Download Study Materials
The 4th problem – lack of purity in the church
Do not give into the temptation – follow the world – of sexual immorality…
Freedom from sin… vs. 12
Apparently the church in Corinth had very ‘loose’ moral standards…
They saw the ‘Grace of God’ as a license to live immoral lives…
The Grace of God has given us incredible freedom in Christ…
Not freedom to sin – freedom not to sin – Romans 6:1-2…
Our salvation is not based on our work/merit – simply saved by faith in Jesus – True
No matter how much we sin – no matter what sin – Grace covers our sin – True
So why not go ahead and sin a lot – we will still get to heaven – covered by grace…
This is not talking about making mistakes – occasional slip up…
This is a willful choice to live a lifestyle of sin contrary to God’s Word…
God forbid! How can we who are dead to sin – continue to live in sin…
Our lives after we believe in Jesus should be different – changed…
* James 2:17-18 – “So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless…”
It is easy to say we have ‘faith’ and ‘believe’ in Jesus – but the proof is in our actions…
If we say we’re Christians – but still live like the world – then do we really have faith
We can call ourselves Christians – but if we are continually sinning – are we really…
That is not to say that as believers we never make mistakes…
But as believers – if we sin – there should be remorse – confession – repentance…
If there is no remorse – no repentance for sin – there is good reason for concern!
What about issues that are not clearly defined as sin…
While the Bible is VERY clear on many issues as to what is right and what is wrong…
Do not commit adultery – it is sin – Exodus 20:4 / Galatians 5:19-21
Do not get drunk – it is sin – Ephesians 5:18
Do not steal or tell a lie – it is sin – Exodus 20:15-16
There are issues that are not as clear – are we allowed to do them as Christians…
As a believer in Jesus – can we smoke / can we listen to secular music / ect…
In these areas we are not bound to any rules – we have freedom…
But though we have freedom – not everything we do is ‘good for us’…
In face – anything that brings us under its ‘power’ – is not good for us…
Perhaps we enjoy an occasional smoke – is that sin – not in of itself…
But the question is can we stop – who is in control – are we or the habit…
If we are not longer the ones in control of our ‘freedom’ – it is no longer good…
There might be something in your life that comes to mind right now…
Something you have been convicted of – wanted to stop – but not been able to…
If we want to stop – but cannot – then we are not longer in control of our lives…
We are have gotten caught up in the snare of sin – and need Jesus to set us free!
Avoid sexual immorality… vs. 13-18
1st – Being influenced by a very immoral city…
Corinth was infamous for its idolatry and sexual promiscuity…
On top of the highest hill was the temple to Aphrodite – the goddess of love…
Every night 1000-temple prostitutes would come down into the city…
Sexual immorality was part of the ceremony – worship of the pagan goddess…
That immorality apparently had made its way into the church…
Food is for the stomach – and the stomach is for food…
Apparently a common saying there in Corinth – you have a stomach – why not eat…
But the church was using the same logic to apply to sexual immorality…
Since we have the ability to enjoy sex – why not go ahead and have sex…
2nd – Joining Jesus to a prostitute…
One day Jesus will resurrect your physical body…
Jesus was the 1st to be resurrected – I Corinthians 15:20…
Giving us the confidence we also will one day be resurrected…
These imperfect bodies will get an overhaul – we will have perfect heavenly bodies!
* I Corinthians 15:54 – “When this happens—when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die—then at last the Scriptures will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”
Do you not know – your bodies are members of Christ…
* I Corinthians 12:12 – “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.”
We are all part of the body of Christ – hands / feet / eyes / ears…
Not literally – but figuratively speaking – we all have different roles in the church…
One might be called to be a teacher (mouth) / another a deacon (hand)…
But no matter your gift/calling – all believers are apart of the ‘Body of Christ’…
Do you not know – sex makes you one…
Referring to the intimate relationship meant only for marriage – Hebrews 13:4…
Genesis 2:24 – “…and they shall become one flesh.”
If you take your body – which God will one day resurrect…
And have sexual relations with a harlot – you are making her one with Jesus!
