Romans: Law, Obedience, and Sanctification: Walking With God

1 Sanctification & Sexual Purity

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2007-10-22

Synopsis: John Weaver introduces a multi-week study on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, focusing on the call to sexual purity and holiness. He establishes the historical context of the Thessalonian church, born in adversity, and emphasizes that Paul's exhortation is by the authority and name of Jesus Christ. The sermon centers on verse 1, highlighting three practical implications: the necessity of being taught God's ways, the personal responsibility to apply that teaching, and the progressive reality of abounding more and more in obedience.

[John Weaver] 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. I want to begin a message today which will probably take me three or four weeks to end. I don't know how long, but at least three or four weeks. And so we're going to read the first eight verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. First Thessalonians, chapter four. Beginning with verse one, furthermore, then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as you have received of us how you ought to walk in to please God so you would abound more and more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus, for this is the will of God, even your sanctification that you should abstain from fornication. that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel and sanctification and honor. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles who know not God, that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any manner, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we have also forewarned you and testified.

[John Weaver] For God did not call us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who also hath given unto us his Holy Spirit."

[John Weaver] Now, the Thessalonian church was begun under what you and I would call rather adverse circumstances. I want you to hold 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, but turn back in your Bibles to Acts chapter 17, and then we'll come back to 1 Thessalonians, and let me show you the circumstances under which the Thessalonican church was begun. Acts chapter 17, notice there with verse 1.

[John Weaver] Now when they had passed through Amphibolus and Apollyonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures. opening and alleging that Christ's blessed needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ. And some of them believed and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the cheap women not a few." Now watch verse 5. But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out unto the people. So here then, the Thessalonican church was born out of what you and I would call out of great adversity. Look in verse 11, the Bible says concerning the Bereans, these were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.

[John Weaver] So the Bereans then did not have the fighting and the squabbling that the Thessalonicans did. Now if you'll turn back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, And look at verses 14 and 15, and Paul refers once again to this adversity. 1 Thessalonians 2, look in verse 14. He says, For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews, who both kill the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. And they please not God, and are contrary to all men." So once again, the Apostle Paul is referring to the adversity that was begun there in the Thessalonican church. Now look in chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, beginning there with verse 1. 1 Thessalonians 3, verse 1.

[John Weaver] Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it to be good to be left at Athens alone. And said, Timotheus, our brother and minister of God and fellow labor in the gospel of Christ to establish you and comfort you concerning your faith, that no man should be moved by these afflictions. Now, underline that that no man should be moved by these afflictions. For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, and you know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain."

[John Weaver] In the introductory statement that I've made from our text in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, I'm pointing out the fact that the Thessalonican church was begun with great adversity. And in Acts chapter 17, 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul refers to this adversity.

[John Weaver] Now Thessalonica was a city of Macedonia. The city was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, who named it after his wife, who was the sister to Alexander the Great. Now, like Corinth, Thessalonica was a seaport city. And Paul labored in Thessalonica probably around a month, beginning the Thessalonican church. Now, like most churches, there were problems in it. And Paul wanted to visit the Thessalonican church, but was unable to. In fact, if you look in 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 18, after he'd begun the church, he writes them and says, Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again, but Satan hindered us. So Paul then was hindered from visiting the Thessalonican church a second time. And so he writes them this epistle to deal with some of the problems. Now, 1 Thessalonians was probably written around 48 to 50 AD, and this is considered to be the very first epistle that the Apostle Paul wrote. So 1 Thessalonians then was probably the first epistle written by the Apostle Paul. Now, since Thessalonica was a seaport town, one of the problems that had to be dealt with in Thessalonica was the problem of sexual purity, or I should say the problem of sexual impurity.

[John Weaver] And unhappily today, sexual impurity is not confined to seaport towns like Corinth and Thessalonica. Today the problem is absolutely nationwide. It's not only nationwide, it is worldwide. So the promiscuous sexual revolution that enveloped the globe is literally upon us in full force. You see, restraint, self-discipline, respect, abstinence, and faithfulness seem to be forgotten values. They're absolutely now things of the past.

[John Weaver] Now, in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, the passage that I'm going to be dealing with, and I'm telling you now, it's going to take me three or four weeks to deal with this passage. But in this passage, Paul is calling us to sexual purity and to holiness and to honor by the authority of Christ and by the will of God. And he gives us in this passage some absolutely powerful motives.

[John Weaver] for remaining pure and faithful and holy. Now, today, I'm going to just deal with one point. And that one point is going to cover one verse, and that's 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. So it's going to take us some time to work our way down to verse 8. So let's read 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 1. Paul writes, furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more. So the very first point is this, an exhortation. Paul gives us, in verse 1, an exhortation. He says, furthermore, then brethren, we beseech you and exhort you. Now, first of all, I want you to note the word furthermore. The very first word in verse one, furthermore, calls us to look back at what Paul has previously stated, and I want you to look in chapter three at verses 12 and 13. This is the connection with the word, furthermore, in chapter 4.

[John Weaver] In verse 12, Paul says, And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do towards you. To the end, He may establish your hearts, unblameable in holiness, before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Now, in light of the exhortation that the Apostle Paul is about to give in chapter 4, he wants them to remember that we as Christians are to abound in love one toward another. And note verse 13, he says, to the end, in other words, for this purpose of being established unblameably in holiness before God.

[John Weaver] Now let me just spell it out. Part and parcel of our holiness is sexual purity. Part and parcel of our sanctification is sexual purity. As the Apostle Paul says in verse 4, that every one of us should know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor.

[John Weaver] Now let's go back to verse 1 and look at the two words, beseech and exhort. He says, furthermore, then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you.

[John Weaver] Now, the word beseech is erotao in the Greek, and it literally means to ask, to beseech, to entreat, or to pray. But when you come to the word exhort, it is the word parakaleo, which means to call near, to invite to, to implore, or to exhort. I hope you recognize the word parakaleo. We get our English word from that Greek word paraclete. It is a name for the Holy Spirit. It is used in English in our Bibles. The Holy Spirit is referred to the divine as to the Divine Perikle.

[John Weaver] In other words, he is the one who is called alongside the help. And it is from the word Perikleo, which means I call alongside. So when the Apostle Paul then is saying, I beseech you, he says literally, I'm entreating you, I'm praying you. And then when he uses the word Exor, I'm calling you alongside, I'm inviting you, I'm imploring you, you need to listen to what I'm about to say.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to note A very important point concerning this beseeching and exhorting. Look at it in verse 1. He says, Furthermore, then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you, note, by the Lord Jesus. So the beseeching and the exhorting that the Apostle Paul is doing in verse 1 is not simply from man, nor by man, nor literally from Paul as an apostle.

[John Weaver] Now, may I remind you that in the Bible, there is such a thing as apostolic authority. The apostle Paul refers to this in 2 Corinthians 13. He says, the authority that God has given me, He's given me for your edification, not for your destruction. So Paul could have used and exercised what is known as apostolic authority. But he doesn't even do that. What he says in verse 1 is this, furthermore then we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] So what is he saying? Our beseeching and our exhortation now is by the Lord Jesus Christ. And the word by in the Greek can be translated either by or in. So he is saying we are exhorting you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means that Paul is exhorting us, first of all, by the authority of Jesus Christ. You remember what he said in Matthew 28, verse 18, Christ said, all authority in heaven and earth is given unto me. So Paul says, I'm exhorting you now in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and secondly, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, what does that mean? Well, let me just remember for you and help you quote Philippians chapter two. You remember, verses five through eight. Tells us how that Christ Jesus has humbled himself and became obedient in the death, even the death on the cross. But when you get to verse 9, Philippians 2.9 says this, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.

[John Weaver] That in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in heaven, of things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. So when the Apostle Paul says, I beseech you and exhort you, he says, I'm not only beseeching and exhorting you by the authority of Jesus Christ, but in the name which is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ. So this then, that Paul is exhorting us in chapter 4 and verse 1 is not just something that Christ desires of us, but it is also something that Christ demands of us. Now, since Christ is Lord, He has every right to do so. So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, from this exhortation, which goes all the way down through verse 8, which I will cover in the coming weeks, but from verse 1, there are three practical implications, or three practical truths that we must learn. Now, let's look at verse 1 again and read it, and pick them out one at a time. He says, furthermore, then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus. Here's the first one that as you have received of us, here's the second one, how you ought to walk and please God. Here's the third one.

[John Weaver] So you would abound more and more. Now, let me give them to you. I'll spell them out. First of all, There is a practical necessity in verse 1. What is that practical necessity? We must be taught how to walk and to please God. He said,"...as you have received of us." There's the practical necessity. We must be taught how to walk and to please God.

[John Weaver] Secondly, here is the personal application. You ought to walk how you ought to walk. and to please God. And then thirdly, here is the progressive reality, so you would abound more and more. So he gives you then a practical necessity, he gives you a personal application, and he gives you a progressive reality. So let's take these three points one at a time, and let's look first of all at the practical necessity.

[John Weaver] He says, furthermore, then, we beseech you, brethren, exhort you by the Lord Jesus that as you have received of us. Now, the word received in the Greek is the word paralombano, and it literally means to learn or to receive or to take to one's self. So Paul is saying it's an absolute necessity that you and I be taught the truths, the ways, and the word, and the will of God. Why?

[John Weaver] Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth. Let me just quote for you Isaiah 55 verses 8 and 9. God said, For my ways are not your ways, saith the Lord, and my thoughts are not your thoughts. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

[John Weaver] Now, God says there is a world of difference between the way he thinks and the way he works. than there is in our way of thinking and our way of working. I want you to turn to two passages. They're close by, Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1. Just turn back a few pages. I'm just showing you that by nature, we are not only ignorant of the truth of God, by nature we're diametrically opposed to that truth.

[John Weaver] In Ephesians 4 and verse 17, Paul writes, This I say, therefore, and testify of the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind. Watch. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts. So what is man by nature? Man by nature is alienated from God. He's ignorant of God, and he's blind. Look in the book of Colossians chapter 1 and verse 21. And Paul says the same thing, but he says it a little differently. Colossians 1 and verse 21. And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now have been reconciled. So we were at one time enemies in our mind and also had wicked works. Now, the amazing thing is this, folks.

[John Weaver] And this is what most Christians have never understood. And it's so simple. Even after we are converted, we still must be taught the will of God and the word of God and the truth of God. Look back just to Ephesians chapter 4, just momentarily. You see, a baby has life. But once that baby is born and you know that that baby is living and kicking and screaming and eating and drinking, you don't walk away and leave the child. The child has to be taught.

[John Weaver] He has to be nourished. Look what he says in Ephesians 4 in verse 20. After he tells you not to walk the way the unconverted walk, he says, but you have not so learned Christ. Underline the word learn. You have not so learned Christ. If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus, that you put off concerning the former conduct, the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man

[John Weaver] which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Note verse 20,"...but you have not so learned Christ." Note verse 21,"...if you have heard Him and have been taught by Him." So the truth is, we must be taught. Look in your Bibles to John chapter 6 and verses 44 and 45. In fact, conversion itself is a teaching experience. In John 6 and verse 44, Christ says, No man can come unto me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day. Well, no man has the ability to come to Christ unless Christ's drawing. Well, what is the drawing?

[John Weaver] How do we know we've been drawn? Look in verse 45. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man, therefore, that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me. So we have to hear the Father. We have to be taught in order just to come to Christ. And once we come to Christ in faith, we are still continued to learn Christ. You remember 2 Peter 3, verse 18, where Peter writes,"...but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

[John Weaver] And I told you before that the little word, and, in the Greek is the word chi. And it is translated in our King James Bibles in another way as well. It is not only translated and, A-N-D, but sometimes it is translated even, E-V-E-N. And so you could read 2 Peter 3, verse 18 like this, but grow in grace even in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You're not growing in grace unless you're growing in knowledge.

[John Weaver] You see, we have to be taught. Now, let me just clear up a little misunderstanding. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter, not 1 Peter, but 1 John chapter 2. Here is a passage that is usually taken out of context. It is usually perverted and misinterpreted To me, individuals own detriment and destruction. Look in 1 John 2 and verse 20, John writes this statement.

[John Weaver] But you have an unction from the Holy One. And you know all things now look in verse 27. But the anointing which you have received of him abided in you, and you need not that even teach you. But it's the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and it's true, and it's no lie. And even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him. Now let's go back to verse 20. He says, But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. How many in this room will confess that you know all things? How many of you will acknowledge that you know everything just about one subject? Well, doesn't the Bible say you know all things? Well, sure it does.

[John Weaver] But you better take it into context. Look in verse 27. How many in this room can say that everything that you know, you've never had anybody teach you? That you don't need a teacher. I've heard Christians say that. I've heard Christians say, I don't need to be taught. And what they do is they take verse 20 and they take verse 27 out of context. You see, without giving a detailed exposition of this passage in 1 John chapter 2, it should be very clear and very obvious that there is a restriction upon these verses, because if you do not restrict these verses, then they are going to contradict other plain passages of Scripture. And you cannot have scripture, contradiction, scripture.

[John Weaver] Now, first of all, let me point out, there is a restriction as to the nature of the things themselves. Now, in the context of 1 John 2, we're talking about spiritual truths, and we're talking about spiritual truths, especially in relationship to Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, look at verse 20 again. He says, But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. You say, well now, wait a minute, you didn't take time to read the context. I know that. But I'm going to show you something in just a moment. In the context, we're talking about spiritual truths and we're talking primarily about Jesus Christ. You say, but Brother Weaver, I don't even know all things about Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Listen, I've got news for you. You will never know all things even about Jesus Christ. Why? 1 Timothy 3, verse 16. Let me just quote it for you. Paul writes, And without all controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, preached on in the world, believed on, seen of angels, and received up into glory. What did he say? And without all controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh.

[John Weaver] Can you explain the incarnation? No. Do you know everything there is to know about the incarnation? No. Well, how can John write in verse 20, but you know all things? Well, look at the context. Look in verse 21. He says, I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it and that no lie is of the truth. Now, in verse 21, we know all things in the sense that we know the truth, the truth of God. covers everything that you and I need to know. We know all things. In verse 22, watch it. Who is a liar?

[John Weaver] But he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ, he is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. We know that whoever denieth the deity of Christ is a liar. That's what he says in verse 22. Look in verse 23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father. But he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. In verse 23, we know that it is impossible to know the Father without the Son. What did Jesus Christ say in John 14, verse 6? I am the way, the truth, and the light, and no man cometh in the Father but by me. Look in verse 24. He says, Let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you shall also continue in the Son and in the Father. We know that if Christ abides in us, we shall continue in Him and in the Father. And then look in verse 25.

[John Weaver] And this is a promise that He has promised us, even eternal life. So we know that in Christ we have eternal life. Now what do we know? We know all things about Christ as far as His salvation is concerned. We may not know them perfectly, but we know whatever is necessary for salvation is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Now secondly, there is a restriction as to the scope of all things. We do not literally know all things. We don't even know all things about one subject, much less all things about every subject. But we do know that all things are given unto us, and all things that we need are at our disposal.

[John Weaver] Now hold 1 John 2, but look back in your Bibles to 2 Peter 1 verses 3 and 4. 2 Peter 1, verses 3 and 4, look what he says. According as his divine power hath given unto us, what are the next two words? All things, according as his divine power, have given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding in great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped

[John Weaver] the corruption that is in the world through lust." What is he saying? He says in verse 3 and verse 4, that God has given us literally all things.

[John Weaver] Now, when you look back to 1 John 2, and especially verse 27, when it comes to the teaching as to who Christ is, we do not need any man to teach us why. Listen carefully, and we'll show it to you from the Bible. Because only God can teach us who Christ is savingly. Only God can teach us who Christ is savingly. Now, hold 1 John right now and go back in your Bibles, first of all, to Matthew 11. Look at what Jesus Christ Himself said. You see, only God can reveal God. Only God knows God. In Matthew 11 and verse 27, look what Jesus Christ says.

[John Weaver] All things, by the way, there's that phrase again, isn't it? All things. All things are delivered unto me of my Father. Watch. And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him." Now, how can I know who the Son is? The answer is, only if the Father reveals Him. How can I know who the Father is? The answer is, only if the Son reveals Him.

[John Weaver] Now, I could stand here and tell you about Jesus Christ all day long. But if God does not open your eyes, if God does not show you who He is and what He is, you will never see it. Let me show it to you. Look at Matthew 16, and let's begin reading there with verse 13. Jesus Christ is at Caesarea Philippi. Matthew 16, verse 13. When Jesus came into the coast of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? They said, Some say thou art John the Baptist, some Elias or Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. And he said unto them, But whom say you that I am? Now watch. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now help me out on this next verse.

[John Weaver] I don't want to misquote it. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for thou art smarter than any other man. Thou didst figure this out when no one else couldest. Is that what he said? No. He said, Blessed art thou, Simon Barber, Jonah. Why? Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. How did Peter know who Jesus Christ was? God revealed it. And I want to tell you something, folks. I am incapable of teaching who Christ is in that sense. I can tell you all about Christ.

[John Weaver] But I cannot show you who He is. Only God can do that.

[John Weaver] Now, when you come to 1 John 2 and verse 27, and you read a phrase, and you have no need that any man teach you, does that mean that pastors do not need to teach about the person and work of Christ? That pastors do not need to teach about the office and work of Christ, the redemption of Christ? No. What it does mean is this. It is only God who can enlighten our minds. It is only God who can illuminate us and show us who Christ really is and what His work consisted of.

[John Weaver] So it is likewise the Holy Spirit who enlightens us concerning every truth. The Holy Spirit is that anointing who lives in us. The Holy Spirit is the one that turns the light on, that enables us to understand any of the Word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, let me show you what I mean by the statement I made earlier. You cannot interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 to mean that you have no need of any teachers at all. Why? Why can you not interpret it like that? Because it is contradictory to other plain Scriptures. Look in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4.

[John Weaver] Now, it is true only God can open our minds. It is true only God can give us the true light and the true knowledge concerning Christ and spiritual realities. But I want you to note what the Bible says in Ephesians chapter 4. Jesus Christ himself makes this point very real to us. Watch Ephesians chapter 4 and verse, in fact let's begin reading there with verse 8 just so you can see the context. Wherefore he saith, when he, that is Christ, ascended upon high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.

[John Weaver] Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first from the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fulfill all things. So Christ is the risen, resurrected, glorified Lord.

[John Weaver] Now look what verse 11 says. And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastor-teachers. Why? Why did God give some pastor-teachers? For the perfecting of the saints. for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into the unity, the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure, the stature, the fullness of Christ.

[John Weaver] Watch, that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, teared about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive." What did he just get out of his mouth? He said he gave some pastor-teachers, why? To build up, to edify, to strengthen, to teach, to mature the people of God. And the apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor-teachers are the gifts of Jesus Christ to his church.

[John Weaver] Now the apostolic office has ceased. The office of prophet has ceased, basically speaking. Even the office of evangelist has basically ceased. You say, now wait a minute, Brother Weaver, how can you say that? What did Paul tell Timothy, the pastor? He told him to do the work of an evangelist. You study the Bible, you'll find an evangelist in the New Testament was someone who went out and began churches in un-evangelized territories. There are no un-evangelized territories left today.

[John Weaver] Just about everywhere has heard the gospel. That doesn't mean that they believed it or received it. But that's why Paul wrote Timothy to do the work of the pastor-teacher. Now watch it. What is the one office that God has given that is still remaining? And that is the office of pastor-teacher. Why did he give that office? For the perfecting of the sense. for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you something, folks. If you interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 literally, that is, without any restrictions, and you believe that verse when it says, and you have no need that any man teach you, and you take that out of its context, I've got a question to ask you. Why did Jesus Christ Himself teach? Why is He called the Great Teacher? All you've got to do is read Matthew 11, verse 1, and He taught them. Read Mark 4, verse 1. Read Mark 6, 2. Read Mark 6, 34. The Bible says that Jesus Christ taught. May I remind you of the Great Commission? Matthew 28, verse 19. What did it say?

[John Weaver] Go ye therefore in all the world and what? Teach all nations. Well, somebody needs to teach. You see, that's why I'm saying you cannot take 1 John 2 and verse 27 and say, hey, I don't need anybody to teach me. In fact, I want to show you something. Look in your Bibles to 1 Timothy chapter 3. 1 Timothy chapter 3. In this passage. You have the qualifications for a pastor teacher. I'm not going to read all of them, I'm not going to cover all of them. But let's just read down through several verses. 1 Timothy 3, verse 1. This is a true saying, if a man desired the office of a bishop, he desired the good work. A bishop then must be blameless, a husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given the hospitality, apt to teach.

[John Weaver] not given to wine, no striker, not greedy, filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that will dwell his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. Now, let me just stop there. If I took the time today, I would show you that every qualification that Paul gives for a pastor in first in the chapter three, every qualification is required of every other Christian except one.

[John Weaver] Does God not require you to be hospitable? Yes. Does he not require you to be blameless? I can show you chapter and verse. Yes. Does God not require you to not be a striker? God doesn't want you to be a striker. Does God not require you to be vigilant and sober and of good behavior? The only Qualification that God does not demand of every Christian is the qualification, verse 2, apt to teach. The pastor must be apt to teach. By the way, folks, that's how we know whether or not God is truly called a man to preach. If he can teach, if he can actually communicate the truth of God, I don't care how many men say they're called to preach. If they cannot actually teach the Word of God, they've never been called to preach. For those whom God calls, He qualifies. By the way, since we're in 1 Timothy, look in chapter 4 and verse 11. Just showing you that Timothy was commanded to teach. He says, these things command and teach. Look in chapter six and verse two of First Timothy, and they that have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather do them service because they are faithful and love partakers of the benefit.

[John Weaver] These things teach and exhort. And if you look in Second Timothy, chapter two and verse two, you have an admonition of the pastor. Watch. In fact, he says in verse one, thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also. So the pastor then is responsible to teach other men who are able to teach others also. So very clearly, you cannot turn around and say, well, first John two and verse twenty seven means that we don't need a teacher. We don't need any man teaches. It is true man cannot communicate the spiritual truth of God. Only God can open the eyes. Only God can enlighten the minds. But God does use teachers. In fact, in Hebrews chapter 5, He tells us in verse 12 that there are some of us when we should be on meat, we're back on milk. And we have need that someone teach us again all over of the first principles of God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in Colossians chapter one before I give you the verse. I want to ask you a question. What does it take to present? A child of God. Perfect before God, the father. What does it take? And I'm not talking about the person and work of Christ. We know that Christ is our all in all. But that's not the context of the question. We're in Christ. His work is perfect. Now that we're saved, now that we're in Christ, what is it going to take that will get us perfect to be presented to God the Father? Well, look in Colossians 1 and verse 28.

[John Weaver] Colossians 1 verse 28, look what Paul says. Whom we preach, warning every man, that is, euthetically confronting every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. What does it take to present us perfect in Christ Jesus? It takes preaching, confrontation, and teaching. You cannot be matured without those three things. You see, God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means to that end. So God has given pastor-teachers to the church for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying, the building up of the body of Christ, which will bring them to maturity.

[John Weaver] By the way, let me point this out. I hope you understand. That when you miss the preaching of the Word of God and the teaching of the Word of God, to use an expression that you will understand, you're cutting your own throat. You're depriving yourself of the food and the nourishment and the teaching that you need to be mature and perfect in Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to watch this. God gives us pastor-teachers. He does so for a reason.

[John Weaver] Now, let me make a statement, and then I'll explain it. This is not to discourage you from studying at home. You ought to study at home. But here's a fact. You will learn from pastor-teachers what you would never learn on your own at home. I'm not saying don't study. But let me explain it. You see, when God calls a man and He gives him the gift to teach, He also gives him the corollary gift that must go with that, and that's the gift to study. Because you can't teach if you don't know. And you can't teach if you don't study.

[John Weaver] And the truth is this, folks. You're going to learn things from pastor teachers that you would never learn on your own. And that brings me back to this first point. Here's the practical necessity. We must be taught. We must be taught. Teaching is absolutely fundamental. It is absolutely essential. It is absolutely necessary. It is true God must then take that truth and make it real to us, but we must hear the truth. We must be taught. And so in 1 Thessalonians 4, go back there to verse 1, when Paul says, furthermore, then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us, in other words, we are the ones that taught you. You received what we gave you. Here is the practical necessity. You must be taught. Secondly, if you look in verse 1, here's the personal application. He says, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God. Now this phrase emphasizes personal responsibility. Folks, let me tell you, the pastor may teach, He may instruct.

[John Weaver] He may even make applications. But the truth of the matter is, if you do not personally obey the Word of God, the Word of God has done you absolutely no good. I'm going to tell you, I've done a lot of counseling in my years in the ministry. And there have been times There have been times I've wanted to grab the man, I've wanted to grab the woman, hold them up against the wall and say, what's wrong with you, dummy? Listen to me. It doesn't do me any good to tell you what God says if you don't actually obey. If you don't do what God says, all the counseling is worthless. Are you listening?

[John Weaver] There is no pastor that can live for you. No one who can talk for you, or act for you, or walk for you. You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God. I can show a husband how to get along with his wife, but I can't make him get along with his wife. I can show a woman how to relate to her husband, but I can't make her have that hard attitude. You follow me? I can show children what God demands of them, but I can't make them obedient. I can't make them submissive. So the point I'm trying to make is this. Each of us are personally responsible to God. Look in your Bibles. Romans 14. Romans 14.

[John Weaver] Let's begin with verse 10. Romans 14 verse 10. Romans 14 verse 10, But whitest thou judge thy brother, whitest thou set it not thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Are you watching? So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. So you will give an account as to whether or not you personally applied the Word of God. Turn over in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10.

[John Weaver] If you want to see it again, I'll show it to you again. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10. Look what is written. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, watch, that everyone may receive the things done in his body according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad. You're going to give an account to Christ as to how you lived, how you talked, how you walked, what you said. Whether it be good or bad, you'll give an account. Why? Because if you're a Christian, you belong to Him. He is the Lord. You are absolutely responsible. Do you remember what he said in Mark 4, verse 24?

