Dr. George Ragsdale, Pastor *West Marion Baptist Church * 6001 NW 135th Avenue * Morriston/Ocala, Fl 32668 * 352 245-8900

A Life that Pleases God, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Intro: How to live a life that pleases God is the overriding theme of the first twelve verses of 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. Verses 1-8 speak about sexual purity, and verses 9-12 provide practical instruction on how to maintain right relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as with unbelievers.

I. Love’s CHARACTER v 9
1st. The word “but” abruptly changes the subject from sanctification to brotherly love
2nd. The phrase “brotherly love” does not refer to love within one’s family but, rather, sincere affection for one’s brothers and sisters within the church.
3rd. We find a good example of such love in the first church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:44-45; cf. 4:32)
Acts 2:44-45
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
4th. Notice: No one had taught them about love; they were “taught by God” through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
A. GROW in love more and more—why? v 9a
1. Because you are taught by GOD to do so v 9b
II. Love’s CULTIVATION v 10
A. It starts with a loving ATTITUDE v 10
*He did not have to urge them to love the brethren, because they were already doing so.
B. It is Christ, LIVING and WORKING in believers through the Holy Spirit
C. It is Christ who causes us to EXCEL, OVERFLOW, or possess a superabundance of God’s love for others.
D. It’s only through the enablement of the Holy Spirit can we love someone who PERSECUTES us.
1 John 3:11 For this is the message ye heard from the beginning, that ye should love one another.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
7-1John.4.8" class="scriptRef">1 John 4:7-8 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
III. Love’s CONDUCT v 11-12
A. Aspire to lead a QUIET life v 11a
B. Mind your own BUSINESS v 11b Why? Because it can:
1. DISRUPT 2. DIVIDE 3. Sow DISCONTENTMENT
4. BLEMISH our Christian testimonies all within the body of Christ
C. WORK with your own hands v 11c *Note also what Paul added: “as we command you.”
D. Paul provided tow purposes for his exhortations: v 12
1. That you may WIN the respect of outsiders v 12a
2. That you may not LACK necessities v 12b

MORE MESSAGES ON CHURCH WEB PAGE: West Marion Baptist Church— http://www.westmarionbaptistchurch.com
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You can also watch and listen to Pastor Ragsdale's sermons on Radio and TV here in Central Florida on the following stations:

SUPER CHANNEL 55 in Orlando, Florida
Thursdays @ 2:30 am and Saturdays @ 11:00 pm
as well as these other channels:
Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne - Spectrum Cable 14
Leesburg/Lake County - Comcast Ch. 5
Ocala/Marion County - Spectrum Ch. 14; Cox Cable 10
Gainesville - Cox Cable 57
*DirecTV; *DISH Network - Channel 55
Disney - Disney Cable 29
Daytona Beach Shores - Advanced Cable 55
Summit Cable Orlando - Summit Cable 11
AT&T Uverse - Channel 40
Dunnellon - Comcast Channel 21
Inverness/Crystal River - Spectrum Channel 16

SUPERCHANNEL 55 DIGITAL CHANNELS:
Channel 55.1 - WACX TV
Channel 55.2 - GodTV Network (24/7)
Channel 55.3 - GEB (24/7)
Channel 55.4 - SonLife Broadcasting (24/7)
Channel 55.5 - Vida Vision
Channel 55.6 - WACX TV (2)
Channel 47.1 - WYKE Citrus County
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COX CABLE TV CHANNELS: WCOX-O
Channel 16 Analog & 112.5 Digital
Ocala, Fl (Marion Co)
Tues, Thurs, 9:30 AM
Fri 8:30 AM
Mon, Wed, Sat, 8 PM
Sun, 7 PM
12 Noon, 8 PM

COX Cable TV: CXLP
Channel 21
Gainesville, Fl (Alachua Co)
Tues, Wed, Fri 9 AM
Mon, Thurs, Sat, 8 PM
Sun, 10 AM

CLASSIC HITS RADIO of OCALA 104.7 FM
City of Ocala
Sundays 8:30 AM

YouTube Preaching Channel
http://www.youtube.com/CarolRagsdale

SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST