This sermon, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, explores three ways Christians should live to please God: in sexual purity, in love for one another, and in work and witness. The speaker consistently emphasizes that these actions should flow from a genuine relationship with Jesus, rather than from legalism or external performance.
The sermon begins by highlighting Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians to continue growing in their walk with God. The speaker emphasizes that pleasing God is progressive and based on a relationship with Jesus, not on a checklist of good deeds. He warns against the danger of focusing on external evidence of faith without an internal relationship with Christ.
The first main point is living to please God in sexual purity. The speaker explains the concept of sanctification, drawing from the Old Testament idea of holiness as being “cut off” or set apart for God’s purposes. He cites 2 Peter 3:11-12 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 to illustrate the process of becoming more like Christ. The speaker contrasts self-control with being ruled by passion, emphasizing that sexual sin has social consequences and is not hidden from God. He reminds listeners that Christ died not only to forgive sin but to free us from its power, quoting Romans 8:2: “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
The second point focuses on loving one another as a preview of heaven’s community. The speaker explains that this love is a fruit of the Spirit, produced as we draw closer to God. He cites Galatians 5:22 and John 13:35 to support this idea. The speaker encourages continual growth in love, noting that there is no plateau in the Christian life.
The third point addresses living to please God in work and witness. The speaker emphasizes the importance of living quietly, minding one’s own affairs, and working diligently. He contrasts this with sensationalism and unnecessary drama, encouraging believers to be settled and satisfied with what they have. The speaker connects this quiet faithfulness with evangelistic credibility, noting that it can be a powerful witness to others.
Throughout the sermon, the speaker returns to the theme of relationship with Jesus as the foundation for Christian living. He reminds listeners that Christ is returning for a pure bride, quoting Ephesians 5:25-27. The speaker encourages believers to be honest about their relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives, choosing life over death.
In conclusion, the sermon calls Christians to live in a way that pleases God, not out of obligation or legalism, but as a response to God’s love and grace. The speaker emphasizes that this way of living is not repression but preparation, becoming who we truly are in Christ. He encourages believers to offer a better story in an age of confusion, shaped by identity in Christ and Spirit-enabled purity.