Noble Experiment (3)

Because you matter, your sexual integrity matters.

Have you ever had a hard time with your friends or family figuring out the TRUTH of a situation?

Hot dog sandwich

GOAT (Basketball? Football?)

Best fries?

Ridiculous examples I know, BUT…

Competing ideas - Whats right, whats wrong, whats TRUE

Conclusion - SEX

In HS/MS - Lots of opinions about Sex - Can be confusing when we try to figure out the truth!

Alot said about sex - Church, friends, family (birds/bees), TV/Music/Movies

Culture and Church Differ

CULTURE

● Judgement if you aren’t sexually active.

● Judgement if you have been sexually active with a lot of people.

● What sex is supposedly like.

CHURCH

● Just don’t do it.

● Sex is off limits./Shame

● If you have been sexually active, you aren’t as worthy or whole.

Mixed messages - Whats True?

Before that though…

What we’re going to talk about is something that is possible for all of us.

Sexual integrity is a choice you can make no matter what you’ve experienced sexually.

Active? Abuse? Porn? - Integrity is still possible.

God Loves you, and sees you as so valuable. Safe place - People care

So, what does living with sexual integrity actually mean?

One of the best places to look - The Bible

Paul writes a passage to a Church struggling with Sexual Integrity

Passage goes beyond JUST sex…Listen

Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV).

He says, “Your bodies are a temple.”

Paul also says, “You are not your own.”

Paul says that our bodies matter, so what they do with our bodies matters

And remember what I said earlier: There is no experience you’ve had, decision you’ve made, or way someone else has treated you that changes your value.

Think about this: When something really matters to us—when we really value it—there is a good chance that we do our best to take care of it.

Rachel Wedding Letter

Our Bodies are worth taking care of and protecting. The reason? Because we belong to God, our bodies are the place where the Holy Spirt dwells.

This means you are of incredible worth and value to God. Or to say it a little differently, you matter! And. . .

Because you matter, your sexual integrity matters.

Here’s the thing: Sex was created to be good, but it is also powerful.

Pay attention to what sex and our choices surrounding sex can lead to

It can literally create life, not what we are getting into today, but its POWERFUL

Impact on relationships

Because you matter, your sexual integrity matters.

Here is a definition: Sexual integrity is guarding your potential for intimacy through appropriate boundaries and mutual respect.

Most intimate thing people can do - Bonds relationships - Done out of a deep love for a spouse

That’s why it’s important to have good boundaries around sex.

Messages we listen to

How are we treating others? Respect and Honor?

Boundaries should honor God, ourselves, and others

When its important to you, you will naturally honor others.

Brother/Sister in Christ

So, no matter where you’re at when it comes to sex, it’s important that you understand what you’re worth: You are worth sexual integrity.

o You are worth having boundaries, and you are worth people respecting your boundaries.

o You are worth commitment, an exclusive marriage relationship shared by two people who commit to loving each other fully.

o It’s worth it to treat others like they have value and worth as well because sexual integrity values both us and them.

To be clear: Sexual activity doesn’t change your worth. You’re not worth or loved any less to God because of choices that you’ve made or anything that has happened to you.

You can always choose sexual integrity.

Integrity = Authenticity + Good Character. 

Can you imagine how our world would be different if more people practiced sexual integrity?

Relationships would be healthier.

Sex would be known as a good and powerful part of life.

Our world would be safer for everyone, especially women, and there would be less abuse.

People would treat each other with more honor and respect.