ZNA-329
910714PM
HOLY LIVING IN AN UNHOLY WORLD
I THESS 5:1-11
When the gospel came to Thess. it was on the lips of a 45 year old man. Born in Tarsus 6 years after Christ, he was born again on the road to Damascus 27 years later.
Paul the Apostle knew what needed to be heard!
The world of Thess. and Paul was a world marked by problems.
1. NATIONAL PROBLEMS Political scandals – emperors assassinated Sexual scandals – sodomy flaunted Financial scandals – buying votes
2. MORAL PROBLEMS – Infanticide and abortion were lurking – Sodomy, beastiallity and rampant prostitution were common – Divorce and serial marriages were common – Nudity was accepted and glorified
3. SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS – Religions were proliferating – Even the emperor wanted worship – Strange eastern occultic groups were invading with returning legionaires
So – what did this 45 year old missionary have to say? Well – for 32 weeks we studied the first 61 verses. Let’s summarize them.
Look back at Chapter 1. Theme = Holy Christian was born right * lists 17 elements of true saving faith
Chap. 2 = HOLY CHRISTIAN IS BEING NURTURED / FED RIGHT How? v. 12 Walking worthy of God v. 13 Taking God at His Word 10/20 Using eternity as a check
Chap. 3 = HOLY LIVING CHRISTIAN IS ANCHORED RIGHT Boats smash if anchored wrongly in storm How? v. 2 Encouraged in faith v. 3/4 Enlighted by the word v. 5-8 Enduring life v. 9 Thanking God
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v. 10 Praying v. 11 Equipped v. 12-13 Abounding in love
Chap. 4 = HOLY CHRISTIAN HAS RIGHT FOCUS ON HOLINESS
Remember 8 C’s of Holy Living 1] Holy in: conduct [1] 2] Holy according to His commands [2] 3] Holy in our calling [3] 4] Holy in our commitment [4] 5] Holy in our contrast [5] 6] Holy in our caution [6] 7] Holy because of the consequences [7] 8] Holy because of the challenge [8]
Live in love until Christ returns!
Now – the last chapter!
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Chap. 5 HOLY CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO IS LIVING RIGHT
How? As sons of light v. 1-11 1. v. 1-2 Destined day coming 2. v. 3/4 Deadly deception coming 3. v. 5/6 Distinct difference noted 4. v. 7/8 Says we have a diligence in life to live in our war gear and triumph. [Remember our study of Eph 6:10-18 for six weeks?]
Now for tonite v. 9-10-11
5. v. 9-10 We who are sons of light have a destiny of hope! Read 9-10 Phil. 3:20 vs. Rev. 3:10
Lot – Gen. 19:12-14 / Lk 17:26-30 Noah – I Pet. 3:20 / Mt. 24:37-39
6. Finally, v. 11 We who are sons of light have a devotion to growth