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Knowing How To Possess Your Vessel

1 Thess. 4.3-8

Introduction: A vessel is a container. Some vessels are relatively inexpensive; such as a milk carton. Others have a value in and of themselves. Avon for years have been able to sell perfume based partially on the containers. At times the word vessel is used to refer to the human body. Such is the case in our passage for this lesson. We are to possess our own vessel. The body is the vessel of our soul for the time being. As we studied on stewardship we noted that our soul and body affect each other. What we do with our body affects our way of thinking and ultimately our soul. We are told to use this vessel wisely in service to God.

I) Facts About Sexual Messages, 2 Timothy 2.22

A) Young people (and older people) face a great amount of peer pressure

1. Well over half say they feel outcast by their friends

2. While it may sound silly many involved in sex are doing so not because they are in love, but because everybody else is doing it.

B) Young people face sexually explicit music, TV shows, commercials, and movies

1. Lyrics such as “I just want to be the next one to be with you.”

2. One knock against rock and roll in the early years was with the sexual beat of the music.

3. Now because of Emimme, Modonna, and videos we don’t have to worry about those “hidden messages.”

C) Young people are facing a society with little moral fiber

1. 60 to 80% of young people have sex by 19 years of age

2. Babies born out of wedlock

            a. 4 out of 10 babies in 2005 were born out of wedlock

            b. 70% of black babies are born out of wedlock; about 50% of His        panics, and 24% of white babies are born out of wedlock

3. People like Paris Hilton has sexually explicit movies on the internet.

II) Sex Key Principles Of How To Possess Your Vessel, 1 Thess. 4.1-8

A) God’s will is for your sanctification, v. 3

1. Christians are to be different; to stand out from the world

            a. Fact is many parents encourage their children to be just like the    world in their manner of dress, language, and behavior

            b. Teenage pregnancies among so called “Christians” is no different than those not claiming to be Christians.

2. Instead of arguing what is wrong with something we need to be thinking what is right with it.

B) Abstain from sexual immorality, v. 3

1. Note that there is such a thing as “sexual immorality”

2. God’s law on sex first given in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2.24

3. Jesus restated the law in Matthew 19.4ff

            a. Sexual activity is not casual

            b. Sexual activity is regulated by God

C) You are responsible for your vessel, v. 4

1. In other words you are to have control over your body and are supposed to exercise self-control

2. Excuses such as “caught up in the moment” and “could not help ourselves” does not excuse sin.

3. We are not animals but moral beings

4. Judges 14.2-3 Samson was “girl crazy” others get “boy crazy”

D) We are not be like the gentiles, v. 5

1. The Gentiles did not know or recognize God

2. They knew very little moral restraint as seen in Romans 1.

            a. Father’s sleeping with daughters, mothers with sons.

            b. Think of Florida and Daytona Beach during spring break

3. Their manner of dress was lascivious, 1 Peter 4.3-5

4. In contrast we are remember, Romans 12.1-2

E) Sex outside of marriage defrauds others, v. 6

1. You are taking from your partner something does not belong to you --their innocence, virginity, Deut. 22.28-29

2. Their and your future husband/wife has the right to expect you to be pure for them.

3. Endangers your soul and the soul of your partner, Proverbs 7.21-27

F) Remember our call to cleanness, v. 7 (1 Peter 2.8-9

G) It is impossible to be sexually immoral and still please God, v. 8

1. Agnostic belief: what we do with our body does not affect our soul.

2. Today: what I do with my body is my business, 1 Corinthians 6.18-20

III) Facts And The Bible

A) Your body is your vessel

1. It is to be an instrument for good not evil, 2 Corinthians 4.11

2. We suffer for misusing our bodies (cancer of cervix, AIDS, etc.)

3. There is normal wear and tear on the body.

4. There is abnormal wear and tear; drinking, fighting, etc.

B) It is give to us by God

1. To serve Him

2. To worship Him; it is to be the temple of God , 1 Corinthians 6.13

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