3. Wearing clothes made of blended materials. Lev. 19:19 Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you.

Transcription

1 THINGS CHRISTIANS DO THAT MUST BE STOPPED! Introduction: A. Many Things That People Claim Are Condemned By The Bible Are O.T. Restrictions For The Jews; They Were Nailed To The Cross. 1. Eating pork. Lev. 11:7,8 and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you. 2. Eating shellfish. Lev. 11:10 But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. 3. Wearing clothes made of blended materials. Lev. 19:19 Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you. 4. Getting Tatoos. Lev. 19:28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD. 5. People who point to these ideas mock them today and scoff at the Bible as foolish! They have no understanding of the Law of Moses for the Jews and that It ended at the Cross; they do not understand that today all men are under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ found in the New Testament. B. God Has Spoken POINTEDLY About The Christian s Relationship To Sin! 1. Jer. 10:2 Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 2. Eph. 5:3 let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 3. Eph. 5:11,12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. C. Today: Things That Christians Do That MUST Be Stopped! 1

2 I. (Slide #2) Fornication A. What Is Fornication? 1. Any form of unlawful (unacceptable to God) sexual intercourse. 2. It certainly involves sexual intercourse before marriage. 3. But it also involves adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, incest, etc. B. God s Warning About Fornication: 1. Eph. 5:3-5 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 2. Heb. 13:4 fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 3. Gal. 5:19-21 lists fornication and adultery among many other sins -- those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. C. People Become Involved In Fornication Because We Are In Love! Or I Was Not Happy In My Previous Marriage. 1. How often those young love relationships end up as break ups because they ultimately realize there is more to building a relationship that just the instantaneous, intense, and seemingly incontrollable passion! 2. How often married people end up with totally ruined lives because they ultimately realize that the lust that burned in their hearts for another person and the covetousness of the grass is greener on the other side of the fence is a totally lie and it was my ruination! I lost my wife, my children, my family, my friends, my reputation, my peace, and my soul! And many think they cannot get out of sinful relationships and live in and die in totally shame and misery! 3. How often young people get seduced into experimenting with heterosexual, homosexual, or lesbian experimentation by an older sibling, by a friend, or by people on sleep-overs! Confusion abounds in their young minds, questions about their sexuality arise when they are not old enough to even begin to deal with those kind of powerful emotions! 2

3 4. How often couples married for years, even decades, begin to have problems rooted in medication or dysfunction, blame their relationship, and begin to look elsewhere for an answer that they will not find in another relationship! D. Sex Is A WONDERFUL Blessing From God! God And The Bible Exalt Sexuality In The Highest Sense! 1. Heb. 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; [God talks about the honor and beauty of sex before condemning fornication!] 2. I Cor. 7:3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. [Marriage should be a place of mutual pleasure sexually!] 3. I Cor. 7:9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 4. Song of Solomon a. The delight of kisses! 1. SS 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth-- For your love is better than wine. 2. SS 4:11 Your lips, O my spouse, Drip as the honeycomb; Honey and milk are under your tongue; And the fragrance of your garments Is like the fragrance of Lebanon. b. A wife s delight for her husband s physical body! SS 1:12-17; 5:10-16 c. A husband s awe of his wife s physical body! SS 4:1-7; 6:4-10; 7:1-9 d. Sexual intimacy! SS 2:6; 8:3 e. The power of love! SS 8:6,7 Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised. 5. The Bible is not Puritanical and prudish about sexuality; It honors sexuality when practiced in the God-ordained setting -- in the home between a husband and wife. E. Why Is Fornication Sinful? 1. Because God said so! a. He is Sovereign God! b. He has all authority! c. He is the author of morality and moral codes! 3

4 2. Because He wants what is BEST for us! a. He wants us to have security, peace, and a loving relationship in the home. b. He wants to protect us from emotional scars and physical diseases that can result from promiscuity! c. He wants babies to be born into loving homes where a mother and father lovingly cooperate to care for, mold, train, and prepare children to live for God! 3. Because in fornication others are USED and then discarded. a. How foreign this is to the Biblical picture of a man and woman entering a marriage based upon love! b. How foreign this is to the Biblical picture of the one flesh concept where the hearts of a husband and wife are bound together for life through thick and thin, through health or sickness, through days of ease or heartache! 4. Because people share themselves with many partners ; thus marriage does not have its AWE FACTOR that God gave it! 5. Because it leaves scars of guilt F. Fornication In The Lives Of Christians Needs To STOP! II. (Slide #3) Immodesty A. The Human Body Is An Amazingly Beautiful Creation! 1. God designed our bodies to have attraction. 2. Read Song of Solomon and the passages cites above! B. God Designed The Physical Body To Have Attraction; But Its AWE Is To Be Experienced In Marriage! C. Every Summer The World Sheds Modesty; Unfortunately Christian Do To! D. God Condemns Immodesty! 1. I Tim. 2:9,10 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 4

5 2. This passage condemns: a. Wearing TOO MUCH -- extravagance; over the top bling! b. Wearing TOO LITTLE -- Showing too much skin; showing private parts; tight suggestive clothing! 3. When I came to WA 32 years ago and taught about immodesty, some immediately opposed that with an argument that This passage is talking about OVER-DRESSING! a. There is SOME validity to that argument. b. However, for the most part in American culture, there is a WHOLE LOT LESS PROBLEM WITH OVER-DRESSING that there is UNDER-DRESSING or even being covered up at all! E. Many Christians Flaunt Their Immodesty On Social Media! F. It Even Creeps Into Worship Services! 1. This is SO disrespectful to our God! 2. And people become more and more casual; please consider this as you approach worship and Bible Class! G. No Christian Man And No Christian Woman Should Want To Do Anything That Might Cause Someone Else To Have Struggles With Purity Of Heart! H. No Christian Man Or Woman Should Have Any Intention Of Causing Someone Else To Lust! I. No Christian Man Or Woman Should Want To Do Anything That Would Displease Jesus! J. Immodesty In Christians Needs To STOP! III. (Slide #4) Lust A. We Live In A Culture That Flaunts, Teases, And Exploits Lust! 1. Watch 2 minutes of commercials on TV. 2. This week Sports Channels have had to reign in cameramen who were focusing upon women in the stands at the World Cup Soccer Games. 5

