Verses 1-8
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In order to please God, we must obey His commandments.
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Verses 3-4. To be obedient, it is critical to use your body well by staying away from any sexual sin.
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Verse 6. If you commit adultery or fornication, sleeping with someone who is not your spouse, you are sinning gravely against your own body, against the body of Christ, and against the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:15-19).
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There will be vengeance from God for sexual sin. Be warned! Sexual sin brings grave danger.
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Verses 9-12
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Paul writes the following instructions with three purposes:
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1. To walk in love.
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2. To live well in front of unbelievers.
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3. To have your needs met.
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Verse 11. To accomplish these three things, (a) be calm and peaceful, (b) focus on making your own life godly (rather than meddling in other people's matters), (c) and work to make your own living.
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If you are obnoxious, neglect your own responsibilities, and don't work, no one will respect you. If you aren't respected, you won't be able to positively influence anyone.
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Verses 13-18
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Don't stay sad about believers that have passed away.
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When Jesus returns, all believers will be united again in new, glorified bodies, to be with the Lord forever.
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When beloved believers die, encourage and comfort each other with the hope of Christ's return. In fact, in any situation that's grieving, keep your mind fixed on your salvation!
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Know that the “rapture” happens when Christ descends from heaven for His Second Coming, surrounded by angels and trumpet blasts (Matthew 24:30-31, 1 Corinthians 15:23-24, 51-53)
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It is explicit that “after the Tribulation” (Matthew 24:29), then Christ will come again, and that's when the rapture happens.
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