Holy and Pure Living

Minister:	Rev. Ronald Van Overloop
Date:	9/4/2011 AM
Text:	I Thessalonians 4; Lord's Day 41
Psalters:	276, 280, 89, 260

The calling to purity.
1. God created man pure, so that they were naked and not ashamed (Gen. 2:25).
  1. Man s fall into sin was experienced by their being ashamed of their nakedness (Gen. 3:7)
  2. When Adam and Eve sought to divorce themselves from God, it had bitter consequences, also on their relationship.
2. God promised redemption from sin s shame when He made coats of skin and covered them (Gen. 3:21).
  1. In Christ God provides for each and everyone of His people the real marriage of Christ and the church.
  2. Thus marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled (Heb. 13:4), picturing the real marriage (Eph. 5:32).
3. The bride/church is called to be devoted to her Husband, reflecting His purity by abstaining from fornication (3).
  1. God remains the holy and pure One, and He is completely faithful to His covenant people.
  2. His grace enables the redeemed to reflect His purity and faithfulness.
God condemns adultery, all unfaithfulness and every uncleanness.
1. Adultery is unfaithfulness on the part of a husband or wife, and it is sexual activity before marriage.
2. All uncleanness is accursed of God (Lev. 18:27).
  1. Whosoever defiles the temple of God, him will God destroy (I Cor. 3:17).
  2. God promises His wrath against all whoremongers and adulterers (Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8).
3. What God curses, we must detest with all our hearts.
Everyone redeemed is called to reflect Jesus in grateful purity and faithfulness.
1. Each mate must labor (in gratitude to God, not to their mate) never to cease to do their part to do what God commands.
  1. Each mate must remember the unconditional vows they made to God and to the other.
  2. God always has more grace than we have sins, both to forgive and to enable us to be pure.
2. Be motivated by thoughts of God s goodness to us as Joseph (Gen. 39:9).
3. Be motivated by considering the greatness of God s mercy.