[John Weaver] He says, take heed what you hear. In Luke 8, verse 18, he said it like this, take heed how you hear. So you will give an account not only as to what you hear, but how you hear it.

[John Weaver] Now, did you know that Jesus Christ gives us an absolute foolproof test as to whether or not we can discern as to whether we're making personal application of the Word of God or not. You say, how's that? Well, I'm not going to ask you to turn back and look at it, but you will remember in Luke 6 and verse 46, He said, And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say unto you?

[John Weaver] And then he gave the illustration about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not. So how do you know whether or not you're getting anything out of the Word of God and out of the preaching and teaching?

[John Weaver] The answer is look at your life. Are you making a personal application?

[John Weaver] Now, I want to get this. Look back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 3. I've told you this. I want to reemphasize it. I want you to understand it. This is vitally important. I want you to understand it is the message that counts, and not the man. So I don't care if I'm up here preaching, or Brother Melvin, or Chester, or Tony, or Tom, or Doc, or Don, or Russ, or who? It is not the man, but the message that is important. Look in 1 Corinthians 3.

[John Weaver] Paul said, And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto flesh, dear carnal, as unto babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, and not with meat. Why? For hitherto you were not able to bear it, neither are you now able. For you yet carnal, for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions, are you not carnal and walk as men?

[John Weaver] Now I want you to watch what the division wants. For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Paulus, who then is Paul, and who is of Paulus? But ministereth by whom ye believe, even as the Lord gave to every man. I planted, of Paulus watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planted anything, neither he that watered, but God that giveth the increase." So here are some people saying, well, we are followers of Paul. Now we like Paul, but we don't care about Paulus. Here is another group in 1 Corinthians 1, they say we are Cephas, that is they follow Peter.

[John Weaver] And here's another group that try to be a little more spiritual. Look at it in verse 12 of 1 Corinthians 1.

[John Weaver] Now this I say that every one of you says, I'm a Paul, I'm a Paulist, and I have Cephas, and I have Christ. So some say, well, I like Peter, but I'm not listening to Paul. Or I like a Paulist, I'm not listening to Peter or Paul. And some try to be a little more spiritual and say, but we're just followers of Christ. Paul said, let me tell you something.

[John Weaver] It's not the man, it's not the personality, it's the Word of God. Every preacher is nothing more than an instrument. And you need to hear the Word of God. You need to hear the message. And you need to learn how to walk and to please God. Now listen, in order to walk and to please God, the very first thing you must do is listen. You have to actually learn the truth before you can actually apply the truth.

[John Weaver] Do you realize one of the lost arts in our day is the art of listening? You watch yourself. You don't even listen to each other. Husbands don't listen to wives. You can say that again. Wives don't listen to husbands. We don't listen to our children. We don't really listen. But you're never going to learn until you learn how to hear. There is so much in the Bible on hearing the Word of God. Even in this congregation today. I'll guarantee you, while I've been preaching, some of you have been thinking about other things. You've been thinking about lunch. You've been thinking about what you're going to do tomorrow. your work, all that you've got to do at home, the messy house, the dirty dishes, you've been thinking about something. Why? Because we don't have the discipline to listen, and how in the world can we ever apply the truth if we don't know the truth? So if you don't listen, then there's no way in the world that you can learn.

[John Weaver] I challenge you to go back and read Matthew chapter 13, especially the parable of the sword. where our Lord is talking about hearing the Word of God. And after we do hear it, after we do receive it, we have to analyze it, we have to perceive it, we have to understand it, we have to comprehend it, and apply it. So Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4, in verse 1, watch. He said, and you have received from us how you ought to walk and please God. So you must personally learn how to walk and please God. No one can walk for you. No one can live for you.

[John Weaver] Now, one last thing very quickly. Look in the latter part of verse 1. Here's the progressive reality. He said, so you would abound more and more.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to note something. In our Christian life, first of all, there is no neutrality.

[John Weaver] Secondly, there is to be no regression, no going back. We are to know how to walk. so that we will abound more and more. You see, life is not just one simple hurdle. It is not just one simple milestone. It is not just one simple obedience. But our life is to be a lifestyle of abounding obedience. It is to be literally from faith to faith, and from glory to glory, and from grace to grace. Now Paul says, that He wants us to abound more and more.

[John Weaver] Now look back, if you would please, in chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians and verse 12. He says,"...and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another." Now, we're not going to turn back to Philippians chapter 1 and verse 9, but he says basically the same thing, that our love is to grow and to abound more and more. Help you out here, and I'll cover this more next week. But if our love is to grow more and more, and we're to abound, what in the world is our love? Romans 13, verse 10. Love is the fulfilling of the law.

[John Weaver] So what is he saying? We are to abound more and more in obedience to God in every area of our life.

[John Weaver] Now listen, I'm eager to get down to verse 4, verse 6, verse 7, verse 8. But what Paul is saying in verse 1 is so vitally important, if you don't hear verse 1, it will do me no good to preach verse 4, 6, 7 and 8. Because if you don't realize, you must be taught, there's a practical necessity, that you must make a personal application of that truth to your life. And then there must be a progressive reality for you to continue in obedience. All the truth in the world will not help you. And so Paul begins with a simple exhortation. But the exhortation is in the name.

[John Weaver] and in the person and power and authority of Jesus Christ. And you better give ear, for God has given Him a name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Let's pray. Father, we ask today that you would help us build us up in the most holy faith, teach us, Lord, how desperately we do need to be taught, but how desperately, Lord, we need to make personal application and to make sure that there is a progressive reality in our lives in Thy truth, that

[John Weaver] there be no neutrality and no regression. Father, we ask that You would bless us today in our time of fellowship, And we ask, Father, that your name would be honored and glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen and Amen. God bless you. Don't forget the offerings. Don't forget the books. And we've got a little fellowship lunch afterwards, so stay and we'll eat together and fellowship together.

1 Sanctification & Sexual Purity

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	1022071325528
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Law, Obedience, and Sanctification: Walking With God
Genre	Sermon
Date	2007-10-22
Dictation Name
Book	Book 134: Romans: Law, Obedience, and Sanctification - Volume 1 — Chapter 6
Source Timed Segments	92

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Historical Context

Weaver introduces the passage and describes the adverse circumstances under which the Thessalonian church was founded, referencing Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 2-3.

1 Thessalonians chapter 4. I want to begin a message today which will probably take me three or four weeks to end. I don't know how long, but at least three or four weeks. And so we're going to read the first eight verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. First Thessalonians, chapter four. Beginning with verse one,

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

"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. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit." Now, the Thessalonian church was begun under what you and I would call rather adverse circumstances. I want you to hold 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, but turn back in your Bibles to Acts chapter 17, and then we'll come back to 1 Thessalonians, and let me show you the circumstances under which the Thessalonian church was begun. Acts chapter 17, notice there with verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Acts 17:1-11

"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Now watch verse 5. "But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people."

So here then, the Thessalonian church was born out of what you and I would call out of great adversity. Look in verse 11, the Bible says concerning the Bereans, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

So the Bereans then did not have the fighting and the squabbling that the Thessalonians did. Now if you'll turn back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, and look at verses 14 and 15, and Paul refers once again to this adversity. 1 Thessalonians 2, look in verse 14. He says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

"For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men."

So once again, the Apostle Paul is referring to the adversity that was begun there in the Thessalonian church. Now look in chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, beginning there with verse 1. 1 Thessalonians 3, verse 1. "Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: that no man should be moved by these afflictions." Now, underline that: "that no man should be moved by these afflictions." "For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain."

In the introductory statement that I've made from our text in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, I'm pointing out the fact that the Thessalonian church was begun with great adversity. And in Acts chapter 17, 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul refers to this adversity.

Background of Thessalonica and the Epistle

Details about Thessalonica as a seaport city, the founding of the church, Paul's hindered visit, and the dating of 1 Thessalonians as Paul's first epistle.

Now Thessalonica was a city of Macedonia. The city was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, who named it after his wife, who was the sister to Alexander the Great. Now, like Corinth, Thessalonica was a seaport city. And Paul labored in Thessalonica probably around a month, beginning the Thessalonian church. Now, like most churches, there were problems in it. And Paul wanted to visit the Thessalonian church, but was unable to. In fact, if you look in 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 18, after he'd begun the church, he writes them and says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 2:18

"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."

So Paul then was hindered from visiting the Thessalonian church a second time. And so he writes them this epistle to deal with some of the problems. Now, 1 Thessalonians was probably written around 48 to 50 AD, and this is considered to be the very first epistle that the Apostle Paul wrote. So 1 Thessalonians then was probably the first epistle written by the Apostle Paul. Now, since Thessalonica was a seaport town, one of the problems that had to be dealt with in Thessalonica was the problem of sexual purity, or I should say the problem of sexual impurity.

And unhappily today, sexual impurity is not confined to seaport towns like Corinth and Thessalonica. Today the problem is absolutely nationwide. It's not only nationwide, it is worldwide. So the promiscuous sexual revolution that enveloped the globe is literally upon us in full force. You see, restraint, self-discipline, respect, abstinence, and faithfulness seem to be forgotten values. They're absolutely now things of the past.

The Problem of Sexual Impurity

Sexual impurity was a problem in Thessalonica and is now a global issue, with forgotten values like restraint and faithfulness.

Now, in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, the passage that I'm going to be dealing with, and I'm telling you now, it's going to take me three or four weeks to deal with this passage. But in this passage, Paul is calling us to sexual purity and to holiness and to honor by the authority of Christ and by the will of God. And he gives us in this passage some absolutely powerful motives.

Exhortation by the Lord Jesus

Paul's beseeching and exhorting are by the authority and name of Jesus Christ, not merely apostolic authority.

for remaining pure and faithful and holy. Now, today, I'm going to just deal with one point. And that one point is going to cover one verse, and that's 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. So it's going to take us some time to work our way down to verse 8. So let's read 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 1. Paul writes, "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." So the very first point is this, an exhortation. Paul gives us, in verse 1, an exhortation. He says, "Furthermore then, brethren, we beseech you and exhort you." Now, first of all, I want you to note the word "furthermore." The very first word in verse one, "furthermore," calls us to look back at what Paul has previously stated, and I want you to look in chapter three at verses 12 and 13. This is the connection with the word "furthermore" in chapter 4.

In verse 12, Paul says, "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." Now, in light of the exhortation that the Apostle Paul is about to give in chapter 4, he wants them to remember that we as Christians are to abound in love one toward another. And note verse 13, he says, "to the end," in other words, for this purpose of being established unblameably in holiness before God. Now let me just spell it out. Part and parcel of our holiness is sexual purity. Part and parcel of our sanctification is sexual purity. As the Apostle Paul says in verse 4, that every one of us should know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor.

Now let's go back to verse 1 and look at the two words, "beseech" and "exhort." He says, "Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you." Now, the word "beseech" is erotao in the Greek, and it literally means to ask, to beseech, to entreat, or to pray. But when you come to the word "exhort," it is the word parakaleo, which means to call near, to invite to, to implore, or to exhort. I hope you recognize the word parakaleo. We get our English word from that Greek word "Paraclete." It is a name for the Holy Spirit. It is used in English in our Bibles. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Divine Paraclete.

In other words, he is the one who is called alongside to help. And it is from the word parakaleo, which means "I call alongside." So when the Apostle Paul then is saying, "I beseech you," he says literally, "I'm entreating you, I'm praying you." And then when he uses the word "exhort," "I'm calling you alongside, I'm inviting you, I'm imploring you, you need to listen to what I'm about to say." Now, I want you to note a very important point concerning this beseeching and exhorting. Look at it in verse 1. He says, "Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you," note, "by the Lord Jesus." So the beseeching and the exhorting that the Apostle Paul is doing in verse 1 is not simply from man, nor by man, nor literally from Paul as an apostle.

Now, may I remind you that in the Bible, there is such a thing as apostolic authority. The apostle Paul refers to this in 2 Corinthians 13. He says, "The authority that God has given me, He's given me for your edification, not for your destruction." So Paul could have used and exercised what is known as apostolic authority. But he doesn't even do that. What he says in verse 1 is this, "Furthermore then we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ."

So what is he saying? Our beseeching and our exhortation now is by the Lord Jesus Christ. And the word "by" in the Greek can be translated either "by" or "in." So he is saying we are exhorting you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means that Paul is exhorting us, first of all, by the authority of Jesus Christ. You remember what he said in Matthew 28, verse 18, Christ said, "All authority in heaven and earth is given unto me." So Paul says, "I'm exhorting you now in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ" and secondly, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, what does that mean? Well, let me just remember for you and help you quote Philippians chapter two. You remember, verses five through eight. Tells us how that Christ Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross. But when you get to verse 9, Philippians 2:9 says this, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." So when the Apostle Paul says, "I beseech you and exhort you," he says, "I'm not only beseeching and exhorting you by the authority of Jesus Christ, but in the name which is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ." So this then, that Paul is exhorting us in chapter 4 and verse 1 is not just something that Christ desires of us, but it is also something that Christ demands of us. Now, since Christ is Lord, He has every right to do so. So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Now, from this exhortation, which goes all the way down through verse 8, which I will cover in the coming weeks, but from verse 1, there are three practical implications, or three practical truths that we must learn. Now, let's look at verse 1 again and read it, and pick them out one at a time. He says, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus." Here's the first one: "that as ye have received of us," here's the second one: "how ye ought to walk and to please God." Here's the third one.

