I've had a couple of folks ask me if messages, as last week and I'm sure today's message will fall into the same category, are difficult to preach because of just the nature of the message and the details. And, you know, I suppose in one sense you can preach these messages and speak in terms that just sort of gloss over reality. use language that nobody understands and we can kind of just be dismissed and go on our merry way. Or you can be a bit more pointed and even graphic, which the scriptures surely are in regards to some of these things. And it's necessary that it be that way. Some of the translations of our day, in fact, some of the more I don't know what, I started to say street language translations and maybe that's not the best way to say it, but there are translations that you read them and you think, oh, you know, it sort of takes you back a little bit in the way that they translate some of these, some of the verses even in our passage today. And yet really they are going to the spirit of what's being said in some of those more graphic translations. But I do appreciate the translations that try to stay faithful to the words themselves and not go beyond and put filler words in there that might be unintentionally offensive. I'm not saying they do it to offend, but it could be. And so we do need to be careful. Furthermore, in a congregation like this or any congregation where we're gathered in a room together, there's going to be those of various ages. And so, you know, we have to be careful about the things we say. As I said last week, depending upon parents to be more particular, if it needs to be so with your children, you have a responsibility. with your families and with your children and to lead them to what the truth of God is. Last week we dealt with the subject of sanctification. which is a word that's unique to the scriptures, that is the word that's used especially in our text here. Paul uses it three times. He uses it in verse 3, he uses it in verse 4, and he uses it in verse 7. In verse 7 in the King James it's translated holiness, but it's the same word that's translated sanctification in the other two verses. And so he is appealing to the saints who are in Thessalonica that their life match their relationship to God. And that's the word for sanctification. It is a life that results from consecration to God. It's not just all about some theory or mystical idea, something that's going on in your head in relationship to God. It's something that is going on in your head and in your heart, as we heard in the last hour, but it flows out into your life. And so if sanctification is not happening, There isn't an effect. If there's not something going on in your life, then you may be experiencing a kind of sanctification, but it's not the kind that Paul is addressing, especially here in this passage that is before us. I want you to understand that sanctification or holiness is not the way to get a relationship with God. It is the result of that relationship. Now, that is important because sometimes this matter in churches can get flipped on its head. And so that people are pursuing sanctification in order to have a relationship with God rather than pursuing sanctification out of a relationship with God. Someone said it this way. Holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness. Doesn't that sound like what you heard in the last hour, really? Holiness is not the way to Christ. Somebody's going to say, yeah, but Hebrews says, without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. But where does that holiness come from? It is the fruit of Christ. And so holiness is not the way to Christ. Christ is the way to holiness and holiness is the highway to heaven. It is the road that you will travel. But it comes from a relationship with Christ. Last week we tried to emphasize that sanctification is an identifying characteristic of the elect of God, which is who Paul is writing to back in chapter 1 and verse 4, knowing, brethren, beloved, your election of God. And so he's writing to those who he is convinced are of the election of God. These are the ones who are chosen. I see it. I see the evidence of it. And from the evidence that he saw, he makes this bold proclamation about them. I know your election of God because of what I see. And so it is to these that he's writing and saying, the will of God is your sanctification. This is the will of God for his people. It is God who said, be you holy for I am holy. I used to quote that improperly. I would say God said, be you holy as I am holy. That's not what it says. It says, be you holy for I am holy. You can't be as holy as God is altogether other than. OK, so so, you know, that that's that's something you're not going to achieve, but your holiness is to be patterned after that which we see in him distinct, unique. It is progressive, as we saw last week. It begins at conversion, and it continues to increase until perfection and glory, which we saw at the end of chapter 3. It is practical. This is where we closed last week. The Spirit of Christ touches every single area of our lives. He's going to conclude that way in this epistle in verse 23 of chapter 5. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, completely. That's the goal. That's the end game, if you want a modern vernacular. That's where this thing is headed. That's what we mentioned at the end of chapter 3. So it's progressively, practically moving in that direction as we're being set free from the controlling influence of our flesh, this world, and the devil, and we are unique in this world. We're different as the people of God. And in verses four through eight of chapter four, Paul expands upon the command that we looked at at the end of the message last week in verse three. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication. That's a command of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's an authoritative instruction that Paul is giving that came through or from Jesus Christ. You know the commandments, verse 2 says. You know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. Authoritative instruction that came from headquarters, from Jesus Christ Himself. And so it is the will of God. that you abstain, the sanctification in this particular context is focused upon sexual purity. I need to take a few moments to look at verse four. Because it is one of those difficult verses in Scripture, not so difficult to translate as it is, what is Paul talking about? Is he addressing singles? Or is he addressing married? Or is he addressing both? Some of the translations try to help us out by giving their interpretation. But this is an accurate translation here, that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. What does he mean when he says possess? What does he mean when he's speaking of vessel? Who is his vessel? Is it his own body? Some of the modern translations, in fact, most of the modern translations will translate in such a way that leads you to that conclusion. He's talking about your own body. Or is it your spouse? Well, let's think about this for a moment. The word possess is used seven times in the New Testament. primarily referring to acquiring or purchasing. By the way, this is one reason why a lot of folks will say you can't be talking about a wife or a spouse because you don't buy or acquire a spouse. But if that's true, then I say, well, how could it be talking about yourself, your own body, because you don't buy or acquire your own body? It doesn't make sense either. But I think the point here is that as it is used in the Scriptures most of the time, acquiring or purchasing, it is in doing so you make that your possession and it is your responsibility. Whatever is being referred to, it is used, for example, in Luke 18.12 where the Pharisee is praying and he says, I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess. That's the word, the Greek word here, possess, or some will say all that I have acquired or all that I have gained. It's used by in Acts chapter 22. Just one other example here. I don't want to belabor the point here, but in Acts chapter 22 and verse 28, the The chief captain said in reference to Roman citizenship, Paul said, I'm a Roman citizen. Then this chief captain answered, with a great sum obtained. That's the word possess. Obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, but I was free born. So you get the idea of this word. Possess is the idea of acquiring something, however it is acquired, it becomes your own. And so it is your possession and it is your responsibility, regardless of what it's talking about. And the word vessel. Literally, the word vessel is used numerous times in scripture to refer to various implements, I'm not going to go into the scriptures that Illustrate that, just various instruments, sailing instruments, utensils used in various contexts. That's the word that's translated vessel here. Figuratively, it is used to refer to people. For example, Paul was a chosen vessel, Acts chapter 9 and verse 15. In Romans 9, 23 and 24, you have vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy. In 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, you have earthen vessels. Some modern translations say jars of clay or pots of clay or something along that line. Earthen vessels. Paul uses vessel, the word vessel in reference in the context of personal sanctification in Second Timothy, chapter two. Now. I'm going somewhere with all this, it's important, because if you're going to understand scripture, you've got to understand the words, you can't just make up whatever you want it to mean or say, you've got to understand what's being said. All right, so what are vessels referring to here? Paul uses the word vessel in Second Timothy, chapter two, and you'll see it beginning in verse 20. But in a great house, there are not only vessels, there's the literal sense of vessels of gold, instruments of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth and some to honor and some to dishonor. And then verse 21, if a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be he shall be a vessel. Same word, one referring to the instruments within a house, the vessels within a house. Here is referring to a person, a body. He shall be a vessel unto honor. Sanctified. and meet or fit for the master's use and prepared unto every good work. And then in verse 22, he says, Flee also you full lusts. Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with all in the call on the Lord out of a pure heart. So you see, in the context of sanctification, which is the context that we have back in First Thessalonians chapter four, he uses this word vessel, referring to one's own person or body. Peter uses the word vessel, you may remember, when he is speaking of a wife. Remember that? First Peter, chapter three and verse seven. Likewise, you husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor. I keep emphasizing the word honor. He used it in second Timothy two. He uses it here. He uses it in our text. That you should know how to possess his vessel and sanctification and honor. And so here in first Peter three, seven, likewise, you husbands dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel. And as being heirs together, the grace of life, that your prayers be not be not hindered. And by the way, you say, well, they're women are the only ones that should be considered a vessel. Well, think again, he says, as unto the weaker vessel. Well, who's the stronger vessel? So it's referring to the word vessel is is used of men and women. It's not a derogatory term. The vessel is not a word that's used to put down a human being, whether it be a man or a woman. It's simply a metaphor of our bodies. Which are instruments for good or for evil. That are like a vessel filled with something, as we'll see later on in the message, we who are Christ are filled. We have the spirit. We're a vessel. And we are to be used as instruments. for good and not evil. And we have the responsibility over these vessels. Now, look over at first Corinthians, chapter seven. And I want you to see Paul using the language of possession in reference to marriage, and I say this because back in our in our text and there are some that seem to get offended by this. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel. He surely couldn't be talking about a man of his wife, a man in reference to his wife. Or invert that, a woman in reference to her husband, that is the relationship there, because that would seem demeaning, you know, treating one another like a. Property, possessing, owning his vessel in sanctification and honor, but what does he say in first Corinthians seven? Now, concerning the things wherever you wrote into me, it's good for a man not to touch a woman. That seems to be the thing that was being he's addressing a question about sexual immorality and how how how involved, how close is it best then that we just keep totally away from the opposite gender? He's going to go on and speak of that in first Corinthians seven. It's good for you to remain as a single person, but nevertheless, Here at the outset, he's saying, if that's not the gift you have to remain single to the glory of God, for the kingdom of God, then here's the solution to this difficulty. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife. Have his own wife. And let every woman have her own husband. It sounds possessive, doesn't it? The idea of, she's mine. I'm his. He's mine. You get the idea. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence. That which you owe her. And likewise, also the wife unto the husband. You see, there's a mutual relationship going on here. It isn't that the woman is chattel that the man owns and treats her however he pleases. There is a mutual relationship here. Verse four, the wife. I. You know, this imagine announcing this on the front page of the news, the wife doesn't have power over her own body. But the husband. I knew Paul was a male chauvinist. Don't stop there. Likewise, also the husband doesn't have power or authority over his own body, but the wife. Do you see what's going on there? There's a mutual relationship and it's a godly relationship in the context of marriage. And so when we enter into Marriage. There's a relationship that we enter into in which we surrender control over our own bodies to satisfy our spouse, and yet at the same time, we are supposed to control our own bodies. Go back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. So does when Paul says in verse four that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. Is he referring to one's own self? Or is he referring to one's spouse or the relationship with one's spouse? And I believe that Paul's language is intentionally vague. Remember, he's being guided by the Holy Spirit in what he's writing. He could have really, really cleared this thing up. very easily with different language. But he uses the language that he uses, guided by the Holy Spirit, in order that we might read this and apply what he's saying to both single and married. I don't think you have to choose between the two, by the way. And that's why I resist some of the translations that exist today who try to clear it up for us. I don't think you need to do that. I think you need to go with what it says. And then understand what Paul is saying in the context here in relationship to the rest of Scripture. So first, you see that Paul chooses a more general word for sexual immorality when he says abstain from fornication, he doesn't say is abstain from adultery. He chooses that word, which is very broad. And it applies to every form of sexual immorality, not just the husband and wife relationship, though it's included. It's not isolated to that. Sexual purity is God's will for single and married. And a lot of folks today say, I'll never get married. I would say to you, if that's your heart, then I would say to you, stay away from the opposite gender. And in this day and age, you have to say, stay away from the same gender. No, you do not have the liberty. Marriage gives you the liberty to lose yourself in relationship to another, and that person lose themselves in relationship to you. Marriage gives you that right. Not just being human. sexual possibilities. So whether married or not, you are responsible to use your vessel. There's a word right there to use your vessel, your own body and that of your spouse in relationship to your spouse, if you have one. as an instrument that fits sanctification to which you have been called." God is serious about sexual purity. Did you all hear that? God is serious about sexual purity. This day and age in which we live, we need this encouragement just as much as they needed it in Thessalonica or in Corinth or any other major city of that day. Now, let me ask you, are you awake? Let me ask you, are you free from all temptation to sexual immorality? When was the last time you were blindsided by a thought. Now, some of you may be pursuing it. But I'm talking about those of you who are seeking first the Kingdom of God. You are seeking a life of purity. You desire it. Your