Called Out - (W. 5 - Text - Threats against Marriage)

“The Truth about Marriage” (Pt. 2)

Pastor Collin did a fantastic job last week preaching on the topic of marriage.

This week we are going to look at the truth about marriage, and how our habits now will impact our future marriage.

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 KJV 1900

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

The greatest threat to your future marriage is living to please yourself.

1. The Pursuit of Pleasure

v. 1-2

Notice

a. Instruction

1 Thessalonians 4:1 KJV 1900

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Paul said, “Listen, we’ve been over this instruction and how you should live. I’ve taught you the truth.”

We heard last week what marriage is.

Recap:

1. Marriage is designed by God

It was good that God put man and woman together.

She became his helper and there is a mutual companionship in marriage.

2. God provides the Companionship

Husband and wife complement each other

Union between and husband and wife is permanent (One flesh)

3. Marriage is a divine covenant

Beulah

4. Marriage is a Good thing

b. Intention

1 Thessalonians 4:1 KJV 1900

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Walk and to please God.

Pleasing God should be our main intention.

But this is where we lose people.

People believe a lie that teaches you can do whatever you want to do with no reprucussions or consequences, that God will be very pleased with it and that there’s joy.

1. When we live to please ourselves we:

2. choose lust over love.

get confused over consequences. (why would God let this happen to me?)

b. Incentive

1 Thessalonians 4:2 KJV 1900

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is the one that told us to live like this.

Oh, this isn’t Hayden’s idea? Okay good!

who are you aiming to please?

2. The Practice of Purity

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 KJV 1900

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

WHat does walking in purity involve?

a. Surrender

the word “will” means an “attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over the others.”

favors one way over the other.

Everyone is looking for God’s will, until God’s will doesn’t look like something they enjoy.

it’s participating in something with God

What is God’s will?

God’s will is for you to participate with His Word.

In terms of this verse, what is His will?

abstain from fornication.

What is fornication?

Anything sexual outside of the husband and wife relationship.

the mind will misunderstand what the heart hates

You know it’s wrong, but your mind has convinced itself that it’s okay.

WHAT ABOUT PORN?

9 out of 10 boys and 6 out of 10 girls are exposed to pornography online before the age of 18.The first exposure to pornography among boys is 12 years old, on average.83% of boys and 57% of girls are exposed to group sex online.69% of boys and 55% of girls are exposed to same-sex intercourse online.

IT’S NOT A BIG DEAL BRO:

Webroot Cybersecurity says: 28,258 users are watching pornography every second. $3,075.64 is spent on porn every second on the Internet. Pornography Statistics | 6 40 million Americans regularly visit porn sites. 35% of all Internet downloads are related to pornography. Pornhub, the world’s most popular porn website, reports that in 2017, there were:19 28.5 billion annual visits to the website.

81 million daily average visits.

25 billion searches performed.

50,000 searches per minute. 800 searches a second.

4,052,542 videos uploaded. 68 years worth of content uploaded.

3,732 pentabytes of information transferred (enough to fill the memory of every iPhone on Earth).

I DON’T DO THAT THOUGH BRO.

The following percentages of men say they view pornography at least several times a week: 63% of 18-30 year olds; 38% of 31-49 year olds; 25% of 50-68 year olds.

The following percentages of women say they view pornography at least once a month: 76% of 18-30 year olds; 16% of 31-49 year olds; 4% of 50-68 year olds.

The following percentages of women say they view pornography at least several times a week: 21% of 18-30 year olds; 5% of 31-49 year olds; 0% of 50-68 year olds.

55% of married men say they watch porn at least once a month, compared to 70% of unmarried men.

IT’S JUST A RELIGIOUS ISSUE.

EFFECTS ON YOU

Lasting negative or traumatic emotional responses.

Earlier onset of first sexual intercourse, thereby increasing the risk of STDs over the lifespan.

PEOPLE BECOME OBJECTS

The belief that being married or having a family are unattractive prospects.

GOD’S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AREN’T IMPORTANT TO YOU.

CASUAL SEX ISN’T A BIG DEAL

PRE-MARITAL SEX ISN’T A BIG DEAL.

Increased risk for developing sexual compulsions and addictive behavior. Increased risk of exposure to incorrect information about human sexuality long before a minor is able to contextualize this information in ways an adult brain could.

b. Self-control

1 Thessalonians 4:4–5 KJV 1900

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

What is self-control?

Fruit of the Spirit.

It’s the trait of resolutely controlling ones desires (which lead to actions)

That comes from making your mind up before you’re tempted.

I’m choosing to believe God’s Word and not mine.

3. The Purpose of Purity

1 Thessalonians 4:6–8 KJV 1900

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

a. Punishment of not being Pure

sexual sin is a sin against 3 people.

you, God, and someone else.

God is going to see it and judge us for it.

There are consequences to this.

b. Petition for Purity

God has called us to holiness!

c. Principle to follow

The demand for holiness comes from GOd’s essence