How Then Shall We Live?

Once decision has been made to follow Christ - how then shall we live?

1 Thess. 4;1 - "typical Pauline" - (1) How to gain access (Gospel)
                                                  (2)  How to live after that  (Lifestyle)
Paul's idea so much different to what the world thinks.

Christianity is more than a religious choice! - "Nominal" Christians.  Gospel doesn't affect their lifestyle Monday - Saturday. Only affects their "Sundays".
1 Thess. 4:1-3 -

(groundwork) = (1) how to live and 2 in order to Please God - not make Him happy, but as He intends, desires, designed - this is how He meant for His creation to live.
(beneficiaries???   = the believer, family, community, society)

1 Thess. 4:1 - Practice this and grow in this
1 Thess. 4:2 - because you know ... (A) the Instructions
                                                       (B)  the Source  (and is not Paul, or Apostles)  Came from God.  Instructions are written by His authority.

1 Thess. 43 - God's will (desire, intent, design...) - "Sanctified"
Ie:  set apart ..(1) Positionally - an act of God - His work, an Act
                      (2)  Practically - a process of living as should - your efforts, a Process

"Sanctified" - set apart unto Him.  God doesn't MAKE us live sanctified.
Are two kinds of decrees that God has - determinate will = this will happen
                                                           - desired will = what I hope, wish to happen

When a person accepts Christ, God sets that person into a right relationship with Him.
However, He does not make that person live like he's sanctified.  That is the person's choice.

But, if believer continues to ignore the Instructions, it calls into question their sincerity!

Paul address 3 (primary) areas:
I.)  Sexual Purity
II.)  Brotherly Love
III.) Community Life

I.  Sexual purity  1 Thess. 4:3-8
   (1) Pagan view - no sexual moral guidelines.  Anything goes.
vs. (2)  Jewish/Christian Stance 
Jews always had the Law, and guidelines.
Current day relevance???  Application???

(note Jewish council - Acts 15)
Paul ..... Avoid sexual immorality according to the Law of Moses
             Learn self-control
             Wrong no one (in this matter) because you wrong another EVEN if consensual!!
Post Christian society today - returning to the Pagan notions.  Consenting adults = pagan view!  (woe to those who call evil good and good evil)

ANSWER = fulfilling sex life ... within marriage  (1 Cor. 7)
Paul adds:  (1) the calling - 1 Thess. 4:7
                 (2)  the warning  - 1 Thess. 4:6 - Gal. 6:7-9
Summary Statement - 1 Thess. 4:8
Compare Prov. 29:18, Isa. 5:20-21, 22-24
People will call you "hater" if you take a stance on Biblical morality.

Closing:
Lifestyle Matters!!
It affects .......... you
                         those close to you
                         those around you - Community, Society

It affects Christian witness!!  Therefore, affects Eternity!!

Closing Scripture:  Eph. 5:15-17