Practical Necessity: We Must Be Taught

Believers must be taught how to walk and please God, as by nature we are ignorant and opposed to God's truth. Teaching is essential for maturity.

"So ye would abound more and more." Now, let me give them to you. I'll spell them out. First of all, there is a practical necessity in verse 1. What is that practical necessity? We must be taught how to walk and to please God. He said, "...as ye have received of us." There's the practical necessity. We must be taught how to walk and to please God.

Secondly, here is the personal application. "How ye ought to walk and to please God." And then thirdly, here is the progressive reality, "so ye would abound more and more." So he gives you then a practical necessity, he gives you a personal application, and he gives you a progressive reality. So let's take these three points one at a time, and let's look first of all at the practical necessity. He says, "Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us." Now, the word "received" in the Greek is the word paralambano, and it literally means to learn or to receive or to take to one's self. So Paul is saying it's an absolute necessity that you and I be taught the truths, the ways, and the word, and the will of God. Why?

Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth. Let me just quote for you Isaiah 55 verses 8 and 9. God said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Now, God says there is a world of difference between the way he thinks and the way he works, than there is in our way of thinking and our way of working. I want you to turn to two passages. They're close by, Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1. Just turn back a few pages. I'm just showing you that by nature, we are not only ignorant of the truth of God, by nature we're diametrically opposed to that truth. In Ephesians 4 and verse 17, Paul writes,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."

So what is man by nature? Man by nature is alienated from God. He's ignorant of God, and he's blind. Look in the book of Colossians chapter 1 and verse 21. And Paul says the same thing, but he says it a little differently. Colossians 1 and verse 21. "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled." So we were at one time enemies in our mind and also had wicked works. Now, the amazing thing is this, folks.

And this is what most Christians have never understood. And it's so simple. Even after we are converted, we still must be taught the will of God and the word of God and the truth of God. Look back just to Ephesians chapter 4, just momentarily. You see, a baby has life. But once that baby is born and you know that that baby is living and kicking and screaming and eating and drinking, you don't walk away and leave the child. The child has to be taught.

He has to be nourished. Look what he says in Ephesians 4 in verse 20. After he tells you not to walk the way the unconverted walk, he says,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"But ye have not so learned Christ."

Underline the word "learned."

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Note verse 20,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"...but ye have not so learned Christ."

Note verse 21,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"...if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him."

So the truth is, we must be taught. Look in your Bibles to John chapter 6 and verses 44 and 45. In fact, conversion itself is a teaching experience. In John 6 and verse 44, Christ says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." Well, no man has the ability to come to Christ unless Christ's drawing. Well, what is the drawing?

How do we know we've been drawn? Look in verse 45. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." So we have to hear the Father. We have to be taught in order just to come to Christ. And once we come to Christ in faith, we are still continued to learn Christ. You remember 2 Peter 3, verse 18, where Peter writes, "...but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

And I told you before that the little word "and" in the Greek is the word kai. And it is translated in our King James Bibles in another way as well. It is not only translated "and," A-N-D, but sometimes it is translated "even," E-V-E-N. And so you could read 2 Peter 3, verse 18 like this, "but grow in grace, even

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 3:18

in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

You're not growing in grace unless you're growing in knowledge. You see, we have to be taught. Now, let me just clear up a little misunderstanding. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 John chapter 2. Here is a passage that is usually taken out of context. It is usually perverted and misinterpreted to many individuals' own detriment and destruction. Look in 1 John 2 and verse 20, John writes this statement.

"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." Now look in verse 27. "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." Now let's go back to verse 20. He says, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." How many in this room will confess that you know all things? How many of you will acknowledge that you know everything just about one subject? Well, doesn't the Bible say you know all things? Well, sure it does.

But you better take it into context. Look in verse 27. How many in this room can say that everything that you know, you've never had anybody teach you? That you don't need a teacher. I've heard Christians say that. I've heard Christians say, "I don't need to be taught." And what they do is they take verse 20 and they take verse 27 out of context. You see, without giving a detailed exposition of this passage in 1 John chapter 2, it should be very clear and very obvious that there is a restriction upon these verses, because if you do not restrict these verses, then they are going to contradict other plain passages of Scripture. And you cannot have Scripture contradict Scripture.

Now, first of all, let me point out, there is a restriction as to the nature of the things themselves. Now, in the context of 1 John 2, we're talking about spiritual truths, and we're talking about spiritual truths, especially in relationship to Jesus Christ. Now, look at verse 20 again. He says, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." You say, "Well now, wait a minute, you didn't take time to read the context." I know that. But I'm going to show you something in just a moment. In the context, we're talking about spiritual truths and we're talking primarily about Jesus Christ. You say, "But Brother Weaver, I don't even know all things about Jesus Christ."

Listen, I've got news for you. You will never know all things even about Jesus Christ. Why? 1 Timothy 3, verse 16. Let me just quote it for you. Paul writes, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." What did he say? "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh."

Can you explain the incarnation? No. Do you know everything there is to know about the incarnation? No. Well, how can John write in verse 20, "but ye know all things"? Well, look at the context. Look in verse 21. He says, "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth." Now, in verse 21, we know all things in the sense that we know the truth, the truth of God covers everything that you and I need to know. We know all things. In verse 22, watch it. "Who is a liar?

but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." We know that whoever denieth the deity of Christ is a liar. That's what he says in verse 22. Look in verse 23. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." In verse 23, we know that it is impossible to know the Father without the Son. What did Jesus Christ say in John 14, verse 6? "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Look in verse 24. He says, "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father." We know that if Christ abides in us, we shall continue in Him and in the Father. And then look in verse 25.

"And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." So we know that in Christ we have eternal life. Now what do we know? We know all things about Christ as far as His salvation is concerned. We may not know them perfectly, but we know whatever is necessary for salvation is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Now secondly, there is a restriction as to the scope of all things. We do not literally know all things. We don't even know all things about one subject, much less all things about every subject. But we do know that all things are given unto us, and all things that we need are at our disposal.

Now hold 1 John 2, but look back in your Bibles to 2 Peter 1 verses 3 and 4. 2 Peter 1, verses 3 and 4, look what he says. "According as his divine power hath given unto us," what are the next two words? "All things." "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." What is he saying? He says in verse 3 and verse 4, that God has given us literally all things.

Now, when you look back to 1 John 2, and especially verse 27, when it comes to the teaching as to who Christ is, we do not need any man to teach us why. Listen carefully, and we'll show it to you from the Bible. Because only God can teach us who Christ is savingly. Only God can teach us who Christ is savingly. Now, hold 1 John right now and go back in your Bibles, first of all, to Matthew 11. Look at what Jesus Christ Himself said. You see, only God can reveal God. Only God knows God. In Matthew 11 and verse 27, look what Jesus Christ says.

"All things," by the way, there's that phrase again, isn't it? "All things." "All things are delivered unto me of my Father." Watch. "And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." Now, how can I know who the Son is? The answer is, only if the Father reveals Him. How can I know who the Father is? The answer is, only if the Son reveals Him.

Now, I could stand here and tell you about Jesus Christ all day long. But if God does not open your eyes, if God does not show you who He is and what He is, you will never see it. Let me show it to you. Look at Matthew 16, and let's begin reading there with verse 13. Jesus Christ is at Caesarea Philippi. Matthew 16, verse 13. "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" Now watch. "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Now help me out on this next verse.

I don't want to misquote it. "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for thou art smarter than any other man. Thou didst figure this out when no one else couldest." Is that what he said? No. He said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." How did Peter know who Jesus Christ was? God revealed it. And I want to tell you something, folks. I am incapable of teaching who Christ is in that sense. I can tell you all about Christ.

But I cannot show you who He is. Only God can do that. Now, when you come to 1 John 2 and verse 27, and you read a phrase, "and ye need not that any man teach you," does that mean that pastors do not need to teach about the person and work of Christ? That pastors do not need to teach about the office and work of Christ, the redemption of Christ? No. What it does mean is this. It is only God who can enlighten our minds. It is only God who can illuminate us and show us who Christ really is and what His work consisted of.

So it is likewise the Holy Spirit who enlightens us concerning every truth. The Holy Spirit is that anointing who lives in us. The Holy Spirit is the one that turns the light on, that enables us to understand any of the Word of God. Now, let me show you what I mean by the statement I made earlier. You cannot interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 to mean that you have no need of any teachers at all. Why? Why can you not interpret it like that? Because it is contradictory to other plain Scriptures. Look in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4.

Now, it is true only God can open our minds. It is true only God can give us the true light and the true knowledge concerning Christ and spiritual realities. But I want you to note what the Bible says in Ephesians chapter 4. Jesus Christ himself makes this point very real to us. Watch Ephesians chapter 4 and verse, in fact let's begin reading there with verse 8 just so you can see the context. "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." "(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" So Christ is the risen, resurrected, glorified Lord.

Now look what verse 11 says. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Watch, "that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." What did he just get out of his mouth? He said he gave some pastor-teachers, why? To build up, to edify, to strengthen, to teach, to mature the people of God. And the apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor-teachers are the gifts of Jesus Christ to his church.

Now the apostolic office has ceased. The office of prophet has ceased, basically speaking. Even the office of evangelist has basically ceased. You say, "Now wait a minute, Brother Weaver, how can you say that?" What did Paul tell Timothy, the pastor? He told him to do the work of an evangelist. You study the Bible, you'll find an evangelist in the New Testament was someone who went out and began churches in un-evangelized territories. There are no un-evangelized territories left today.

Just about everywhere has heard the gospel. That doesn't mean that they believed it or received it. But that's why Paul wrote Timothy to do the work of the pastor-teacher. Now watch it. What is the one office that God has given that is still remaining? And that is the office of pastor-teacher. Why did he give that office? For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Now, let me tell you something, folks. If you interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 literally, that is, without any restrictions, and you believe that verse when it says, "and ye need not that any man teach you," and you take that out of its context, I've got a question to ask you. Why did Jesus Christ Himself teach? Why is He called the Great Teacher? All you've got to do is read Matthew 11, verse 1, and He taught them. Read Mark 4, verse 1. Read Mark 6, 2. Read Mark 6, 34. The Bible says that Jesus Christ taught. May I remind you of the Great Commission? Matthew 28, verse 19. What did it say?

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." Well, somebody needs to teach. You see, that's why I'm saying you cannot take 1 John 2 and verse 27 and say, "Hey, I don't need anybody to teach me." In fact, I want to show you something. Look in your Bibles to 1 Timothy chapter 3. 1 Timothy chapter 3. In this passage, you have the qualifications for a pastor teacher. I'm not going to read all of them, I'm not going to cover all of them. But let's just read down through several verses. 1 Timothy 3, verse 1. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach."

"Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." Now, let me just stop there. If I took the time today, I would show you that every qualification that Paul gives for a pastor in 1 Timothy chapter 3, every qualification is required of every other Christian except one. Does God not require you to be hospitable? Yes. Does he not require you to be blameless? I can show you chapter and verse. Yes. Does God not require you to not be a striker? God doesn't want you to be a striker. Does God not require you to be vigilant and sober and of good behaviour? The only qualification that God does not demand of every Christian is the qualification, verse 2, "apt to teach." The pastor must be apt to teach. By the way, folks, that's how we know whether or not God has truly called a man to preach. If he can teach, if he can actually communicate the truth of God, I don't care how many men say they're called to preach. If they cannot actually teach the Word of God, they've never been called to preach. For those whom God calls, He qualifies. By the way, since we're in 1 Timothy, look in chapter 4 and verse 11. Just showing you that Timothy was commanded to teach. He says, "These things command and teach." Look in chapter six and verse two of First Timothy, "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.

These things teach and exhort." And if you look in Second Timothy, chapter two and verse two, you have an admonition of the pastor. Watch. In fact, he says in verse one, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." So the pastor then is responsible to teach other men who are able to teach others also. So very clearly, you cannot turn around and say, "Well, First John two and verse twenty seven means that we don't need a teacher. We don't need any man to teach us." It is true man cannot communicate the spiritual truth of God. Only God can open the eyes. Only God can enlighten the minds. But God does use teachers. In fact, in Hebrews chapter 5, He tells us in verse 12 that there are some of us when we should be on meat, we're back on milk. And we have need that someone teach us again all over of the first principles of God.

Now, I want you to look in Colossians chapter one before I give you the verse. I want to ask you a question. What does it take to present a child of God perfect before God the Father? What does it take? And I'm not talking about the person and work of Christ. We know that Christ is our all in all. But that's not the context of the question. We're in Christ. His work is perfect. Now that we're saved, now that we're in Christ, what is it going to take that will get us perfect to be presented to God the Father? Well, look in Colossians 1 and verse 28.

