1 Thessalonians 4:1-3

3/19/2017

The Church in Elk Rapia
From Doctrine to Duty

1) Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

3) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Outline

Paul now enters the practical application phase of his letter after teaching the doctrinal portion. Doctrinal should always affect behavior, and so he lays the ground rules for that to happen. What does he say in three short verses that still is applicable to us today?

1) Our Authority Lies Outside of Ourselves.
                ... by the Lord Jesus
2) Our conduct is demonstrated to those beyond ourselves.
                ... walk
3) Our focus is outside of ourselves.
                 ... please God
4) Our spiritual progress should never satisfy ourselves.
                 ... abound more and more
5) God's will should be the directive to ourselves.
                 ... our sanctification