Staying Focused: Living Purposefully for Christ's Return
Summary
In today's message, I shared a personal story about a moment of distraction while driving, which served as a metaphor for how easily we can lose focus in our spiritual lives. This distraction can lead us away from living with purpose, as God intends. We are continuing our series, "Ready? Living with Purpose to Prepare for Christ's Return," by exploring 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. The Apostle Paul provides guidance on maintaining our focus inwardly, upwardly, and outwardly to avoid being pulled away from what truly matters.
Paul urges the Thessalonian Christians to abound more in their faith, emphasizing the importance of continuous spiritual growth. Even if we have been Christians for a long time, there are always areas in our walk with Christ that need improvement. Our inward focus should be on living a sanctified life, set apart from the world, and abstaining from sexual immorality. This is God's will for us, and it is crucial to align our lives with His desires before seeking His guidance in other areas.
Our upward focus should be on God's assessment of us. We live for an audience of one—God—and not for the approval of the world. This perspective helps us prioritize holiness and righteousness, knowing that God is the ultimate judge and avenger of sin. Living a life that pleases God may not always lead to material prosperity, but it aligns us with His will and brings spiritual fulfillment.
Finally, our outward focus should be on loving one another. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to lead a quiet life, mind their own business, and work with their hands. This practical advice helps us create space in our lives to love and serve others effectively. By living less hectic lives, we can be more available to help those in need and demonstrate God's love through our actions.
In summary, our focus should be on living a sanctified life, seeking God's approval, and loving others. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and prepare for Christ's return.
Key Takeaways:
1. Inward Focus on Sanctification: Our primary inward focus should be on living a sanctified life, set apart from the world. This involves abstaining from sexual immorality and aligning our lives with God's will. Sanctification is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing holiness. [09:14]
2. Understanding God's Will: God's will for our lives is not hidden; it is clearly revealed in Scripture. Before seeking His guidance in other areas, we must first align ourselves with His desire for us to live holy lives. This foundational obedience opens the door to understanding His plans for our future. [06:43]
3. Living for God's Approval: Our upward focus should be on God's assessment of us. We live for an audience of one, and His opinion is the only one that truly matters. This perspective helps us prioritize holiness and righteousness over worldly approval. [24:31]
4. Outward Focus on Loving Others: Our outward focus should be on loving one another. By leading less hectic lives, we create space to serve others and demonstrate God's love through our actions. This practical love is a powerful testimony to the world. [29:51]
5. Practical Expressions of Love: Loving others involves respecting their boundaries, working diligently, and not being a burden. These practical expressions of love reflect our commitment to living out God's will and serve as a witness to those around us. [34:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:43] - Introduction to 1 Thessalonians 4
- [06:43] - Understanding God's Will
- [09:14] - Inward Focus: Sanctification
- [13:29] - Avoiding Sexual Immorality
- [16:50] - Consequences of Sin
- [19:14] - Living Differently for God
- [21:17] - Pleasing the Lord
- [24:31] - Upward Focus: God's Approval
- [27:20] - Audience of One
- [29:51] - Outward Focus: Loving Others
- [34:23] - Practical Love and Boundaries
- [37:53] - Working with Our Hands
- [40:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific areas of life does Paul address in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 that the Thessalonian Christians needed to work on? [02:43]
2. According to the sermon, what is God's will for our lives as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:3? [06:43]
3. How does Paul describe the way Christians should live in contrast to the Gentiles in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5? [09:14]
4. What practical advice does Paul give in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 about how to live a life that demonstrates love for others? [29:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of living a sanctified life challenge the cultural norms of both the Thessalonian context and today's society? [13:29]
2. In what ways does focusing on God's approval rather than the world's approval impact a believer's daily decisions and actions? [24:31]
3. How does leading a less hectic life create opportunities for believers to love and serve others more effectively? [29:51]
4. What are the implications of rejecting God's command for personal holiness as discussed in the sermon? [21:17]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you have been distracted from living a sanctified life? What steps can you take to refocus on holiness? [09:14]
2. Consider your daily decisions. How often do you seek God's approval over the approval of others? What changes can you make to prioritize God's opinion in your life? [24:31]
3. Identify one practical way you can lead a quieter, less hectic life this week. How might this change allow you to be more available to love and serve others? [29:51]
4. Think about your interactions with others. Are there boundaries you need to respect more? How can you show love by giving others the space they need? [34:23]
5. Evaluate your work and responsibilities. Are you taking initiative to work diligently and not be a burden to others? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate love through your work? [37:53]
6. Reflect on your prayer life. How can you incorporate praying for others into your daily routine, even when life gets busy? [29:51]
7. Consider a specific relationship in your life where you can show more love. What tangible action can you take this week to express love in that relationship? [34:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Pursuing Holiness in Everyday Life
Our inward focus should be on living a sanctified life, set apart from the world. This involves abstaining from sexual immorality and aligning our lives with God's will. Sanctification is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing holiness. Paul emphasizes that even if we have been Christians for a long time, there are always areas in our walk with Christ that need improvement. By focusing on sanctification, we align ourselves with God's desires and prepare ourselves for His guidance in other areas of our lives. [09:14]
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to pursue holiness in an area of your life where you feel challenged?