Colossians 1 verse 28, look what Paul says.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:28

"Whom we preach, warning every man,"

that is, euthetically confronting every man,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:28

"and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

What does it take to present us perfect in Christ Jesus? It takes preaching, confrontation, and teaching. You cannot be matured without those three things. You see, God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means to that end. So God has given pastor-teachers to the church for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying, the building up of the body of Christ, which will bring them to maturity. By the way, let me point this out. I hope you understand. That when you miss the preaching of the Word of God and the teaching of the Word of God, to use an expression that you will understand, you're cutting your own throat. You're depriving yourself of the food and the nourishment and the teaching that you need to be mature and perfect in Jesus Christ.

Now, I want you to watch this. God gives us pastor-teachers. He does so for a reason. Now, let me make a statement, and then I'll explain it. This is not to discourage you from studying at home. You ought to study at home. But here's a fact. You will learn from pastor-teachers what you would never learn on your own at home. I'm not saying don't study. But let me explain it. You see, when God calls a man and He gives him the gift to teach, He also gives him the corollary gift that must go with that, and that's the gift to study. Because you can't teach if you don't know. And you can't teach if you don't study.

And the truth is this, folks. You're going to learn things from pastor teachers that you would never learn on your own. And that brings me back to this first point. Here's the practical necessity. We must be taught. We must be taught. Teaching is absolutely fundamental. It is absolutely essential. It is absolutely necessary. It is true God must then take that truth and make it real to us, but we must hear the truth. We must be taught. And so in 1 Thessalonians 4, go back there to verse 1, when Paul says, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us," in other words, we are the ones that taught you. You received what we gave you. Here is the practical necessity. You must be taught. Secondly, if you look in verse 1, here's the personal application. He says, "that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God." Now this phrase emphasizes personal responsibility. Folks, let me tell you, the pastor may teach, He may instruct.

Personal Application: How to Walk and Please God

Each believer is personally responsible to apply God's Word; no one can obey for you. Listening and personal obedience are crucial.

He may even make applications. But the truth of the matter is, if you do not personally obey the Word of God, the Word of God has done you absolutely no good. I'm going to tell you, I've done a lot of counseling in my years in the ministry. And there have been times I've wanted to grab the man, I've wanted to grab the woman, hold them up against the wall and say, "What's wrong with you, dummy? Listen to me." It doesn't do me any good to tell you what God says if you don't actually obey. If you don't do what God says, all the counseling is worthless. Are you listening?

There is no pastor that can live for you. No one who can talk for you, or act for you, or walk for you. You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God. I can show a husband how to get along with his wife, but I can't make him get along with his wife. I can show a woman how to relate to her husband, but I can't make her have that hard attitude. You follow me? I can show children what God demands of them, but I can't make them obedient. I can't make them submissive. So the point I'm trying to make is this. Each of us are personally responsible to God. Look in your Bibles. Romans 14. Romans 14.

Let's begin with verse 10. Romans 14 verse 10.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:10

"But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

Are you watching? "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." So you will give an account as to whether or not you personally applied the Word of God. Turn over in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10. If you want to see it again, I'll show it to you again. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10. Look what is written.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:10

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

You're going to give an account to Christ as to how you lived, how you talked, how you walked, what you said. Whether it be good or bad, you'll give an account. Why? Because if you're a Christian, you belong to Him. He is the Lord. You are absolutely responsible. Do you remember what he said in Mark 4, verse 24?

He says, "Take heed what ye hear." In Luke 8, verse 18, he said it like this, "Take heed therefore how ye hear." So you will give an account not only as to what you hear, but how you hear it. Now, did you know that Jesus Christ gives us an absolute foolproof test as to whether or not we can discern as to whether we're making personal application of the Word of God or not. You say, "How's that?" Well, I'm not going to ask you to turn back and look at it, but you will remember in Luke 6 and verse 46, He said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" And then he gave the illustration about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not. So how do you know whether or not you're getting anything out of the Word of God and out of the preaching and teaching?

The answer is look at your life. Are you making a personal application? Now, I want to get this. Look back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 3. I've told you this. I want to reemphasize it. I want you to understand it. This is vitally important. I want you to understand it is the message that counts, and not the man. So I don't care if I'm up here preaching, or Brother Melvin, or Chester, or Tony, or Tom, or Doc, or Don, or Russ, or who? It is not the man, but the message that is important. Look in 1 Corinthians 3.

Paul said, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" Now I want you to watch what the division wants. "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." So here are some people saying, "Well, we are followers of Paul. Now we like Paul, but we don't care about Apollos." Here is another group in 1 Corinthians 1, they say "we are of Cephas," that is they follow Peter.

And here's another group that try to be a little more spiritual. Look at it in verse 12 of 1 Corinthians 1. "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." So some say, "Well, I like Peter, but I'm not listening to Paul." Or "I like Apollos, I'm not listening to Peter or Paul." And some try to be a little more spiritual and say, "But we're just followers of Christ." Paul said, "Let me tell you something." It's not the man, it's not the personality, it's the Word of God. Every preacher is nothing more than an instrument. And you need to hear the Word of God. You need to hear the message. And you need to learn how to walk and to please God. Now listen, in order to walk and to please God, the very first thing you must do is listen. You have to actually learn the truth before you can actually apply the truth.

Do you realize one of the lost arts in our day is the art of listening? You watch yourself. You don't even listen to each other. Husbands don't listen to wives. You can say that again. Wives don't listen to husbands. We don't listen to our children. We don't really listen. But you're never going to learn until you learn how to hear. There is so much in the Bible on hearing the Word of God. Even in this congregation today. I'll guarantee you, while I've been preaching, some of you have been thinking about other things. You've been thinking about lunch. You've been thinking about what you're going to do tomorrow. your work, all that you've got to do at home, the messy house, the dirty dishes, you've been thinking about something. Why? Because we don't have the discipline to listen, and how in the world can we ever apply the truth if we don't know the truth? So if you don't listen, then there's no way in the world that you can learn.

I challenge you to go back and read Matthew chapter 13, especially the parable of the sower, where our Lord is talking about hearing the Word of God. And after we do hear it, after we do receive it, we have to analyze it, we have to perceive it, we have to understand it, we have to comprehend it, and apply it. So Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4, in verse 1, watch. He said, "and ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God." So you must personally learn how to walk and please God. No one can walk for you. No one can live for you.

Now, one last thing very quickly. Look in the latter part of verse 1. Here's the progressive reality. He said, "so ye would abound more and more."

Progressive Reality: Abound More and More

Christian life requires continual growth in obedience, with no neutrality or regression, abounding more and more in love and obedience.

Now, I want you to note something. In our Christian life, first of all, there is no neutrality. Secondly, there is to be no regression, no going back. We are to know how to walk so that we will abound more and more. You see, life is not just one simple hurdle. It is not just one simple milestone. It is not just one simple obedience. But our life is to be a lifestyle of abounding obedience. It is to be literally from faith to faith, and from glory to glory, and from grace to grace. Now Paul says, that He wants us to abound more and more.

Now look back, if you would please, in chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians and verse 12. He says, "...and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another." Now, we're not going to turn back to Philippians chapter 1 and verse 9, but he says basically the same thing, that our love is to grow and to abound more and more. Help you out here, and I'll cover this more next week. But if our love is to grow more and more, and we're to abound, what in the world is our love? Romans 13, verse 10. Love is the fulfilling of the law.

So what is he saying? We are to abound more and more in obedience to God in every area of our life. Now listen, I'm eager to get down to verse 4, verse 6, verse 7, verse 8. But what Paul is saying in verse 1 is so vitally important, if you don't hear verse 1, it will do me no good to preach verse 4, 6, 7 and 8. Because if you don't realize, you must be taught, there's a practical necessity, that you must make a personal application of that truth to your life. And then there must be a progressive reality for you to continue in obedience. All the truth in the world will not help you. And so Paul begins with a simple exhortation. But the exhortation is in the name.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Authority of Christ in Exhortation

Summary: Paul's call to holiness is grounded in the authority and name of Jesus Christ, not human opinion.

Evidence: He says, 'Furthermore then we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ.' So what is he saying? Our beseeching and our exhortation now is by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Necessity of Teaching for Sanctification

Summary: Believers must be taught God's ways because by nature they are ignorant and opposed to truth; teaching is a means of grace.

Evidence: So Paul is saying it's an absolute necessity that you and I be taught the truths, the ways, and the word, and the will of God.

Personal Responsibility in Obedience

Summary: Each Christian must personally apply God's Word; no pastor or teacher can obey for you.

Evidence: There is no pastor that can live for you. No one who can talk for you, or act for you, or walk for you. You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God.

Progressive Growth in Holiness

Summary: The Christian life is to be marked by continual increase in obedience, not stagnation or regression.

Evidence: We are to know how to walk so that we will abound more and more. You see, life is not just one simple hurdle... But our life is to be a lifestyle of abounding obedience.

Sexual Purity as Part of Sanctification

Summary: Sexual purity is integral to holiness and the will of God for believers.

Evidence: Part and parcel of our holiness is sexual purity. Part and parcel of our sanctification is sexual purity.

Key Arguments

The exhortation to holiness is by Christ's authority, not man's.

Summary: Paul appeals to the supreme authority of Jesus Christ, not his own apostolic authority, making the command binding on all believers.

Evidence: So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Teaching is essential because humans are naturally ignorant and opposed to God's truth.

Summary: Since God's ways are higher than ours, we must be taught; even after conversion, we need instruction to grow.

Evidence: Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth.

1 John 2:27 does not negate the need for human teachers.

Summary: The verse refers to the Spirit's illumination for saving knowledge of Christ, not the abolition of the teaching office; Scripture commands teaching.

Evidence: You cannot interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 to mean that you have no need of any teachers at all. Why? Because it is contradictory to other plain Scriptures.

Personal application is the test of true hearing.

Summary: Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders shows that doing the Word, not just hearing, proves genuine discipleship.

Evidence: He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not.

The Christian life demands continual progress, not neutrality.

Summary: There is no standing still; believers must abound more and more in obedience, moving from faith to faith.

Evidence: In our Christian life, first of all, there is no neutrality. Secondly, there is to be no regression, no going back.

Scripture References

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Context: The primary text of the sermon, read at the beginning, focusing on sanctification and sexual purity.

Acts 17:1-11

Context: Describes the founding of the Thessalonian church amid adversity and the more noble Bereans.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

Context: Paul refers to the suffering of the Thessalonians at the hands of their countrymen.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Context: Paul sent Timothy to establish the Thessalonians so they would not be moved by afflictions.

1 Thessalonians 2:18

Context: Paul was hindered by Satan from visiting the Thessalonians again.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Context: Paul's prayer for love and holiness connects to the 'furthermore' in chapter 4.

Philippians 2:5-11

Context: Christ's exaltation and the name above every name, undergirding Paul's exhortation in Jesus' name.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Context: God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, showing our need to be taught.

Ephesians 4:17-24

Context: Gentiles walk in vanity and ignorance; believers must learn Christ and put on the new man.

Colossians 1:21

Context: Believers were once alienated and enemies in mind, but now reconciled.

John 6:44-45

Context: Coming to Christ requires being taught by God; conversion is a teaching experience.

2 Peter 3:18

Context: Believers are to grow in grace and knowledge; growth in grace is growth in knowledge.

1 John 2:20-27

Context: The anointing teaches believers; Weaver argues this does not eliminate the need for human teachers.

Matthew 11:27

Context: Only the Father knows the Son and reveals Him; only God can teach savingly who Christ is.

Matthew 16:13-17

Context: Peter's confession of Christ was revealed by the Father, not flesh and blood.

Ephesians 4:8-14

Context: Christ gave pastor-teachers for equipping the saints and building up the body.

1 Timothy 3:1-4

Context: Qualifications for a bishop, including being 'apt to teach,' a requirement unique to pastors.

Colossians 1:28

Context: Paul's ministry of warning and teaching aims to present everyone perfect in Christ.

Romans 14:10-12

Context: Every believer will give an account of himself to God, emphasizing personal responsibility.

2 Corinthians 5:10

Context: All must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due for deeds done.

Historical References

Thessalonica founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, named after his wife, sister of Alexander the Great

Context: Weaver provides historical background of the city to set the context for the epistle.

1 Thessalonians written around 48-50 AD, considered Paul's first epistle

Context: Dating of the letter to emphasize its early place in the New Testament canon.

Thessalonica as a seaport city like Corinth, prone to sexual immorality

Context: Explains why sexual purity was a pressing issue for the church.

Important Quotes

Part and parcel of our holiness is sexual purity. Part and parcel of our sanctification is sexual purity.

Significance: Directly ties the theme of sexual purity to the broader doctrine of sanctification, emphasizing its non-negotiable place in the Christian life.

So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Significance: Highlights that the command to holiness is not a human suggestion but a divine mandate backed by Christ's supreme authority.

Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth.

Significance: Explains the fundamental need for teaching: human nature is not neutral but actively resistant to God's ways.

There is no pastor that can live for you. No one who can talk for you, or act for you, or walk for you. You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God.

