Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Working Out Our Salvation: Biblical Morality in an Immoral World – Part 4

9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.  1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

A. Loving One Another: Taught by God

1. God’s methods of teaching love for one another

– Understanding God’s ultimate objective

– Obeying His commandments – John 13:34-35

– Following Christ’s example – John 13:12-17

– Observing worthy models – 1 Cor. 1:11

2. Qualities in the love taught by God – 1 Thess. 4:9-10

– Individual

– Active

– Impartial

– Progressive

Today

B. Fruit of Being Taught by God to Love: Contented Lives: 1 Thess. 4:9-12

1. Love produces contented Christians who are not disruptive: 1 Thess. 4:11, Mark 9:33-35, 1 Cor. 1:10-11, 3 John 9-10

2. Love produces contented Christians who aren’t busybodies: 1 Thess. 4: 11, 2 Thess. 3:11, Prov. 11:13; 16:28; 17:9; 20:19

3. Love produces contented Christians who work hard: 1 Thess. 4:11-12, 2 Thess. 3:10-11, Ecc. 9:10, Mark 7:37, Col. 3:23, Jer. 48:10