You’ve probably noticed that all around us, discussions about sex are often skewed and misinformed, with social media, movies, and other platforms bombarding us with messages that contradict biblical teachings. Ignoring this topic in church leaves a void that secular narratives quickly fill, which is why we’ve spent the last two weeks talking about to how align our thinking on sex with God’s thinking as laid out in Scripture.

Many pastors shy away from preaching about sex and money, yet these are areas where our culture is most confused. By addressing these topics head-on, the church can provide clarity and guidance rooted in Scripture.

We’ve been journeying through the book of 1 Corinthians, and in chapter six we find the apostle Paul addressing the Corinthians, who lived in a culture that promoted sexual freedom without boundaries. The prevalent slogan, “Everything is permissible for me,” reflects a mindset that Paul challenged by emphasizing that not everything is beneficial.

Paul confronted the Greek notion that the body and spirit were to be thought of separate entities. They’re not separate! They are intimately intertwined, which is why Paul argued that what we do with our bodies affects our spirits. This holistic view underscores for us still today the importance of honoring God with our entire being—body, soul, and spirit.

Sexual immorality is not just a physical act; sin in this regard carries profound spiritual implications. This is why Paul urged believers to flee from sexual immorality. I know we’re called to be patient throughout Scripture, but in this situation, different counsel applies. We are to waste no time in running away from any situation that could leave us sinning sexually against ourselves, against another person, and ultimately against God.

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Jesus’ teachings on sex and marriage are clear and consistent. He emphasizes that sex is designed for a man and a woman within the covenant of marriage. Incidentally, that’s the only situation in which sex is to occur.

Why? Because such a commitment is the only way to foster intimacy and spiritual growth, aligning with God’s design.

Whenever I encounter this chapter in Scripture, I think of this truth: When we cheapen sex, we cheapen our souls. It really is true. The enemy seeks to devalue the sacred act of sex, but understanding its true purpose helps us honor it appropriately.

That understanding has to include this truth: our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This means that God dwells within us, making our physical actions deeply significant. We are not our own; we were bought at a price—the life of Jesus Christ.

Understanding that we are temples of the Holy Spirit should motivate us to pursue holiness, making choices that honor God and reflect our identity as his children. So, let me ask you to consider a few things:

1. Do you truly understand how valuable you are to God? You were bought with a high price. You were expensive to him! Yet he gladly paid for you.
2. Are you committed to glorifying God with your sexuality? What shifts in thinking or behavior might be necessary for you to get more serious about this commitment?
3. Are you actively fleeing any form of sexual immorality? Remember, this isdefined as any sexual act that occurs outside of the bonds of marriage.

This week, I hope you’ll commit to honoring God with your body. Reflect on your actions and decisions, ensuring they align with your identity as a child of God.

I love you!

I’m for you.

Pastor Brady

How do you feel when you think about God’s holiness?

Do you feel defeated, like you’ll never measure up?

Do you feel distanced from him, as though your imperfections make him sick?

Or do you feel drawn in by him, inspired to be holy because God is holy?

As believers, we’re called to be holy. But we can’t live up to that standard by ourselves. We need God’s presence to be holy. We need God’s power to be holy. We need God’s character, coursing through our thoughts, our words, our lives.

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Friends, we are the bride of Christ, and one of the primary ways we practice holiness is in how we view our bodies and our sexuality. In 1 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of sexual immorality within the church, clear in his message that we can’t tolerate unrepentant sin among our members. Paul’s instruction to “hand this man over to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5) may seem harsh, but it underscores the seriousness of maintaining holiness within the church. This action is meant to lead the sinner to repentance and ultimately restore him or her to the fellowship.

I hope you caught that: the goal of Paul’s position here is to help us when we sin to find our way back to God.

Think about how your life changed when you first decided to follow Jesus. You probably experienced transformation, right? Your behaviors, attitudes, and desires started to align more closely with God’s will as you began to grow in your faith.

This is as it should be!

Believers are called to be “peculiar” and to stand out from the world. Our lives should reflect the values of the kingdom of God, not those of the culture. This includes our social media posts, our conversations, and our overall conduct. We’re to demonstrate that we have been sanctified—called out for the purpose of becoming more like Jesus.

By our words and actions, we can show the world that we are taking up our cross daily, repenting of our sins, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. We should demonstrate that we’re in this deal for the long haul, actively participating with God. We can show that as the Church, we are supporting each other in this journey, not condemning, but building up.

I hope you’re going all-in with God today. I really do. There is no better plan for your life than that one!

Here’s a way to start:

1. Examine your life. Ask yourself if your life has changed since you decided to follow Jesus. Are there areas where you need to repent and seek transformation?
2. Pursue holiness. Reflect on areas of your life that need to align more closely with God’s holiness. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in purity and righteousness.
3. Support other believers. Be a source of encouragement and support for fellow believers who are struggling. Pray for them and offer practical help.

I love you.
God loves you.
Let’s keep pressing on.

Pastor Brady