on your laurels - on where you’ve come to.  Don’t just look at what’s around you at the culture we live in - do the Christian thing and say, “Well, we tried.”  The way to live in the culture of Thessalonica - or here in Merced - is to excel - to progress - to push the envelope going farther - to go beyond.  Because living in victory is possible even here in Merced.

Are we together?

In verse 3 - Paul writes, “For this is the will of God - what is God’s will? - your sanctification.”

Early in His ministry, Jesus and His disciples were on a journey from Judea up to Galilee.  On the way they passed through Samaria and came to the city of Sychar - specifically to a rather famous piece of property that had once belonged to Jacob and was the burial place of Joseph.  On that property there was a well.  And, in the heat of the noon day sun, Jesus sat down by the well to rest.

About that time a woman came to the well to get water.  Put simply this woman is the town whore.  She’s been known intimately by so many men to the point that she - and others - have become accustomed to thinking of her in that role.  Its what she does to live in Sychar and the culture of her town permits it - tacitly accepts it. 

Jesus, being thirsty as well as tired, said to the woman, “Give Me a drink.”  Which was strange - because as we know - no self respecting Jew would ever lower himself to have any association with a Samaritan - and let alone this sinful woman.

But we know from this story - which is pretty familiar to us - that Jesus was interested in more than just water.  Jesus was interested in the soul of this woman.  What He offered to her was His water - living water - which quenches the dryness of our soul and gives to us eternal life.

Jesus - in asking for water - draws this woman into a spiritual conversation with Him - God space with God - shares with her about the deepest needs of her soul - and as she comes to believe in Jesus as her Savior - realizing His forgiveness and the new life He’s given to her - she’s set free from her bondage to her sin and old way of life.  She beings a process of life transformation.  (John 4:3-42)

Just like each one of us.  When this woman comes to trust Jesus as her savior - by God’s grace - by nothing that she did or could ever have done - God forgives her.  Meaning that - at that moment of faith - she’s no longer under condemnation for her sins.  God makes her to be right before Him - the Holy Spirit enters into her - she becomes a child of God with the certain hope of living eternally with God.  Salvation.

Paul writes - to the Thessalonians believers who are believers - meaning that like that Samaritan women - like every one us that’s trusting Jesus as our savior - we’re saved - forgiven - made right before God.  Paul writes that God’s will for them - for us - is “sanctification.”

We’re saved.  We’ve got the basics.  Now learn what it means to excel.

The literal meaning of “sanctification” is to be “holy” - literally to be “set apart for God.”

Go to Wal-Mart.  Buy two identical pots.  Take one pot home and make spaghetti in it and it’s a common - used around the house - everyday - pot.  Take the other identical pot to the Tabernacle - bring it here to church - sprinkle it with oil - pray over it - set it apart only for God’s use - and it becomes holy - sanctified.

In the Old Testament - in the Tabernacle - there were vessels - instruments - objects used only in performing the sacrifices.  God called these vessels “sanctified” - “holy” - because they were set apart only for God’s use.

Sometimes people have the idea that “sanctified” or “holy” people look like they just drank embalming fluid.  They’re against anything if it smacks of fun.  Dull is good.  Grim is better.

But that’s not holiness.  Holiness really has to do with “wholeness” as a person.  It has to do with God transforming us - creating within us Godly beauty - Godly character - Godly purity - so that we become completely - wholly - who God has created us to be - vessels set apart serving God as God intended for us to serve Him.

The woman in Sychar - was saved - set free.  But she still had to go on living in a culture that permitted gross immorality.  But now she’s living for God - sanctified - set apart from that culture - even living counter-culture.

Being sanctified - being made holy - excelling - is God teaching us how to do that.  To go beyond - to be His people - living victoriously - even in the crud of where we find ourselves on this sinking ship.

What Paul’s writing about here is God’s transformation of our lives - our progressing beyond the foundation of our salvation.  So that as we live for God - as our lives become increasingly about God and not us - that sanctification - that separation unto God - will become clearly - increasing clearly - more evident to those around us - to the glory of God.

Starting with verse 3 - Paul gives two specifics of where we need to be progressing - walking in sanctification.

Verses 3 to 8 focus on our Progress In Purity.  Let’s say that together.  “Progress in purity.”

Verse 3:  For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.  For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.  So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

There were a staggering variety of religions in Thessalonica.  Thessalonica was a cosmopolitan city - a crossroads of the world.  Wherever people came from they brought their gods.  There were Roman gods, Egyptian gods.  There were the gods of the Olympic pantheon.  Then there were the gods of the Greek mystery religions.  The bottom line of the vast majority of all those pagan religions was some kind sexual immortality and temple prostitution.