Significance: Stresses individual accountability in sanctification; no spiritual leader can substitute for personal obedience.

He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not.

Significance: Uses Jesus' parable to define true hearing as obedience, providing a clear test for spiritual receptivity.

Discussion Questions

How does understanding the adverse circumstances of the Thessalonian church's founding affect our view of their struggles with sexual purity?

Context: Weaver spent time detailing the persecution and affliction in Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 2-3.

In what ways does the authority of Jesus Christ behind Paul's exhortation change how we respond to commands about sexual purity?

Context: Weaver emphasized that the beseeching is 'by the Lord Jesus,' not just apostolic opinion.

Why is it a 'practical necessity' that we must be taught how to walk and please God, even after conversion?

Context: Weaver argued from Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1 that believers still need instruction.

How would you reconcile 1 John 2:27 ('ye need not that any man teach you') with the clear biblical command for pastor-teachers to instruct the church?

Context: Weaver gave an extended explanation of the context and restrictions of 1 John 2:20-27.

What are some practical ways we can improve our listening during sermons to ensure we are truly 'receiving' the Word?

Context: Weaver lamented the lost art of listening and its impact on applying truth.

What does it look like to 'abound more and more' in obedience in the specific area of sexual purity?

Context: Weaver introduced the progressive reality and connected it to abounding in love and obedience.

Applications

Submit to the authority of Christ in all areas of life, especially sexual conduct.

Summary: Recognize that the call to purity is not optional but a command from the risen Lord with all authority.

Evidence: So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Commit to being a lifelong learner under biblical teaching.

Summary: Acknowledge your natural ignorance and opposition to God's ways, and humbly receive instruction from God-ordained teachers.

Evidence: So Paul is saying it's an absolute necessity that you and I be taught the truths, the ways, and the word, and the will of God.

Take personal responsibility for applying God's Word.

Summary: Stop depending on others to live the Christian life for you; actively obey what you hear from Scripture.

Evidence: You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God.

Cultivate active listening to sermons and Scripture.

Summary: Discipline your mind to focus during preaching, avoiding distractions, so you can understand and obey.

Evidence: You're never going to learn until you learn how to hear.

Pursue continual growth in holiness without stagnation.

Summary: Reject spiritual neutrality and regression; strive to abound more and more in love and obedience every day.

Evidence: In our Christian life, first of all, there is no neutrality. Secondly, there is to be no regression, no going back.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T00:33:50Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T14:59:53Z

