Paul taught the Thessalonian church that one aspect of living to please God is in the area of sexual purity. Alistair Begg reminds us that the foundation for pleasing God is the Gospel. As we respond to God’s work for us and in us, our lives will be marked by a different lifestyle.
1Finally, then, brothers,1 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. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification:2 that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body3 in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that 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. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
The Thessalonian church held a tender place in the heart of the Apostle Paul. In this expositional study of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, we see a paradigm for pastoral ministry, emphasizing the life-changing content of the Gospel and the concerns of Paul’s heart for the healthy spiritual growth of the individuals that make up the church body. Alistair Begg teaches from this rich resource to help us develop an understanding of the dynamics of the Christian life, both in what we believe and how we are to behave.
Paul was confident in the Thessalonians’ standing in Christ, and in volume one of this series, we see his deep thankfulness and affection for these young believers. Here we see a pastor’s careful treatment of the Gospel along with a deep love for the Church. When Christian ministry strikes this balance, the Church is strengthened and looks to those in leadership with respect and in anticipation of teaching, care, and prayer.
The Thessalonian church held a tender place in the heart of the Apostle Paul. In this expositional study of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, we see a paradigm for pastoral ministry, emphasizing the life-changing content of the gospel and the concerns of Paul’s heart for the healthy spiritual growth of the individuals that make up the church body. Alistair Begg teaches from this rich resource to help us to develop an understanding of the dynamics of the Christian life, both in what we believe and how we are to behave.
In volume two of this series, we see Paul’s answer to the question, “How do we please God?”The intensely practical answer delves into the areas of sexual purity, brotherly love, hard work, and honest living. We see that the foundation for belief and behavior is the saving work of Jesus Christ. Those who love Christ must wait with patient anticipation for His return, pleasing Him with our lives and steadfast in the certainty of our hope.
The Thessalonian church held a tender place in the heart of the Apostle Paul. In this exposition of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, we see a paradigm for pastoral ministry, emphasizing the life-changing content of the gospel and the concerns of Paul’s heart for the healthy spiritual growth of the individuals that make up the church body. Alistair Begg teaches from this rich resource to help us to develop an understanding of the dynamics of the Christian life, both in what we believe and how we are to behave.
Volume three of this series addresses principles of healthy corporate life and worship within the local church. Having established what they were to believe and the lifestyle they were to display, the Apostle Paul reminded his readers of their responsibilities to God and to each other. Living together as a church family involves submission to leadership, corporate worship, and genuine expressions of fellowship.