Sexual activity in whatever form - as long as done in moderation - was considered civilized and proper.  Prostitution - hetero or homosexual was a part of worship.   That was the acceptable culture of Thessalonica.

Demosthenes, the great Greek orator put it this way, “We keep mistresses for pleasure, concubines for our day-to-day bodily needs, but we have wives to produce legitimate children and serve as trustworthy guardians of our homes.” (2)

Thessalonica was something like Las Vegas - Sin City.  What happens in Thessalonica, stays in Thessalonica.  Its just what goes on.  Accepted.  Expected.

Which has pretty much been true of human culture since the beginning.  Which is certainly true today.  Is there any question that our society is drowning in self-destructive sensuality?  We could site the stats but the obvious is obvious.  Most of that - by the way - is aimed at the younger generation.  Hook ‘em while they’re young. 

Paul gives us the “what,” “how.” and “why” of sexual purity.

First the “what” is sexual immorality - which is a broad term covering a wide range of illicit sexual behavior. 

No sexual immorality means no sexual wrongdoing.  No pre-marital sex - no making out in the back seat of the car or in a hotel or any other place with somebody you hope to marry someday - or maybe not.  Which by the way increases your chances of divorce dramatically.

No living together before marriage - trying things out.  Which also increases your chances of a crash and burn marriage - divorce.

No extra-marital sex - no messing around with someone else’s wife or being faithless to your own husband or wife.

No homosexual sex.

No pornography - printed or digital.

Something else.  Because for years the message of the church - and others - has been something like, “Don’t have sex.  Don’t have Sex.  Don’t have sex.”  But chastity isn’t virginity.  Not by a long stretch in today’s culture. 

There’s a larger issue here of purity.  That really is the bottom line of what Paul is getting at.  Not how close can you come to falling off the cliff.  But how firmly you can remain pure.

Next, Paul gives us the “how” of sexual purity.

Verse 4:  “that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”

How?  Learn how to control your own body in wholeness and honor -control.

Our culture says that our appetites should be satisfied - fulfill your lustful passions.  Paul says - learn to control your bodies.

We learn to eat - not just anytime we feel like eating - but so that we benefit from eating.  We choose to eat healthy.  We restrict our eating so we don’t put on too much weight.  We’re careful about eating fatty foods. 

We don’t go to sleep whenever we feel like it.  Although many of you have learned to keep your eyes open and your head looking at me and it looks like you’re not asleep.

We can learn to control yourselves sexually.  Our most important sex organ is our brain.  That’s true isn’t it?

Some people understand the word “vessel” as meaning our own bodies.  Learn to control your own body.  Some people understand the word “vessel” as meaning our spouses.  Which doesn’t exactly sound too good.  Learn to control your wife or husband.  Not God’s plan.

Without getting into a long side discussion about marriage - what Paul is getting at here is that God has designed our sexuality for marriage.  There’s a right way and a wrong way of satisfying our sexual needs and the needs of our spouse.  God intends for us to give and receive in a beautiful - fruitful - healthy sexual relationship within marriage.

Learning control is honoring what God intends.  Part of that is learning to abstain - purity.  Part of that is celebrating sexuality as God designed it. 

Third - Paul gives us the “why” of sexual purity.

Pastor Craig Larson writes:  “As a kid, I saw a movie in which some shipwrecked men are left drifting aimlessly on the ocean in a lifeboat.  As the days pass under the scorching sun, their rations of food and fresh water give out.  The men grow deliriously thirsty.  One night, while the others are asleep, one man ignores all previous warnings and gulps down some salt water.  He quickly dies.

“Ocean water contains seven times more salt than the human body can safely ingest.  Drinking it, a person dehydrates because the kidneys demand extra water to flush the overload of salt.  The more salt water someone drinks, the thirstier he gets.  He actually dies of thirst.

“When we lust, we become like this man.  We thirst desperately for something that looks like what we want.  We don't realize, however, that it is precisely the opposite of what we really need.  In fact, it can kill us.”

Hold onto to that reality.  Sexual immorality is self-destructive - pursuing a legitimate need by an illegitimate means that ultimately will destroy us.

Verse 6:  “and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.”   

No adultery.  No affairs.  No fornication.  Our society is littered with the remains of homes - families - children - devastated by adulterous affairs.  Generations that will suffer heartache.

