Sermon Sneak Peek: Sex and the Church

On the cover of countless magazines, in the aisle of bookstores, and in the title of gossip blogs all over the place, people are talking about how to have better sex. It seems to be a topic being discussed everywhere, in any context...except the church. Whether it's because we think God is embarrassed by sex, or we're embarrassed about it because of misplaced Evangelical prudeness, sex is not a common topic in the church. When it is preached on or discussed, it is almost always in a negative light. It is true that the majority of the time the Bible talks explicitly about sex it is in the context of sexual immorality. But are we missing the whole picture when we look at these passages? Why is it so important for the Bible to address sexual sin?Here's a truth that many people have never heard from the pulpit. God does not hate sex. In fact, God loves sex! The reason the Bible addresses sexual sin is not to keep us away from the pleasures of sex but to tell us how to enjoy it best. The Bible is answering the same question found on the cover of Cosmo: How do we have great sex?The Corinthian church was a small church in the midst of an oversexed, hedonistic, and gnostic culture, much like the church today in America. In 1 Corinthians 5 and 6, Paul addresses the issue of sexual sin in the church and pleads with the church to have better sex. Yes, you read that right. Although Paul speaks strongly against sexual sin in the church, he is doing so because the church, of all people, are in the position to enjoy sex in the fullness of the beauty and joy with which it was created. Paul is telling the church how to have great sex by breaking through the lies keeping us in sexual perversion.Sex is something God created and is thus something God loves. As a church, we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. We shouldn’t be afraid to study God’s word for what it says about sex. The Bible tells us how to have great sex. It tells us how to be content in sexual purity and be worshipful in marital intimacy.Albert Mohler said this about sex and the church: "Christians have no right to be embarrassed when it comes to talking about sex and sexuality. An unhealthy reticence or embarrassment in dealing with these issues is a form of disrespect to God’s creation. Whatever God made is good, and every good thing God made has an intended purpose that ultimately reveals His own glory. When conservative Christians respond to sex with ambivalence or embarrassment, we slander the goodness of God and hide God’s glory which is intended to be revealed in the right use of creation’s gifts."In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul addresses three lies and that are believed by people that keep them from experiencing sex in the way it was meant to be enjoyed.1. Great sex happens when you understand your body (1 Cor 6:12-14) - Many people believe that the body is meant for sex. But this is a lie. Our bodies are meant for the Lord and the sexual aspects of people are meant to glorify God as well. To have great, freeing, joyful, and passionate sex in a marriage that doesn't breed guilt and keeps us satisfied, sex needs to seek glorifying God and not be the end purpose. For single people, understanding that our bodies are meant for the Lord gives us perspective to fight against sexual temptation and helps us find contentment in Christ.2. Great sex happens when you understand His body (1 Cor 6:15-18) - The nature of God is "One." When we become Christians, we become part of that one-ness. Sexual immorality destroys that one-ness because it divides our worship. If sex is what we worship then it can never satisfy us, only Christ can satisfy us. God's nature cannot be divided and will not be divided. Great sex and a healthy sexual outlook is one that promotes the unity of the God head.3. Great sex happens when you understand your Body (1 Cor 6:19-20) - The Holy Spirit dwells in both the individuals in the church and the Church as a whole. Because of this, ridding the church of sexual sin is both the individual and the church's responsibility. If the church wants to enjoy great sex, we need to address sexual sin on both an individual and corporate level. We are a redeemed people with the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us and uniting us together. We CAN experience freedom from sexual perversion and enjoy great, God-glorifying sex and sexual purity.