A story is told about a hunter who was about to shoot a bear. The bear started to talk and said - “Wait, please don’t shoot”. The hunter said, “I sell bear skins for a living. Why should I not shoot you?”
The bear replied, “We can negotiate lah!” “I don’t negotiate with a talking bear”, the hunter responded and was ready to shoot the bear again.
The bear quickly said “Come on, Mr. Hunter don’t be so inflexible. You only want my skin and I just want to fill my stomach, there could be a win-win solution. Let’s sit and talk things out. Isn’t this how civilized people do things?”
The hunter agreed and sat down near the river to have a talk with the bear. After several minutes, the bear left the riverbank with a full stomach. The hunter had bear skin surrounding him. Hope that you got it!
Lesson learned: The hunter by a single act of compromise gave an opening to the bear to attack and kill him. That’s the danger of compromise. It gives Satan an opening to do his destructive work in our lives.
People are compromising when you hear something like;
- I’ve been diligent in things about my faith, I’ll skip my devotion (LG, Church) for once.
- I’ve been a faithful member; I’ll disobey my leader for once.
- I’ve been a trustworthy person; I’ll watch porn for once.
- I’ve been a good husband or wife; I’ll do this for once.
Think for a moment, have you been compromising something?
Whether you have compromised in your life, or in some parts of your life
Great things start from a small beginning – Milo. Great issues start with a simple compromise.
There’s a call for us to live an IMPECCABLE life.
Impeccable means free from fault or blame, not capable of sinning, or in accordance with the highest standards. Live with the highest standard, a life without compromise, so that we will be protected from Satan’s attack.
Before diving into the main text, here's the context
- Paul and his companions started the church in Thessalonica but had to leave the city.
- Later, Paul sent Timothy to find out how the Thessalonians believers were doing.
- Timothy went and came back with a good report. The Thessalonian believers were growing in their newfound faith.
- However, Timothy also reported on some problems in the church.
- Paul, a man who does not tolerate compromise, wrote and sent a letter to the church.
o In 1 Thessalonians chapters 1-3 Paul took time to encourage them
o Then at the beginning of chapter 4, Paul began to address the problems
How to live an impeccable life? A life without compromise.
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Firstly, an impeccable life is – A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD
(Paul reminded them the motivation for living an impeccable life is to please God)
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 (NIV) 1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as, in fact, you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
Here, Paul did not start by pointing out the problems. Instead, Paul reminded them that the motivation behind living an impeccable life is their genuine desire to please God. (Why first, what second)
What motivates you? - A subtle but very important and powerful question
Because two people can do exactly the same thing, but the ultimate result can be very different depending on their motivation.
If one is attending and serving in a life group with a little questionable motivation, this person can’t expect the same result as those who are serving because of sincere intentions.
Ask yourself now, what is your motivation?
• God’s punishment?
• To earn people’s approval?
• Afraid to offend your spouse, your family, or the society at large?
These motivations may not be totally wrong. But let me remind all of us that the best motivation for wanting to live a life of no compromise is because we desire to please God.
Have you ever done something you are really proud of, yet you hear unpleasant comments?
The truth is that no matter how good you are it is impossible to please everyone.
My realization is - I can never please everyone. Even if
- I can preach as impactful as the most powerful preacher.
- I can lead as sharp as the most successful leader.
- I can be as kind and caring as a patron saint,
yet, I am sure bashers will always have something to say.
Abraham Lincoln - “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
It is indeed pointless to try to please people. Even Jesus who is perfect, has many bashers. Therefore, we should not live our lives to please people but to please God.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NIV) 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
Apostle Paul and his companions modeled the motivation of pleasing God.
Acts 5:27-29 (NIV) 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”
In this scenario, Sanhedrin is like saying, compromise or you will face severe punishment.
Peter and the others persevere in the face of fierce persecution as their motivation was to please God and not men.
If we want to live an impeccable life even in the midst of trials and persecutions our motivation must be to please God and not men.
On a side note, people might refuse to listen to their leaders and mentors in the name of pleasing God. Whether we like it or not, God works in and through His delegated authorities including our leaders and mentors.
Our willingness to receive our leaders’ and mentors’ input can be a test of our motivation to please God or ourselves.
<KEYPOINT>
Bill Johnson says - If you don't live by the praise of men, you won't die by their criticism.
Conclusively, if our motivation is to please Him, then we won’t be too affected by a lack of encouragement and by the stinging criticism we may receive from people.
And we will be on our way to an impeccable life.
