UK & Ireland Conference 2017 Grace and Purity Proverbs 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. Mike Olusegun & Ade Okunade
What can you expect from today Speakers introduction What does it mean to have a pure heart Anger, shame & understanding our feelings God s grace Helpful resources Q&A (If time permits) 2
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Matthew 5.8 HCSB "The pure in heart are blessed, for they will see God." 5
What does pure in heart mean? PURE: Greek term katharos To be clean, blameless & unstained from guilt. Purify by fire- Malachi 3:2 Pruning- John 15:1-17 HEART: Greek term kardeeah Encompasses a persons thoughts, desires, will perception/understanding, conscience. 6
THOUGHTS CONSCIENCE DESIRES PURE HEART PERCEPTION WILL 7
Impure thoughts Genesis 6:5 (New English Translation) But the LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time. Impure desires Jeremiah 13:10 (New English Translation) These wicked people refuse to obey what I have said. They follow the stubborn inclinations of their own hearts and pay allegiance to other gods by worshiping and serving them Impure will Jeremiah 16:12 (New English Translation) And you have acted even more wickedly than your ancestors! Each one of you has followed the stubborn inclinations of your own wicked heart and not obeyed me. Impure perception Jeremiah 23:17 (New English Translation) They continually say to those who reject what the LORD has said, Things will go well for you! They say to all those who follow the stubborn inclinations of their own hearts, Nothing bad will happen to you! Impure conscience Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 8
Practicing Christians defined by Barna Group: Those who attend a religious service at least once a month, who say their faith is very important in their lives and self-identify as a Christian 7 in 10 teens and young adult male not practising Christians are actively seeking out pornography at least once or twice a month 4 in 10 teens and young adult male practising Christians are actively seeking out pornography at least once or twice a month 9
7 in 10 of not practicing Christians are comfortable with how much porn they use 39% (4 in 10) of practicing Christians are comfortable with how much porn they use 10
Proverbs 15:26 (NET) The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. 11
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Proverbs 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. 15
Psalms 130:3-4 (NET) If you, O LORD, were to keep track of sins, O Lord, who could stand before you? But you are willing to forgive, so that you might be honoured. 16
Psalms 130:3-4 through the eyes of shame O LORD, you have kept track of all my sins, Lord, I know I cannot stand before you, so I ll find a dark place to hide. I know I am not worthy of your forgiveness, because I have brought shame to your name. 17
My understanding of Psalms 130:3-4 O LORD, you do not keep track of my sins, Otherwise Lord, I would not be able to stand before you. You are willing to forgive me, so that your name will be honoured. 18
Statistics & helpful information 19
Websites Helpful material 1. http://www.cwacademy.net/emancipators-videos/ - Emancipators website Ed Anton 2. https://www.pureandsimpleministry.org/conference/#past-conferences Pure & Simple annual conference and past recordings 3. http://www.chicagochurch.org/ministries/recovery-ministries/sexual-integrity - Sexual integrity Ministry of the Chicago international Church of Christ 4. http://www.everymansbattle.com/ Books 1. Breaking Free (Understanding Sexual addiction & the Healing Power of Jesus) By Russell Willingham 2. The Power of Habit (Why we do what we do in life and business) - Charles Duhigg 3. Don t Call It Love (Book) - Patrick Carnes 4. Out of the Shadows - Patrick Carnes 5. The Game Plan Joe Dallas Conferences/Workshops 1. People of Honour workshop 2. Pure & Simple annual November conference hosted by David & Robin Weidner (Leaders of the Idaho Church of Christ, USA) - http://www.chicagochurch.org/sexual-integrity-ministry/ 20
Proven Men Ministries and Barna group (Christian research groups) on pornography: Pornography is prevalent everywhere today. In fact, one in eight online searches is for pornography. Because porn use thrives in secrecy, many church members are trapped in a cycle of sin and shame, thinking that they're the only ones facing this temptation. The number of Christian men viewing pornography virtually mirrors the national average. 79% of born-again Christian men don t have an Internet filter to block porn from computers or cell phones 55% of born-again Christian men view porn at least once a month 20% of 16 year olds and 30% of 17 year olds have received a sext (a sexully implicit text). 65% of young adults (20-25) believed sending and receiving texts is very common at their age. 20% of teens have sent or posted nude or semi-nude photgraphs or videos of themselves. 9% of born-again Christian men install a computer program or cell phone app to enhance viewing porn. 21
Myths of Sex and Purity Myth Debunking Scripture I'm all alone, sad with no one to help You're not alone. God is with you Psalm 34:18 I'll be ok, my sin isn't too bad Living a double life It's ok alternative if my wife isn't fulfilling her marital duty Don't get too comfortable with sin. Be sober & hate sin Do your words match up with your actions God desires self control at all times Psalm 36:1-2 Mark 7:6-8 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 Lustful looks are ok Lustful looks equates to adultery Matthew 5:27-30 This is too difficult to overcome Nothing is impossible for God Matthew 19:26 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 If that brother struggles with it then it's ok There is no consequence to this sin God will judge you based on His word not on man's standards There is always a consequence to sin Matthew 12:36-37 Romans 14:10-12 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 Galatians 5:19-21 I'm too tempted not to sin There's always a way out 1 Corinthians 10:13 I'm a sinner God understands Masturbation is ok because it's not mentioned in the bible God expects a response to his grace Every part of your body should be used to glorify Christ Falls outside the standards that Christ intended Galatians 5:22-26 Ephesians 2:8-10 Luke 9:23-26 1 Corinthians 6:13-20 Mark 10:7-9 22
Q&A 23