Clean Transcript

1 Sanctification & Sexual Purity

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

1 Thessalonians chapter 4. I want to begin a message today which will probably take me three or four weeks to end. I don't know how long, but at least three or four weeks. And so we're going to read the first eight verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. First Thessalonians, chapter four. Beginning with verse one, "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. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
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For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit."
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Now, the Thessalonian church was begun under what you and I would call rather adverse circumstances. I want you to hold 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, but turn back in your Bibles to Acts chapter 17, and then we'll come back to 1 Thessalonians, and let me show you the circumstances under which the Thessalonian church was begun. Acts chapter 17, notice there with verse 1.
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"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Now watch verse 5. "But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people." So here then, the Thessalonian church was born out of what you and I would call out of great adversity. Look in verse 11, the Bible says concerning the Bereans, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
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So the Bereans then did not have the fighting and the squabbling that the Thessalonians did. Now if you'll turn back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, and look at verses 14 and 15, and Paul refers once again to this adversity. 1 Thessalonians 2, look in verse 14. He says, "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men." So once again, the Apostle Paul is referring to the adversity that was begun there in the Thessalonian church. Now look in chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, beginning there with verse 1. 1 Thessalonians 3, verse 1.
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"Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: that no man should be moved by these afflictions." Now, underline that: "that no man should be moved by these afflictions." "For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain."
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In the introductory statement that I've made from our text in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, I'm pointing out the fact that the Thessalonian church was begun with great adversity. And in Acts chapter 17, 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul refers to this adversity.
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Now Thessalonica was a city of Macedonia. The city was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, who named it after his wife, who was the sister to Alexander the Great. Now, like Corinth, Thessalonica was a seaport city. And Paul labored in Thessalonica probably around a month, beginning the Thessalonian church. Now, like most churches, there were problems in it. And Paul wanted to visit the Thessalonian church, but was unable to. In fact, if you look in 1 Thessalonians 2 and verse 18, after he'd begun the church, he writes them and says, "Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us." So Paul then was hindered from visiting the Thessalonian church a second time. And so he writes them this epistle to deal with some of the problems. Now, 1 Thessalonians was probably written around 48 to 50 AD, and this is considered to be the very first epistle that the Apostle Paul wrote. So 1 Thessalonians then was probably the first epistle written by the Apostle Paul. Now, since Thessalonica was a seaport town, one of the problems that had to be dealt with in Thessalonica was the problem of sexual purity, or I should say the problem of sexual impurity.
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And unhappily today, sexual impurity is not confined to seaport towns like Corinth and Thessalonica. Today the problem is absolutely nationwide. It's not only nationwide, it is worldwide. So the promiscuous sexual revolution that enveloped the globe is literally upon us in full force. You see, restraint, self-discipline, respect, abstinence, and faithfulness seem to be forgotten values. They're absolutely now things of the past.
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Now, in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, the passage that I'm going to be dealing with, and I'm telling you now, it's going to take me three or four weeks to deal with this passage. But in this passage, Paul is calling us to sexual purity and to holiness and to honor by the authority of Christ and by the will of God. And he gives us in this passage some absolutely powerful motives.
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for remaining pure and faithful and holy. Now, today, I'm going to just deal with one point. And that one point is going to cover one verse, and that's 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. So it's going to take us some time to work our way down to verse 8. So let's read 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 1. Paul writes, "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." So the very first point is this, an exhortation. Paul gives us, in verse 1, an exhortation. He says, "Furthermore then, brethren, we beseech you and exhort you." Now, first of all, I want you to note the word "furthermore." The very first word in verse one, "furthermore," calls us to look back at what Paul has previously stated, and I want you to look in chapter three at verses 12 and 13. This is the connection with the word "furthermore" in chapter 4.
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In verse 12, Paul says, "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." Now, in light of the exhortation that the Apostle Paul is about to give in chapter 4, he wants them to remember that we as Christians are to abound in love one toward another. And note verse 13, he says, "to the end," in other words, for this purpose of being established unblameably in holiness before God.
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Now let me just spell it out. Part and parcel of our holiness is sexual purity. Part and parcel of our sanctification is sexual purity. As the Apostle Paul says in verse 4, that every one of us should know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor.
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Now let's go back to verse 1 and look at the two words, "beseech" and "exhort." He says, "Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you."
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Now, the word "beseech" is erotao in the Greek, and it literally means to ask, to beseech, to entreat, or to pray. But when you come to the word "exhort," it is the word parakaleo, which means to call near, to invite to, to implore, or to exhort. I hope you recognize the word parakaleo. We get our English word from that Greek word "Paraclete." It is a name for the Holy Spirit. It is used in English in our Bibles. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Divine Paraclete.
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In other words, he is the one who is called alongside to help. And it is from the word parakaleo, which means "I call alongside." So when the Apostle Paul then is saying, "I beseech you," he says literally, "I'm entreating you, I'm praying you." And then when he uses the word "exhort," "I'm calling you alongside, I'm inviting you, I'm imploring you, you need to listen to what I'm about to say."
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Now, I want you to note a very important point concerning this beseeching and exhorting. Look at it in verse 1. He says, "Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you," note, "by the Lord Jesus." So the beseeching and the exhorting that the Apostle Paul is doing in verse 1 is not simply from man, nor by man, nor literally from Paul as an apostle.
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Now, may I remind you that in the Bible, there is such a thing as apostolic authority. The apostle Paul refers to this in 2 Corinthians 13. He says, "The authority that God has given me, He's given me for your edification, not for your destruction." So Paul could have used and exercised what is known as apostolic authority. But he doesn't even do that. What he says in verse 1 is this, "Furthermore then we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ."
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So what is he saying? Our beseeching and our exhortation now is by the Lord Jesus Christ. And the word "by" in the Greek can be translated either "by" or "in." So he is saying we are exhorting you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means that Paul is exhorting us, first of all, by the authority of Jesus Christ. You remember what he said in Matthew 28, verse 18, Christ said, "All authority in heaven and earth is given unto me." So Paul says, "I'm exhorting you now in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ" and secondly, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, what does that mean? Well, let me just remember for you and help you quote Philippians chapter two. You remember, verses five through eight. Tells us how that Christ Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross. But when you get to verse 9, Philippians 2:9 says this, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."
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"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." So when the Apostle Paul says, "I beseech you and exhort you," he says, "I'm not only beseeching and exhorting you by the authority of Jesus Christ, but in the name which is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ." So this then, that Paul is exhorting us in chapter 4 and verse 1 is not just something that Christ desires of us, but it is also something that Christ demands of us. Now, since Christ is Lord, He has every right to do so. So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.
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Now, from this exhortation, which goes all the way down through verse 8, which I will cover in the coming weeks, but from verse 1, there are three practical implications, or three practical truths that we must learn. Now, let's look at verse 1 again and read it, and pick them out one at a time. He says, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus." Here's the first one: "that as ye have received of us," here's the second one: "how ye ought to walk and to please God." Here's the third one.
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"So ye would abound more and more." Now, let me give them to you. I'll spell them out. First of all, there is a practical necessity in verse 1. What is that practical necessity? We must be taught how to walk and to please God. He said, "...as ye have received of us." There's the practical necessity. We must be taught how to walk and to please God.
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Secondly, here is the personal application. "How ye ought to walk and to please God." And then thirdly, here is the progressive reality, "so ye would abound more and more." So he gives you then a practical necessity, he gives you a personal application, and he gives you a progressive reality. So let's take these three points one at a time, and let's look first of all at the practical necessity.
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He says, "Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us." Now, the word "received" in the Greek is the word paralambano, and it literally means to learn or to receive or to take to one's self. So Paul is saying it's an absolute necessity that you and I be taught the truths, the ways, and the word, and the will of God. Why?
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Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth. Let me just quote for you Isaiah 55 verses 8 and 9. God said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
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Now, God says there is a world of difference between the way he thinks and the way he works, than there is in our way of thinking and our way of working. I want you to turn to two passages. They're close by, Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1. Just turn back a few pages. I'm just showing you that by nature, we are not only ignorant of the truth of God, by nature we're diametrically opposed to that truth.
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In Ephesians 4 and verse 17, Paul writes, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." So what is man by nature? Man by nature is alienated from God. He's ignorant of God, and he's blind. Look in the book of Colossians chapter 1 and verse 21. And Paul says the same thing, but he says it a little differently. Colossians 1 and verse 21. "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled." So we were at one time enemies in our mind and also had wicked works. Now, the amazing thing is this, folks.
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And this is what most Christians have never understood. And it's so simple. Even after we are converted, we still must be taught the will of God and the word of God and the truth of God. Look back just to Ephesians chapter 4, just momentarily. You see, a baby has life. But once that baby is born and you know that that baby is living and kicking and screaming and eating and drinking, you don't walk away and leave the child. The child has to be taught.
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He has to be nourished. Look what he says in Ephesians 4 in verse 20. After he tells you not to walk the way the unconverted walk, he says, "But ye have not so learned Christ." Underline the word "learned." "Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man,
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which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Note verse 20, "...but ye have not so learned Christ." Note verse 21, "...if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him." So the truth is, we must be taught. Look in your Bibles to John chapter 6 and verses 44 and 45. In fact, conversion itself is a teaching experience. In John 6 and verse 44, Christ says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." Well, no man has the ability to come to Christ unless Christ's drawing. Well, what is the drawing?
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How do we know we've been drawn? Look in verse 45. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." So we have to hear the Father. We have to be taught in order just to come to Christ. And once we come to Christ in faith, we are still continued to learn Christ. You remember 2 Peter 3, verse 18, where Peter writes, "...but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
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And I told you before that the little word "and" in the Greek is the word kai. And it is translated in our King James Bibles in another way as well. It is not only translated "and," A-N-D, but sometimes it is translated "even," E-V-E-N. And so you could read 2 Peter 3, verse 18 like this, "but grow in grace, even in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." You're not growing in grace unless you're growing in knowledge.
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You see, we have to be taught. Now, let me just clear up a little misunderstanding. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 John chapter 2. Here is a passage that is usually taken out of context. It is usually perverted and misinterpreted to many individuals' own detriment and destruction. Look in 1 John 2 and verse 20, John writes this statement.
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"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." Now look in verse 27. "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." Now let's go back to verse 20. He says, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." How many in this room will confess that you know all things? How many of you will acknowledge that you know everything just about one subject? Well, doesn't the Bible say you know all things? Well, sure it does.
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But you better take it into context. Look in verse 27. How many in this room can say that everything that you know, you've never had anybody teach you? That you don't need a teacher. I've heard Christians say that. I've heard Christians say, "I don't need to be taught." And what they do is they take verse 20 and they take verse 27 out of context. You see, without giving a detailed exposition of this passage in 1 John chapter 2, it should be very clear and very obvious that there is a restriction upon these verses, because if you do not restrict these verses, then they are going to contradict other plain passages of Scripture. And you cannot have Scripture contradict Scripture.
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Now, first of all, let me point out, there is a restriction as to the nature of the things themselves. Now, in the context of 1 John 2, we're talking about spiritual truths, and we're talking about spiritual truths, especially in relationship to Jesus Christ.
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Now, look at verse 20 again. He says, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." You say, "Well now, wait a minute, you didn't take time to read the context." I know that. But I'm going to show you something in just a moment. In the context, we're talking about spiritual truths and we're talking primarily about Jesus Christ. You say, "But Brother Weaver, I don't even know all things about Jesus Christ."
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Listen, I've got news for you. You will never know all things even about Jesus Christ. Why? 1 Timothy 3, verse 16. Let me just quote it for you. Paul writes, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." What did he say? "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh."
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Can you explain the incarnation? No. Do you know everything there is to know about the incarnation? No. Well, how can John write in verse 20, "but ye know all things"? Well, look at the context. Look in verse 21. He says, "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth." Now, in verse 21, we know all things in the sense that we know the truth, the truth of God covers everything that you and I need to know. We know all things. In verse 22, watch it. "Who is a liar?
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but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." We know that whoever denieth the deity of Christ is a liar. That's what he says in verse 22. Look in verse 23. "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." In verse 23, we know that it is impossible to know the Father without the Son. What did Jesus Christ say in John 14, verse 6? "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Look in verse 24. He says, "Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father." We know that if Christ abides in us, we shall continue in Him and in the Father. And then look in verse 25.
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"And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." So we know that in Christ we have eternal life. Now what do we know? We know all things about Christ as far as His salvation is concerned. We may not know them perfectly, but we know whatever is necessary for salvation is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Now secondly, there is a restriction as to the scope of all things. We do not literally know all things. We don't even know all things about one subject, much less all things about every subject. But we do know that all things are given unto us, and all things that we need are at our disposal.
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Now hold 1 John 2, but look back in your Bibles to 2 Peter 1 verses 3 and 4. 2 Peter 1, verses 3 and 4, look what he says. "According as his divine power hath given unto us," what are the next two words? "All things." "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
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the corruption that is in the world through lust." What is he saying? He says in verse 3 and verse 4, that God has given us literally all things.
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Now, when you look back to 1 John 2, and especially verse 27, when it comes to the teaching as to who Christ is, we do not need any man to teach us why. Listen carefully, and we'll show it to you from the Bible. Because only God can teach us who Christ is savingly. Only God can teach us who Christ is savingly. Now, hold 1 John right now and go back in your Bibles, first of all, to Matthew 11. Look at what Jesus Christ Himself said. You see, only God can reveal God. Only God knows God. In Matthew 11 and verse 27, look what Jesus Christ says.
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"All things," by the way, there's that phrase again, isn't it? "All things." "All things are delivered unto me of my Father." Watch. "And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." Now, how can I know who the Son is? The answer is, only if the Father reveals Him. How can I know who the Father is? The answer is, only if the Son reveals Him.
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Now, I could stand here and tell you about Jesus Christ all day long. But if God does not open your eyes, if God does not show you who He is and what He is, you will never see it. Let me show it to you. Look at Matthew 16, and let's begin reading there with verse 13. Jesus Christ is at Caesarea Philippi. Matthew 16, verse 13. "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" Now watch. "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Now help me out on this next verse.
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I don't want to misquote it. "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for thou art smarter than any other man. Thou didst figure this out when no one else couldest." Is that what he said? No. He said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." How did Peter know who Jesus Christ was? God revealed it. And I want to tell you something, folks. I am incapable of teaching who Christ is in that sense. I can tell you all about Christ.
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But I cannot show you who He is. Only God can do that.
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Now, when you come to 1 John 2 and verse 27, and you read a phrase, "and ye need not that any man teach you," does that mean that pastors do not need to teach about the person and work of Christ? That pastors do not need to teach about the office and work of Christ, the redemption of Christ? No. What it does mean is this. It is only God who can enlighten our minds. It is only God who can illuminate us and show us who Christ really is and what His work consisted of.
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So it is likewise the Holy Spirit who enlightens us concerning every truth. The Holy Spirit is that anointing who lives in us. The Holy Spirit is the one that turns the light on, that enables us to understand any of the Word of God.
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Now, let me show you what I mean by the statement I made earlier. You cannot interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 to mean that you have no need of any teachers at all. Why? Why can you not interpret it like that? Because it is contradictory to other plain Scriptures. Look in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4.
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Now, it is true only God can open our minds. It is true only God can give us the true light and the true knowledge concerning Christ and spiritual realities. But I want you to note what the Bible says in Ephesians chapter 4. Jesus Christ himself makes this point very real to us. Watch Ephesians chapter 4 and verse, in fact let's begin reading there with verse 8 just so you can see the context. "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."
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"(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" So Christ is the risen, resurrected, glorified Lord.
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Now look what verse 11 says. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
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Watch, "that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." What did he just get out of his mouth? He said he gave some pastor-teachers, why? To build up, to edify, to strengthen, to teach, to mature the people of God. And the apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastor-teachers are the gifts of Jesus Christ to his church.
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Now the apostolic office has ceased. The office of prophet has ceased, basically speaking. Even the office of evangelist has basically ceased. You say, "Now wait a minute, Brother Weaver, how can you say that?" What did Paul tell Timothy, the pastor? He told him to do the work of an evangelist. You study the Bible, you'll find an evangelist in the New Testament was someone who went out and began churches in un-evangelized territories. There are no un-evangelized territories left today.
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Just about everywhere has heard the gospel. That doesn't mean that they believed it or received it. But that's why Paul wrote Timothy to do the work of the pastor-teacher. Now watch it. What is the one office that God has given that is still remaining? And that is the office of pastor-teacher. Why did he give that office? For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
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Now, let me tell you something, folks. If you interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 literally, that is, without any restrictions, and you believe that verse when it says, "and ye need not that any man teach you," and you take that out of its context, I've got a question to ask you. Why did Jesus Christ Himself teach? Why is He called the Great Teacher? All you've got to do is read Matthew 11, verse 1, and He taught them. Read Mark 4, verse 1. Read Mark 6, 2. Read Mark 6, 34. The Bible says that Jesus Christ taught. May I remind you of the Great Commission? Matthew 28, verse 19. What did it say?
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"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." Well, somebody needs to teach. You see, that's why I'm saying you cannot take 1 John 2 and verse 27 and say, "Hey, I don't need anybody to teach me." In fact, I want to show you something. Look in your Bibles to 1 Timothy chapter 3. 1 Timothy chapter 3. In this passage, you have the qualifications for a pastor teacher. I'm not going to read all of them, I'm not going to cover all of them. But let's just read down through several verses. 1 Timothy 3, verse 1. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach."
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"Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity." Now, let me just stop there. If I took the time today, I would show you that every qualification that Paul gives for a pastor in 1 Timothy chapter 3, every qualification is required of every other Christian except one.
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Does God not require you to be hospitable? Yes. Does he not require you to be blameless? I can show you chapter and verse. Yes. Does God not require you to not be a striker? God doesn't want you to be a striker. Does God not require you to be vigilant and sober and of good behaviour? The only qualification that God does not demand of every Christian is the qualification, verse 2, "apt to teach." The pastor must be apt to teach. By the way, folks, that's how we know whether or not God has truly called a man to preach. If he can teach, if he can actually communicate the truth of God, I don't care how many men say they're called to preach. If they cannot actually teach the Word of God, they've never been called to preach. For those whom God calls, He qualifies. By the way, since we're in 1 Timothy, look in chapter 4 and verse 11. Just showing you that Timothy was commanded to teach. He says, "These things command and teach." Look in chapter six and verse two of First Timothy, "And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
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These things teach and exhort." And if you look in Second Timothy, chapter two and verse two, you have an admonition of the pastor. Watch. In fact, he says in verse one, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." So the pastor then is responsible to teach other men who are able to teach others also. So very clearly, you cannot turn around and say, "Well, First John two and verse twenty seven means that we don't need a teacher. We don't need any man to teach us." It is true man cannot communicate the spiritual truth of God. Only God can open the eyes. Only God can enlighten the minds. But God does use teachers. In fact, in Hebrews chapter 5, He tells us in verse 12 that there are some of us when we should be on meat, we're back on milk. And we have need that someone teach us again all over of the first principles of God.
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Now, I want you to look in Colossians chapter one before I give you the verse. I want to ask you a question. What does it take to present a child of God perfect before God the Father? What does it take? And I'm not talking about the person and work of Christ. We know that Christ is our all in all. But that's not the context of the question. We're in Christ. His work is perfect. Now that we're saved, now that we're in Christ, what is it going to take that will get us perfect to be presented to God the Father? Well, look in Colossians 1 and verse 28.
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Colossians 1 verse 28, look what Paul says. "Whom we preach, warning every man," that is, euthetically confronting every man, "and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." What does it take to present us perfect in Christ Jesus? It takes preaching, confrontation, and teaching. You cannot be matured without those three things. You see, God has not only ordained the end, He has also ordained the means to that end. So God has given pastor-teachers to the church for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying, the building up of the body of Christ, which will bring them to maturity.
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By the way, let me point this out. I hope you understand. That when you miss the preaching of the Word of God and the teaching of the Word of God, to use an expression that you will understand, you're cutting your own throat. You're depriving yourself of the food and the nourishment and the teaching that you need to be mature and perfect in Jesus Christ.
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Now, I want you to watch this. God gives us pastor-teachers. He does so for a reason.
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Now, let me make a statement, and then I'll explain it. This is not to discourage you from studying at home. You ought to study at home. But here's a fact. You will learn from pastor-teachers what you would never learn on your own at home. I'm not saying don't study. But let me explain it. You see, when God calls a man and He gives him the gift to teach, He also gives him the corollary gift that must go with that, and that's the gift to study. Because you can't teach if you don't know. And you can't teach if you don't study.
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And the truth is this, folks. You're going to learn things from pastor teachers that you would never learn on your own. And that brings me back to this first point. Here's the practical necessity. We must be taught. We must be taught. Teaching is absolutely fundamental. It is absolutely essential. It is absolutely necessary. It is true God must then take that truth and make it real to us, but we must hear the truth. We must be taught. And so in 1 Thessalonians 4, go back there to verse 1, when Paul says, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us," in other words, we are the ones that taught you. You received what we gave you. Here is the practical necessity. You must be taught. Secondly, if you look in verse 1, here's the personal application. He says, "that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God." Now this phrase emphasizes personal responsibility. Folks, let me tell you, the pastor may teach, He may instruct.
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He may even make applications. But the truth of the matter is, if you do not personally obey the Word of God, the Word of God has done you absolutely no good. I'm going to tell you, I've done a lot of counseling in my years in the ministry. And there have been times I've wanted to grab the man, I've wanted to grab the woman, hold them up against the wall and say, "What's wrong with you, dummy? Listen to me." It doesn't do me any good to tell you what God says if you don't actually obey. If you don't do what God says, all the counseling is worthless. Are you listening?
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There is no pastor that can live for you. No one who can talk for you, or act for you, or walk for you. You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God. I can show a husband how to get along with his wife, but I can't make him get along with his wife. I can show a woman how to relate to her husband, but I can't make her have that hard attitude. You follow me? I can show children what God demands of them, but I can't make them obedient. I can't make them submissive. So the point I'm trying to make is this. Each of us are personally responsible to God. Look in your Bibles. Romans 14. Romans 14.
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Let's begin with verse 10. Romans 14 verse 10. "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Are you watching? "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." So you will give an account as to whether or not you personally applied the Word of God. Turn over in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10.
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If you want to see it again, I'll show it to you again. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10. Look what is written. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." You're going to give an account to Christ as to how you lived, how you talked, how you walked, what you said. Whether it be good or bad, you'll give an account. Why? Because if you're a Christian, you belong to Him. He is the Lord. You are absolutely responsible. Do you remember what he said in Mark 4, verse 24?
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He says, "Take heed what ye hear." In Luke 8, verse 18, he said it like this, "Take heed therefore how ye hear." So you will give an account not only as to what you hear, but how you hear it.
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Now, did you know that Jesus Christ gives us an absolute foolproof test as to whether or not we can discern as to whether we're making personal application of the Word of God or not. You say, "How's that?" Well, I'm not going to ask you to turn back and look at it, but you will remember in Luke 6 and verse 46, He said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
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And then he gave the illustration about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not. So how do you know whether or not you're getting anything out of the Word of God and out of the preaching and teaching?
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The answer is look at your life. Are you making a personal application?
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Now, I want to get this. Look back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 3. I've told you this. I want to reemphasize it. I want you to understand it. This is vitally important. I want you to understand it is the message that counts, and not the man. So I don't care if I'm up here preaching, or Brother Melvin, or Chester, or Tony, or Tom, or Doc, or Don, or Russ, or who? It is not the man, but the message that is important. Look in 1 Corinthians 3.
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Paul said, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
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Now I want you to watch what the division wants. "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." So here are some people saying, "Well, we are followers of Paul. Now we like Paul, but we don't care about Apollos." Here is another group in 1 Corinthians 1, they say "we are of Cephas," that is they follow Peter.
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And here's another group that try to be a little more spiritual. Look at it in verse 12 of 1 Corinthians 1.
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"Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." So some say, "Well, I like Peter, but I'm not listening to Paul." Or "I like Apollos, I'm not listening to Peter or Paul." And some try to be a little more spiritual and say, "But we're just followers of Christ." Paul said, "Let me tell you something."
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It's not the man, it's not the personality, it's the Word of God. Every preacher is nothing more than an instrument. And you need to hear the Word of God. You need to hear the message. And you need to learn how to walk and to please God. Now listen, in order to walk and to please God, the very first thing you must do is listen. You have to actually learn the truth before you can actually apply the truth.
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Do you realize one of the lost arts in our day is the art of listening? You watch yourself. You don't even listen to each other. Husbands don't listen to wives. You can say that again. Wives don't listen to husbands. We don't listen to our children. We don't really listen. But you're never going to learn until you learn how to hear. There is so much in the Bible on hearing the Word of God. Even in this congregation today. I'll guarantee you, while I've been preaching, some of you have been thinking about other things. You've been thinking about lunch. You've been thinking about what you're going to do tomorrow. your work, all that you've got to do at home, the messy house, the dirty dishes, you've been thinking about something. Why? Because we don't have the discipline to listen, and how in the world can we ever apply the truth if we don't know the truth? So if you don't listen, then there's no way in the world that you can learn.
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I challenge you to go back and read Matthew chapter 13, especially the parable of the sower, where our Lord is talking about hearing the Word of God. And after we do hear it, after we do receive it, we have to analyze it, we have to perceive it, we have to understand it, we have to comprehend it, and apply it. So Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4, in verse 1, watch. He said, "and ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God." So you must personally learn how to walk and please God. No one can walk for you. No one can live for you.
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Now, one last thing very quickly. Look in the latter part of verse 1. Here's the progressive reality. He said, "so ye would abound more and more."
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Now, I want you to note something. In our Christian life, first of all, there is no neutrality.
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Secondly, there is to be no regression, no going back. We are to know how to walk so that we will abound more and more. You see, life is not just one simple hurdle. It is not just one simple milestone. It is not just one simple obedience. But our life is to be a lifestyle of abounding obedience. It is to be literally from faith to faith, and from glory to glory, and from grace to grace. Now Paul says, that He wants us to abound more and more.
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Now look back, if you would please, in chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians and verse 12. He says, "...and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another." Now, we're not going to turn back to Philippians chapter 1 and verse 9, but he says basically the same thing, that our love is to grow and to abound more and more. Help you out here, and I'll cover this more next week. But if our love is to grow more and more, and we're to abound, what in the world is our love? Romans 13, verse 10. Love is the fulfilling of the law.
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So what is he saying? We are to abound more and more in obedience to God in every area of our life.
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Now listen, I'm eager to get down to verse 4, verse 6, verse 7, verse 8. But what Paul is saying in verse 1 is so vitally important, if you don't hear verse 1, it will do me no good to preach verse 4, 6, 7 and 8. Because if you don't realize, you must be taught, there's a practical necessity, that you must make a personal application of that truth to your life. And then there must be a progressive reality for you to continue in obedience. All the truth in the world will not help you. And so Paul begins with a simple exhortation. But the exhortation is in the name.
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and in the person and power and authority of Jesus Christ. And you better give ear, for God has given Him a name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Let's pray. Father, we ask today that you would help us build us up in the most holy faith, teach us, Lord, how desperately we do need to be taught, but how desperately, Lord, we need to make personal application and to make sure that there is a progressive reality in our lives in Thy truth, that
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there be no neutrality and no regression. Father, we ask that You would bless us today in our time of fellowship, and we ask, Father, that your name would be honored and glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen and Amen. God bless you. Don't forget the offerings. Don't forget the books. And we've got a little fellowship lunch afterwards, so stay and we'll eat together and fellowship together.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T00:33:50Z