Harlot – can mean a prostitute / or it can describe any woman who is not your wife…
When you choose to partake in sexual sin – you are not alone – Jesus is with you…
How comfortable would you be sinning – if you realized Jesus was right next to you!
3rd – Flee sexual immorality…
Sexual immorality – Gk ~ porneia…
I Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”
Leviticus 18:6-24 – any sexual relationship outside of marriage
That would include sex before marriage, homosexuality, pornography, incest…
Not just your actions – even if you think it…
Matthew 5:28 – “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
The battle over sexual immorality is fought in the mind…
We avoid sexual immorality by fighting the battle in our mind…
Don’t think you can stand – if you are temped – RUN!
Genesis 39 – Joseph was a handsome man – and always around the house…
The beautiful wife of his master – daily demanded that Joseph sleep with her…
We will face many temptations in this life – but temptation is not sin…
Temptation becomes sin when we – dwell on – think about – then act on it…
* James 1:12-15 – “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, brings forth death.”
We don’t just wake up one day and decide to go and sin…
We allow our mind to dwell on a desire – when that desire turns to action – sin…
One day when Joseph was alone in the house…
The wife grabbed Joseph and demanded he sleep with her…
He wiggled free – left his tunic behind – and ran away!
The best solution to sin – is to avoid it – avoid the temptation…
If you are tempted to have sex – if you think you will compromise – stay away!
Don’t be alone with a girl – do not go into a room by yourself – stay in public…
Be accountable – don’t trust yourself – given the chance – you will likely sin!
If you find you are tempted – run away…
* II Timothy 2:22 – “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Don’t worry about what others think – don’t test your resolve – just get out…
It is not worth your reputation – it is not worth your pride – to risk falling into sin
If you find you are being tempted like Joseph – follow his example – run!
If you do not run – chances are you will give into sin…
King David learned this with his affair with Bathsheba – II Samuel 11:2
He had seen – an unusually beautiful woman – taking a bath…
He should have looked away right then – but instead he kept looking…
Then the looking was not enough – he had to have her (she was already married)
He ended up having an affair – then murdering her husband to cover it up…
We like to think we are strong – that we will make the right decisions…
It only takes one moment of weakness – to make a very poor choice…
Be wise – be smart – keep your guard up / and run when temptation comes!
Sin against your own body…
Sexual sin is unlike any other sin – it is a sin against you own body…
When you lie / cheat / steal / curse – none of these things affect your body…
But sexual sin has serious – lasting – physical consequences…
We may end up with a child that we were not planning on having – stops dreams…
We may end up with a disease – one that may or may not be curable…
Sexual immorality has terrible consequences emotionally…
Men look for sex – but do not stop to consider the consequences for the girl…
Women are not looking for sex – they’re looking for love – they give sex to get love…
Men devastate a girl by taking her purity– not an act of love– just a response to lust!
Godly love is waiting until marriage – to enjoy the gift of sex
Sexual immorality has terrible consequences spiritually…
Sex before marriage (legal marriage) is sin – sin separates us from God…
We want God to bless our relationship/marriage – how can He while we are sinning
If we are not willing to obey the Lord – why should we expect Him to bless us…
The world/satan do their best to make sexual immorality ok…
Every time we turn on the TV / every time we pick up a magazine…
Sex immorality sells – the world/satan do their best to convince us it is normal…
Everyone is doing it – just this one time – it does not hurt anyone…
‘One day we will get married…’ – is just an excuse to live in sin…
We are not our own… vs. 19-20
We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit…
Our bodies – are the building that God lives inside of – He makes His home in our heart…
We should not be following the example of the world around us…
But listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit within us…
We have been bought with a price…
* I Peter 1:18-19 – “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you… the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”
God bought us with through the cross – He paid for us with His own life…
Our lives are no longer ours to live as we choose – we have been purchased…
We are called to glorify Jesus with our body and with our spirit!
Be careful with the freedom you have in Christ…
Don’t use the Grace of God as an opportunity to become a slave to sin!
Leave a Reply