1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Furthermore then we beseech you, brothers, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus… I. WITH FAITH. Without this "it is im possible to please" Him. II. WITH HUMILITY. He abases the proud, show ing His abhorrence of them, but exalts the humble because He delights in them. III. WITH OBEDIENCE. 1. Active. "To obey is better than sacrifice." "Children, obey...for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." 2. Passive. When in sickness, trial, etc. Nothing is more acceptable than the spirit which says, "Thy will be done." "The servant that doeth not his Lord's will shall be beaten with many stripes." IV. IN COMMUNION WITH HIS PEOPLE. "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard." Would He have done so had He been indifferent or displeased? "Where two or three are met together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." V. BENEVOLENTLY. "With such sacrifices God is well pleased." (G. Burder.) Parallel Verses KJV: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. |
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