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Weekly Message | May 27th, 2007
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
Key Verse(s): 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
As we celebrate Memorial Day, I would like to quote a brief statement from USA Today. “For almost 140 years, the purpose of Memorial Day has been to pay tribute to those who have died in our nation's wars. Memorial Day 2007 brings more heartbreaking news from Iraq and fresh evidence of the disparity of the burdens being borne in this war…. As of this weekend, more than 3,430 U.S. troops have died in Iraq since the war began four years ago…. More than 25,000 U.S. service members have been wounded in Iraq since 2003.... They include Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Mittman, whose face was shattered by a missile in July 2005…. He lost his left eye in the attack and has only peripheral vision in the right. He can't taste sweet things and has to drink through a straw. "You know, it could be worse," says his wife, Christy. "He could be in the ground. We'll take what we can get."…The longer soldiers are deployed in Iraq, the more likely they are to suffer mental health problems…. On this Memorial Day, as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan rage on along with the political debate in Washington, those sacrificing so much to fight are deserving of the nation's profound gratitude”.
Today’s passage, 1Thessalonians 4, has a few wonderful verses that direct us to think about the larger meaning of life. I, however, chose 4:11-12 as a key to unlock the deep meaning of this passage with the title, “Your Ambition to Lead a Quiet Life.” This is about our ambition. Ambition is a dynamic word that signifies passion, drive, goals and vision. “Ambition” is related to something noble and big. Then, in what sense can “to lead a quiet life” be our ambition? How is a quiet life the result of passion of our soul? In what sense does “leading a quiet life” become such a big goal for us? What is a quiet life? Why does it matter?
First, a quiet life is holy (4:1-8). Both Christians and non-Christians live in this world. As we study the book of 1Thessalonians, it becomes obvious what Christians in Thessalonica might have struggled with. They had cultural issues that invited a grave misunderstanding of life. From chapter 1-3, Paul expressed his great love for them. He also thanked God for their work, labor and endurance. Does this mean that their lives were free from errors and misunderstanding?
Look at 4:1-4. “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” Paul urged them to live in order to please God more and more. He gave these instructions by the authority of the Lord Jesus. The instruction concerns life that is sanctified. In Leviticus 19:2 we read, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’” Then, what does it mean to be holy?
Look at 4:4-8, “that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” It is God’s will to avoid sexual immorality. God wanted his people to be holy. Christians practice self control in their personal lives.
Christians in Thessalonica wrestled with cultural issues. Similar to ours, the ancient Greek culture had critical underlying assumptions. For example, holy living, particularly expressed in sexual purity, was not taken very well. Many Greek people thought that such a demand was impossible, unnecessary, and useless. Can people with sinful bodies accomplish holiness? Not quite possible. How can a young man and woman pursue pure lives? Why should anyone deny his/her natural desires? What are the real benefits of pursuing holy living? Impossible, unnecessary and useless! The modern culture has not changed in this respect. Do people really believe that holiness is possible? Is it possible for young people to be pure? Is it necessary to try? If so, does such life have any real benefits?
Paul’s teachings are resoundingly positive. Yes, holy living is possible. God is holy, and we can be holy. Holiness in a passive sense is separation from evil and sinfulness. Holiness in a positive sense is devotion to what is good and perfect. God is good and perfect. To seek holiness is to seek perfection, wholeness and balance in life. Yes, holy living is necessary for our right relationship with God and with others. Yes, holy living is beneficial. It’s good for our happiness. It is essential for our overall wellbeing – physical, emotional and spiritual. Most importantly, Paul declares that God wants his people to live holy lives. Holy living is a life of righteousness, freedom, and integrity. Paul concluded, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit”(7, 8).
Second, a quiet life is responsible (4:9-12). Look at 4:9-10. “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia.” A life of holiness is not lonely. It is not deserted, deprived or depressing. It is a life that is rich. It is a life that practices brotherly love – a love that extends beyond one’s brothers and sisters to one’s family, friends, fellow believers and people in general. Christians in Thessalonica were responsible in loving others. As they loved God, they adopted lives of holiness. In holiness they also loved others. Their reputation spread throughout the region of Macedonia.
