Love Exclusively - Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:4-6
“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:4-6
Sex is a privilege inseparable from the responsibilities of the sacred marriage covenant. Sex and marriage go together. Apart from marriage, the lasting commitment is absent. So the sex act becomes a lie. To claim the privilege apart from the responsibility perverts God’s intention.
MYTH #1: Sex is Merely a Physical Act
"There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, 'The two become one.' Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never 'become one'" (1 Cor. 6:15–17, The Message).
“Sex is not just something you do; sex is someone you are.” Randy Alcorn
MYTH #2: I Must Satisfy My Desires
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God…The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-8
MYTH #3: I Can Do What I Want With My Own Body
Question: So who does your body belong to?
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
PRACTICAL PURITY STRATEGIES:
1. Flee
Flee from sexual immorality.”1 Corinthians 6:18
“And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her…She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” Genesis 39:10, 12
2. Keep Your Distance
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.” Proverbs 4:14-15
Scripture says: “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
3. Think Through the Consequences
Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife? For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all His paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. Proverbs 5: 20-23
Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. Proverbs 6: 27-29
4. Anticipate and Prevent Temptations
5. Fill Your Mind With Pure Thoughts
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure…think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
6. Pray and Don’t Give Up
Jesus taught His disciples to “always pray and not give up” (Luke 18: 1)
If you have fallen, repent and seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Law and Order
“You shall not murder.”
Exodus 20:13
1. Think carefully about honoring life.
This command does not prohibit or condemn:
• Accidental homicide: manslaughter
In the OT, God’s people began to differentiate between premeditated murder...and the accidental or unintentional killing of another person. It was the OT law that called for the establishment of “cities of refuge” where someone involved in an accidental death could flee and live in safety until the details of the situation were examined and a just response determined by the community.
• Justifiable homicide is not condemned by this text.
“If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.”
Exodus 22:2
• Killing in a just war
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. For the (government) is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Romans 13:1, 3, & 4
• Capital punishment is not prohibited by this command.
In fact, back in Genesis 9 it is frankly stated that capital punishment will be the response to premeditated murder. In Exodus 21, the very next chapter, instructions are given for when capital punishment is appropriate and how it is to be carried out.
2. Embrace values that honor life.
• Refuse to fantasize about murder.
“Don’t take revenge my friends, but leave room for the wrath of God. Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Romans 12: 20
I want to encourage you to
• Oppose the practice of abortion.
Over 52 million times since January of 1973 when our government followed the leadership of the USSR and England and made abortion on demand legal...over 52,263,000 babies have been killed by abortion.
That’s more American lives than have been lost in all the wars our country has fought in our history. Do you know what that means? The most dangerous place in America is not Detroit...who had the most murders per capital of any city in the US last year
The most dangerous place to live in the world, statistically, is the womb of a mother who does not believe in the sanctity of human life.
Psalm 139:13
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. “
Psalm 139: 13-14, 16
• Absolutely reject any thought of suicide.
• Purpose to be innocent of “mental murder.”
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21-22
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:17
3. Get real personal about honoring life.
1. If your anger is sinful: confess it
2. Genuinely repent of mental murder
3. We need to disavow any desire to see evil come to these people.
4. Leave their judgment to God
Romans 12:19 says “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay.’ says the Lord.”
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:20-21
Exodus 20:13
1. Think carefully about honoring life.
This command does not prohibit or condemn:
• Accidental homicide: manslaughter
In the OT, God’s people began to differentiate between premeditated murder...and the accidental or unintentional killing of another person. It was the OT law that called for the establishment of “cities of refuge” where someone involved in an accidental death could flee and live in safety until the details of the situation were examined and a just response determined by the community.
• Justifiable homicide is not condemned by this text.
“If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.”
Exodus 22:2
• Killing in a just war
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. For the (government) is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Romans 13:1, 3, & 4
• Capital punishment is not prohibited by this command.
