A Christian Interpretation Of Sex In Marriage (Part 1) Series

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God. Thank you and God Bless. Herman Abrahams,

Cape Town, South Africa.

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Series: Successful Family

A CHRISTIAN INTERPRETATION OF SEX IN MARRIAGE – Part 1

2 Tim 3:16-17: 16 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

The bible is not a book on sex. However, it does contain many specific ideas concerning sex and how sex fits into the total plan of creation and the progress of the Kingdom of God.

It should be helpful to any couple planning marriage or any married person with wrong attitudes or faulty approaches to sex to study carefully some of the Bible passages related to sexuality in marriage.

God invented sex; he thought it up in the beginning. We have God’s permission to enjoy sex in marriage. He intended it for our pleasure! Sex in marriage (or the “act of marriage”) is not something unholy; it is not just a necessary activity altogether separate from our Christian lives; it is a God-ordained invention for husband and wife to experience and enjoy without any feelings of guilt.

Negative attitudes about the act of marriage can destroy marriage relationships.

Let us go explore God’s Word to find out what the Creator-God has to say on this subject.

1. PROVERBS - “CAPTIVATED BY HER LOVE”

PROV 5:15, 18-19: 15 “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well… 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.”

Here the bible speaks quite openly, so joyously of sex in marriage. Procreation (reproduction) and children are not mentioned.

Not only is a man’s behaviour, when he is meeting his sexual needs in marriage with his wife represented as “wisdom and understanding” (Prov 5:1 - RSV), but God is represented as always knowing, watching and approving this relationship (verse21)

2. SONG OF SOLOMON

The Song of Solomon contains poetry about the love relationships between husband and wife. The book describes in vivid poetic language the physical bodies of married lovers. Throughout the book the feelings, the attitudes, the imagination, the dreams, the spiritual joys, and the romantic happiness of married lovers are beautifully described.

a) Song of Solomon 6:1-10:

Friends

1 “Where has your lover gone, most beautiful of women? Which way did your lover turn, that we may look for him with you?”

Beloved

“2 My lover has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. 3 I am my lover’s and my lover is mine; he browses among the lilies.”

Lover

4 “You are beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, majestic as troops with banners. 5 Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Gilead. 6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing. Each has its twin, not one of them is alone. 7 Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. 8 Sixty queens there may be, and eighty concubines, and virgins beyond number; 9 but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her.”

Friends

10 “Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession?”

b) Song of Solomon 7:1-9

“How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of a craftsman’s hands. 2 Your navel is a rounded goblet that never lacks blended wine. Your waist is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies. 3 Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. 4 Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus. 5 Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel. Your hair is like royal tapestry; the king is held captive by its tresses. 6 How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights! 7 Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. 8 I said, “I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples, 9 and your mouth like the best wine.”