Only for Marriage

Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1Corinthians 6:13 (NIV)

I.   Is Everything permissible? (12)

     A.  Not everything is Good for you (12a)

           1.  Hey it’s a free country!

                 a.  Lie: Sex in love great, without it not bad either!

                 b.  Lie: 2 consenting adults–it’s legal (therefore it's okay)

                 c.  Lie: Who does it hurt, really?

           2.  Half a poison pill?

                 a.  1/2 a poison pill won’t kill you. So its OK (?!)

                 b.  If you dance too close to the edge of a cliff, eventually you fall.

                 c.  Some things are foolish to mess with.

           3.  Sex outside of marriage isn’t good for you!

                 a.  Sexual sin is against your own body (18)

                 b.  Safe sex? Really ?!

                 c.  STD’s: 100's, some without a cure, or fool-proof protection

                 d.  Low sexual standards=low self-esteem

     B.  Don’t be a slave to Indulgence (12b)

           1.  Lie: Food for...:Don’t deny natural impulses

                 a.  Argument: sex is natural, denial isn’t.

                 b.  Lie: Pleasure is good. Why deny yourself?

                 c.  Lie: As long as you love the person at the time, what’s the harm?

           2.  Is abstinence really possible?

                 a.  Lie: We can’t expect teens to abstain

                 b.  Are we saying teens can’t control themselves?

           3.  Indulgence enslaves

                 a.  We become victims of our body’s whims

                 b.  We become victims of our emotional whims

                 c.  Is gluttony good? Consequences?

II.  Our bodies Belong to Christ (13-17)

     A.  Our bodies are Meant for the Lord (13b)

           1.  We’re created as physical and spiritual beings

                 a.  God gave us both bodies and minds

                 b.  We’re created to honor God

           2.  Not just our souls and spirits

                 a.  Christianity isn’t just a “spiritual” thing

                 b.  We can’t live without our bodies

                 c.  Be devoted body and soul

           3.  God made your private parts too!

                 a.  They belong to Him–are meant for Him

                 b.  They belong under His authority (like the rest of you)

     B.  Jesus died to Raise our bodies (14)

           1.  Do you believe in resurrection of the dead?

                 a.  Jesus died to free us from sin

                 b.  Result=resurrection from the dead

           2.  Our bodies will be recreated (cf. 13!)

                 a.  To be like his resurrected body (Phil 3:21)

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.1 Cor 15:42-44

     C.  We are One with Christ (15, 17)

           1.  The Spirit unites us with Christ

                 a.  This union is like a bride & groom!

                 b.  Our union with Christ is deeper (17)

           2.  Even our bodies! (15)

                 a.  Our bodies are members of His body

                 b.  We’re His body parts

           3.  Are we an unfaithful bride of Christ?

                 a.  Are we cheating on Christ?

                 b.  Be faithful to your unity with Him!

III. Our bodies are the Spirit’s Temple (19)

     A.  Our bodies are Holy Places

           1.  Not play grounds

                 a.  Would you skateboard thru a cathedral?

                 b.  Your body isn’t a cheap toy

                 c.  We’re the temple not the playground!

           2.  Not irrelevant (yes it’s a big deal!)

                 a.  Big lie: “It’s just sex. It’s no big deal.”

                 b.  Yes it is! Sex is always a big deal.

                 c.  What you do with your body has everything to do with serving God!

           3.  Temple: where God is specially present

                 a.  Your body is more holy than any man-made building

                 b.  God’s Spirit lives in your body! (19)

                 c.  How are you gonna treat God’s temple?

     B.  Run (don’t Walk) from sexual sin! (v.18)

           1.  Don’t play with fire!

                 a.  Kids don’t know what fire can do

                 b.  Fire looks exciting, get’s your attention

                 c.  Adults know fire destroys

                 d.  Fire can’t be controlled, only limited.

           2.  Like Joseph—even if it “looks bad”

                 a.  Run like Joseph from Potiphar’s wife

                 b.  Who cares what your friends say?

                 c.  It’s okay for guys to say no to sex.

           3.  Know your limits and stay well back

                 a.  No speed records running from sin?!

                 b.  When it’s dry, don’t play with fire!

                 c.  Don’t try to see how low the bar will go, try to see how high you can go.

     C.  Bring Honor to God with our bodies

           1.  Our bodies aren’t bad for being sexual!

                 a.  God created our parts and our design

                 b.  Sexual urges are normal and God-made

                 c.  God’s intention is that they drive you to marriage, not to a cheap thrill

           2.  Outside marriage honor God by abstaining

                 a.  Wait. Just wait.

                 b.  It’s good. It’s possible. It honors God.

                 c.  You can do it! You won’t regret it!

                 d.  Virginity isn’t a dirty word!

           3.  Inside marriage by faithfulness

                 a.  Stay faithful to God by staying faithful to your spouse

                 b.  Don’t withhold sex (1Cor 7:3, ff)

                 c.  Be celibate except with your spouse

The Bottom Line:

HoR: Take My Life and Let it Be B#462 v.1