1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Be not man pleasers or self-pleasers, but instead God pleasers whose desire for you is to be holy and to love one another

Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God; that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. Therefore he who rejects this doesn't reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you. But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing. It sounds simple enough, to not be led astray by the lusts of the world, but to love God by taking good care of his temple which is your body. Because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, do not use your body for self pleasure as the gentiles do who do not know God, but honor God with your body and your concern for one another, giving as you have been given to and setting ones self apart from the world. For this is God's desire for us because when we concern ourselves with others instead of ourselves, God renders this as righteousness.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 God bless the feet of those who bring good news for our faith's sake

Therefore when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know. For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain. But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you; for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you; and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. The mission of Paul and his converts was so bring the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their trouble was not of flesh and blood but of rulers, principalities, and forces of darkness and of Satan. This brings concern for the evangelist who may be able in Christ to deal with spiritual warfare but has concern for those who are less mature in the faith. Yes Paul prayed for them,but he remained concerned for them creating anxiety for the evangelist. Timothy,his son in the faith visits the converts and found them holding fast. He reports the news to Paul which relieves his fears and builds his faith even stronger.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-20 Receive the scriptures as God's word and as a child of God live a life pleasing to his calling

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. Jesus said, "In this life there will be suffering. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. The Christian need not live a life of protection. Because you are a Christian, you have been saved and separated from the world. One need not be concerned with over-committing to Jesus Christ, because he is the Son of God and on the cross overcame death and the devil. One need not worry about losing salvation, because God sent the Holy Spirit to place a seal on us to keep us until the day of Jesus Christ. There is not an adversary in the universe who can take them from the secure hand of the Lord. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-10 Speak the gospel even under persecution clearly and truthfully as God as your witness

For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn't in vain, but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict. For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God. You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe. The believer is trusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ to proclaim it boldly and to magnify Christ even if persecuted. We must be gentle among non-believers and give hope to the lost knowing we are trusted with the good news of the gospel so that people may come unto Christ. We do not do this for our own glory but for Christ's who laid down his life so those who believe in him will not perish but have eternal life with him.

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 When the gospel is received, we become imitators of Christ and serve the living God escaping the coming wrath

Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. The word of God is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who believe it is the power of God. In Thessalonica, they received the word with conviction and became evangelists in the entire area. They are called the elect of God and by imitating the model set forth by Jesus, they escaped the coming wrath of God for those who do not believe nor receive his son as their Lord and Savior. Today is no different. The word of God lives on and the invitation to come unto Jesus is still being made. Today we live in the time of salvation by grace. Can you believe and escape the wrath to come. You have heard the gospel and must be wise in order to live. Amen.

Colossians 3:22-4:6 Men serve your boss as unto the Lord. Bosses you are accountable to God because any power you possess is from him.

Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds that I may reveal it as I ought to speak Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. When we labor in the flesh, we labor not for men but unto God. We are to fear him knowing that he knows all things and disciples those that are his. If we prevail until the end, he will reward us in unimaginable ways and we must be true to our conviction. When we stumble, we must confess our sins and he who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and wash away all unrighteousness. Amen.

Colossians 3:5-21 Above all walk in love which is the sign of perfection

Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond servant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. These verses repeat the message of Romans 6 which is if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ a new man has been formed within you. You have the old man - the sin nature and the new man formed by belief in Christ who knows no sin. Our journey then is to put to death the old man and his sin by starving it by feeding the new man with good works, praise, and adoration of Christ Jesus. It is hard to do because you are putting to death those things that are not godly and raising up the regenerated new man by feeding it with the exercise of compassion, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and holiness. When one practices these things you become mature (perfection) in your faith. Above all walk in love which is the sign of perfection.