“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. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own aƯairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 God’s Will for a Believer (4:3a) Sanctification Instructions for Holy Living Abstain from Sexual Immorality (4:3b) Demonstrate holiness and honour in one’s own body (4:4) ii. Demonstrate relationship with a Holy God (4:5) iii. Demonstrate respect for our brothers and sisters within the family of God (4:6) iv. Demonstrate God’s call to live a holy life (4:7) Practice Brotherly love (4:9) Practicing acts of service ii. Holding each other accountable in our Christian walk iii. Godly resolution of conflict within the body of believers Aspire to Walk Proper before Outsiders (4:11-12) Live quietly ii. Mind your own affairs iii. Work with your hands Discussion Questions: Looking back on your walk in faith, how has the Holy Sprit been sanctifying you? Has it been a steady period of growth, or is it marked by peaks and valleys, but always trending upwards? What are some of the sinful habits/behaviours (boulders, rocks or stones) that you are unwilling to remove from your life? Why are you resisting the Holy Spirit? In verse 3 Paul uses the word porneia to talk about all sexual behaviours that fall outside God’s design for sex within a heterosexual marriage. Is there some such sin in your life that you need to bring before God – to repent, ask for forgiveness, and seek God’s power for turning away from it? Typically, brotherly love is marked by acts of service; however, it is also demonstrated in how we hold each other accountable in our Christian walk. Can you think of instances where another believer held you accountable for your character and conduct? Did you have to do that with another believer?