Intersections: Part 12–A Revolutionary Pursuit of Sexual Purity
Date: Friday August 20, 2010Posted in: Sermon Notes
Intersections: A Living Faith in a Dying World
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Pastor Steve Thomas
Bulletin insert: 08/22/2010
Title: Part 12–A Revolutionary Pursuit of Sexual Purity
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
I. Pursuing purity __________________________________________
II. Pursuing purity __________________________________________
III. Pursuing purity _________________________________________
IV. Pursuing purity _________________________________________
V. Pursuing purity __________________________________________
Going Deeper
This section is provided for those who may wish to spend time this week going deeper with the material from the sermon, or for study in small groups. This is an optional opportunity to take the message and internalize and deepen your understanding. Small groups are welcome to do pieces of this as time allows.
Reviewing 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
This week read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. Study the passage and then look at the cross reference I’ve provided for you.
1) Is Paul rebuking this congregation or exhorting them?
2) What do you think it means that they were “instructed in how to live to please God”? (c.f. 1:9)
3) What is God’s will for your life (v.3,7)? What is the one specific application of this will found in 1 Thess. 4:3-8?
4) What two types of people are contrasted in this passage? How are they distinguished? What clues does this passage give to us concerning how to be pure? (c.f. 1:4-9)
5) Paul describes sexual immorality as a “breaching of boundaries” and thus a “defrauding” of others (v.6). What does this tell you about God’s view of sex?
6) What is the greatest hope we have in pursuing God’s calling for our lives? (v.8)
Read Colossians 3:1-14. To what does Paul consistently refer prior to charging people to change their behavior? List these statements of your identity in Christ. Give thanks to God for this!
What kinds of correlations can you find between the two passages (1 Thess. 4:1-8 and Col. 3:1-14)? How does knowing, or growing to know God more fully, factor into each section?
What is one thing you need to believe from this passage?
What is one thing God is asking you to do from this passage?
Pray this prayer this week…
“Father, give me the faith to believe what is true of me in Christ. And, Father, give me the strength to do that which you have asked. Amen”
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