1 Thessalonians: The Church and the Coming Lord—Characteristics of Godly Living

After a couple weeks away, we are getting back into our study of 1 Thessalonians.
Paul has described several characteristics of Gospel ministry, and the very core of Gospel ministry. In chapters 4 and 5 of this letter, Paul is going to turn to the topic of godly living.
We are going to be exhorted to strive for spiritual excellence in our daily lives. This chapter deals with sexual morality, brotherly love, and godly work ethic.
Today, we will examine Paul’s teaching on sexual morality.
We need to remember that Thessalonica was firmly embedded in the pagan Roman culture. It certainly was not the most perverse city in the empire, but the people did worship all the Roman gods, including the gods of love and fertility. Marital faithfulness and purity were not even considered virtues to most Romans!
Paul had led most of these people to Christ, and now he is teaching them how to live in a way that will set them apart as Christ-followers. (The Christ-follower CANNOT continue to live like a pagan.)
As we unpack the first half of our chapter, we will see three behaviors that characterize Godly living.