Temple Living

Introduction:

· A sexualized culture, then & now

HERE’S WHERE THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW IS ENORMOUSLY HELPFUL BECAUSE IT SHOWS US WHAT’S WRONG, AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. SO , LET’S LOOK AT THE TEMPTATION, HOW CHRISTIAN HOPE CHANGES OUR VIEW ON SEX, AND HOW WE CAN LIVE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF IT.

I) A Christian Critique of The World’s Ethics

A. Is the Church Different from the World?

i. Lawsuits to Sex: Life in the Kingdom of God

1. A strange segue? Is there a connection? (see vv. 1-8)

2. The Connective tissue: How the “unrighteous” Live (vs. 1, 9)

ii. A Contemporary Warning: When it comes to Sex, the Church looks like the world

1. Corinthians’ behavior fit in well with the world (vv. 9-11)

2. Does the world shape our ethic or vice versa? (Porn? Extra-marital sex?)

B. Two Cultural Assumptions Adopted by the Church

i. Anything is permissible (vs. 12)

1. Sex is recreation so we may enjoy however we see fit (esp. if consensual)

2. BUT: we’ll become enslaved (see vs. 12b)

3. EXAMPLE: Scent of a Woman depicts our culture well

ii. Food for the stomach(vs. 13)

1. Sex is an appetite to satisfy at all costs (hence chastity is unthinkable)

2. EXAMPLE: C.S. Lewis

BUT HE’S ALSO OFFERING SOMETHING BETTER.

II) Christian Hope for Sexual Ethics

A. The Present: Sex Joins Us Together Deeply

i. God’s Design in sex: Don’t be one, unless you become One (vv. 14-17)

1. Sex isn’t just physical, but the vulnerability of giving your self over

2. Try as we might, we can’t NOT do this!

3. EXAMPLE: Seinfeld episode

ii. God’s Design for Sex: A pointer to Spiritual Realities

1. God’s Spirit dwells in us & is present with us even in (vv. 15-17, 19)

2. Sex in marriage is a shadow that points us to Christ’s love for the church

B. Our Future Hope: The Resurrection Hope for our Bodies

i. Not Destroyed but Raised (vs. 14)

1. Where does the quote end? God won’t destroy, but will raixe

2. The body isn’t a disposable shell for our (valuable) soul but valued itself

ii. Resurrection Hope in a Sexualized Culture

1. Since hope shapes the present, we avoid that which is sinful

2. Since hope shapes the present, we affirm the goodness of the body

SO, HOW WE LIVE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF ALL OF THIS? LET’S LOOK AT TWO WAYS.

III) A Christian Sexual Ethic

A. Remember Who You Are NOT (vv. 9-11a)

i. Out of this world: We are not that way anymore

1. We have been washed, sanctified, justified: New creatures!

2. So, we can’t let the morality of the world define us any longer

3. APPLICATION: What is definig your morality on sexual issues?

ii. Therefore, take steps to flee (vs. 18)

1. Identify what creates temptation: Lonelienss? Stress? Being alone?

2. Take steps to leave these behind (internet filter; don’t put yourself in temptation)

B. Remember Who You Are (vs. 11b)

i. Made Holy To Live Holy

1. Is it lawful?

2. Is it beneficial?

3. Will it enslave me?

ii. Bought to Honor God

1. Since we have been “bought” all we do is to be an act of worship!

2.

Transition:

Conclusion

Christopher Yuan’s story