Saints and Sexual Immorality Chapter 8
Searching several translations for (sex*)
King James Version
New American Standard
English Standard Version
New International Version
New Living Translation
The point The Bible is not silent on this subject. The same verses are in the KJV, they are just translated with older, perhaps more respectful words.
The basic principle: 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Rom 13:13-14 NAS)
The goal of this lesson is to help you understand how the last lesson applies to this subject. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; (1Th 4:3-5 NAU)
Sex is everywhere God is not calling you to go someplace where there is no sin School, TV, Phones, ipad s, Magazines, in public, in songs, in movies You live here, in the midst of this corrupt world You are to be lights to a dark world We do not join in the culture, we stand firm contrary to it in the Power of Christ.
Big picture This is not to say sex is a bad thing. God created it. But not for you! yet.
What it sexual immorality anyway? Where does sexual immorality start, and faithfulness to Christ end? How far is too far? Why should we flee from sexual immorality? (1 Corinthians 6:18)
Time for a word study: Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. (1Co 6:18 NAU) Strong s word # 4202 porneia Meaning: fornication Usage: fornication(4), fornications(2), immoralities(1), immorality(16), sexual immorality(1), unchastity(1).
porneia This Greek word refers to: Unlawful sexual intercourse, prostitution, unchastity, fornication, homosexuality, and adultery. Basically, any sexual activity outside of marriage. It is a result of following sexual lust to its inevitable conclusion.
James 1:14-15 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (Jam 1:14-15 NAU) Notice that this is the case for ANY type of sin, not just sexual sins.
Sin Tract
2 Peter 1:4 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (2Pe 1:4 NAU emphasis added) Two ways, two destinies: 1. Partaker of the divine nature. 2. Live like the world, in the lust of the flesh.
Look down the road into the future What will be the consequences of this decision? Does God have something better? Am I harming someone else, spoiling their life.
Contrast the covenant of Marriage to a one night stand I take thee to be my wedded wife/husband, To have and to hold from this day forward, For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God s holy ordinance; And thereto I plight thee my troth.
How to fight the good fight of faith when it comes to sexual sin Run, flee, slip out the back Jack, make a new plan Stan 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, (Col 3:5-6 NAU) Mortify the flesh through the power of the Spirit (Remember Romans 8:13)
1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13 NAU)
7 It came about after these events that his master's wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9 "There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?" 10 As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. 11 Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. 12 She caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside. Genesis 39:7-12 NAU The example of Joseph.
Joseph recognized a higher principle 18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. (Gen 50:18-20 NAU)
God is always in control and He is always for those who trust in Him. 16 And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. (Notice there is no guarantee for an easy life) 18 They afflicted his feet with fetters, He himself was laid in irons; (it hurt) 19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. (sometimes the Lord puts us through trials to strengthen and test us) 20 The king sent and released him, The ruler of peoples, and set him free. 21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler over all his possessions, (who could possibly have seen what God had in store) TRUST HIM AND DO WHAT HE SAYS. 22 To imprison his princes at will, That he might teach his elders wisdom. (Psa 105:16-22 NAS editorial added)
Serving Christ vs Serving Self A good Christian will be a slave of Christ and put to death our own desires. That makes us free to do what a Good God demands and not held captive to do what our own lusts want. 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isa 26:3 KJV)
There is one more ingredient in sinful choices: SATAN The tempter knows your weakness better than you do. He is on a mission to destroy you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1Pe 5:8 NAU) I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. (1Th 3:5 NAU)
Satan can throw a lot of stuff at you, to distract you from your primary mission. In driving the object is to get where you are going in one piece. How much more should we pay attention to our spiritual walk.
So how should you treat a girl friend Just like that...as a friend as a fellow sister in Christ (sister is the operative word) be a gentleman Don t do anything you would not do with your own sister Treat her with honor (1peter 3:7) enjoy her company
In ANY relationship The goal is to glorify God. To please your coach: you would not do as little as possible You would try your best Why would we not obey the rules for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Have a clear conscience at the end of every day. If otherwise, confess your sin.
The next stop on the Bible Bus is Eph 5:3f 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Eph 5:3-5 NAU)
We pray, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done. Ephesians 5 shows us what God s Kingdom looks like. This is not a recommended list for a Christian, these are the imperatives! The list is not only what we must NOT DO, but also addresses DESIRE. Notice the connection between coveting and idolatry.
A word about conversations 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. You will need to ask God for wisdom in each situation.
What is the point of this lesson? 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. (1Th 3:13 NAU)
Jesus is coming again 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1Jo 3:2-3 NAU)
Next class December 20th Chapter 9