Day 2: Aligning with God's Revealed Will
Understanding God's will for our lives is not a hidden mystery; it is clearly revealed in Scripture. Before seeking His guidance in other areas, we must first align ourselves with His desire for us to live holy lives. This foundational obedience opens the door to understanding His plans for our future. By focusing on what God has already revealed, we can better discern His guidance in other aspects of our lives. [06:43]
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to align more closely with God's revealed will in Scripture?
Day 3: Living for an Audience of One
Our upward focus should be on God's assessment of us. We live for an audience of one, and His opinion is the only one that truly matters. This perspective helps us prioritize holiness and righteousness over worldly approval. By living for God's approval, we align ourselves with His will and find spiritual fulfillment, even if it doesn't lead to material prosperity. [24:31]
"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 ways are you currently seeking the approval of others, and how can you shift your focus to seeking God's approval instead?
Day 4: Creating Space to Love Others
Our outward focus should be on loving one another. By leading less hectic lives, we create space to serve others and demonstrate God's love through our actions. This practical love is a powerful testimony to the world. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to lead a quiet life, mind their own business, and work with their hands, which helps create space in our lives to love and serve others effectively. [29:51]
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can create space in your life this week to better love and serve someone in your community?
Day 5: Expressing Love Through Respect and Diligence
Loving others involves respecting their boundaries, working diligently, and not being a burden. These practical expressions of love reflect our commitment to living out God's will and serve as a witness to those around us. By focusing on these aspects, we demonstrate God's love in tangible ways and build stronger relationships with those around us. [34:23]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you show respect and diligence in your interactions with others today, and what impact might this have on your relationships?
Quotes
"Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more just as you receive from us how you ought to walk and to please God. For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus." [00:03:21] (17 seconds)
"In these verses, we read that Paul encouraged them to abound more and more, meaning they should continue to thrive and grow in their walk with Christ in order to please God. They were to live out the truths from the Lord that Paul and Silas had taught them." [00:03:37] (17 seconds)
"And this is a reminder to us that even if we've been Christians for a very long time and think that we know all that we need to know in our faith journey, that there are always areas in our Christian walk that we need to improve on as we daily spiritually mature to be more like Christ." [00:04:10] (20 seconds)
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you should abstain from sexual immorality, that each of you should know how to possess his own vestment in sanctification and honor, not in passion or lust like the Gentiles who do not know God." [00:04:44] (20 seconds)
"God's will for everyone's life is our sanctification, which means that we are set apart from sin to God, and therefore, we should live holy lives. In other words, it is God's desire for us all that we live very differently from the sinful world in which we live." [00:05:39] (21 seconds)
"We have to ask ourselves, why in the world would God reveal His will in other aspects of our lives when we have completely ignored what He has already so clearly told us is His will for our life now?" [00:06:27] (16 seconds)
"In the same way, the Lord says, my will for your life is for you to be set apart from the world to live for me. I desire that you are working on exhibiting Christlikeness in your life." [00:07:34] (12 seconds)
"So, if someone says to you, I want to know God's will for my life, tell them, I know what it is, and take them to this verse, 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 3. Tell them, this is God's will for you. Are you living it out?" [00:08:04] (19 seconds)
"Here the apostle Paul is teaching the Thessalonian Christians and us that our inward focus should be on living a sanctified life. Don't be distracted by what the world says should be your primary self-improvement goals." [00:09:20] (24 seconds)
"Our God-given primary inward focus should be on living out a sanctified holy life. As followers of Christ, we should be working on living out a sanctified life of holiness." [00:09:43] (13 seconds)
"The reason this should be our upward focus is that we often forget that we live our lives only for the audience of one and not for the applause of the world. The world distracts us and says, look at us. You need our approval in your life to count." [00:24:32] (20 seconds)
"You see, my friends, at the end of the day, everyone is living for someone or something. Many are living only for themselves. But only God's opinion of our lives matter, for which He places both positive and negative consequences." [00:25:21] (21 seconds)
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