Straight Talk About Sex – How Far Is Too Far? Series

Straight talk about Sex – How far is too far?

Gladstone Baptist Church – 11/9/05 pm

Well we are at the end of our series on Straight Talk about Sex.

I heard a story about another minister who was preparing to preach on sex. His wife, was a little surprised and embarrassed by the topic and said, "Honey, sex is so private a matter. Maybe you should pick something else. Why don’t you preach that sermon on waterskiing you’ve been wanting to do." And after a bit more talking he was convinced that the waterskiing sermon was the way to go.

On the Sunday morning of the sermon, the minister’s wife was under the weather and decided to stay home in bed. Without her there, the minister tossed the sermon on waterskiing and opted for the sex sermon instead. That afternoon, a couple of the wife’s friends from the church came by to see how she was feeling. Both raved about the minister’s sermon. “He spoke with such vigor this morning,” said one. The other lady agreed, saying, “He was so eloquent and we were all caught up in his enthusiasm.” The minister’s wife was puzzled. "Vigor? Enthusiasm? I don’t understand! He’s only done it twice. Once up at the lake and another down by the river ... and both times, he hurt himself!"

Sex is a bit of difficult topic to talk about isn’t it. But I do think it is an important topic to talk about – not just from a young person’s perspective, but also from an older – yes even married – perspective, because, Young people, you don’t lose your sex drive when the grey hairs start appearing!!! - At least I hope not, because I’m starting to get more and more grey hairs – so I’m told. I can’t really see the back of my head very easily – even in a mirror – every time I turn around, I lose sight of my reflection???

Tonight, I want to close our series on sex, by asking the question “How far is too far?” You know what I mean – you are dating and you want to know whether a kiss is okay? What about French kissing? What about caressing someone’s hair or for guys feeling a girl’s breasts? How far is too far?

This question also applies to married people. I had a good friend who was a pastor and happily married with one little girl and one on the way. He moved to a new church and within 2 years, he was having an affair with one of the young women in that church. He had to quit his job, he is now divorced. His problems didn’t start when he slept with this young woman. His problems started way back when he spent heaps of time with her, when he put his hand on her shoulder, when he sat close to her on the couch. How far was too far for him? We’ll talk about that tonight.

It is really hard to classify all this stuff for several reasons …

1) Christianity is about LIVING, not about RULES

Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus wants us to have life and have it to the full.

Paul says, that we no longer live under the control of the law … Gal 3:25 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Christianity is not about rules, but living a life of faithful obedience to God. As Christians, we must not come up with a whole list of rules and regulations for people to follow – that is legalism and God condemns legalism. But having said this, both Paul and Jesus don’t abandon the law either, because it gives us God’s standards …

Matt 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.