Secret Sins - Pornography
Couple things I wanted to share. First of all, I'm glad that you're here glad to have this opportunity to worship our Lord and to sing songs that would praise and lift up his name these two things. I want to do Cher real quick. You talk about not seeing things right in front of your eyes or whatever. It was. I was thinking this person that was writing to us was writing to someone it was actually his address. This is an inmate. We we I don't know how many thousands of men and women we've come into contact with the last 6-7 years at the jail. Apparently, this person is in a state prison and has been sending checks recently for us to put in the collection plate $5 a check each time. I just find it absolutely amazing. And so many people that we come to contact. I don't know this name here, but if you know who I mean Kenneth Paul Cove, it is come see me and talk to me cuz it he's been sitting a number of these checks recent the second thing this morning. I was given a letter from another inmate that the men on Tuesdays go to Mexico City at the county jail. And it's burning be you guys have been mentioning him recently while he wrote a letter and I want to share this later cuz I just got it this morning before the service. I hope this letter finds you all doing. Okay, and I most certainly hope you receive it in the spirit that it is written. It's written in sincerity and thanks for your service and devotion for God's people who need knowledge and areas of life that will bitter them. I truly miss you guys and my heart longs to fellowship with you all. I must admit that in the short time that we spent together. I felt a closeness that I cannot explain but I will continue in prayer as I hope that you will also and the saints that someday soon. We will all praise and worship together in spirit and Truth the drug court denied me reason being that they felt like I'm more of a dealer than a user. I wish they could simply see that I'm a sinner a drug court recommended through Community Corrections, which is a stripped version of Probation and my lawyer who is name is getting off my case because I'm no longer able to pay him. So pray that I'm blessed with a good public defender. That's up the faith. I want to I won't trouble you any longer. But please give all my love to all the Brethren continue in faith and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. As some of you know Brayden asked me to give the little bit of his bio that's published on the internet. But this is I think it's third addiction and because of that I think that the court system is is being a lot tougher on his situation but pray for Vernon is Jimmy knows Don knows him. Personally Ted Michael, I think you've met Vernon as well number Brezhnev have met Vernon. He wants to do the Lord's will and and if he gets out his desire at as his words to me is to come to Franklin because she is really been encouraged by the men that he's come to know at the church here. So pray for him in that regard. The last thing is that Julie and Levi and Dane. They're all home 6. I don't know if it's a virus a bug going around if we have some kind of food something or other recently, but keep them in your prayers as well. So you noticed over the last few months we've had sermons that have been pretty much heavy-hitting and I tried to have my break just because it can be so so boring that we need to teach peace. And so we did that for a few weeks and I want to deal with one more heavy-hitting thing before. I kind of take back a different line of pumps.
and by all means the subject matter this morning is on pornography, but it doesn't it's not limited to pornography as far as The totality of Secrets and right it could be a drug addiction. It can be. Infidelity and in other ways just our behavior that we keep secret and everyone else looks.
We're leaving well for god, but I walk is not and no one knows about it because the secret and so that's kind of what I'm focusing on but because of this down the road, I'll get some other metal Bean secrets in German, but I wanted to deal with pornography and I want to start by adding plug out tonight today. I wanted to share it because of the subject matter. I want to be very clear. I'll be very general and very discreet with my words because their children present things that I would like to actually address that I will not address on the subject of pornography if you were just only adults but that's one thing I've come to learn and I've done this to research that seemed It seemed like it was different numbers out. Look at research on pornography in this group says one thing in this room says something very very different. And so I wanted to address this. There's a difference between Pearl Harbor free in sexual scenes. And I think in the Christian Community if I can use that word Loosely pornography and its effects and skews the statistics that I'm going to be referring to and with that in mind. It also plays another aspect that I think is very telling Because when you do with it from a human standpoint non-Christian standpoint, the idea of pornography is not that big a deal in our society that we live in it was like in the first century was not that big a deal.
Then spills over into the mental health area discussion. And so from that standpoint when you have people who are engaged in pornography in the world. It's not affecting them as greatly and I'm not saying this in that it doesn't affect people are in the world it does but I'm talkin statistically it affects those who profess to be Christians much more those who profess to be religious people dependent or independent. More so than the world that says I just want to do what I want to do. And as a result of that some of the things that will be talking about this morning is in light of these differences games. I want to share that with you and the last thing I want to say and this is one that I want as the biggest takeaway of this morning sermon. That because of the statistics if the statistics are true, then there's pornography being viewed by us in this room. I mean statistically we have to make the case and it's not limited to just those who we think are weakening say they can be the preacher. It can be elders and deacons.
