Clarity On Purity And Morality Series

Clarity on Purity and Morality

This morning I want to talk to you about what could have been another of the Forgotten Virtues series. There is no question about it, Purity and Morality are two more virtues that seem to be disappearing in American culture.

WARNING: This message will be a little uncomfortable for some to hear. I understand that. If you feel too uncomfortable, just say “Lord, I am glad I don’t have to be the one delivering this message!”

If you have elementary age children, this is one of those messages where I might recommend you take advantage of Next Gen ministry opportunities since some of the content of today’s message will be unsuitable for elementary age children.

There is a lot of confusion in today’s culture regarding the matter of sexual morality.

Sex is good—it is a gift from God and it is enjoyed on the highest level when it is shared within the confines of a faithful and committed marriage between a man and his wife.

So, when it comes to matters of morality and sexual purity, it is natural to ask, who decides what’s right?

Culture? Do you really want to allow Hollywood to set the standard?

Should a matter of such huge importance be left up to popular opinion?

How about the Government? Should we turn to the government for answers to questions about morality and purity?

We need answers. We need a point of reference…a foundation for truth.

What we need an authority on the subject of sexuality and morality.

I believe the Word of God provides exactly that. This morning I want to us to find out what the Bible has to say on the subject morality and sexual purity.

As a follower of Christ, I not only want to hear what the Bible has to say, and I want to learn how to apply these biblical standards the way I will choose to live my life.

ORANGE – Partnership – GRAPHIC Light/Church – Heart/Home

This is another important area where parents and the church need to partner together. In a few minutes parents, I am going to tell you how the church can partner with you to help you talk about this important subject with your middle school and high school students over the next three weeks.

Our goal is to help teach the next generation what is right and what is best.

They are constantly inundated with images and messages that glorify immorality, impurity, and sexual sin. In the midst of these lies, we need to direct them to the Truth.

1 Thessalonians 4 – This is where the Apostle Paul tells us that lustful passions should not control God's people.

We talked recently about living an integrated life, where our beliefs match our behavior.

Paul reminds us that being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ is about more than just showing up at church on Sunday.

It is about more than having a Bible app on your phone.

A profession of faith is proven, not just proclaimed. James speaks to this too when he challenged us to be doers, not merely hearers of the Word.

As we have talked about before, being a follower of Jesus Christ means living in obedience to His Word and His will for our lives.

So, what does obedience look like in the matter of sexuality and morality? Paul tells us…

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT)

3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—

5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NLT)

7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

Is God condemning sex? Absolutely not! God created sex. But His Word teaches that the sex is to be enjoyed only within the boundaries of a lifelong, committed marriage between a man and wife.

In Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT) Jesus said, “God made them male and female. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

God has called us to holy living.

Hebrews 13:4 (NLT)

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

We could go to numerous passages all pointing to the facts that God created sex to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage.

Culture says, don’t worry about that. “if it feels good do it.” The prevailing attitude is that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whoever I want. I am a law unto myself and no one else can tell me what to do. I will decide what’s right and what is wrong for me.