Why Sexual Morality Matters to God 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:11 “If you think you can’t fall into sexual sin, then you’re godlier than David, stronger than Samson, and wiser than Solomon.” Bill Perkins “Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). “The word porneia (“sexual immorality”) in the Greek world simply meant “prostitution,” in the sense of going to the prostitutes and paying for sexual pleasure. The Greeks were ambivalent on that matter, depending on whether one went openly to the brothels or was more discreet and went with a paramour. But the word had been picked up in Hellenistic Judaism, always pejoratively, to cover all extramarital sexual sins and aberrations, including homosexuality.” Gordon Fee “In a culture where one could matter-of-factly say, “Mistresses we keep for the sake of pleasure, concubines for the daily care of the body, but wives to bear us legitimate children,” the Judeo-Christian moral restrictions on human sexuality were not easily absorbed by pagan converts. Paul therefore had to address this question regularly in the Gentile churches. From 6:9–10 we learn that sexual immorality had been part of the Corinthians’ previous lifestyle; on the basis of 5:9, 6:12–20, 7:2, and 10:8 (cf. 2 Cor. 12:21), we may deduce that they had carried that lifestyle into their new existence in Christ. The problem, however, is not simply a relaxed attitude toward this sin, but whether they also tried to give a theological basis for it and thereby to condone it.” Gordon Fee Today’s Takeaway’s: 1. Avoid the temptation of watering down God’s Word to satiate your desires or the desires of our surrounding culture. 2. Realize that there is something seriously wrong with our heart when we are no longer shocked by sexually egregious sin. 3. Know that it’s not unloving to challenge a believer who is living in blatant sexual sin, rather it’s unloving not to. 4. Don’t underestimate how toxic unaddressed sexual sin is to the church and how it can spread like a cancer. 5. Trust that God’s Word and His ways are meant for our good and the good of the church. 6. Develop a set of sexual boundaries to safeguard yourself from falling into sexual sin. My Personal Boundaries “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” Job 31:1 -I will be careful to guard my eyes to protect myself from sexual temptation. -I will be cautious regarding how I spend time with the opposite sex and always keep Heather in the loop. -I will be a red-light man. -I will always keep my wedding ring on as it serves as an initial boundary saying, “He is spoken for.” -I will be quick to talk about my bride when I encounter a female in various conversation settings. -I will keep an honest inventory regarding my thought life with my dear friend Bryan Loritts. -I will guard my spiritual life from drifting by cultivating a closely connected relationship to Jesus. Very Possible Consequences of Falling into Sexual Temptation: -I would disgrace the name of God and add to people’s skepticism -I would break the heart of my wife & kids and lose their trust and respect -I would lose influence in my ministry and leave my flock shattered with confusion -I would lose the respect of the community around me -I could possibly catch an STD or pass it on to my wife -I would end up with a shattered life that’s filled with regret and depression -I would give Satan a reason to rejoice and laugh in my face and God’s -I could possibly lose my wife and children forever -I could have such bad guilt that it takes me back to my past party lifestyle!