How many problems in our society - crimes - disease - poverty - illiteracy - broken homes - and more - how many could be eliminated or severely restricted if we would learn to control ourselves and to keep marital relations within our own marriage.

We rationalize that we’re not hurting anyone with our sexual sin.  We’re adults.  But, that’s just not true.  At some point it comes to light.  God will deal with us about it.

Verse 7:  “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.  So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”

Sanctification means that God has called us to wholeness - to purity - to please Him - to honor Him - to glorify Him - in a Godless culture. 

Sanctification also means that God has not called us to live struggling alone to overcome the immorality of this world.  God has the power to change our lives.  At salvation - verse 8 - the Holy Spirit enters into us - avails us of His power - the very resources of God.

There comes a point where we need to admit our weakness in this area - when we get sick enough of our immorality - and throw ourselves on the mercy of God and allow His Spirit to work within us - to do whatever it takes to sanctify us.

Paul writes that when we excel - progress - living in moral purity - sexual wholeness - it pleases God.  It is the way to live victorious on a sinking ship.

Paul’s second specific - where we need to be progressing - walking in sanctification - being transformed - comes in verse 9.  Verses 9 to 12 focus on Progress In Love.  Let’s say that together.  “Progress in love.” 

Verse 9:  Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia.  But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

The Thessalonians did love their siblings in Jesus.  God was teaching them to do it despite themselves.  And their love was spilling out to the all brethren - not just the lovable ones - but to all the brethren all over Macedonia.  Pats on the back.  High fives all around.

“But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.” - progress forward - push the envelope.  Paul’s urgency  recognizes that our natural tendency is to choose the path of least resistance - to conform to the world - to get caught up in our own selfishness.

Someone has written:

To dwell above with saints in love
Oh, that will be glory.
But to stay below with the saints I know…
Well, that’s another story.

In verse 11 Paul gives three specific warnings. 

First - Paul warns against fanatics.  Paul writes  “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life”

Some in the Thessalonian church had become so captivated by the truth of Jesus’ return that they’d quit their jobs and were sitting around singing “kum ba yah” and praying and not doing much else.  (2 Thessalonians 2:1,2)

Sometimes there are believers who get caught up in one doctrine or another and they become fanatical - arrogant - expecting everyone else to see things the way they see things.  Divisions are created in the church.  Lines are drawn.

Paul is telling them to calm down.  Don’t focus on doctrinal tangents.  Be ambitious - passionately strive to live a quiet life. 

Second - Paul warns against busybodies.  Paul writes:  “attend to your own business.”  Which means keep your nose out of other people’s business where it doesn’t belong.  So much for gossip.  Be busy with your own business not someone else’s.

Third - Paul warns against loafers.  Paul writes:  “work with your hands, just as we commanded you”  Some in the church were living off the generosity of others.  Work means… work.  Labor - toil - physical effort.  Sponges drain church resources away from real needs and the outward movement of the gospel.  Intentionally engage in work that supports the congregation. 

Point being:  The culture around us is focused on self - the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I.  Paul urges us to excel in sacrificial love for our Christian siblings. 

The result - verse 12:  “so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”   So that you’ll gain the respect of those you are trying to reach with the Gospel. 

What Paul writes is a tremendous contrast to the selfish - self focused - abusive thing that our sex focused society calls love.  That God can take people who should have nothing in common except mutual hatred or apathy or perhaps some common interest and bind us together into the Body of Jesus Christ.  Siblings in Jesus who are so committed to each other that they’ll share all that they have - give everything of themselves - even die for each other.

When we progress God’s way - seeking to excel - in sexual purity - in self-less love - it pleases God.  God blesses it.  Blesses us.  Uses us - in contrast to the culture we live in - to lead others to Himself.  That’s victory - even on a sinking ship.  To be used to save others even as the ship is going down.

One last thought.  Please hear this.  I realize that as we’re sharing this morning there are some here who may be thinking that its too late.  You’ve already messed up.  Wholeness and purity are not possible. 

Please understand what Paul is telling us here - all of us.  Because all of us at one time or another - in one way or another - all of us have messed up.  God has called us to something better - purity - wholeness - victorious life in Christ.  Progress is possible.

The Gospel is that in coming to Jesus - Who offers us new life - living water - we can begin again.  God forgives.  God heals.  God sanctifies - restoring us to wholeness.

_________________________
1. John Tyson, “Breaking The Mold,” Leadership Journal, Spring 2011
2. WBC, volume 45, page 87

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.