1 Thessalonians 
Chapter 4
•	THE PASTOR’S PRACTICE (4:1-2)
•	This section of 1 Thessalonians follows a common pattern of Paul’s letters. He presents the doctrinal truths of which he is passionate and then turns to practical matters. He shows how doctrine will affect one’s behavior and ______________ in the ______________. He had finished with their relationship and now he shows them how to live as Christians.
The Connection (v. 1)
“______________” or “as for the rest” is how Paul begins this section.  He is introducing a conclusion. The end of the letter is too far away for that. But he was turning from his main point to  other items of interest or need. “______________” allows him to add a tender, personal note to this section. See 1:4. 
The Charge (v. 1)
“______________” is normally used as a question in classical Greek. Here though, it is used with the idea of a prayer or request. In the NT, Bailey has identified that 45 of the 63 times this is used, it is used in this fashion. This request is urgent and from the Apostle. It is also done in the “______________ of the ______________”. Sense urgency and importance here?
The Course (v. 1)
He wanted them to live after the course that he had taught them.  “______________” means “received from”.  “Ought” expresses a moral or spiritual necessity. Now he wants them to live in the way that will please God.  They are to continue to walk in a manner that pleases God.  “They are to do so more and more.” “More means to “______________ or ______________”. 
Verse 2
Is literally “For  you really know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”   Notice that Paul is claiming divine authority here. “______________” may include such items as “a ______________” (Acts 16:24); prohibitions (Acts 5:28); and right living (1 Tim 4:5).  It is a military word. Paul charged them with living with respect to the right and wrong ways. Simply to abstain from wrong living is not enough. They should do the right thing as well.
II. THE PASTOR’S PURITY (4:3-8)
Paul will not move to specifics of the Christian life.
The Will of Purity (v. 3)
•	Paul tells them what the will of God is for their lives.  It is their “sanctification” or ______________. In Greek “______________” is without the definite article, meaning that what follows is not of God’s will, but it contains part of God’s will.  “Consecration” is related to “______________” or “set apartness.” God’s will is that the Christian dedicate himself to grow and mature in the way and will of God.
The Way of Purity (v. 4)
•	Paul moves straight to the immorality of illicit sexual perversions.  Many of the pagan religions utilized and encouraged immoral sexual acts as part of  their worship. Many offered priestess for men to have relations with as part of the worship. Many of the Thessalonians had come out of these religions and were living in this environment. Paul warns them! Avoid them!
The Why of Purity (v. 4)
•	Paul makes a dramatic contrast with holiness and sexual immorality in this verse.  The word “porneias” was once the word for prostitution and the sale of sex. Later it came to be identified with moichea (______________).  Here, the likelihood is a reference to prostitution. The only exception could be seen from a reference in v 6 to “______________ a ______________” which might hint at adultery.
The Wife of Purity (v. 4)
•	God’s will is for a man to find a wife who he can relate to in ______________ and______________(monogamy). Paul contrasts this with those pagans who follow their unbridled lusts and who do not know God. It seems that those involved in this may reveal that they don’t know God. Is that a little hard?
The Wisdom of Purity (v. 5)
•	The word “______________” shows that they have some knowledge about gods, but they don’t know the real, true God.  The rejection of God by many today is veiled in a desire for sexual freedom.
The W           of Purity (v. 6)
•	Paul is very concerned that the Christians here do not have relations with another Christians wife or divorce and remarry in order to take another’s wife.  “______________” means to go beyond or cross over what is the fence of safety. “______________” indicates that of overreach, to take more. One should not go beyond Christian morality to take what belongs to another.
A Wrapping of v. 3-6
•	The words “abstain” “______________” “______________” “transgress” “wrong” are infinitives showing the specific elements of God’s will. These are flaming swords guarding personal chastity and marriage in Paul’s day.  Do we need to hear them today?  What about “______________”? Does this open up the gate of sexual laxness for non-Christians?  Paul is dealing with Christians here. 
The Warning of Purity (V. 6)
•	“______________” introduces a conclusion to this topic. “______________” indicates God is one who is a legal avenger. God will serve sentence on those who violate these norms. The OT and NT is full of warnings and admonitions against such lifestyles. Sexual freedoms carry penalties here and later (1 Cor 6:9).
The Wrath of Purity (v. 8)
•	Paul is very strong in this verse. Who is it that is being ignored with such acts? Man? God? Take heed! While sexual acts are against one’s partner, they are primarily against God. It is God who has given us His Holy Spirit. What does Paul say in 1 Cor 6:13?    
III. THE PASTOR’S PATTERN (4:9-10)
Paul didn’t think this was all that necessary, but tossed it in along the way. His purpose was to exhort and commend the believers.  “______________ of the ______________” is a compound Greek word, “love” and “brothers”. The word “brothers” has the original root of “being from the same womb”. Paul says no one needed to write this to them. They had been God taught to love one another.
Love the Brothers
Was not only done for those in Thessalonica, but even in region of ______________. Paul wanted them to keep loving and keep loving.   Is this not a challenge to all who are in Christian relationships?

YOU HAVE TO LOVE ME!!!!!!
IV. THE PASTOR’S PURPOSE (4:10-12)
Paul’s plea and exhortation continues. He had told them personally to tend to their own affairs. Now he repeats it in writing. He uses a series of infinitives to show that these things need to be continuing in the lives of believers. These should be almost ______________ in the each Christian’s ______________. 
•	The Purpose of Ambition (v. 11)
Paul says that they should aspire to live quietly.  “Aspire” means to be fond of ______________  The end of their aspirations was to be a quiet lifestyle. It means to be still, at peace, or silent. It can be used to refer to stopping a conversation (Lk 14:4; Acts 11:18; 21:14). All of these enrich the word here. Evidently the church was restless and talkative about the second coming of Christ. This disturbed the peace of the fellowship (2 Thess 3:6ff).
The Pattern of Ambition (v. 11)
The pattern is to mind your own affairs…that is take care of your business and let the others go. Don’t be a busybody and disrupt the ______________of the ______________.  
The Product of Ambition (v. 11)
Work with you own hands. Some had stopped ______________ and had become troubling ______________. They had felt that the ______________ of the ______________ gave them permission to stir up the rest of the fellowship and disrupt peace. Paul says that nothing like this should be found in the body of this church. 
Why work? (v. 12)
Even though the coming of the Lord may be soon?  Paul gives two reasons to work. 1) to ______________the ______________of those outside the body of Christ. These are the non-Christians.  2) to keep from being ______________ upon outsiders for livelihood. To fail to do this caused disrespect from the outside community. It brought scorn and judgment. 
The Summary of the Lecture
Paul wants us to recognize that the outside world watches the church and the Christian.  Christians should live above reproach in all areas of life: politics, business, domestic life and social interactions.  To put it succinctly: The world will be critical of the Christian, but we don’t have to give them live ammunition to use against us. No believer should live is such a way that his testimony ______________ and hinders the greater testimony of the ______________!