1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 ESV

9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Living a Life of Purpose:

Relationally — “Love one another”

Mentally — “Live quietly”

Emotionally — “mind your own affairs”

Physically — “work with your hands”

Spiritually — “walk properly before outsiders”

Financially — “dependent on no one”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

How to live the Simple Life:

#1) LIVE QUIETLY “Live quietly”

• Aspire = to strive earnestly; study; to make it one’s aim; to be fond of honor; to bring something to pass; to be ambitious

1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

• The crowds sought out Jesus (John 6:22-24; Matthew 4:25; 13-21; 21:8-11; Mark 3:7-10; Luke 2:6-14)
• There were times Jesus avoided crowds. (John 5:13; 6:15)

John 6:15 NLT

When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

Proverbs 13:3 NLT

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Proverbs 29:20 NLT

There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

Proverbs 17:27-28 NLT

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Proverbs 21:23 NLT

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

#2) MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS “Mind your own affairs”

Luke 16:10 NLT

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

• The simple Christian life is to be faithful in little things.

• We need less voices and more examples.

1 Timothy 3:4-7 NLT

He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

#3) WORK QUIETLY “Work with your hands”

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Colossians 3:23 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

• Work quietly means that you do it for God’s attention and not for others.

Matthew 6:1-4 NLT

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

• Does anyone do anything in secret anymore?

James 5:16a NLT

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed…

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• The simple life is to hide our righteous deeds and confess our sins.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Mark 1:35-36 NLT

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him.

• Jesus heals a man with leprosy (Mark 1:41-45)
• Jesus heals a deaf man (Mark 7:31-37)
• Jesus heals two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31)

CONCLUSION

Revelation 10:1-4 NLT

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. And he gave a great shout like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered. When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down.”

• Is there anything beautiful that is just between you & God?
• A simple life that only God sees what you do with your time, money, deeds and therefore He entrusts you with even more… Would this be enough for you?

1 Thessalonians 4:12 NLT

Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

• If we choose to live a simple quiet life in such a way that pleases God, then the outsiders would have nothing bad to say.
• Hide your good deeds, confess your sins so you can be made righteous in the eyes of the Lord and you will be rewarded.