Purity Curse Word Of Modern America

Intro: One of the most underused and undervalued Christian principles in America is the Principle of purity. It is counted as more of a curse word than and ideal that God has for us today.

From our daily bread.

After a violent storm one night, a large tree, which over the years had become a stately giant, was found lying across the pathway in a park. Nothing but a splintered stump was left. Closer examination showed that is was rotten at the core because thousands of tiny insects had eaten away at its heart. The weakness of that tree was not brought on by the sudden storm; it began the very moment the first insect nested within its bark. With the Holy Spirit’s help, let’s be very careful to guard our purity.

Our society seems to be mastered by things immoral. Some of you may think that I over react today. But what used to be considered pornography is now most often seen on prime time television. Are we allowing the things of the world to master us? Slowly but surely the disease of impurity creeps into our society and our churches.

Purity is a gift from God. We were once filthy dirty and vile before almighty God. But he has washed us white as snow. The white as snow carries the idea of being purified. When we are baptized it symbolizes that we have been washed by the blood of the lamb dead to our old life of impurity and unrighteousness risen in the power and might of God almighty to walk pure and undefiled before God.

I. The Principle of Purity

Paul begins by giving us a principle for life.

It is not as popular

1 Corinthians 6.12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things a profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by

anything.

1) Lawful—permissible (occurs in 10.23) probably used by Corinthians as an excuse for sinful action.

2) Other religions require strict adherence to laws and rules

We don’t have to stick to strict laws and rules as Christians we obey god and do right because we love God and have the Law of liberty written on our hearts!!!

When we fall to immoral sin we are mastered by our sin nature. We should instead submit our self to our heavenly father.

Anything addictive can master us, 1)Alcohol, 2) drugs, 3) Pornography, 4) food/soda/candy/, 5) lieing.

Not all things are profitable. In other words not everything I am free to do is to my advantage.

But everything God desires us to do and be is to our advantage!

A) Sexual Purity

Mental Purity

Spiritual Purity – Only comes by way of accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and being washed clean by His prescious blood and continual presence.

1) Sexual Purity

1) God intended sex to be (a gift)

a) Go forth and multiply Gen 1.28

b) Sex within the bounds of marriage is =

1) Purposeful (multiplication) procreation

2) beautiful (represents union and intimacy with God)

3) Satisfactory (not only but enjoyable)

4) Stabilizing unites 2 into 1

Sexual sin is against the body the temple of God.

2) Mental Purity

Prov 23.7 as a man thinks so He is

2 Cor 10.5 “In as much as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itsel against the (true) worship of God and we lead every thought away captive into obedience of Chist.”

a) Captive – is from a Greek word meaning to take prisoner of war

n We are to lead our thoughts captive to the commander in Chief Jesus Christ in our war against sin and the devil.

· In a society that says purity is a curse word we must guard against living by the worlds guidelines.

· It is far better to follow God’s guidelines – His don’t lead you to a bottomless pit.

II. The Practice of Purity (or running from immorality)

Immorality is the spear the devil wants to use to steal your ability to minister, witness, teach, or preach for God!!!!!!

Have you ever been in Joseph’s shoes?

(Story of Joseph)

A) Man or Woman of God should as Joseph did flee from Potiphar’s wife.

1) Run from wrong situations as fast as you can

a) Grab your things and get! Proverbs (5.8)

2) Desire to stay clean before God.

It is not those that are talented, or accepted, or beautiful, or that have more degrees, or that know more people that are used of God.

Gen 39.10 Joseph not only refused to be beside her he chose not to be in her vicinity.

Robert Murray McCheyne wrote to Dan Edwards after the latter’s ordination as a missionary, "In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God