In Jesus’ time, both the Pharisees and Jesus practiced holiness. The Pharisees were passive in seeking holiness. Because they were so consumed with narrowly defined holiness, they avoided anything unholy and despised others who were not holy. The holiness they pursued closed their minds and hearts toward others. On the other hand, the holiness Jesus taught was reaching out to sinners. More sinners were attracted to Jesus and his holiness. Jesus transformed many sinners to pursue the holiness of God. Be holy; be separated for God and be related to others. Holy living is relationally rich. A holy person is capable of loving others. The right kind of holiness that God blesses is devotion to God and, therefore, devotion to one another.
Look at 4:11. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” One American missionary went to the northern part of Japan in the late 19th century. He helped quite a few young Japanese people. Through his labor, the seed of the gospel of Jesus was planted in the fertile land of Japan. Among many of his words, the most memorable statement was, “Boys! Be ambitious!” He certainly meant that young Japanese people should dare to do something great for themselves, their country and the world - most of all for God.
In the same spirit, Paul urged Christians in Thessalonica to have godly ambition. Be ambitious. Paul himself was an ambitious person. In Romans 15:20, Paul said, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on some else’s foundation.” Paul’s ambition was to preach the gospel all over the world to people who had not heard about Christ at all. Paul did not demand all Christians to have ambition exactly the same as his own. But he urged all Christians in Thessalonica to make their ambition to lead a quiet life.
What does this ambition lead them to? A quiet and, therefore, responsible life! A quiet life is life that has order, discipline, reflection, purpose, direction and vision. A responsible life is properly structured in form and substance. Such a person is clear about goals and prayer topics. Such person is neither hasty nor anxious. Rather, such a person is peaceful and resourceful.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” Once, when we were spiritually young, a great life seemed to be to eat all we want, possess all the glory of the world and do whatever we like to do. But as we become more mature, we know that a great life is about us, not about things or others. A great life is a responsible life. Such life is prayerful. Why do we pray? In this world, some things we can do. Many more things are beyond our control. How do you know this? Have you tried to help others? Have you tried to love others? Have you tried to change situations?
A quiet life is humble. As we grow up, we speak less. King Solomon said, “The more the words, the less the meaning and how does that profit anyone?”(Ecc 6:11). Why do we speak less? We know that we are not perfect. The closer we come to God, the more, not the less, we need forgiveness from God and others. Such a person minds his or her own business. Such a person works with his own hands. Working with one’s own hands is not just mere manual labor, of course. It is also about being good at one’s trade, having unique expertise. In our times, it is about being reliable in our work. What is the result of leading such a responsible life? People, even non-believers, respect them. They are not dependent on anyone, so they are free and happy. So much stress in life occurs because we do not do what we can do for what we think we should do. Freedom and happiness come from a quite life - responsible living in relationships and work.
Third, a quiet life is hopeful (4:13-18). Look at 4:13. “Bothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” Here, Paul is addressing some theological misunderstanding. Jesus said, “’I tell you the truth, this generation will not certainly not pass away until all these things have happened’” (Mk 13:30). Many Christians thought that Jesus’ return would be imminent. So some Christians did not mind their own business. They did not save any money. They did not care for acquiring any skills for living. They just lived day-to-day. They were merely waiting for the time of Jesus’ return. Such theological misunderstanding caused a great deal of confusion and disorder in their living.
Look at 4:14-16. “Now that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. They live in the presence of God with consciousness. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” Here, Paul speaks about the bodily resurrection. Resurrection occurs at the time of Jesus’ Second Coming.
Look at 4:17-18: “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” A quiet life is hopeful in all circumstances. So a quiet life is resilient. If we die before his Return, then we will be with the Lord in heaven. There we, in our full consciousness, will enjoy life in heaven. If Christ returns while we are still alive in this world, then we will move up – to heaven. One who lives a quiet life never gives up, because the end is good. Our end is with the Lord. The end of all occurs with Christ’s Second Coming. It is a profound mystery. It is unclear how we will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, but it will occur. The good news is that our death is just like sleep. After a good night’s sleep, a new day comes. In the same way, after our deaths we will see the new world in heaven. If we are still alive at the time of Jesus’ Return, we will be glorified. Either in death or in life we will be with the Lord forever. We will not get lost. This is the Christian hope. With this hope, Christians are always hopeful. Hopeful Christians encourage others.
Look at 4:11-12. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” On this day, we remember Christ Jesus, who died for us and called us to his glory. We also remember the fact that many have given their lives quietly and honorably in ways we do not know. On this day, we affirm our ambition to lead a quiet life for the glory of God. It is to enjoy our happiness. It is to bless this world in a real powerful sense.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
