A Life Pleasing to God (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8) - a podcast by Don Shoemaker, Steve Williams, and Bob Wriedt
from 2022-02-20T16:00
This week at Grace we're continuing our series in 1 Thessalonians, covering 4:1-8. This passage addresses the question: Why live a life of sexual holiness?
I've got to be honest, I have no idea whether a sermon on sex is going to be a hit.
On the one hand, we live in a culture obsessed with sex. We are deluged with images and depictions of it all week. It can be disorienting. Reflecting together on God's Word about sexual morality gives us a rare sense of order in a sexually disordered world. I really believe that what 1 Thessalonians 4 says is beautiful, helpful, and encouraging.
And yet there are few topics so personal, so emotionally laden, and (frankly) so awkward to talk about. I would understand if some people said, "I'd rather not talk about this in public."
I imagine that for some of us, we think of sermons about sexual immorality to belong to a bygone era - either for a previous generation or for a younger aged audience. But I hope that when we look at 1 Thessalonians 4 together we will see the goodness, timelessness, and hope that the gospel brings for all of us in this area.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. While I have no desire to be provocative or crass, the nature of the topic makes this sermon sensitive for younger kids. Parents/Grandparents/etc, it's your call!
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 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, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 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 4:1-8
Further episodes of Grace Community Church of Seal Beach
Further podcasts by Don Shoemaker, Steve Williams, and Bob Wriedt