1 Sanctification & Sexual Purity

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver introduces a multi-week study on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, focusing on the call to sexual purity and holiness. He establishes the historical context of the Thessalonian church, born in adversity, and emphasizes that Paul's exhortation is by the authority and name of Jesus Christ. The sermon centers on verse 1, highlighting three practical implications: the necessity of being taught God's ways, the personal responsibility to apply that teaching, and the progressive reality of abounding more and more in obedience.

Introduction and Historical Context

Weaver introduces the passage and describes the adverse circumstances under which the Thessalonian church was founded, referencing Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 2-3.

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

"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. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

Scripture Reading — Acts 17:1-11

"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Now watch verse 5. "But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people."

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

"For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men."

Background of Thessalonica and the Epistle

Details about Thessalonica as a seaport city, the founding of the church, Paul's hindered visit, and the dating of 1 Thessalonians as Paul's first epistle.

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 2:18

"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."

The Problem of Sexual Impurity

Sexual impurity was a problem in Thessalonica and is now a global issue, with forgotten values like restraint and faithfulness.

Exhortation by the Lord Jesus

Paul's beseeching and exhorting are by the authority and name of Jesus Christ, not merely apostolic authority.

Practical Necessity: We Must Be Taught

Believers must be taught how to walk and please God, as by nature we are ignorant and opposed to God's truth. Teaching is essential for maturity.

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."

He has to be nourished. Look what he says in Ephesians 4 in verse 20. After he tells you not to walk the way the unconverted walk, he says,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"But ye have not so learned Christ."

Underline the word "learned."

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Note verse 20,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"...but ye have not so learned Christ."

Note verse 21,

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:17-24

"...if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him."

Scripture Reading — 2 Peter 3:18

in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Colossians 1 verse 28, look what Paul says.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:28

"Whom we preach, warning every man,"

that is, euthetically confronting every man,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:28

"and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

Personal Application: How to Walk and Please God

Each believer is personally responsible to apply God's Word; no one can obey for you. Listening and personal obedience are crucial.

Let's begin with verse 10. Romans 14 verse 10.

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:10

"But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:10

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

Now, one last thing very quickly. Look in the latter part of verse 1. Here's the progressive reality. He said, "so ye would abound more and more."

Progressive Reality: Abound More and More

Christian life requires continual growth in obedience, with no neutrality or regression, abounding more and more in love and obedience.

1 Sanctification & Sexual Purity

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	1022071325528
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Law, Obedience, and Sanctification: Walking With God
Genre	Sermon
Date	2007-10-22
Dictation Name
Book	Book 134: Romans: Law, Obedience, and Sanctification - Volume 1 — Chapter 6
Source Timed Segments	92

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Historical Context: Weaver introduces the passage and describes the adverse circumstances under which the Thessalonian church was founded, referencing Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 2-3.
Background of Thessalonica and the Epistle: Details about Thessalonica as a seaport city, the founding of the church, Paul's hindered visit, and the dating of 1 Thessalonians as Paul's first epistle.
The Problem of Sexual Impurity: Sexual impurity was a problem in Thessalonica and is now a global issue, with forgotten values like restraint and faithfulness.
Exhortation by the Lord Jesus: Paul's beseeching and exhorting are by the authority and name of Jesus Christ, not merely apostolic authority.
Practical Necessity: We Must Be Taught: Believers must be taught how to walk and please God, as by nature we are ignorant and opposed to God's truth. Teaching is essential for maturity.
Personal Application: How to Walk and Please God: Each believer is personally responsible to apply God's Word; no one can obey for you. Listening and personal obedience are crucial.
Progressive Reality: Abound More and More: Christian life requires continual growth in obedience, with no neutrality or regression, abounding more and more in love and obedience.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

The exhortation to holiness is by Christ's authority, not man's.

Paul appeals to the supreme authority of Jesus Christ, not his own apostolic authority, making the command binding on all believers.

So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Teaching is essential because humans are naturally ignorant and opposed to God's truth.

Since God's ways are higher than ours, we must be taught; even after conversion, we need instruction to grow.

Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth.

1 John 2:27 does not negate the need for human teachers.

The verse refers to the Spirit's illumination for saving knowledge of Christ, not the abolition of the teaching office; Scripture commands teaching.

You cannot interpret 1 John 2 and verse 27 to mean that you have no need of any teachers at all. Why? Because it is contradictory to other plain Scriptures.

Personal application is the test of true hearing.

Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders shows that doing the Word, not just hearing, proves genuine discipleship.

He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not.

The Christian life demands continual progress, not neutrality.

There is no standing still; believers must abound more and more in obedience, moving from faith to faith.

In our Christian life, first of all, there is no neutrality. Secondly, there is to be no regression, no going back.

Scripture References

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: The primary text of the sermon, read at the beginning, focusing on sanctification and sexual purity.
Acts 17:1-11: Describes the founding of the Thessalonian church amid adversity and the more noble Bereans.
1 Thessalonians 2:14-15: Paul refers to the suffering of the Thessalonians at the hands of their countrymen.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5: Paul sent Timothy to establish the Thessalonians so they would not be moved by afflictions.
1 Thessalonians 2:18: Paul was hindered by Satan from visiting the Thessalonians again.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13: Paul's prayer for love and holiness connects to the 'furthermore' in chapter 4.
Philippians 2:5-11: Christ's exaltation and the name above every name, undergirding Paul's exhortation in Jesus' name.
Isaiah 55:8-9: God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, showing our need to be taught.
Ephesians 4:17-24: Gentiles walk in vanity and ignorance; believers must learn Christ and put on the new man.
Colossians 1:21: Believers were once alienated and enemies in mind, but now reconciled.
John 6:44-45: Coming to Christ requires being taught by God; conversion is a teaching experience.
2 Peter 3:18: Believers are to grow in grace and knowledge; growth in grace is growth in knowledge.
1 John 2:20-27: The anointing teaches believers; Weaver argues this does not eliminate the need for human teachers.
Matthew 11:27: Only the Father knows the Son and reveals Him; only God can teach savingly who Christ is.
Matthew 16:13-17: Peter's confession of Christ was revealed by the Father, not flesh and blood.
Ephesians 4:8-14: Christ gave pastor-teachers for equipping the saints and building up the body.
1 Timothy 3:1-4: Qualifications for a bishop, including being 'apt to teach,' a requirement unique to pastors.
Colossians 1:28: Paul's ministry of warning and teaching aims to present everyone perfect in Christ.
Romans 14:10-12: Every believer will give an account of himself to God, emphasizing personal responsibility.
2 Corinthians 5:10: All must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due for deeds done.

Historical References

Thessalonica founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander, named after his wife, sister of Alexander the Great: Weaver provides historical background of the city to set the context for the epistle.
1 Thessalonians written around 48-50 AD, considered Paul's first epistle: Dating of the letter to emphasize its early place in the New Testament canon.
Thessalonica as a seaport city like Corinth, prone to sexual immorality: Explains why sexual purity was a pressing issue for the church.

Important Quotes

Part and parcel of our holiness is sexual purity. Part and parcel of our sanctification is sexual purity.

Directly ties the theme of sexual purity to the broader doctrine of sanctification, emphasizing its non-negotiable place in the Christian life.

So Paul then is beseeching us and exhorting us in the authority and in the name of Jesus Christ.

Highlights that the command to holiness is not a human suggestion but a divine mandate backed by Christ's supreme authority.

Because by nature we're not only ignorant of such truth, but by nature we're diametrically opposed to such truth.

Explains the fundamental need for teaching: human nature is not neutral but actively resistant to God's ways.

There is no pastor that can live for you. No one who can talk for you, or act for you, or walk for you. You have to be the one that personally applies the Word of God.

Stresses individual accountability in sanctification; no spiritual leader can substitute for personal obedience.

He said the wise man was the man who heard his word and did it. The foolish man was the man who heard the word and did it not.

Uses Jesus' parable to define true hearing as obedience, providing a clear test for spiritual receptivity.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

How does understanding the adverse circumstances of the Thessalonian church's founding affect our view of their struggles with sexual purity?

[Context]

Weaver spent time detailing the persecution and affliction in Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 2-3.

[Question]

In what ways does the authority of Jesus Christ behind Paul's exhortation change how we respond to commands about sexual purity?

[Context]

Weaver emphasized that the beseeching is 'by the Lord Jesus,' not just apostolic opinion.

[Question]

Why is it a 'practical necessity' that we must be taught how to walk and please God, even after conversion?

[Context]

Weaver argued from Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1 that believers still need instruction.

[Question]

How would you reconcile 1 John 2:27 ('ye need not that any man teach you') with the clear biblical command for pastor-teachers to instruct the church?

[Context]

Weaver gave an extended explanation of the context and restrictions of 1 John 2:20-27.

[Question]

What are some practical ways we can improve our listening during sermons to ensure we are truly 'receiving' the Word?

[Context]

Weaver lamented the lost art of listening and its impact on applying truth.

[Question]

What does it look like to 'abound more and more' in obedience in the specific area of sexual purity?

[Context]

Weaver introduced the progressive reality and connected it to abounding in love and obedience.

Applications

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