LET’S TALK ABOUT #3: SEX AND DATING
INTRO TO TOPIC:
Tonight… we’re going to talk about... sex!
LET’S TALK ABOUT QUESTION:
Is sex a good thing or a bad thing? And… how far is too far in a dating relationship?
We are living in a sex-crazed society. However – what does the Bible have to say about sex?
FOUNDATIONAL TEXT:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:24-25).
“Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.” (Hebrews 13:4, The Message).
• God’s will – His plan – is one man and one woman, married, together for life.
• Therefore: Sex before marriage is wrong, divorce is wrong, homosexuality is wrong.
KEY TEXT:
“1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more. 2 For you remember what we taught you in the name of the Lord Jesus. 3 God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.
• sexual sin: porneia; illicit sexual intercourse; adultery, fornication, homosexuality
4 Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor – 5 not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and his ways. 6 Never cheat a Christian brother in this matter by taking his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. 8 Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” (1 Thess. 4:1-8).
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
“7 Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” (Galatians 6:7-9).
• The choices you make today will affect your tomorrow.
• There is hope for you if you’ve blown it: Check out this website with interactive courses on how to be free from sexual sins: www.settingcaptivesfree.com
• God will forgive you if you repent and confess your sins to Him
NEXT TIME: (PART TWO)
How do we get and stay pure? Who will I date? Should I date? What do I do when the temptation is too strong? How far is too far?
