Transcript sexual purity - Crestwoodchurchofchrist.org

SEXUAL PURITY
(I Thessalonians 4:1-8)
Introduction
 Times
Have Changed (2 Peter 2:19)
 The Mass Media Is Harmful
 Reasons For The Downward Spiral
Sexuality Is A Blessing
 Eve
was Adam’s helper
 Perfect
partner. (Genesis 2:18-25)
 They were to reproduce.
(Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3-5)
 Sexual relations a source of pleasure.
(Proverbs 5:15-21; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
Sexuality Is A Blessing
 Man
 It
has perverted this blessing.
is a gift God placed within marriage.
 Roman Catholicism holds that it is for
reproductive purposes only.
 Their opposition to artificial birth control
stems from this belief.
Sexuality Is A Blessing
 Sinful
uses of this great gift
 Premarital
sex- fornication.
(Galatians 5:19-21)
 Extramarital sex- adultery.
(Mark 6:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 16-18;
Hebrews 13:4)
 Same sex relations- homosexuality
(Romans 1:26, 27; Leviticus 20:13-16)
PREMARITAL SEX KEEPS ONE FROM
GIVING A SPECIAL WEDDING GIFT
 Evidence
 Overall
of moral decline
illegitimacy rate is 32.4%. (1999)
 Fornication is now called an “addiction.”
PREMARITAL SEX KEEPS ONE FROM
GIVING A SPECIAL WEDDING GIFT
 Evidence
 Some
of moral decline
biologists even suggested that
“President Clinton has followed the genetic
program handed down by human evolution:
have as much sex with as many females as
possible in the Darwinian quest for
hereditary survival . . .”
(Washington Times, March 1999)
PREMARITAL SEX KEEPS ONE FROM
GIVING A SPECIAL WEDDING GIFT
 Clearly
condemned by God
 Sexual
relations are only right in marriage.
(Hebrews 13:4)
 Fornication is “illicit sexual intercourse.”
(Matthew 5:32; 19:9; I Corinthians 6:13, 18;
Galatians 5:19-21)
 Includes bestiality.(Leviticus 20:15, 16)
PREMARITAL SEX KEEPS ONE FROM
GIVING A SPECIAL WEDDING GIFT
 Clearly
condemned by God
 Associated
sins that often precede
fornication are lasciviousness, immodesty,
and the use of alcohol and drugs
(Galatians 5:19-21; I Timothy 2:8-15; I
Peter 4:3)
EXTRAMARITAL SEX SHATTERS
PRECIOUS HOPES AND
DREAMS

Surveys say that as many as 50% have cheated
on their mate.
 Marriage counselors call it a “cure.”
 “According to evolutionary psychology, it is
natural for both men and women, at some
time, under some circumstances, to commit
adultery or to sour on a mate . . .”
(Quoted by Cal Thomas, Indianapolis Star,
8/17/94)
EXTRAMARITAL SEX SHATTERS
PRECIOUS HOPES AND DREAMS
 God has always condemned this sin.
 In
the O.T. it was punishable by death.
(Leviticus 20:10)
 In the N.T. it became the only reason for
divorcing a mate.
(Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Romans 7:2, 3)
 Those who do not have a Scriptural right
to remarry are living in adultery.
(I Corinthians 6:9-11; Colossians 3:5)
HOMOSEXUALITY HAS BECOME A
TEST OF ONE’S TOLERANCE OF SIN
 Homosexuals
 In
are “out of the closet”
public policy terms it is compared to the
struggle for civil rights of minorities.
 June 2000 was declared “Gay and Lesbian
Pride Month.”
 They advocate same sex marriages.
HOMOSEXUALITY HAS BECOME A
TEST OF ONE’S TOLERANCE OF SIN
 Strongly
 This
condemned sin and unnatural
has impacted even brethren.
 In the O.T. it brought the death penalty.
(Leviticus 20:13)
 It is called “unnatural.” (Romans 1:26, 27)
 It’s defenders say that Sodom and
Gomorrah were destroyed because of
inhospitality. (Genesis 19; Jude 7)
Conclusion
 Trying
Times For The Godly
 Standing For Truth or Politically Correct?
 Must Be A Clear Difference