It's not limited to any one group and I want to say this to you if you are engaged in pornography. I know that while it is still sin. We hope in Christ.
And I want that. Hope to bless your life to help you as a Believer to walk with God and to be filled with his Spirit. It is not the end-all and I share that on the front side because I don't want to forget it in the middle of the sermon I shared on the front side because there are those who are Christians those who are professed Believers in Jesus Christ for leaving the faith because the church has viewed. It's so simple that they feel like they can never come back from it and they just leave them together. And sometimes as husbands or wives as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We may not give a brother or sister in Christ that moment of hope that they need to get past this. It's simply a stop it you're sending you're doing that which is wrong and butter and then we never give them the side of hope that is so needed. Especially if it's an addiction. So want to say that for the outside and that's the reason why I have Romans chapter 7 for those who don't know this text in Romans chapter 7 verses you love God you hate sin.
That's what we're all striving to deal with on this side of Eternity. So I want to say that on the front side. Read the book. I just was in in my search for the subject matter came across it and I would love to be able to read it. Cuz I was thinking about sticking to words one is the word prostitute of which the Greek word is poor name and the other word is what we get to wear dressing or two, right? So it's things that are written about prostitutes. But today we don't think we are an image driven Society. So what we think in images right and I'll just leave it at that and so in the book on the abstract written on various websites for this book is very telling weather on the printed page the television screen or the digital app. We live in a world and I'm talk about our world here. Let alone other industrialized nations. We live in a world saturated with images write me out.
What restaurant is that?
Image driven with David Winston. I was just doing the whole thing with Target right the whole thing. And so what we have are just driven society and see some images help shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us in a positive way lights images can do that. Just imagine me and you look at it like you see the image of a cross. A whole lotta money whole lot of background to that.
Images that can be for good can also lead us astray. So what others lead us astray and distort our relationships and that's the idea of our modern use of the word pornography. That's what happens here. What you see the power of pornography in this is from Barna and I think it's called Covenant eyes. And I know for sure is a research up with another research organization came up with these numbers and so for relaxed and they're looking at what's known as the prophecy Oribe jellicle Church of more conservative minds. And so these are individuals that you go to church twice a week then they put money in the plague and evangelicals today. This is their number, right? 60% church-going men and over 50% of pastors view p*** on a regular basis Remember the statistic cuz there's other statistics that a lot lower than this that are non-Christian Logistics. And the reason I'm saying is there's a big difference of how the view of pornography use from a young Christian adults from 18 to 24 years old 76% actively search for corn. Transparent with you doing research for sermon. I'm searching for p***. thumbs together with me Never saw a single p*** site, by the way, just let you know but in certain doing research for this, I wanted to know I see Judy because I remember 15 years ago giving a sermon on little more than 15 years ago.
whitehouse.com
Now those are your parents realize whitehouse.com you're doing research for your children about the White House. different White House
and that's what we learned. Oh my goodness. There is a lot of things that are not there anymore since then all the filters and what-have-you. I think our government has done a great job cracking down on now to get progress on pornography on the computer. Now, you have to have a fire or some kind of virus like program on your side. If you go to have to pay my understanding is so you should not be able to see anything unless they come again if your wife to do is turn on the TV. Open a book. Commercials and now you get what we refer to as pornography. See there's a difference between the actual definition and what we view as something as pornographic. So this is where this is coming from a ladder stand point of view of pornography 87% of Christian women. And what's more at some point in their life? 87% of 100 women in here only 13 if the numbers are never take have not seen it in their lifetime. 57% of pastors addiction is be most damaging issue in their congregation.
Those the deal with the Christians and the congregation say that that's how powerful these images are that affect the mind of a human being so that's a sign. What is the difference between the reality? And the reality is if we go back through history most congregation's if everyone want to be completely transparent completely honest.
Not just Franklin. Just about every church that you have ever visited every trick. You've been to at some point as so this is not unique. It is not a rare thing. But it is as we talked about some of the sermons in the last few months things that are taboo things that we don't want to talk about things. We sweep under the rug because you know these things So Satisfied knowledge to the reality of pornography and how are hold and how affected we are by it Here's the things that I want to see a general in the next couple slide, then we'll finish off from there. The last night is the most important slide, even if it's only one point and so I'm going to deal with some preliminary fundamental things with regard to this of the power of pornography in the image itself. Even in the research of them doing it and studying on you know, what drives the industry of pornography cuz it's a multibillion-dollar industry. If I'm not mistaken, it is like it is up there with the NFL in making money. And that's just from this country let alone the world as far as pornography because of something with its two words. That's where the idea of the origin of pornography about a writing about the prostitute. What do they do photos or videos of others whatever they may be Jesus addresses this concept right when he says, you know, you heard that it was said you you shall not commit adultery look upon a woman to lust after. He's getting a quote about the issue.
That's the real issue here, right and sold the idea of of images causing us. Never mind. Stray is the focus and when our minds are string beans because the heart leads us down that road. That's really what we're talking about here. And so whether it's going to be from from the books that we read the photos of videos, whatever they may be we have five string it is because of our minds we aren't I mentioned this to you and I'll make it one more time, but I remember specifically and especially not a Christian 17 years old. I'm at Kaanapali Beach and there's girls walking in their meanings. And I got my shades on so they cannot see that I'm watching them cuz that's where my heart is. Right? And so I share that because you know back then I don't have a mind for the Lord.
I would be very shocked. You say any man at any time any woman at any time has never looked at someone else with the rockets and short way. Even if it's nothing Beyond more than just longing actor with those eyes. It's an embarrassing thing.
Is it makes you look less spiritually minded? It looks makes you look less Christian.
These are things I think what we've done in our society particularly Western culture Western Hemisphere and culture is Everything is sexualized Everything so that when we go to other countries and we deal with subject matters of modest apparel.
Cousin Vinny other cultures things while it has been in modern since sexualized many senses. It's not right so you don't have like now we can't even have Mother's nursing your children without repercussions in our in our own Society because everything has become so sexualized that's because of these concepts of what's taking place in our modern culture images. Are changing shaping our culture? How about this? Sometimes we will? Ready to look at man to look at women go to internet dating sites. I've never been to one. I've never actually been to an Internet dating site. So I don't know what what takes place of how you can get in other than I think you have to pay money for it. That's only I know.
And get this because of these wandering eyes and the effects of pornography. Here's something that no matter. What's the matter from what perspective this is generally true. 50 / 50 + percent of American divorces involve one party having an obsessive interest
It's a huge huge statistic. We talk about you know finances and we talked about the marriage bed as being thing, but part of that equation in our modern American culture is having to do with pornography strain eyes. These are some of the the results that take place and so I want you to look at this concept to hear Proverbs chapter 6 verse 26 one woman is the wise woman that represents God's wisdom and the other woman is every bit as cunning every bit as wise, but for all the wrong reasons, and she this woman is referred to as a seductress. She's referred to as a harlot. That's the Hebrew word.
And so she brings in through her charms through her cunning ways a person who is simple-minded bad according to the Book of Proverbs chapter 6 verse 24 by Nina department on man is reduced to crust of bread. Rotella T4 What's interesting is I share this with you as a sidebar. I remember early early in my marriage with Julie. Just admit you're absolutely naive the world. You're brought up in a Christian way someone can. Make a fast song with the word flirt flirt. And you miss it. You don't even see it. I remember one day when it was quite obvious. There was some flirting going on and I went immediately told her I was getting my haircut right there's things that Can happen if you are taking him by the charms of another person with its male or female again, this woman is wisdom is personified in a bad way through this woman this woman like me just the opposite.
Is this concept of being taken in by someone through the flesh? And as a result your like it's ruined you come to nothing. So you're something that I want you to these are just very simple sermon to help us in the main point is to be in the next life. Don't you? See these these passages for what they are. It's not that we haven't already read these passages is not that we don't know these passages their simple, but they're to the Forefront of our minds when they are hopefully it will
The marriage bed is undefiled Hebrews chapter 13 verse for the management. God made a man and woman coming together in the confines of this beautiful arrangement of marriage a beautiful thing. Not ugly.
And again because I'm being discreet with my words and I'm just spit step away from things that I really want to share from the standpoint, but parents adults. Mary just beautiful
Always give I don't care for children say gross Mom and Dad. It's beautiful. Marriage is beautiful. The marriage bed is beautiful. Remember the Covenant that God has given to you write Romans chapter 7 beyond the scope of the immediate context you made a covenant with your spouse. And as a result, then remember the wife of your youth.
We'll get older. We don't look as handsome. We don't look as pretty.
But hopefully we've grown and matured and realize the beauty that is within a person and also realize that we're all Sinners and we because of being Sinners have our flaws and we have our flaws. We begin to look uglier in each other's eyes. Or we can look past those flaws because we have them ourselves and instead of casting net for stone. Right like the man that brought that woman caught in adultery. I have nothing to share. Cuz I'm a sinner 2.
It's so go back. Why did you marry the person that you married to that would stick to the marriage right now? Why did you marry this person?
the things that you love about this individual So there are things that can be done. If you're wanting to to have in some cases maybe a rekindling of your wedding vows and reflection upon why you got married in first place, but remember What does spousal put it on there because we're talking about secret sin of pornography is not limited to read naturally boconcept here is out of our individual walk with regardless of our agents. This is something that is not used to a message real quick as the one point of those two passages that are on that slide. I want you to see 1st Corinthians 7:4 what it actually says and against those Counter Culture for us. So, let's see if we can catch up to the text. Now concerning the things of which you were up to me verse verse 2 or verse one and then forced to it is good for a man not to touch a woman talk about being discrete. Nevertheless because of sexual immorality Let each man have his own wife and and let each woman have her own husband. did not say
don't get married if you don't love each other.
He said because of sexual immorality.
That's one of the big sins that was just read for us by brother in the scripture reading before the sermon write six Morality In Purity and unrighteousness mention anything in this is the concept one of the main major causes of our being in pure before God is the idea of sexual immorality. And so what
There's nothing wrong with two people coming together, but do it where it's honorable what reflects the image of God? Let your marriage and so if you're unmarried not what will hear and we've been single since Christian. That's the worst reason to get married. You may have said it you may believe it.
There's an inspired man of God saying because of sexual morality that each person have their relationships romanticized marriage and it's not that there aren't benefits to romance there there. But there is a base level of humanity within us. And marriage solves that so that we can Pro creature procreate so that we can populate the Earth. And sometimes we see things well past that because of our quote-unquote evolve Society. So I'm saying is. Someone that struggles with sexual Temptations. What can I do with our cultural context someone that you love?
These are generic but fundamental teachings that are right there in scripture for us, but that's not the most important thing. Here's the most important thing and it's fundamental to all of the Bible.
made in the image of God
Here's the irony of it all and I've already went when I was dealing with the subject of idolatry about two or three months ago. I was mentioning the idea by Dodge because what we do down to these images
What are we? where images Dead makeup handmade images we are living beings made in the image of God. We are in Genesis chapter 1 verse 26. I keep going back to this passage is Who We Are God said let us make man in our image in our likeness according to our likeness. What was that? truth peace kindness love joy all of these things that we see as evidence of the spirit of God in our lives Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 and 23 and 24 these things image of God when God made mankind, that's what his intention was that reflect the image of God. But we live our lives. We've lost it image. And Jesus comes along. And shows us what humanity is supposed to look like and so are those who come into this Kingdom we call the Lord's church or individuals that says Lord not my will but your will be done. I want to reflect your image in my life the way Jesus said I do your will. And of course, it is said of Jesus you are the express image the rating Glory of our God if you want any secrets in this is the answer to all the sermons that deal with any kind of sin if you want salvation from whatever sin that that weighs you down. You have to set your mind on Jesus. Is the author and finisher of our faith he is the one that died for us, right? He died for our sins so that we can be free from sin, but he did not only died for us.
Standard what it's like to be an image bearing human being.
That's the reason why. We go through our lives following in the footsteps of Jesus struggle through the difficulties of temptations that we are faced with so that we can walk.
That we are created in Christ Jesus for every good work. Your workmanship so God. We are a new creation in Christ. And as individuals were Christians knowing that every one of us in this room every single one of us everyone struggles with the flesh at some point in some way and it may not be from from this vantage point of pornography. It may not be from an addiction standpoint. You can be from whatever standpoint like
you can be from a standpoint of
Pride of the eagle gets in our way.
Whatever the situation is, we all struggle we get we get in fight with Temptations and fight between the spirit and the flesh within us.
Image of God will continue to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
So now what are you going to do? If you're struggling with pornography I can tell you what Jesus did when when that woman was out there right at the rate and people ready to Stone to test Jesus actually.
And Jesus says anyone without sin.
And after a while Jesus looks up and not a single person. Was there to condemn her any longer? And Jesus said to the woman.
Where are your accusers?
They all laughed. Is it neither? Do I accuse you or condemn you? Go and sin no more.
If you're struggling with the sin, even though it may be very difficult to do the simple answer is stop.
The hard and Sir is asked for help and asked for prayers by Family by Friends by your brother has confided in. I was a problem won't go away. I opened up with 1st Corinthians chapter 6. I did not actually go to the text. But in that list of 1st Corinthians chapter 6 among them are those who live in sexual morality and he says and such will not inherit the kingdom of God.
think of your soul your soul is way too valuable way to Precious. God loves you so much. What a loving and forgiving God we have.
Just as this is a secret saying you do not. And I mean Assassin series I can say that you do not need to make a public I'm struggling with this should you make it public brethren? We are not. You do anything except to build up a brother or sister in Christ. It would ever confess. I wanted to be absolutely clear. So if you privately ask God to forgive you. And you need help.
Your soul is way too precious. if you struggle with any other saying outside of the idea of pornography by all means