1. INTRO:

Ø WATCH OUT KIDS: MAY WANT TO SEND OUT WITH SARAH.

Ø Playing the “dark boy game” in my basement.

Ø Light & understanding are the enemy of Satan. He’s more effective when we’re confused and fail to deal honestly and w/others about temptations.

2. REVIEW & SETUP:

Ø In 2 of last 3 weeks: immorality. Some R tired of it. Feel that instead of feeding sheep, I am “beating the sheep.”

Ø God in Corinth hit problem from various angles to combat a difficulty in that culture that we share in USA.

Ø So, we‘ll move over parts quickly, not “beating the sheep,” and look at broader applications & principles.

Ø We learned: only “approved sex” within marriage, everything else FLEE, and while natural, sex not t/purpose of t/body, & shouldn’t control. “Resistance is not futile.”

Ø Sometimes we think God doesn’t get it about things like sex. So, at least in practice, we decide to look for answers elsewhere.

Ø Today’s passage brings out just how well he gets it.

Ø Let’s do some honest and unashamed reflection so we can get what he gets and find freedom and healing.

Ø Chapters 7–11 of 1 Corinthians = Paul’s answers to practical questions believers in Corinth had posed. The first: marriage.

3. Sexuality & Those Already Married

Ø Scripture gives numerous reasons for marriage. Procreation. God commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28). Pleasure. Song of Solomon attractions and pleasures. Protects from sexual immorality by meeting the need for physical fulfillment. Vs.2

Ø Marriage is intended to reduce sexual tension & thus temptation. It is not wrong to need help from a spouse to stay pure.

Ø Clearly husbands & wives have a duty to satisfy each other. There is no distinction between men and women.

Ø Failure for Christian husbands and wives to submit sexually to their spouses is disobedience to God.

Ø Duty to give NOT = right to demand)

Ø The only exception is by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Mutual consent is required, not unilateral.

Ø We are setting the table for sexual sin in our mates if they burn, and we don’t see it as part of marriage to put out that fire.

Ø Sexual abstinence is never to be used as a means of intimidating or manipulating one’s spouse. Physical love is to be a normal and regular experience shared by both marriage partners alike, as a gift from God.

4. Sexuality & Those Not Yet Married

Ø Because unfulfilled sexual desire is very strong, there is great temptation to sexual immorality for those who are not married, especially in societies—such as that of ancient Rome and our own—where sexual license is freely practiced and glorified.

Ø The reason given above for marriage is almost an admission that those built for marriage will find it next to impossible to stay pure without that kind of help.

Ø God Himself declared at creation that “it is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18). God ordained marriage to be the most fulfilling means of companionship.

Ø If a single believer did not have self–control, that person should seek to marry. Let them marry in the Greek is in the aorist imperative, “Get married!”

Ø I believe that once a Christian couple decides to get married they should do it fairly quickly.

Ø Deciding about marriage obviously is more difficult for the person who has strong sexual desires but who has no immediate prospect for a husband or wife. It is never God’s will for Christians to marry unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14).

Ø There are several things that Christians in this dilemma ought to do.

1. They should seek a person they can love, trust, and respect.

2. To find the right person; be the right person. Then, He will send right person at right time.

3. Avoid temptation: spiritual service and physical activity. FLEE temptation: avoid listening, looking, being around… “Whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, anything excellent & worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Ph 4:8).

4. Realize will provide strength to resist temptation. “God is faithful, & will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13)

5. Give thanks to the Lord for our situation and be content in it.

5. Sexuality & Those Never To Marry

Ø In one sense, Paul wished that all believers could be unmarried, even as I myself am. He said that in light of the great freedom and independence he had as a single person to serve Christ. VS.25ff - READ

Ø Permanent singleness is a good option for still unmarried Christians, but it is a gift from God. For a person who does not have the gift of celibacy, trying to practice it brings moral and spiritual frustration.

Ø Among Christians today singleness is often looked on as a second–class condition. “Not so,” says the apostle. If singleness is God’s gift to a person, he can live in singleness all his life in perfect contentment and happiness. Singleness has many practical advantages. It allows much greater freedom in where and how a person serves the Lord. Jesus told the disciples on one occasion, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it” (Matt. 19:12).

Ø Those who are single when converted to Christ should know that it is good for them to stay that way. Many well–meaning Christians want to play cupid, but mature believers must resist it.

6. Invite:

What are some non-sexual aspects: putting others first in very practical ways, the response of believers to nearly overwhelming temptation in the life of another, the lengths we go to avoid sin, the degree of oneness in marriage, dealing with seemingly impossible situations,