Sexual Bondage

Week 6
Main Point and Overview:   

Think “Sin City” Las Vegas! That was Corinth! Surrounded by prostitution, drunkenness, and gross amounts of idol worship, the Corinthians had a ton of temptation surrounding them. Even the “religions” were filled with immorality. The temple of the “love goddess” Aphrodite was in Corinth. This temple employed more than a thousand prostitutes as priestesses, and sex was a regular part of the worship ritual. The Apostle Paul clearly stated that Christians were to have no part in sexual immorality, even if it was acceptable and popular in culture. The sexual union is to be between one woman and one man in marriage. When you begin to “step outside of God’s will” in this area, it has been proven to create all kinds of issues. Sex is not meant to be experienced with multiple partners. Paul made it clear to the Corinthians that one of the benefits of marriage was the sexual union. The majority of people have sexual needs that must be met, and if they are not met, it causes frustration. One of the “elephants in the room” in the American church is sex. Are Christian marriages prioritizing a healthy sex life? Are claimed followers of Jesus protecting their hearts and minds with the opposite sex? How many disciples of Jesus are “hiding” in sexual slavery? Sexual immorality is never ok. In fact, throughout the New Testament, it is always a recurring theme of something for Christians to avoid. On the other hand, sex is a beautiful part of the marriage union. The “oneness” of the sexual union is an illustration of the unity of Christ and his church. The immense pleasure found in the sexual union is God’s precious gift to a husband and a wife. It is meant to be celebrated with joy. It is meant to be “regularly” experienced. It is meant to be a blessing and not a burden. Then, the apostle goes on to give “expectations” for various relational stages and circumstances of life. Singlehood is NOT a curse; it’s a stage of life! Embrace it with anticipation for what God has next if you are living in this stage. When you have experienced the pain of divorce or rejection, remember that God still has a plan for your life to be experienced as long as you are obedient to him even in the pain. Ultimately, let’s reject sexual sin and live in obedience! God has “boundaries” for your own benefit!