Embracing Holiness: The Call to Sexual Purity

Devotional

Day 1: Holiness as a Reflection of God's Presence

Our sanctification is not merely about following a set of rules; it is about living in a way that honors God's presence within us. This call to holiness, particularly in the realm of sexual purity, is a profound invitation to align our lives with God's will. When we resist this call, we are not just opposing societal norms but setting ourselves against God Himself, who has given us His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but an intimate presence within us, and to live in impurity is to reject this divine presence. This understanding calls us to a deeper awareness of God's intimate involvement in our lives. [03:27]

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you honor God's presence in your daily life, especially in areas where you struggle with purity?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit as an Intimate Guide

The Holy Spirit is more than just a guide; He is God's presence within us. This divine presence calls us to live in purity and holiness, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. To live in impurity is to reject not just God's will but His very presence. This understanding invites us to a deeper awareness of God's intimate involvement in our lives, urging us to live in a way that reflects His holiness. [05:53]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life today?

Day 3: The Gravity of Sin and Its Impact

While God is sovereign and will ultimately sanctify us, we can grieve or quench the Holy Spirit through persistent sin. This highlights the seriousness of our actions and the need for vigilance in our spiritual walk. The warnings in Scripture serve as a means to keep us aligned with God's will, ensuring that we remain in His love and grace. This understanding calls us to be mindful of our actions and their impact on our relationship with God. [09:54]

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more vigilant in avoiding sin, and how can you take practical steps to address it today?

Day 4: The Purpose of Scriptural Warnings

Scriptural warnings are not just threats but means to keep us aligned with God's will. They remind us of the gravity of sin and the importance of living in the light of God's presence. These warnings serve as a guide to ensure that we remain in His love and grace, urging us to live in a way that reflects His holiness. This understanding calls us to be attentive to the warnings in Scripture and to respond with obedience and faithfulness. [13:52]

"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively respond to the warnings in Scripture in your daily life, and who can you encourage to do the same?

Day 5: Evidence of True Spiritual Rebirth

Persistent rebellion against God's call to holiness may indicate a lack of true spiritual rebirth. True believers will ultimately be led to repentance and alignment with God's will. This understanding calls us to examine our lives and ensure that we are living in a way that reflects our spiritual rebirth. It is a reminder that our actions are evidence of our faith and our relationship with God. [13:39]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What evidence of spiritual rebirth do you see in your life, and how can you nurture this growth in your relationship with God?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, we delve into the profound call to holiness, particularly in the realm of sexual purity. This passage emphasizes that God's will for us is sanctification, which involves abstaining from sexual immorality and honoring our bodies as vessels of holiness. The critical point here is that when we resist this call to holiness, we are not merely opposing human standards or societal norms; we are setting ourselves against God Himself, who has given us His Holy Spirit. This is not just about adhering to a set of rules but recognizing the presence of God within us. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force but an intimate presence, and to live in impurity is to reject this divine presence.

The argument extends beyond mere obedience to God's will; it is about acknowledging and living in the reality of God's presence in our lives. The Holy Spirit is a gift, a seal of our redemption, and a guarantee of our sanctification. Yet, we are warned that we can grieve or quench the Spirit through persistent sin. This does not mean that God's ultimate purpose will be thwarted, but it highlights the seriousness of our actions and the need for vigilance in our spiritual walk. The exhortation to holiness is not just a command but an invitation to live in the fullness of God's presence and power.

The question arises: Can Christians, who have the Holy Spirit, set themselves against God? The answer is nuanced. While the Holy Spirit is omnipotent and will ultimately sanctify us, we can resist and grieve Him up to a point. Persistent rebellion may indicate a lack of true spiritual rebirth. Therefore, the warnings in Scripture serve as a means to keep us aligned with God's will, ensuring that we remain in His love and grace.

Key Takeaways

1. Holiness as God's Will: Our sanctification is God's will, and it involves abstaining from sexual immorality. This is not just about following rules but about living in a way that honors God's presence within us. When we resist holiness, we resist God's will and His presence. [03:27]
2. The Presence of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is not just a guide but God's presence in us. To live in impurity is to reject this divine presence, not just His will. This understanding calls us to a deeper awareness of God's intimate involvement in our lives. [05:53]
3. The Seriousness of Sin: While God is sovereign and will sanctify us, we can grieve or quench the Holy Spirit through persistent sin. This highlights the seriousness of our actions and the need for vigilance in our spiritual walk. [09:54]
4. The Role of Warnings: Scriptural warnings are not just threats but means to keep us aligned with God's will. They remind us of the gravity of sin and the importance of living in the light of God's presence. [13:52]
5. Evidence of Spiritual Rebirth: Persistent rebellion against God's call to holiness may indicate a lack of true spiritual rebirth. True believers will ultimately be led to repentance and alignment with God's will. [13:39]
** [13:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
[01:05] - The Call to Holiness
[02:02] - Setting Against God
[03:00] - God's Will and Our Sanctification
[04:10] - The Presence of the Holy Spirit
[05:30] - God's Presence vs. His Will
[06:22] - The Temple of the Holy Spirit
[07:10] - The Need for Exhortation
[08:23] - Christians and Rebellion
[09:03] - Quenching the Spirit
[09:54] - Grieving the Spirit
[10:53] - The Lord as Avenger
[11:44] - Walking in the Light
[13:06] - Evidence of Spiritual Rebirth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
- Ephesians 4:30

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Observation Questions:

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 say about God's will for our lives, particularly in relation to sanctification and sexual purity? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on holiness? [00:15]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit being described as an "intimate presence" within us? How does this relate to the call to live in purity? [05:53]
In the sermon, how is the concept of "setting oneself against God" explained in the context of resisting holiness? What does this imply about our relationship with God? [01:47]
How does the sermon describe the potential consequences of grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit through persistent sin? [09:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon interpret the relationship between God's will for sanctification and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? What does this suggest about the nature of holiness? [03:27]
The sermon mentions that persistent rebellion might indicate a lack of true spiritual rebirth. How does this interpretation challenge or affirm one's understanding of salvation and sanctification? [13:39]
What role do scriptural warnings play in the life of a believer, according to the sermon? How might these warnings serve as a means to keep believers aligned with God's will? [13:52]
How does the sermon explain the balance between God's sovereignty in sanctification and the believer's responsibility to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit? [09:54]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be resisting God's call to holiness? How can you begin to align more closely with His will this week? [03:27]
The sermon emphasizes the intimate presence of the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of this presence in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to honor this divine presence? [05:53]
Consider a time when you may have grieved or quenched the Holy Spirit through your actions. What changes can you make to prevent this from happening in the future? [09:54]
How do you respond to scriptural warnings in your personal spiritual journey? Are there specific warnings that you feel particularly challenged by, and how can you address them? [13:52]
The sermon suggests that persistent rebellion might indicate a lack of true spiritual rebirth. How can you assess your spiritual health and ensure that you are living in alignment with God's will? [13:39]
In what ways can you support others in your community to pursue holiness and avoid sexual immorality? How can you be a source of encouragement and accountability for them? [00:15]
Reflect on the concept of God as an avenger mentioned in the sermon. How does this understanding of God influence your view of justice and righteousness in your own life? [10:53]

Sermon Clips

Therefore, whoever sets himself against this honor, this holiness, is taking his own vessel in purity, this not transgressing his brother, this holiness and abstaining from impurity, whoever sets himself against this and says, I'm not going to go that way, I'm not going to do that, I'm going to do what I want to do, and use my body the way I want to use it, sets himself not against man, as though wronging the brother were the only thing involved, it is involved, but it's not the main thing, he is setting himself against God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. [00:57:40]

So, Father, as we try to understand this argument here, this therefore, and how this works, would you give us eyes to see, and would you disincline our hearts against setting ourselves up against man and God, and would you grant that we would recognize the unspeakable privilege of being given the holy, holy, holy Spirit of God in our lives. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen. [01:59:45]

When it says, whoever sets himself against this, this teaching about sexual purity, sets himself not against man but depends against God, what does he mean? My question is, is it merely that God, that Paul has said, this is the will of God, your sanctification, this is the will of God, your sanctification, so when it says you set yourself against God, does it mean against the will of God? [02:43:52]

God's will is your holiness. If you resist holiness, you resist the will of God. Is that the idea? And yes, I mean, that's what would make sense out of the therefore because of all of this I've said, including verse 2 preceding, you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. In other words, you remember I argued that means these instructions about sexual morality didn't come out of my own head. [03:24:00]

They came through the Lord Jesus. They have the authority of God behind them, and so if you set yourself against this, you're setting yourself not merely against man, this brother here, but you're setting yourself against God because it's God's will that you be holy, and that includes abstaining from sexual immorality, but that's not where the emphasis falls finally. [03:51:36]

When you set yourself against God, against this teaching, you set yourself against God in his presence, not just his will. You're not just going against the will of God that he delivered from the mountaintop, "Hello down there, don't act that way." No, this God came to you in the Holy Spirit and is in you. He's in you, holy, holy, holy in you. [05:27:40]

If you say, "Unholy, unholy, unholy is the way I'm going to live, impurity is the way I'm going to live, sexual immorality is the way I'm going to live," you are against God's presence, not just his will. It's like the same argument back in First Corinthians 6, "Flee from sexual immorality, or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?" [05:52:40]

Just like it says in First Thessalonians, he gives the Holy Spirit. You're not your own, you're bought with a price. Glorify God in your body. Acknowledge and live up to the fact that the very holy, holy, holy God is in you. That's the argument. If you set yourself against morality, against Christian sexual morality, you set yourself not only against the will of God but against the presence of God. [06:30:40]

Now, here's the question that raises: If God is present in us by the Holy Spirit, and I have argued repeatedly, especially from chapter 5, that the presence of this God guarantees our sanctification to the end, why is such an exhortation needed, and should we be threatened in that way? Remember, now may the God of peace himself sanctify you. [07:10:40]

Sanctify you, that includes sexual morality completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body get blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus. He who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it. It's going to happen because we are called. God has called us into holiness, and he who calls justifies, and he justifies glorifies. He's going to do it. Yes, he is. [07:37:40]

Well then, can Christians who have the Holy Spirit set themselves against God, the Holy Spirit? Do we need to be told whoever sets himself against, whoever sets himself against this sets himself not against man but against God, who gives the Holy Spirit? That's talking to Christians. He gives the Holy Spirit to you, so don't do this, as if we can do this. [08:03:40]

My answer is we can do this up to a point. Here's why I say that: We can because over here in First Thessalonians 5, it says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit." Now, that shows that even though the Holy Spirit is omnipotent and will most definitely do it, right? [08:31:40]

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Embracing Holiness: The Call to Sexual Purity

Devotional

Day 1: Holiness as a Reflection of God's Presence

Day 2: The Holy Spirit as an Intimate Guide

Day 3: The Gravity of Sin and Its Impact

Day 4: The Purpose of Scriptural Warnings

Day 5: Evidence of True Spiritual Rebirth

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Holiness: The Call to Sexual Purity

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