How can I live an impeccable life? Firstly, I must live to please God.
Secondly, an impeccable life is – A Life That Is Pure and Holy
(Paul made it clear that living an immoral way, in the midst of growing in faith is wrong)
The Thessalonian believers were mostly Gentiles (non-Jews). Back then, the Jewish viewed most Gentiles as sexually immoral. Jewish teachers argued that they could not ensure the virginity of a Gentile woman if she is older than 3 years and 1 day.
The Thessalonians lived in a world where sexual immorality was rampant. Likely some Thessalonian believers were still living in a sexually immoral way even in the midst of their growing faith in God. (Can relate to this?)
Paul made it clear to them that this was wrong.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 (NIV) 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
Paul made it clear that as believers we should NOT live our lives according to the values of the world but according to God’s values. This applies to our sexuality, and this applies to every aspect of our lives.
Romans 12:1-2a (NIV) 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
If we truly want to live an impeccable life then we have to be determined to live out God’s values even if they are contrary to our popular culture, even if they are contrary to our preferences.
In Paul’s time, sexual immorality is rampant. Likewise, in our world today.
We must be determined to live out God’s values in view of sex.
• Sex is reserved for a man and a woman in the context of marriage (not a man and women)
• Married couples need to keep the marriage beds pure (Not using a different bed)
• Be mindful that if somebody thinks lustfully about another person then that person has committed a sexual sin
(There’s a culture that blames women for wearing revealing clothes for sexual immorality. Yet, if a woman stands naked in front of you if you are living an impeccable life you will flee from Potiphar’s wife)
Statistics conducted by Focus on Family
• 9% of believers in Singapore are struggling with pre-marital/extra-marital sex.
If there are 400 people in this room 36 are struggling with sex.
• 42% of believers in Singapore view pornography at least once a year.
If there are 400 people in this room 170 people are struggling with pornography in some measure.
Anybody can fall into sexual sins. This includes
• people who look so pure and innocent.
• People of various ages.
• Married couples.
• Leaders and Pastors.
• This includes the person sitting beside you. This includes you and me.
How many famous Christian personalities do you know who fell into sexual sins?
- An eloquent apologist (who is already dead)
- A worship leader songwriter of songs that we sing in our church
- A rockstar pastor of a megachurch in downtown New York
Friends, I am not sharing these stats to condemn anyone. I am telling you this to highlight that if we truly want to live an impeccable life, we have to deal with our sexuality.
It was an issue in Paul’s day and it is an issue in our day.
I like what a Christian author once wrote:
“The devil plays on a God-given physical drive and orchestrates events to put you into a position where he can push the button. If you yield when he pushes your button, he has knocked you out. If you do not know how to hold rein on your sexual drive, it will haunt you and could eventually destroy you.”
Our sexual drive is God-given but we must learn to live it out according to God’s values for it to be a blessing to ourselves and the people around us.
If you are currently struggling with sexual sin, know that God still loves you so much and that He wants to liberate you. I want to strongly encourage you to talk to your leaders or mentors about it.
Open up on your struggle to the right person. It could be the first step towards freedom that God wants to give to you.
Parents, talk to your children and teenagers about sex and sexuality.
According to the same survey,
• 79% of youths and young adults believe that parents have the primary responsibility to teach children and teens about sex and sexuality.
• (In reality) Only 20% of youths learned the most about sexuality from their parents.
Parents, be the first, most fun, and knowledgeable teacher on sex and sexuality to your children. Parents must take ownership of this.
• The world will teach our children about sex, but not based on God’s values.
• Our church will certainly partner with you, but the primary responsibility lies with you as parents.
Now, some of us are NOT struggling with any sexual sin. That’s wonderful!
But what about other areas of your life? As you evaluate the different areas of your life do you see God’s values or the values of the world?
YOUR SPEECH?
Do you spread gossip, hearsay, or unconfirmed bad information about your neighbor?
(I’m not saying you always can’t talk about people when they are not around.
• You met a person so inspiring, and you can’t share to inspire others too
• You met a person so discouraging and you can’t share to warn others
The key here is to check your intention. Do you share to elevate or destroy the person? There’s a fine-thin line here, so let’s all be very careful)
YOUR MARRIAGE?
Husbands: do you still love your wives as Christ loves the church? (Turn to your wife and say I love you.)
Wives: do you still submit to your husbands knowing that they are accountable to God for you? (Turn to your wife and say I submit to you)
Obedience vs Submission.
YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?