heart is set upon Christ, as you heard in the last hour. That is the direction, the bent, the drive. That is what's motivating you. When's the last time you were blindsided by a thought that you didn't invite? But there it is. There it was. What did you do with it? The last time you were struck by an image that you weren't looking for, there it was. Did you abstain? That's what God says. It's the will of God for us to abstain from fornication. Jesus says to look. Right? To look upon a woman. or women to lure a man, or in our day and age to look upon a man, as I addressed last week. You've committed sin in your heart already. Fornication is there. You're being driven, motivated by love. Now, the fiery dart, we might call it, that comes to you, you have no control over that. But you have control over what you do with it. Have you been raising the shield of faith when those kinds of thoughts come your way? We have the responsibility as followers of Jesus Christ to use our bodies like those who know God. Do you see that in this passage? Let's just read it beginning in verse The command of verse 3, that you should abstain from fornication, that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. He is making a comparison here in this passage. The way that you use your body says a lot about your knowledge and your relationship to God. You can say, I know God, and you can deny Him by your works. Titus chapter 1. Saying you know God. By the way, the Gentiles knew gods. They had deities. They believed in a God. But Paul says they didn't know God. The Gentiles, the unregenerate, which know not God, they use their vessel, their own body or their spouses. We think about vessel. What is it? What is the vessel? It's his own body or his spouse is married in the lust of concupiscence. What is that? Concupiscence is one of those big words. It's a passion, lustful, Passion governed by fleshly desires. Wanting what is forbidden by God. If all restraints are removed in the darkness of your own life, in the darkness of your own room, or the darkness of your own mind, or the privacy of your own life, what is it that you want? The Gentiles want and are driven and are motivated by the passions of their own lusts. They don't know God. Self-rules, self-gratification, especially as it pertains to sexual pleasure. It doesn't matter what God says to those who don't know God. You say, well, I know who God is. That's not knowing God. And if you don't know God, you don't really care what God thinks. You know, one of the ways I know this is because all of the time I am telling people what God says, and yet they walk away as if God said nothing. Those are individuals that don't know God, a Gentile. What matters is their own desires. and even relationships are controlled by lust, fleshly passions, using their vessels, as Paul says here, their own bodies, or that of their spouses, or someone else's, as their ungodly mind chooses. I wouldn't even want to explore all of the things that are done by them in darkness. Ephesians says we shouldn't even speak of those things. And I think the context is exploring, what all do they do? Let's find out from all of those who are really sexually active, how we can satisfy our spouse. That's the way the Gentiles think. That's the mind of those who are governed by this lust of concupiscence, lustful passions. Verse 6 even exposes that mind which is willing to cross God ordained boundaries. Notice it, that no man go beyond. Beyond what? Oh, he's talking about boundaries that are established, that go beyond and defraud or take advantage of his brother in any matter. Brother here probably isn't just talking about brother or sister in Christ, though it may be. But I think this may be one of those instances in which brothers use to speak of just the human relationships. Either way, it's true. That this is something that is forbidden of God's people, but the Gentiles live willing to cross God-ordained boundaries in order to take advantage of others in every area of life, really. But here he's talking of the sexual relationships in order to get what is not rightfully theirs, in order to satisfy an immediate lust. Wouldn't you agree that our culture is characterized by Gentiles who do not know God, who glamorize lustful passions? You can't even watch the news anymore without seeing lustful passions glamorized. It's everywhere. Everywhere. We are assaulted by the Gentile community. Believers, we're called upon to be different. We are those, like the Thessalonians, who have turned to God from idols. And Paul is saying here, as he's writing this letter, he's concerned about them. He knows the culture that surrounds them. He's saying, live like you really know God. Abstain from fornication. That every one of you should know how to possess His vessel, His own body, and your body in relationship to your spouse, in sanctification and honor. