Stifling Misconception: It’s just sex … No big deal!
Liberating Truth: Sex is a very big deal. It is a sacred gift and a critical part of God’s design.
Sex completes God’s design for mankind:
Genesis 1:26-28
Perfecting his image.
Beginning his redemptive plan.
Sharing the gift of “oneness” with the woman and the man.
Genesis 2:22-25
Because sex sacred, Evil assaults it.
Assaulting the “Sacred”:
Fragmentation: Divide the sacred thing into parts based on how attractive they are to us.
Commoditization: Devise a method of consuming the attractive aspects of a sacred thing while avoiding the unattractive aspects.
Acquiescence: Convince ourselves that the resulting facsimile of the sacred though not what God intended, is “good enough for all practical purposes.”
Settling for lesser experiences, we are left unsatisfied and longing for more. Ironically, we continue to look to the inadequate facsimile in hope that it may eventually produce what we long for. IT NEVER CAN!
Ephesians 4:17-19
Stifling Misconception: Sex can be casual, it’s just about pleasure.
Liberating Truth: Sex is never casual, it is always “covenantal.” Sex is a celebration of promise.
1 Corinthians 6:13b-20
Ephesians 5:25-27
Stifling Misconception: My sex life is my business, it is my right to choose to say “yes” or “no.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Liberating Truth: Sex is not a “right,” it is a God-given privilege intended to demonstrate the Gospel of Christ.
A God honoring sex life involves …
1. Submission to his created order (between a man and a woman).
2. The context of covenant (a life-long commitment in marriage).
3. Selfless devotion to the dignity, value, and need of others.
Stifling Misconception: I’ve already blown it. It is too late for me.
Liberating Truth: It is never too late to trust Jesus. He makes all things new.
Philippians 3:13-14
2 Corinthians 5:17
Three “Personal” Questions about Sex:
What do you want?! Do you want what you can manufacture and manipulate or do you want what God always intended for you to enjoy?
If you want what God wants, what is God saying to you about your sexual practices?
What are you willing to do about it?