1 Cor. 6:9-20, God deals with Sex Outside Marriage.

1 Cor. 7:1-5, God discusses Sex Within Marriage.

1 Cor. 6:9-20, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, {10} Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. {12} All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. {13} Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body <is> not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. {14} And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. {15} Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make <them> the members of an harlot? God forbid. {16} What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. {17} But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. {18} Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. {19} What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost <which is> in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? {20} For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

1 Cor. 7:1-5, "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: <It is> good for a man not to touch a woman. {2} Nevertheless, <to avoid> fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. {3} Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. {4} The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. {5} Defraud ye not one the other, except <it be> with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."

Introduction:

A. Corinth was a very Wicked and Sexually Oriented city.

1. Temple of Aphrodite --- goddess of love.

a. On one side of the Temple they Ate And Feasted.

b. On the other side of the Temple were 1,000 Temple Prostitutes where they had Dessert.

2. The name of this city (Corinth) became Synonymous with Moral Depravity.

B. God Is Not Timid or Bashful when it comes to Moral or Sexual Issues!

1. He speaks Openly and Plainly when it comes to Sex.

2. He does Not Snicker, nor Blush nor Hid His Face.

3. Why? --- Because He made sex, and He has the right to tell us how to use it.

C. God set a Trinitarian Standard for Moral Issues for Every Christian!

1. Sexual Purity outside of marriage is Demanded because of God the Father --- He is of Purer Eyes Than To Look Upon Sin. (6:12-14)

Habakkuk 1:13, "<Thou art> of purer [eyes] than to behold evil, and canst not [look] on iniquity:"

2. It is Expected because of God the Son --- He Set Us Free From Sin. 6:15-17

John 8:36, "If the Son therefore shall make you [free], ye shall be [free indeed]."

Romans 6:14, "For [sin] shall not have [dominion over] you:"

3. It is Possible because of God the Holy Spirit --- He Empowers Us To Live For God. 6:18-20

Zechariah 4:6, "... Not by might, nor by [power], but by my [spirit] , saith the [LORD] of hosts."

D. Many Christians Lose This Battle of Moral Purity because of being Weak In Theology rather than because of being Weak In The Flesh.

1. You say, "But I Am Only Human."

(That's Man's way of thinking.)

2. You Use To Be Only Human until you were --- Washed --- Sanctified --- Justified !

a. 1 Cor. 6:11, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed , but ye are sanctified , but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

b. When you were Saved , something Divine happened to you!

3. Many Christians Need to get their Theology Straighten Out.

I. 1 Cor. 6:12 , "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

A. Things Are Lawful to do Only as they are Performed According To God's Guide Lines.

B. To say that You Have A "Passion" or "Desire" Is Lawful because God created All of Us with passions and desires.

1. However, even though these desires may be Legitimate, God Never Intended for these Lawful Desires to take Control of Us --- to Master Us.

2. Even though it is OK, it is Lawful --- it should Never Direct our lives.

V. 12, "I will not be brought under the power of any."

C. It is Lawful To Drive but it is Not Lawful To Drive:

At any speed --- The wrong way on a one way street.

II. 1 Cor. 6:13 , "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body <is> not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body."

A. Their Argument was that Sex Was Like Food ,it is Natural To Eat, it is Natural To Have Sex.

1. The Stomach was created by God to take Food.

2. Sex was created by God for Entertainment --- it is the Normal way of living.

3. The argument today is, "What Do You Expect Me To Do, Not Be Human?"

4. Just as you Must Have Food to live --- you Must Have Sex to be emotionally healthy.

B. However, God Says --- "the body <is> not for fornication, but for the Lord;"

1. In other words, Sex Is Not Like Stopping At McDonalds.

2. Your Stomach Is Hungry and says, "I Want To Be Satisfied", so you stop and get something to eat.

C. However, God Says, "Don't try to equate your Passion For Food with your Passion For Sex.

Why? --- Because, "While The Stomach Is For Food, The Body Is Not For Immorality!

D. God Says, there is a Difference Between Fast Food and Fast Sex!

1. God did not put your Body here to satisfied you Passion For Sex --- like you have a Stomach to satisfy your Hunger For Food.

2. The two are Not Harmonious, they are Not Compatible, -- it Perverts God's Plan.

3. Sex is Not an Appetite To Be Satisfied --- it Is a Gift To Be Cherished.

E. God created Your Body that it might be used for His Glory and Not to Satisfied Your Sexual Desires --- Except It Be Used In The Right Environment! --- Marriage!

1. Just as God has a Container For Food --- the Stomach --- God also has a Container For Sex --- Marriage!

2. God only has one Safe Sex Program --- Marriage.

F. God does Not condemn sex outside of marriage because Sex Is So Bad --- but rather because Sex Is --- So Good --- So Magnificent --- So Majestic --- So Spectacular ...