6 3. Almost 1/3 of all websites are pornographic in nature. B. With The Temptation Of Sexual Desire, Lust Becomes A Huge Temptation! C. Mt. 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. D. Think About These Statements: 1. Someone said, Love gives; lust takes! 2. My observation: Love loves; lust covets! E. Lust In Christians Needs To STOP! IV. (Slide #5) Condoning Of Or Advocacy Of False Religion! A. Christianity Is VERY Exclusive! 1. Jn. 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. 2. Jn. 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 3. The foundational ones of Eph There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph. 4: Jesus built ONE Church! a. Mt. 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. b. He is the Savior of HIS BODY! Eph. 5:23 B. I Hear SO MANY CHRISTIANS Advocate That As Long As People Just Believe In Jesus, It Does Not Matter Where They Go To Church, What They Believe, And What They Practice! 1. Ecumenicalism -- just as long as you have some general beliefs about Jesus, you are fine! 6

7 2. Pluralism -- one does not see him religion as the only one; religions can have diametrically opposite teachings; the pluralist accepts them as valid. 3. Syncretism -- a person just picks and chooses belief from all kinds of religions and makes up his own beliefs and religion! C. It Is Appalling How Many Young Adults Are Either Condoning Or Accepting False Teaching, Leaving The Lord s Church To Be A Part Of Denominationalism, And Opposing The Very Truths That The Bible Teaches!!! D. Brethren Must Have The Courage, Love, And Concern To Talk To Those Who Are Being Caught Up In False Beliefs! E. Condoning False Religion By Christians Needs To STOP! V. (Slide #6) Destroying Marriages/Entering Into Adulterous Relationships A. It Is Incredible In Our Society How Marriages Have Become Almost Throw Away Relationships In Our Culture. B. God Says That Marriage Is Supposed To Be A Lifelong Commitment! 1. Rom. 7:2,3 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. 2. Mk. 10:11,12 So He said to them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. 3. If a separation occurs without any fornication occurring, God says the only options are to remain unmarried or to be reconciled to the spouse. I Cor. 7:10,11 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 7

8 C. For A Married Person To Enter Another Marriage, Without Their First Mate Committing Fornication While They Are Living Together, Is To Live In An Adulterous Relationship! 1. Mt. 5:32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. 2. Mt. 19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery. D. Amazingly, Many People Finagle Ways To Make Sinful Relationships Acceptable -- However, They Will NEVER Be Acceptable In God s Sight! E. Destroying Marriages And Entering Into Adulterous Relationships By Christians Needs To STOP! VI. (Slide #7) Hatred A. Passionate Animosity Is SO FOREIGN To The Heart Christians Are To Have And To The Actions Of Christian s Lives! B. God Says: 1. Pr. 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, 2. Pr. 26:24-26 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe the him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; 26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before assembly. 3. I Jn. 4:20 If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 4. I Jn. 3:14 He who does not love his brother abides in death. 5. Hated is in the works of the flesh in Gal. 5: God says, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 8

9 C. Hatred Destroys You Inside Out! 1. It consumes you. 2. It destroys you instead of the one you want to destroy! 3. It destroys homes, friendships, and relationships between Christians! D. Hatred In Christians Needs To STOP! VII. (Slide #8) Ignoring Sins Or Condoning Them Because Of Family Or Friend Relationships. A. It Is AMAZING How Many People Will Ignore Sin Or Condone It In The Lives Of Family Or Friends! 1. Fornication 2. Immodesty 3. Involvement in False Religion 4. Adulterous Relationships B. Some Will Condemn An Action In The Life Of An Acquaintance Or Someone With Whom They Are Not Close; However, If It Is A Family Member Or Close Friend, They Will Ignore It! C. Many Attempt To Make Wrong Right! D. Parents Will Sometimes Justify Children Becoming A Part Of A Denomination By Saying, Well, At Least They Are Going To Church! Or Well At Least They Are A Part Of A Faith Family. E. God s Advice: 1. Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. a. You may be tempted to participate in that sin yourself. b. You may be tempted to condone him in his sin! 9

10 2. I Cor. 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. 3. II Thess. 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed." 4. II Jn. 10,11 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. E. If You Have The Mindset, I Would Rather Let Someone Live In And Die In Sin Than To Speak Up; IS THAT LOVE? F. Listen To Jesus Pointed Advice -- Mt. 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. G. Ignoring Sins Or Condoning Them Because Of Family Or Friend Relationships By Christians Needs To STOP! VIII. (Slide #9) Indifference! A. Indifference And A Lack Of Effort Describes The Lives Of SO MANY CHRISTIANS! B. Many, Many Things Are More Important To So Many Members Of The Lord s Body! C. Many Christians Have Lost Their First Love Just As The Ephesians Had! Rev. 2:4 D. We All Know What The Lord Told The Laodiceans I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Rev. 3:

11 D. And His Call For Christians Is To Put Him FIRST! Mt. 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. E. Indifference In Christians Needs To STOP! Conclusion: A. If You Have Allowed ANY Of These Sins To Reside In Your Life, WAKE UP!!! B. Repent! C. STOP NOW!!!! 11