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles, which know not God. Believers, you notice the comparison there. As, even as the Gentiles. He's not calling, he doesn't say, now, if you commit this act, you're a Gentile. The fact of the matter, according to other scriptures, in fact, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and he says, he says, please, please, when I come, make sure that you have ceased these things. I don't want to come and have to address these things again. He didn't say you're not believers. You can read it in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. He said, I don't want to come and see you not overcoming these things. living as the Gentiles, which know not God. I'm afraid that there are far too many Christians and Christian communities that are living their lives governed by those who do not know God, the Gentiles, the nations of the world. You know the commandments, Paul says, that every one of you should know, should know, you know, and you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. Well, Paul, how are we going to know? And you notice he doesn't say, he will say they have the spirit and they do. But he also says you have commandments. Back in verse two, you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus, those authoritative instructions that came. See, these are people that were raised Without the commandments of God, these were people who were raised without knowing. In an authoritative way from God, right from wrong, they had what was written upon their hearts by nature, according to Romans chapter two. There were limitations to that, especially with a sinful heart. That would take that which would be known by nature and twisted and turn it. And make of it that which would satisfy themselves. Your vessel is not your own. Do you understand that? Christian, do you understand that? Your vessel, your body is not your own. First Corinthians chapter six. I want you to get this. Because there's not a soul in this room that doesn't fight and struggle in this area. And you need to understand the biblical principles here that are being set forth. You are to use your body like one who knows God. And if you know God, you know He has paid a price for you. First Corinthians 6, 19 and 20, what? No, you're not. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The Corinthians, the Thessalonians as a culture, they had their temples. And other gods were worshipped. And they were worshipped in connection with sexual immorality, without going into details. Paul is saying, your body is the temple. You are of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which you have of God and you are not your own. Don't you know this? Christian, do you know this? I mean, Paul is writing this to a church. He says, don't you know this? For you are bought with a price. Therefore, you say, well, I don't need anybody paying anything for me. I don't need God paying anything for me. I'll make my way to God. You'll never get to God without a price being paid. You're bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body, in your spirit, which are God's. Your body is to be used in a way that corresponds to your union with Christ. Do you see that move up a few verses in 1 Corinthians 6? He says, verse 15, know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Now, the imagery is very vivid here. And it's quite graphic, actually. And you might say, I don't quite understand the point. Well, how does this all really practically work out? My body is a member of Christ. What's that supposed to mean? It means you are in Christ. The Holy Spirit has brought you into union with Christ. Faith has brought you into union. You have a relationship with Christ that includes your body, not just your unseen parts, your body. Shall I then take the members of Christ, your body, and make them the members of an harlot? How does that happen? Sexual union. Coming together with someone who is not your wife. God forbid, know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For to Seth he shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." Listen, think about that. When you are engaged as the Gentiles in all sorts of sexual perversion, well, the reality is if you're a child of God, that won't be the course of your life. But if it could be, you would be joining the Lord who is in you, the Holy Spirit, in that relationship. That's what Paul wants you to see here. Brothers, your desire for a woman must not control you. You are Christ's first. You are not even your wife's first. You are not to be brought under the bondage of anything relating to your body and your flesh. He said that back in verse 12. And verse 13 of 1 Corinthians 6, in relationship to food, in relationship to sex, whatever the desires that you have, your desire for a woman must not control you. Sisters, your desire to be desired must not control you. You are Christ first. And if your husband doesn't desire you the way you would like for him to desire you. You have Christ, you are his and he desires you. He rejoices over you. That relationship is superior to every other. And whether single or married, your body must be in submission to God who has called you. God's will for you is this. It is that you possess your vessel in sanctification and honor. That God created sexual desire. Did you hear me? There is nothing sinful about a sexual desire. Did you all hear that? You try to get rid of a sexual desire, you're trying to get rid of that which God gave you. He created you with that. That is not unholy. That is not ungodly. Sexual desire is what God placed within you. But that God created sexual desires to be fulfilled in holiness, sanctification, and honor in marriage. But listen to this. And I think this is one of the things Paul is driving at here, which is lost If all you think about is that this possessing your vessel is just you and your body, no relationship to anyone else, you miss this point right here. Even in the undefiled and honorable marriage bed. Did you hear that? The undefiled and honorable marriage bed. Even in that, we must not be controlled by lustful passions like the Gentiles. There are actually Christian counselors that will tell couples who are having trouble in the bedroom to place in a pornographic film to excite things, to bring spark to the bedroom. I hope you haven't bought into such foolishness. That is so contrary to what God is telling us. The will of God is for us. The will of God is that You possess your vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God." So, singles. The choice to marry must not be controlled by lustful passion. Now, Paul said to avoid fornication, that every man have his own wife, that every woman have her own husband. But He didn't say, let your sexual, lustful passions control you in securing a wife or a husband. If that is what is controlling you, you will only end in sexual immorality when the one you marry fails to fulfill your lust. And he or she will fail to fulfill your lust if you are lust-driven in that relationship. Are you all hearing me? Is this clear enough? You know what's interesting? On either side of this instruction that Paul is giving back in chapter three, and then we'll get to it, Lord willing, next week is love. He says that you love one another up there in verse 12 of chapter three and then in chapter four and verse nine, he says it again. Love one another. Love. Love is to be the driving principle in our relationships. Singles. I know you have desires. But don't let those desires control your use of your body. And I could say a lot more at this point. Husbands, enjoy the wife of your youth and let her breasts and not another's satisfy you at all times. I'm simply quoting from the Proverbs. Hers. I know our culture loves to reveal that part of the woman's anatomy. And in the churches today, they're filled with people who are flaunting their anatomy. Primarily women. Why is that? Because men are looking. Men are desiring. And women are wanting. Women are desiring. Let your relationship be one of love that honors your wife, not relating to her as if she exists purely for your sexual pleasure. Truth be told, truth be told, some of perhaps the wives even in this room would say, you know, I've kind of felt like that. That I exist. My primary purpose for existence is for my husband's sexual pleasure. Something's wrong. That shouldn't be. And wives, give yourselves to your own husband, your own husband, not another, your own, with a heart to honor the Lord in your response to His desire for you. and refuse the temptation to attract others. Read Proverbs 7. Don't dress like a harlot. Read it. The attire of a harlot, which is not only the clothing, but it's the way you wear it and the way you act. She goes here and there. She's all over the place. She's not stationary. She doesn't remain at home. She's out and about. And there's danger. And to all of us, I would say, stay within the boundaries of marriage ordained by God. Which we saw in verse six, just quickly think about the motivation to live this sanctified life of sexual purity in verses seven and eight, he says, first of all, God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. This is what God has called us to. Are you are you hearing this, Christian? Are you a child of God here today? Would you think on this as you make your daily choices? You know, God has called me to he hasn't called me to uncleanness. This isn't complicated. He's called me to holiness, he's called me to sanctification. Well, I'm sanctified in Christ, it doesn't matter what I do. You're not reading the scriptures properly. In fact, you're offending the God who has called you to holiness when you think that way. Why would you intentionally continue to live a life of uncleanness? Why would you do that? Uncleanness, moral impurity. Why would you do that? Why would you make those choices? Especially, I'm talking about if you know God, because if you know God, you know this. Wherefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness. That's our word. That's the word. God has not called you to uncleanness. He gives people over to that. through the lusts of their own hearts." See, it's inside of you. "...to dishonor their own bodies between themselves." That's Romans 1, verse 24. Do you want to please God with the use of your body? It's very simply stated, He's called you to holiness, and if you pursue holiness, You're pleasing God who's called you to it. He's also given you himself. Verse 8, God can't give you any more than he's given you. And I don't mean to say that God's done all he can do, the rest is up to you. That's not what I mean by that. I mean, he has given you all that he can give you. He has given you himself. Do you see that in verse 8? He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit. God has given Himself to us. Believers, God is in you. He's not in the Gentiles. They don't know God. You know Him. You know Him personally. He is with you. He's in you. The life of God is in your soul. You're a new creature in Christ Jesus. Your vessel is under divine influence. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. He guides by the light of His Word, by which Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify us. You remember that? Father, sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth. And this is a sword of the Spirit, and He cuts and He exposes, as we heard in the last hour, by way of the Gospel and the Word of God. He's the One who warns and convicts and convinces and comforts and leads us to do the will of God. Why would you not heed the Spirit? Do you understand? Listen to this. When you do not heed the Spirit, you despise God. Do you see that? He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God. You quench the Spirit. He's going to talk about that in chapter 5. He says, quench not the Spirit. That is in you. If you are His, you can't disregard, you can't Slight. You can't refuse God and what He's saying to you. Listen, some people, their rebellion comes out at the preacher. But it's not the preacher that you have a problem with. It's God that you have a problem with. It's not the messenger, really. It's the messenger's God. Paul and every other preacher that's