1. Sex is as Holy, as Divine, as Righteous, and as Valuable as Marriage itself!

2. God Condemns Sex Outside of Marriage Because That Which Is Expensive, Valuable, Holy, Divine, And Righteous Is Being Degraded, Made Trashy, Cheap, And Brings Shame.

3. Some of you have Living Rooms that no one can sit in.

God does not want Trash, Shame, and Cheap Sex in the Living Room of Your Marriage --- It's Too Holy!

G. But, Preacher, I have such strong desires, How Do You Expect Me To Be Able To Control Myself?

(Notice The Next Verse)

III. 1 Cor. 6:14, "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power."

A. God, who Raised Jesus from the dead and will also Raise Us at His Second Coming --- can Certainly Give You The Power To Control Your Passions.

1. This is Not A Fleshly Question but rather a Spiritual Question? --- We are talking about the Power of God.

2. Your Inability To Control your passions has to do with your Inability To Access God's Power.

3. What is Your Relationship With Christ Like?

B. You say, "But, I am Over Sexed." --- No! You're Not --- You Are Under Spiritual.

1. It's Not that you have Too Much Passion --- but rather you have Too Little of God.

2. It's Not that you have Too Much Testosterone --- It Is that You Have Too Little of The Holy Spirit.

Eph. 5:18, "... be [filled] with the Spirit;"

3. The Way To Overcome your illicite passion is to Give God A Greater Place In Your Life!

4. Your problem is a Theological one --- It is an issue of Sanctification.

IV. 1 Cor. 6:15-17, "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make <them> the members of an harlot? God forbid. {16} What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. {17} But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

A. Whatever You Do Sexually, Jesus Does With You! - -- If you are a Child of God.

1. "Your bodies are the members of Christ?"

V. 15, "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make <them> the members of an harlot ? God forbid."

2. The question is: "Shall I Make Christ A Part of This Activity?"

3. Do you Understand that When You Lay Down In That Bed, you are Asking The Holiness of Christ To Participate In Your Immorality?

4. Do you suppose Jesus Is Having As Much Fun As You Are?

5. Is is as though Jesus were your Siamese Twin.

B. Sex Without Commitment Is The Ultimate Lie!

1. V. 16, "... know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh."

2. What is God talking about? --- "Two Shall Be One Flesh" --- Ans. "Marriage" !

3. God is saying, "When You Sleep With A Harlot, You Get Married."

a. Remember, "One Flesh" is "Marriage" ! --- Yet, it is Not marriage because You Have No Intention To Be Committed.

b. It is a Non-Marriage Marriage!

c. It is the Act of Marriage without the Commitment of Marriage.

4. This is what creates the problem in V. 18.

5. This sin is Different From All Other Sins --- which bring us to V. 18.

V. 1 Cor. 6:18 , "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body ."

A. Every other sin you commit is "Outside The Body" but this sin Involves Not Only The Body But The Spirit!

1. This sin will Scar Your Soul!

2. Sexual Sins have a way of Internally Destroying a person that No Other Sin Has.

3. Because Sexual Intimacy is the Deepest Uniting of two persons --- its misuse Corrupts On The Deepest Human Level.

4. Sexual sins develop in you a sense of being Utterly Worthless --- Can't look at yourself in the mirror.

5. Needless to mention --- S.T.D. --- A.I.D.S. --- etc.

B. Ladies , Sex Is Not The Way To Say Thanks For A Good Date!

1. Ladies, your Boy Friend may say:

"What do you mean we can't have sex? I cleaned my car for this date. I bought a new suit for this date. I spent a lot of money on this dinner. What do you mean, shaking my hand goodnight?

2. Ladies, Don't Get Intimidated! --- Just say:

"You cleaned your car, good. I will help you put the dirt back on your car. You bought a new suit, good. I will go with you to take it back and explain to them why you are bringing it back."

C. Men , Sex Is Not The Answer To Your Tension Problems --- "Running / Jogging" Is!

D. There is Only One Solution, "Flee" - V. 18 --- Joseph ...

2 Timothy 2:22, " Flee also [youthful] lusts : but follow righteousness, ..."

VI. 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost <which is> in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? {20} For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body , and in your spirit, which are God's."

A. Sexual Sins By Christians are committed In God's Sanctuary .

"Your Body Is The Temple of The Holy Ghost"

B. When you Enter The Temple ..... you do so:

1. To Worship or Become More Intimate With God --- not merely to satisfy some fleshly desire.

2. Paul --- Phil. 3:10, "[That] I may [know] him,"

C. When you become Intimate With Your Husband / Wife, the Emphases is upon the Relationship , as it is with God, rather than the physical act.

