Untitled Sermon

Fleeing From the Flames: The Pursuit of Purity

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 6:18–20, Matthew 5:28, Ephesians 4:19, Ephesians 5:31–32, Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 2:5, Proverbs 5:3–5, Matthew 5:27–28, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 51:17

Summary: This collection of passages addresses the issue of sexual sin, emphasizing the call for purity and the transformative power of God to renew our hearts and minds.

Application: This sermon encourages believers to recognize the gravity of sexual sin and its impact on their relationship with God, urging them to flee from immorality and seek forgiveness and restoration, thereby fostering a deeper connection with Christ.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that sexual sin can destroy our relationship with God and one another, but through Christ’s redeeming work, we can experience true transformation and live in accordance with God’s design for sexuality.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ is the ultimate source of redemption and renewal. He offers forgiveness for our sins and the possibility of a transformed heart, which is foundational for overcoming sexual sin in a world filled with temptations.

Big Idea: We must flee from sexual immorality because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and by doing so, we embrace the transformative power of Christ, allowing Him to renew our hearts and guide our relationships.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, consider exploring the Greek terms used for sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6:18 and how they relate to cultural understandings of sexuality today. You may also want to look into commentaries on Ephesians 5:31–32, especially concerning the theological implications of marriage as a reflection of Christ and the church. Additionally, utilizing the Logos library for understanding the historical context of Proverbs 5 can enhance your insights into the wisdom literature's view of sexual purity.

1. Sanctified Shelter: Honor God's Temple

1 Corinthians 6:18–20

Maybe start by reminding your listeners that their body is sacred, as it hosts the Holy Spirit. Urge them to recognize that fleeing sexual sin is an act of worship unto God. Encourage them to see sexual purity not as mere abstention but as a form of honor to God’s temple. Highlight that our value in Christ gives us the reason and strength to maintain purity.

2. Visionary Virtue: Transform Inner Desire

Matthew 5:27–28

Perhaps emphasize that Jesus elevates the commandment against adultery to include even lustful thoughts. Suggest this reshapes purity to be not only physical but mental. Challenge your congregation to examine their hearts and thoughts and to bring them under Christ's transformative power. Offer the hope that Jesus provides the grace needed for inner purity and transformation.

3. Guard the Gates: Soften Your Heart

Ephesians 4:19

You could point out how a hardened heart leads to increasingly destructive behaviors. Encourage your listeners to guard against desensitization to sin, and to seek a heart softened by Christ through prayer and continuous immersion in God’s word. Suggest fostering an environment where purity is cultivated and not corrupted by the world.

4. Covenantal Commitment: Model Holy Union

Ephesians 5:31–32

Highlight Paul's view of marriage as a profound mystery reflecting Christ’s relationship with the church. Encourage those married or contemplating marriage to see it as a sacred covenant. For all believers, suggest reflecting this spiritual truth by modeling relationships on Christ’s love and purity, nurturing self-sacrificial love and fidelity.

5. Heartfelt Hope: Renewal Through God

Psalm 51:10

Maybe conclude with the hope of a renewed heart. Encourage your audience to plead with God for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. Reinforce the idea that it’s God's work in our hearts that brings about true change. End on a note of encouragement that God eagerly renews and restores those who seek Him, offering strength for the journey to purity.

If you are married, consider how your physical intimacy fosters emotional connection. This week set aside intentional time to reconnect without distractions. Put away devices, light a candle, and engage in meaningful conversation. Explore how your sexual relationship can reflect God’s design for unity and joy in marriage, discussing any barriers that might exist, whether they be stress from work or parenting duties. Pray together for openness and healing in your sexual relationship, inviting God to restore the intimacy that mirrors His love for the church.

If you're single and navigating the pressures of the dating world, consider redefining your understanding of sexual purity. Set personal boundaries that align with your faith, such as limiting physical contact on dates or avoiding situations that lead to temptation. Create a prayer and accountability group with friends who share your convictions, allowing you to support one another in pursuing relationships that prioritize God’s purpose. Reflect on how God’s design for sex is part of His promise for your future and let that guide your decisions.

We are ourselves so infected and affected by sin that we are altogether incapable of estimating its due merits.

Arthur Walkington Pink

There have been false teachers in the past who have said that some of these natural instincts are sinful. There have been those who have regarded the sex instinct, for instance, as inherently and essentially sinful. It is not so. It is God who put it in us as a vital part of the body. There is nothing wrong in sex. Wrong comes in when sex dominates the whole person, instead of being kept in its right position, and put to its right use. The New Man, 75

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

There was a time when everybody would agree in condemning sexual perversion, but not today—it is almost gloried in. That is public opinion with respect to morality. You never know. A view that is right today may be wrong tomorrow. Authentic Christianity (1), 130

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

All sin, regardless of its character, is ultimately directed against the Lord God. There is no such thing as private or personal sin. Every sin that is committed affects others, but in its terminal point, every sin affects God.

Edward E. Hindson