Sunday, February 12, 2006

Singleness and Sex

Download this sermon

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor. 6:19-20

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:12-14

Q1: Why did God invent sexual desire?
Answer 1: God created us with sexual desire is to see to it that mankind would fill the earth with people.
"God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it."' Genesis 1:27,28


Answer 2: "God created (these things) to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth."
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4:1-5


Q2: What are God’s words of guidance to those who are not married?
In the NT porneia is translated as "fornication," "unchastity" or "immorality." Generally it refers to sexual promiscuity of unmarried people.

Matthew 15:19 Jesus says, "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, . . ."

The Bible calls sexual intercourse outside marriage, sin.

Galatians 5:19 – Sex outside of marriage is listed with the works of the flesh.
Ephesians 5:3 – Sex outside of marriage should never have to be named among Christians.
Colossians 3:5 – Sex outside of marriage is first on Paul's list of things we
should put to death in ourselves.
Revelation 9:21 – Sex outside of marriage is listed with murder, sorcery and theft as things a
hardened people would not repent of.

1 Corinthians 7:2,8&9 “Because of temptation to immorality (i.e., fornication) each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. . . To the unmarried (men and women) and to the widows I say it is well for them to remain single as I do. But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.”

Answer: Abstain.

Q3: Why did God command that we find gratification for our sexual desires only in marriage?

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39

Answer: Marriage is distinguished from other chosen relationships by its permanence and sex is an expression of love reserved exclusively for marriage.



8 PRACTICAL POINTS OF COUNSEL FOR THE SINGLE PERSON:

ONE: do not seek sexual satisfaction through touching or being touched by another person even if you stop short of sexual intercourse.

TWO: avoid unnecessary sexual stimulation.

THREE, when the stimulation comes and the desire starts to rise perform a very conscious act of transfer onto Christ.
"Jesus, you are my Lord and my God, and my greatest desire is to know and love and obey you, so this desire is really for you. I take it from your competitor, I purge it and I direct it to you. Thank you for freeing me from the bondage of sin."

FOUR, pray that God would give you a desire to know and love and obey Him above all else.

FIVE, saturate your mind in God's word.
Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

SIX, keep yourself busy, and when it is time for leisure, choose things that are pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

SEVEN, don't spend too much time alone.

EIGHT, Resolve to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will add to you everything you need - - - sexually.