1. There is Not Only The Physical Union but also a Union of Mind and Spirit .

2. This is why Masturbation leaves a person so Empty, Dejected, Lonely, and Depressed.

3. People I Have Counseled With concerning Masturbation indicate to me that:

a. There is No Satisfaction, No Joy, No Thrill, No Excitement, Without A Partner --- Without A Loving Relationship With Another Person !

b. There is Only a Vacuum, an Emptiness, a Void in their life --- No Satisfaction!

c. Many people who practice Masturbation are so Selfish and Self-Centered, that they go on to even Greater Sins --- trying to find Fulfillment and Joy in life.

Plano, Tx. --- Brian ...

D. Sexual immorality is Far More Destructive than Alcohol --- Drugs --- Crime ...

God's Greatest and Most Long Lasting Judgments have been because of Sexual Sins --- not Alcohol --- not Drugs --- not Crime!

1. Noah --- The Flood.

2. Sodom & Gomorrah --- Homosexuality

3. Canaanites --- Inter-Marriage

4. David & Bathsheba --- Adultery --- Psa. 38:1-11

5. Abraham --- Sarah & Isaac --- Hagar & Ishmael

E. Now, One Last Point ...

Christian Sex Is Different From Non-Christian Sex!

VII. 1 Cor. 7:3-4, "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. {4} The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. {5} Defraud ye not one the other, except <it be> with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."

A. Non-Christian Sex is:

For Me --- I Need To Be Satisfied --- Make Me Feel Good --- Fulfill My Needs ...

B. Christian Sex is:

1. What Can I Do For You? --- I Want To Fulfill My Duty To You!

2. Christian Sex is the Ultimate Act of Unselfishness.

3. Animals want to fulfill Themselves --- Christians want to fulfill the needs of Their Mates.

C. V. 5, --- " Defraud Ye Not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your Incontinency ."

1. Because of their Erroneous Belief in the Spiritual Superiority of total Sexual Abstinence, some members of the church, at Corinth, practiced it Even Within Marriage .

a. Some Overzealous Husbands apparently had decided to Set Themselves Apart Wholly For God.

b. In doing so, they Neglected or even Denied their Responsibilities to their wives.

c. Some Wives had done the same thing.

2. God holds Marriage To Be Sacred and the Sexual Relations between husband and wife To Be Sacred.

a. Failure of Christians husbands and wives to submit sexually to one another, brings Dishonor To God because it Dishonors Marriage.

b. Sexual relationship within marriage is to be as Permanent as the marriage is.

c. Sarah, Abraham's wife, took Great Joy in this fact, even in her old age.

Genesis 18:12, "... After I am waxed [old] shall I have [pleasure] , my lord being [old] also?"

3. It Is Fraudulent for one To Abstain from sexual relations with his/her partner.

a. To "Defraud" means to "Take That Which Belongs To Another".

b. "Incontinency" means "Abandonment"

D. The husband and wife are Not To Abstain but for One And Only One Exception : (Other Than Health Reasons)

1. If Both agree to do so for a Short time for the purpose of Prayer and Fasting --- they may do so.

a. If there is a Specific Period of Time, with is Agreed Upon by both, and

b. If there is a Specific Purpose.

2. The Length of Time of Abstinence Is To Be In Direct Proportion To The Length Of Time Spent In Prayer And Fasting.

3. Anything other than this provides an opportunity for the Devil to tempt you because of your "Incontinency" (Abandonment) of your mate.

4. In Other Words, If You Are Not Praying & Fasting ...!

Conclusion:

A. The Bible Says:

1. Outside of marriage --- No Sex!

2. Within marriage --- Abundance of Sex!

In other words, Shop Till You Drop!

(Within Your Marriage --- Courtship)

In the 80s, W. A. Criswell preached a sermon out of a Redbook survey that indicated that evangelical married women were the most sexually satisfied in America. Dr. Criswell told his congregation; the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas; that "A good Christian girl would love her husband until he couldn't stand up and would have to be carried out in a wheelbarrow."

B. You see, the Bible, God's Word, not only tells us what Not To Do, it also tell us what To Do.!

John 8:32, "And ye shall [know] the [truth], and the [truth] shall make you [free].

C. There Truly Is Freedom Within Marriage!

Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage <is> honourable in all , and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

D. Now you may be here today, and:

1. You have already Lost Your Virginity as a single person,

2. You may be a woman, and have allowed Yourself To Be Used,

3. You may be a man, and are know as a Conquer of Women --- but today you have learned that Manhood is not going from woman to woman but the Ability To Succeed With One Woman.

4. You may be a young person and have Fallen Into Temptation because of Peer Pressure.

E. The Bible Has The Answer:

Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your [sins] be as [scarlet], they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

If You Are Not Saved, Nothing Else Matters