Living Out God's Code: Conducting Ourselves as Christians
Summary
In our daily lives, we often encounter various codes of conduct, whether in workplaces, schools, or even within our families. These guidelines are designed to ensure a harmonious environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Similarly, as followers of Christ, we are called to adhere to a divine code of conduct outlined in the New Testament. This is not optional but an expectation from God, the author of this code. As we delve into 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we uncover principles that guide our conduct as Christians.
Paul and Silas exemplified these principles through their unwavering commitment to proclaim the gospel despite facing severe persecution. Their actions were not driven by a desire to please people but to honor God, who examines our hearts. This teaches us that our conduct should be motivated by a desire to please God rather than seeking human approval. When we align our actions with this principle, we reflect the character of Christ in our lives.
Another vital aspect of our conduct is speaking the truth in love. Paul and Silas did not use flattering words to win over the Thessalonians but spoke the truth with genuine love and concern. This approach is crucial because truth spoken in love can transform lives and build authentic relationships. It challenges us to examine our motives when we speak the truth, ensuring that our intentions are pure and rooted in love.
Furthermore, Paul and Silas demonstrated a gentle and caring approach, akin to a nursing mother's tenderness. This gentleness is a reflection of Christ's character and is essential in our interactions with others. It encourages us to be compassionate and understanding, even when addressing difficult truths. Such an approach fosters an environment where people are more receptive to the gospel message.
Authenticity, consistency, and blamelessness are also key components of our conduct as Christians. Paul and Silas lived out their faith consistently, both publicly and privately, setting an example for the Thessalonians. This consistency builds credibility and trust, allowing others to see the transformative power of the gospel in our lives.
Ultimately, our conduct as followers of Christ should glorify God and advance the gospel. By adhering to these principles, we can effectively share the message of Christ with the world, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and truth.
Key Takeaways:
1. Please God, Not Man: Our actions should be motivated by a desire to please God rather than seeking human approval. This principle helps us align our conduct with God's expectations, ensuring that we live out our faith authentically. [06:04]
2. Speak the Truth in Love: Truth spoken in love can transform lives and build authentic relationships. Our motives should be pure, rooted in love, and aimed at edifying others rather than boosting our own egos. [09:26]
3. Have a Gentle and Caring Approach: A gentle and caring demeanor reflects Christ's character and fosters an environment where people are more receptive to the gospel. This approach encourages compassion and understanding in our interactions. [22:25]
4. Be Authentic, Consistent, and Blameless: Consistency in our Christian walk builds credibility and trust, allowing others to witness the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. Authenticity ensures that our actions align with our beliefs. [32:25]
5. Reflect Christ in Our Conduct: Our conduct should glorify God and advance the gospel. By adhering to these principles, we can effectively share the message of Christ with the world, ensuring that our lives reflect His love and truth. [39:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Understanding Codes of Conduct
[02:34] - Biblical Code of Conduct
[04:55] - Pleasing God Over Man
[06:04] - Seeking God's Approval
[07:16] - Conduct Unbecoming
[09:26] - Speaking Truth in Love
[14:16] - Pure Motives in Truth
[17:02] - God's Loving Heart
[18:43] - Prayer and Heart Change
[19:48] - Gentle and Caring Approach
[22:25] - Approaches to Sharing the Gospel
[25:22] - Christian Conduct in Society
[29:43] - Authentic and Consistent Living
[33:51] - Real-Life Application of Conduct Principles
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What challenges did Paul and Silas face in their mission to proclaim the gospel, and how did they respond to these challenges? [02:34]
2. How did Paul and Silas demonstrate their commitment to pleasing God rather than seeking human approval? [06:04]
3. In what ways did Paul and Silas show a gentle and caring approach to the Thessalonians, according to the sermon? [19:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of authenticity and consistency in the Christian walk? [32:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the principle of "pleasing God, not man" challenge common societal norms about seeking approval? [06:04]
2. Why is speaking the truth in love considered a transformative approach in building relationships, according to the sermon? [09:26]
3. What role does gentleness play in effectively sharing the gospel, and how does it reflect Christ's character? [22:25]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the impact of living an authentic and consistent Christian life on others? [32:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you sought human approval over God's. How might you approach it differently now? [06:04]
2. Think of a time when you had to speak a difficult truth. How did you ensure your motives were rooted in love, and what was the outcome? [09:26]
3. Identify a relationship in your life where a gentle and caring approach could make a difference. What specific actions can you take to embody this principle? [22:25]
4. Consider your daily interactions. How can you ensure that your conduct consistently reflects your faith, both publicly and privately? [32:25]
5. Is there an area in your life where you struggle with authenticity? What steps can you take to align your actions with your beliefs? [32:25]
6. How can you create an environment in your community or workplace that encourages others to be receptive to the gospel message? [22:25]
7. Reflect on the story shared in the sermon about responding to anger with kindness. How can you apply this lesson in your interactions this week? [36:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking God's Approval Over Human Praise
Our actions as Christians should be driven by a desire to please God rather than seeking approval from others. This principle is rooted in the understanding that God examines our hearts and intentions. Paul and Silas exemplified this by proclaiming the gospel despite facing severe persecution, motivated by their commitment to honor God. When we prioritize God's approval, we align our conduct with His expectations, living out our faith authentically and reflecting the character of Christ in our lives. [06:04]
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek human approval over God's? How can you shift your focus to prioritize God's approval today?