In fact, back in Genesis 9 it is frankly stated that capital punishment will be the response to premeditated murder. In Exodus 21, the very next chapter, instructions are given for when capital punishment is appropriate and how it is to be carried out.
2. Embrace values that honor life.
• Refuse to fantasize about murder.
“Don’t take revenge my friends, but leave room for the wrath of God. Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Romans 12: 20
I want to encourage you to
• Oppose the practice of abortion.
Over 52 million times since January of 1973 when our government followed the leadership of the USSR and England and made abortion on demand legal...over 52,263,000 babies have been killed by abortion.
That’s more American lives than have been lost in all the wars our country has fought in our history. Do you know what that means? The most dangerous place in America is not Detroit...who had the most murders per capital of any city in the US last year
The most dangerous place to live in the world, statistically, is the womb of a mother who does not believe in the sanctity of human life.
Psalm 139:13
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. “
Psalm 139: 13-14, 16
• Absolutely reject any thought of suicide.
• Purpose to be innocent of “mental murder.”
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21-22
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:17
3. Get real personal about honoring life.
1. If your anger is sinful: confess it
2. Genuinely repent of mental murder
3. We need to disavow any desire to see evil come to these people.
4. Leave their judgment to God
Romans 12:19 says “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay.’ says the Lord.”
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:20-21
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Law and Order
The Sabbath is a day for rest, Sabbath is a day of reflection – reflect on God’s provisions, reflect on God’s promises (double rainbow Meredith and I saw the other day), Sabbath is a day for renewal - Renewal of commitment, Renewal of conscience (2 ways we can do this – through worship and Fellowship)
Children had the opportunity especial on the Sabbath to listen to their parents and Grand-parents talk about God and what he had done and was doing! But we see that Israel moved away from this and raised up a generation that Did not know God! A look back at the 2nd command shows this! Which leads us to the next command! There’s hardly anything that forms or influences our relationship to God like our relationship with our parents.
Your relationship with your parents has a profound impact on how you view God:
• If you had a really demanding, never-satisfied dad, you end up thinking that about God, too. You end up resenting him.
• If you had a dad who was unfaithful, then a lot of times you have a real problem believing that God is not ever going to leave you, or you have a hard time believing that during painful times God is working everything out for good.
• If you had a dad who was emotionally distant, then if you’re a girl… a lot of times that manifests itself by craving the affection and attention of a boyfriend or a husband… and so you are a serial dater who can never be without a guy and then when you get married you get co-dependent and when, not if, but when your husband disappoints you, you either become really bitter in your marriage or start to with flirt with old boyfriends on Facebook.
• If you’re a guy and your dad was emotionally distant, then a lot of times you’ll have this insatiable craving to succeed, to get to the top. Psychologists say it is because you’re trying to prove you’re worth something and good at something so that someone will “good job,” and “you’re really important…” because your dad never did.
Principle #1:
Honor Your Parents because God commands you to do so.
Principle #2
Honor your parents in age-appropriate ways.
As a young person who is living at home, supported in any way by your parents, God’s call on your life is to immediate obedience with a positive attitude.
For a college/young adult, honoring your parents means going the extra mile to respect and cooperate with them. As a young adult, honoring your parents means accepting them for who they are and respecting them anyway.
As a mature adult, you honor your parents by staying in contact and caring for them.
As a wounded person, honoring your parents means respect for their position and forgiveness for their failures.
Children had the opportunity especial on the Sabbath to listen to their parents and Grand-parents talk about God and what he had done and was doing! But we see that Israel moved away from this and raised up a generation that Did not know God! A look back at the 2nd command shows this! Which leads us to the next command! There’s hardly anything that forms or influences our relationship to God like our relationship with our parents.
Your relationship with your parents has a profound impact on how you view God:
• If you had a really demanding, never-satisfied dad, you end up thinking that about God, too. You end up resenting him.
• If you had a dad who was unfaithful, then a lot of times you have a real problem believing that God is not ever going to leave you, or you have a hard time believing that during painful times God is working everything out for good.
• If you had a dad who was emotionally distant, then if you’re a girl… a lot of times that manifests itself by craving the affection and attention of a boyfriend or a husband… and so you are a serial dater who can never be without a guy and then when you get married you get co-dependent and when, not if, but when your husband disappoints you, you either become really bitter in your marriage or start to with flirt with old boyfriends on Facebook.
• If you’re a guy and your dad was emotionally distant, then a lot of times you’ll have this insatiable craving to succeed, to get to the top. Psychologists say it is because you’re trying to prove you’re worth something and good at something so that someone will “good job,” and “you’re really important…” because your dad never did.
Principle #1:
Honor Your Parents because God commands you to do so.
Principle #2
Honor your parents in age-appropriate ways.
As a young person who is living at home, supported in any way by your parents, God’s call on your life is to immediate obedience with a positive attitude.
For a college/young adult, honoring your parents means going the extra mile to respect and cooperate with them. As a young adult, honoring your parents means accepting them for who they are and respecting them anyway.
As a mature adult, you honor your parents by staying in contact and caring for them.
As a wounded person, honoring your parents means respect for their position and forgiveness for their failures.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Law and Order
Exodus 20:7
The tongue, though relatively small when compared to the whole body, is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. It must be! After all, man can split atoms, walk on the moon, yet cannot seem to control his little tongue, James 3:8. In James 3, the Bible gives us valuable insight into this little monster that lives in our mouths, James 3:1-12. Paul tells us that as Christians, we are to use our tongues for noble pursuits, Eph. 4:29. He also tells us in Col. 3:8, that we are to watch our filthy mouths.
I. GOD’S NAME IS SACRED
1. LORD
When you see this word in the bible, it is the English rendering of the Hebrew word "Jehovah." This Name is used to declare God’s nature, that is unchanging and eternal. In the Bible, Jehovah is coupled with other words to form compound names for God which reveal more about His nature and His attributes. Some Are:
a. Jehovah-Jireh – "The LORD will provide" – Gen. 22:14.
b. Jehovah-Nissi – "The LORD is my banner." – Ex. 17:15.
c. Jehovah-Shalom – "The LORD is peace" – Judges 6:24.
2. God – Elohim – Refers to the One Supreme, faithful. Literally, "The Strong and Faithful One!" This is the common word for God in the bible. It is used over 2,000 times in the Old Testament.
II. GOD’S NAME IS VIOLATED
1. When We Use It As A Curse
2. When We Use It Casually
III. GOD’S NAME WILL BE LIFTED UP
The tongue, though relatively small when compared to the whole body, is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. It must be! After all, man can split atoms, walk on the moon, yet cannot seem to control his little tongue, James 3:8. In James 3, the Bible gives us valuable insight into this little monster that lives in our mouths, James 3:1-12. Paul tells us that as Christians, we are to use our tongues for noble pursuits, Eph. 4:29. He also tells us in Col. 3:8, that we are to watch our filthy mouths.
I. GOD’S NAME IS SACRED
1. LORD
When you see this word in the bible, it is the English rendering of the Hebrew word "Jehovah." This Name is used to declare God’s nature, that is unchanging and eternal. In the Bible, Jehovah is coupled with other words to form compound names for God which reveal more about His nature and His attributes. Some Are:
a. Jehovah-Jireh – "The LORD will provide" – Gen. 22:14.
b. Jehovah-Nissi – "The LORD is my banner." – Ex. 17:15.
c. Jehovah-Shalom – "The LORD is peace" – Judges 6:24.
2. God – Elohim – Refers to the One Supreme, faithful. Literally, "The Strong and Faithful One!" This is the common word for God in the bible. It is used over 2,000 times in the Old Testament.
II. GOD’S NAME IS VIOLATED
1. When We Use It As A Curse
2. When We Use It Casually
III. GOD’S NAME WILL BE LIFTED UP
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