1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Q.1. Who should we be trying to please when it comes to expressing our sexuality? – (1 Thes.4:1-5)
In general terms the mission team had taught the Thessalonians to be motivated by wanting to please God in everything (1 Thes.4:1). However, Paul’s burden here was to underscore a more specific application – … this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thes.4:4). In this age that is dominated by self-gratification and by sexual freedom, this is a huge cultural challenge.
Q.2. What does it mean to transgress or defraud another sexually? How does the Holy Spirit help us to please God? – (1 Thes.4:6-8)
To transgress means to violate God’s commands against adultery, fornication, and homosexuality. To defraud means to offer sexual gratification that we cannot righteously fulfil. Paul did not try to bring compliance motivated by appealing to the law, but by responding to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit – So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you (1 Thes.4:8).
Q.3. What impact does it have on others when we fail to support ourselves and our family? – (1 Thes.4:9-12)
Paul commended the Thessalonians for supporting all the churches in Macedonia … and urged them to do even more. This could only be possible as long as the members of the church worked hard for monetary gain – and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you (1 Thes.4:11). If they failed to provide for their own families, then the resources of the church for others in need would be drained.