1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-12 Mark Kolbe
A)
STAIN REMOVAL IS HARD AND NECESSARY WORK
(V1-3a)
· Believers are called to take part in the work of s_________________.
· This is the p___________ of conforming to the image of Christ.
· It breeds g__________ results in the long run.
B)
WHY STAINS SHOULD BE REMOVED (V3b-6a)
· The Thessalonian believers s____________ behavior went against God’s perfect m_________ standard.
1. V4 – Believers have the p___________ responsibility to h________ God. We should honor Him for what He did for us in the p_______ and what he does for us t__________.
2. V5 – A believer’s personal r_______________ with God is more important than personal p___________.
3. V6 – The n____________ consequences of sin always outweigh the positive.
· In the way it impacts o___________ people.
· In the way it impacts the s_________.
· God cannot turn a blind eye to sin. He must deal with it in love and in j__________.
· God is actively committed to setting r________ what sin has broken. This occurs through:
- The death of Jesus on the cross.
- Natural consequences.
- Divine discipline in this life.
- Loss of Rewards in Heaven.
- Vindication
of the wronged.
C) IF
IT DOESN’T COME CLEAN THE FIRST TIME, KEEP SCRUBING (V6b-8)
· The reason Paul needs to address sexual immorality in the lives of these believers again is because their sanctification is not c______________.
·
The fundamental p____________ of a Christian’s
life is to become more like Christ.
·
That’s the same work that the H_________
S___________ is involved in.
D) THERE’S MORE THAN ONE STAIN TO DEAL WITH (V9-12)
· Even in areas of spiritual strength, there is room for i__________________.
· Sometimes believers get d______________ from eliminating sin by paying more attention to others behavior than they do their own.
· Sometimes believers can get l__________. We should Imitate Jesus through hard work.
HOW DO WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?
1. Be t_____________ God has shown what clean is
2. The effects of sin are proof of God’s e_______________.
3. C___________ sin.
· We should not be a_____________ it in others, nor ourselves.
· The goal is for the sinner to r____________ and a____________ that their sin separates them from God.
· It is God’s r__________________ to convict people, not ours.
4. Expect p_____________ when confronting people with sin.
· Non-Christians lack the proper m_____________ and r_____________ to do anything about their sin.
5. Each person has d_____________ stains to deal with.
6. Remember that you have a p___________________.
· When participating in activities that involve moral character, principles, or the commands of God, strive to imitate Jesus in a g__________ way each and every time.