Day 2: Truth in Love as a Transformative Force
Speaking the truth in love is a powerful principle that can transform lives and build authentic relationships. Paul and Silas demonstrated this by addressing the Thessalonians with genuine love and concern, avoiding flattering words. This approach challenges us to examine our motives when speaking the truth, ensuring they are pure and rooted in love. By doing so, we can edify others and foster deeper connections, reflecting Christ's love in our interactions. [09:26]
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you needed to speak the truth. How can you ensure your motives are rooted in love and concern for the other person?
Day 3: Embracing Gentleness and Compassion
A gentle and caring demeanor is essential in our interactions, reflecting Christ's character. Paul and Silas approached the Thessalonians with tenderness, akin to a nursing mother's care. This gentleness encourages compassion and understanding, even when addressing difficult truths. By fostering an environment of receptivity, we can effectively share the gospel message and demonstrate Christ's love to those around us. [22:25]
"Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate gentleness and compassion in a challenging relationship or situation today?
Day 4: Living Authentically and Consistently
Authenticity, consistency, and blamelessness are key components of our conduct as Christians. Paul and Silas lived out their faith consistently, both publicly and privately, setting an example for the Thessalonians. This consistency builds credibility and trust, allowing others to witness the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. By aligning our actions with our beliefs, we can authentically reflect Christ's love and truth. [32:25]
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with consistency? How can you take steps to align your actions with your beliefs today?
Day 5: Reflecting Christ in Our Daily Conduct
Our conduct as followers of Christ should glorify God and advance the gospel. By adhering to principles such as seeking God's approval, speaking truth in love, and demonstrating gentleness, we can effectively share the message of Christ with the world. Our lives should be a reflection of His love and truth, drawing others to the transformative power of the gospel. [39:28]
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can your daily actions and interactions reflect Christ's love and truth to those around you? What specific steps can you take to ensure your conduct glorifies God?
Quotes
Paul and Silas did what they did and said what they said, because they sought to please God who commanded them to share the good news of Jesus Christ. My friends, our conduct is predicated on whom we desire to please. Our conduct is predicated on whom we desire to please. For example, when a child says, look, mommy and daddy, I cleaned up my room. What are they looking for? [00:04:55] (34 seconds)
In the same way, if we desire to please God, you will do what you do in order to gain his approval. You will not care what others think or say about you. We will still say it or do it because we only desire to please the audience of one. This was the attitude of Paul and Silas. They were willing to suffer for the gospel's sake because they do what they did not to please people, but to please God. [00:06:24] (31 seconds)
Nor did we seek glory for men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. Here Paul writes further about their conduct. They didn't use flattering words with the Thessalonians, as God is their witness. They didn't try to win them over with nice words, just to get them to like them and win their hearts. [00:09:26] (27 seconds)
They did the opposite they spoke the truth even if it was difficult to hear and accept and the apostle paul would also write in ephesians chapter 4 verse 15 he spoke the truth in love he spoke the truth in love as we are also to do to speak the truth in love you see our second biblical conduct principle is this number two speak the truth in love speak the truth in love now let's break this down christians are to speak the truth because that is what we're always supposed to be speaking the truth in love because that is what we're always supposed to be speaking the truth in love because that is what we're always supposed to do to speak truth that is hard for people to accept but needs to be said to speak truth that may be hard to hear but needs to be listened to [00:10:06] (53 seconds)
The pure motivation of Paul's heart in which he spoke truth was because he loved the Thessalonians and wanted them to know the truth about Jesus. They had no ulterior motives but to share the life-transforming truth about Christ. It wasn't to seek glory from themselves when they had every right to lean into their positional authority and say, listen to me, I'm an apostle of Christ, I speak the truth, you need to hear me out. [00:16:22] (33 seconds)
But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. Look at the description of how Paul and Silas treated the Thessalonians. [00:19:56] (24 seconds)
So that is why they conducted themselves with such a gentle and caring, attitude, and approach, which is how you and I should treat those whom we also genuinely love and care for. And that's our third conduct principle for a follower of Christ. Number three, have a gentle and caring approach. Have a gentle and caring approach. [00:21:45] (27 seconds)
If this is the conduct of our Savior, then this should be our personal conduct as well as a follower of Christ. If you remember one of the characteristics of the fruit of the cross, it's the fruit of the cross. It's the fruit of the cross. It's the fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. A Spirit-filled Christian is one who is gentle and whose approach is kind and caring. [00:24:49] (24 seconds)
In verse 9, we see that Paul reminded the Thessalonians just how hard they worked to preach the gospel to them. It wasn't easy, but through their labor and toil day and night, the Holy Spirit was able to work in their hearts to bring them to Christ. Now, why did Paul say, why did Paul have to mention all of this? Because I believe he wanted to give them a model to follow of the type of unentitled behavior and conduct they exhibited. [00:29:43] (28 seconds)
Authenticity simply means you walk the talk. As the Apostle Paul and Silas, kept reminding the Thessalonian Christians of what they did. They could do this because both Paul and Silas were authentic in their Christian walk. Authenticity is consistency. Paul lived his Christian life consistently because it was a part of who he was. [00:32:25] (31 seconds)
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