WHILE WE WAIT (1 THESSALONIANS): Creeping through the Cracks
Message Date: 3/24/24
Speaker: Pastor Rod Hidalgo

Do you know that unwanted things can creep in through small cracks?

If we are not careful, unwanted things can creep in through small cracks in our lives.

While we wait, we love each other

Reveal Answer

the family.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
As for other matters,

and

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, 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.

Paul uses family language.

Paul encourages their current actions.

One of the things that can creep in is

immorality.

The guard of the stone is Jesus. (see John 8)

1 Thessalonians 4:3

3  It is God’s will that you should be

: that you should

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sexual immorality…

Sanctified: to be set apart for a purpose

1 Thessalonians 4:4
4  that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and

…

Self Control: do not wrong a brother or sister

1 Thessalonians 4:5-6
5  not in passionate

 like the pagans, who do not know God;  6  and that in this matter no one should

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or take

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of a brother or sister.

Thessalonica: entrenched with Greek Culture
The Norm:
*Mistresses: available to have sex for pleasure
*Concubines (sex slaves): for day-to-day bodily needs
*Wives: to produce legitimate children

God set the boundaries around this very good gift.
God’s Boundary:
The gift of sex is for 2 people who have made a lifetime commitment in the covenant of

.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

  7  For God did not call us to be

, but to live a holy life.  8  Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Who would be better off if we drew the line where God did?

While we wait, we love each other

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the family.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
9  Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.  10  And in fact, you do love all of God’s

throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more…

While we wait, we love those

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the family.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
11  …and to make it your

to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and

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with your hands, just as we told you,  12  so that your

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life may win the respect of

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 and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Lead a quiet life: do not draw unnecessary or unhelpful attention

Mind your own business: don’t get involved in things that do not concern you
Work with your hands: do something to make a living

While we wait, we love those both

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and

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the family.

Would you read the Bible Plan, Loving God, Loving Others: 6 Days of Devotions to Foster Faith-Filled Friendships, with us?

https://bible.com/p/65588686/624a52403d1d135c019c12a0b0793f42