Holiness & Love Part 2 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12

About this sermon

Introduction: Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians demonstrates that faithful ministry will be characterized by unions that God produces. Pastoral love is joined to pastoral work. Pastoral work is the union of intercession and instruction. ESV Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the work of God in His people — the work that pastoral ministry aims at — is a union of holiness and love. ESV 1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Paul’s intercession at the end of chapter 3, immediately followed by instruction that matches the intercession, demonstrates this. He prays for increasing love (3:12) and for steadfastness in holiness (3:13). Then he exhorts and instructs for increasing holiness and increasing love (4:1-12). Last Sunday evening we examined his exhortation and explanations for the mandate of holiness in the believer’s life. Review: I. AN EXHORTATION TO INCREASING HOLINESS (vs.1) We were reminded that we ALL need to be exhorted to holiness. Holiness — that which is devoted to God. That which conforms to what pleases God. That which refuses what is at odds with what pleases God. That which is like Christ. He doesn’t exhort them because they aren’t already striving to please the Lord in all their ways — he acknowledges that they are. He exhorts them because we never reach a point where we can’t EXCEL in holiness. No one has arrived. And no one, who ceases walking in a way that pleases God, is immune to the life destroying effects of spiritual lethargy. II. AN EXPLANATION FOR INCREASING HOLINESS (vs.2-8) But he doesn’t stop at the point of exhortation. He follows with explanations. THIS TOO, AS WE SAW, IS SOMETHING GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER. Exhortation and instruction. Exhortation without instruction lacks substance. Instruction without exhortation lacks urgency. Paul gave three reasons why the believer must grow in holiness. A. GOD’S COMMANDS REQUIRE HOLINESS (vs.2,8) B. SALVATION’S GRACE DEMANDS HOLINESS (this is fitting) (vs.3-6) C. SALVATION’S DELIVERANCE PURPOSES HOLINESS (vs.7) Lesson: Now the apostle turns his attention to love. AND HE HAS IN MIND, A SPECIFIC KIND OF LOVE (to start with) — THE LOVE OF BRETHREN. God’s love in His people, for His people. What is interesting is that when he comes to love, he reverses the order of his instruction. With holiness he began with exhortation and then offered explanations. With love he begins with explanations and then moves to exhortation. And I believe the reason he does this is more than stylistic variety. SOMETIMES EXPLANATION CAN FOLLOW ENCOURGEMENTS, because the nature of what we are encouraging is already clearly understood. “Here is what you should do, let me remind you why.” AND NO ONE IS FOGGY ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE ENCOURAGING.

Topics

• Love & Compassion
• Holiness