Do you possess the spirit of Moses, Joshua, and Caleb who are still passionate about God and His purposes even in their ripe old age? God wants you to make sure that you are continually fulfilling His purpose for your life until the day you see Him face to face.
Again, I am not sharing all these to condemn anyone. I am sharing these to remind us including myself that if we truly want to live a life of no compromise, we must live our lives according to God’s values and not the values of the world.
It is not always easy, but it is always right. And as we decide to do what is right, God’s grace will carry us toward purity and holiness.
How can I live an impeccable life?
Firstly, I must live to please God.
Secondly, I must live a life that is Pure and holy.
And thirdly, an impeccable life is - A Life Committed to God’s Church
(Paul affirmed believers' love for one another and live in ways that will bless the church)
1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV) 9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Paul affirmed the Thessalonian believers’ love for one another, for all of God’s community and urged them to do so more and more.
• “Lead a quiet life” Is to be discreet in their public life so as not to attract unnecessary attention and persecution to God’s community as they are being persecuted by Roman Empire.
• “Not be dependent on anybody” – is not to be idle but to be responsible for their own needs. To support their own needs and not to take advantage of others.
In this part of the letter, Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers that they were no longer just individuals in society. They are now part of God’s community and should conduct their lives in ways that would bless God’s community.
We must live our lives not just for ourselves and our families but also for God’s community.
Now, this is easier said than done as we are living our lives in an increasingly individualistic society. Our own needs and our family's needs are the most important. The needs of others including the needs of God’s community are secondary.
In the Bible.
- 1 Corinthians 12 talks about spiritual gifts and the body of Christ.
We are one body but many parts.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV): Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (for the profit of all).
The Bible says that God gives spiritual gifts to each believer for the common good, for the profit of all in God’s church.
Please help me take a good look at the person nearest to you.
I am sure that you would agree with me that God has given the person next to you some spiritual gifts. Do you know what their gifts are? Now, you may envy them for possessing those gifts. But you know what? It is their gift, but it is for your benefit for you are part of God’s community.
So please remind the person next to you: “It is your gift, but it is for my benefit”
So, if we want to live an impeccable life must also live for God’s community. We must avail our time, talents, and resources to bless the body of Christ, the Church.
The world may be telling us “Live for yourself” “Live for your family.” But we will say “Yes, I will live a life for myself and for my family, but for the Body of Christ too”
Who among you
• Can sing
• Loves to greet people.
• Can do coordination or facilitation?
• Knows that you have something to contribute?
A couple of questions.
- Who among you loves your community of faith?
- Who among you loves your Church?
Do you know that if you want to see your group be elevated, it must start with you?
Many years ago, I prayed “God, please set my heart on fire as you set your Church on fire for You”.
Today, I want to make another prayer to God as I humbly but boldly invite you to make that kind of prayer as well.
“God, please forgive me if I have allowed that fire to die down in some measure. Please light up that fire again as you continue to set the Church on fire for You”
CONCLUSION
To elevate means to improve, to be raised. To be able to do that, we all need to live in accordance with high standards.
To conclude, let me share a testimony in this regard. (This is a true story)
There was a man, a young believer, who was very committed to the church.
Who was like pursuing a woman? There were perfect opportunities to compromise without being caught. They were in the same District. His family wasn’t in the same country he was in. The technologies back then won’t betray him. At one point, the girl insisted to visit the guy knowing that the guy is alone at home. The guy rushed outside and waited until nighttime until his housemates are back. When he returned, there were gifts at the doorsteps, confirming that the lady really came.
Thank God that in his grace, he stood firm and shut down any opportunities to compromise.
- When he chooses to please God and not his own ego,
- when he chooses to be pure and holy before God
- When he chooses to focus on committing to the Church
God elevated his personal, pastoral, and ministry life.
God elevated him to be a small group leader, and then a district leader. God elevated him in his ministry, and now he is a worship leader. God elevated him in his relationship with his wife, and now together with his wife, they oversee Family Life Ministry.
That person is the author of this sermon.
The whole point why I shared this is not to brag, but to tell people that no matter how challenging and tempting life can be –His grace can enable us to live an impeccable life
Finally, ask yourself these questions,
- Am I living to please others or God?
- Am I living a worldly or pure and holy life?
- Am I living for myself alone or for God’s church?
Let us all please God, live a Holy and Pure life, and be committed to the Church.
Sermon Main Passage
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (NIV)
1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
[Preached on Oct 16, 20202 at Blazing District Camp in Jurong West, Singapore]