preaching this Word. If you are His, the Spirit will not allow you to continue in sin. You know what's going to happen if you choose the path of sin? What's going to happen if you're His? You're going to fall under the displeasure and the chastening of our Father's love. He loves you too much to let you keep going in that direction. Aren't you thankful that He loves you like that? He paid too great a price. to let you just go. Shouldn't the thought of displeasing our Father motivate us to sexual purity? Let me close with a warning here. Verse 6, notice what he says, that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter because that the Lord is the avenger of all such. as we also have forewarned you and testified." Does that sound like a warning to you? The Lord is the avenger of all such. Of all such. Who's He talking about? Of all such. Who are they? They're the ones who overstep God's boundaries established in marriage and take advantage of another spouse, especially engaging sexually with someone else's spouse. The Lord is the avenger of all such. God takes marriage vows seriously. We may not. God does. Hear this. The Lord sees your sexual immorality. Your spouse may not see it. Your spouse may not know about it. But the Lord God sees it. He knows about it and he will call you to account even if no one else is aware. He says. The Lord is the avenger. Of all such. He will dispense that word avenge is to dispense justice. How's he going to do that? I appreciated the thoughts of a particular person, I don't even know his name. This is what he said. How will God avenge sexual sin? It could be in an unfulfilling sexual life and marriage. It could be by bringing about a miserable marriage or even allowing a divorce. It could be in temporal chastening or discipline through a sexually transmitted disease. He could avenge by bringing about negative circumstances, an absence of blessing, a plethora of trials and trouble, or even death. This section of Scripture is a solemn warning indeed, given the torrid temptations in our sex-sickened society and the prevalence of illicit sexual activity in the evangelical community. And I didn't look up the statistics. I just didn't want to go there. But I think if I'd have brought statistics with me today from those who do those studies, we would be horrified at how many pastors are addicted to pornography. I'm not talking about people in the pew. Pastors. And that's just one aspect of sexual immorality. Let me say it this way. If you persist in sexual immorality, you have no reason to think you will escape the judgment of God. That's how serious this is. Now, preacher, where do you get that? Ephesians chapter 5. There are other places. This is what Paul said, For this you know, that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Some people will say, well, I think the kingdom of Christ is different from the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is different from the kingdom of Christ. Well, there you've got them both. The kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things comes the wrath of God. upon the children of disobedience." Paul says to the saints, don't be partakers with them. The warning of this text, what good is it? Why is Paul saying this? If these people are already the elect of God, if they're already saints, they're already going to heaven, that can't change. They're secure in Christ. Why is he saying this? I'll tell you. Among other reasons, this is one of the big ones. This text will only be meaningful and effective to a child of God. Who will either be prevented. From fornication. As is described here. Or will be restored through repentance. All others will take it lightly. All others will speak of archaic writings of the Bible. We're in a different age. We understand things differently. All kinds of things will be said to justify sexual immorality rather than listening to God. Christian. God has created us to engage sexually. With one spouse of the opposite gender. And to enjoy that relationship with mutual love for God and one another. not controlled by self-consumed lusts. The world's controlled by another god. They're going to mock you. They're going to mock your commitment to holiness. You're a prude. You're Victorian. You're whatever. Remember, They will suffer the emotional, physical, temporal and eternal consequences of rejecting God. And there are all of those consequences of rejecting God. Now and forever. I hope that you hear the seriousness of our God for sexual purity and that you will purpose to devote yourself to holiness to which you're called. What should you do if you have not abstained from sexual immorality? Maybe somebody sitting here today or somebody is going to hear this and they say, I'm doomed, I'm guilty, I'm trapped. What's the answer? The answer is repent and lay hold of eternal life in Jesus Christ. That's the answer. You cannot see Him in faith. The reason you say yes to sexual immorality is because there's something that has blocked the exercise of your faith in relationship to Christ. You're not seeing Him. You've quenched the Spirit. Grieved the Spirit. Repent, so that once again you may Walk in the Spirit and reject uncleanness and sexual immorality that your flesh would still be partial to if there was no restraint that Christ in you restrains. May God help us to take this seriously. Not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. This is written to Christians. And Christians, we don't have a free pass to do whatever we please, however and whenever we please. Father, I thank you for the clear teaching, the examples of your Word. We know that you've said an awful lot about this very subject in your Word, warning us