HOW TO GLORIFY GOD WHILE ENJOYING [MARRIED] LIFE
1 Corinthians 6-7
"Sex saturated society"
Focus on the body-perverted view.
Satan's attempt to call "liberty" that which really enslaves!
"Sexaholics Anonymous"
The world's philosophy says:
"If it feels good, do it!"
"Satisfy your desires. Don't let your "hang-ups" keep you from enjoying life."
CONCERNING MISUSE OF THE BODY 6:12-20
The church at Corinth has been influenced by local attitudes concerning the body and wants the freedom to use their bodies as they please.
Corinth was noted for paganism and for prostitution of every type.
Some wanted to live like everybody else.
The restrictions are old-fashioned. We know better!
We have liberty in Christ.
The Christians in Corinth were being caught up by the spirit of the age around them.
They developed the same attitudes toward the opposite sex and toward the body.
They were lacking in genuine love for one another.
And today?
Despite AIDS and other worries, the sexual liberation of society continues.
USA<> Today: out of 999 college students from 104 campuses,
60% said they were unwilling to give up casual sex in spite of the AIDS threat.
The church, too, is riddled with immorality.
A poll among evangelical teens from eight denominations found that by age 18, 43% had experienced sexual intercourse and 65% engaged in petting. (Eternity, Jan. 89)
Paul is going to demonstrate the basic issue: what are we living for?
Are we living to satisfy ourselves, or to glorify God?
Has the fact the God has bought us out of our slavery to sin made a difference?
TWO POPULAR CONCEPTS
1) “I'm free!”-I can do whatever I wish
Personal liberty 12 "All things are lawful for me!" (2X)
N.T. view of freedom from law
Today's view-individual liberty to do what we want with our bodies.
2) "Food for the belly" 13 "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food!"
"GOD MADE ME LIKE THIS"- He understands my needs and desires.
This is the world's view. It thinks about personal satisfaction first
Paul’s principle: the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
It has a purpose.
It’s to be the instrument God uses to reveal His glory-NOT to satisfy self.
KEY CONCEPTS
Our body is for the Lord 13b
Our body belongs to Christ 15a
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit 19-20
[Backdrop-6:9-11-The conduct of the unrighteous
Conduct which prohibits entrance into God's kingdom 9-10
While you may have done such things in past, now you’re cleansed and separated from them 11
The real issue for them now is clarified: ]
PRINCIPLE OF LIBERTY APPLIED 6:12
Because we’ve been purchased, all restrictions have been removed.
6:12 aAll things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.
All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
All things are lawful
Righteousness is based on faith, not works.
I can do anything I want to do and it will not affect my righteousness.
Paul's teaching on the importance of not giving in to the desires of the flesh isn't a legalistic "Thou shalt not ..." approach.
He enjoys freedom but recognizes that true freedom is accompanied by responsibility.
We enjoy the freshness of Christian liberty, while rejecting the abuses of excess.
Some things are inconsistent with godly living and my righteous position.
Some things aren’t profitable for me-they won't work together to uplift me
They won't make me a better person.
Some things will take control of my life.
I won’t be controlled by any activity or form of conduct.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF ABUSE 6:13-18-the real issue illustrated
Every blessing God has given to man may be perverted
6:13-14 13a Food => Gluttony
6:15-18 13b-18 Sex => Fornication-And no end of other desires.
The spirit of our age (like that of Corinth) is captured by the young person who said: "My sexual needs are just like all my other needs.
If I get hungry I drop by McDonald's for a quarterpounder with cheese,
if I feel the need for sex I get a date with a willing girl. What's wrong with that?"
Chafin observes: "In many ways the inability to make moral distinctions between "fast food" and "fast sex" has crept into our churches even as it had in Corinth.
The media has created a me-centered image of contentment.
I'm satisfied when I get what I want-pleasure, sex, drugs, love, money, things, even friends, a loving husband or wife, boy friend or girl friend, etc.
It all revolves around ME, and satisfying my desires.
The frustration with these desires is:
1) We never get enough of what we want.
2) When we get it, it doesn't satisfy. (It ends up empty; it doesn't "fill the hole")
O.J. Simpson, interview in People Magazine:
"I sit in my house and sometimes I get so lonely its unbelievable. Life has been so good to me. I've got a great wife, good kids, money, my own health-and I'm lonely and bored. . . . I often wondered why so many rich people commit suicide. Money sure isn't a cure-all"
So what is? What is worth living for?
The theme of the worldly centers on self-indulgence
The body was made for food; therefore, let's eat up-enjoy it!
The body was made for sex; therefore, let's live it up-enjoy it!
If it feels good, do it!
While indeed, it may well be that the stomach was made for food and food for it.
Even so, that's a short-range view. Both of those are temporary.
On the other hand, it is never true that the body was made for immoral sex.
God made a sex drive, but not for immorality.
That goes against all that He is; and against His purpose for making man.
As God's people, our bodies are to be a part of Him; not of a prostitute.
We are to be one with Him; not one with a prostitute.
We are to be His temple and glorify Him; not gratify self.
Paul responds: the body was given to be used for God-for His glory.
The principle of self-indulgence ought not to control us.
It’s inconceivable that what has been united into one with Christ could be united with a harlot also.
(Swindoll) "When I was in the Marines, I spent nearly a year and a half in the Orient. . . . Eight thousand miles away from my wife and family. Lots of free time . . . and plenty of opportunities to drift into sexual escapades. . . . Brightly lit bars, with gorgeous females of any nationality you pleased, were open seven nights a week, 365 days a year. . . . The sensual temptation was fierce, to say the least.
I was in my midtwenties. I was a Christian. I was also one hundred percent human. It didn't take me long to realize that unless I learned how to force my body to behave, I'd be no different from any other Marine on liberty. . . . I developed ways to stay busy. I occupied my time with creative involvements. . . . I walked fast. I refused to linger and allow my body to respond to the glaring come-on signals. My eyes looked straight ahead . . . and sometimes I literally ran to my destination. I consciously forced myself to tune out the sensual music. I disciplined my mind through intensive reading plus a Scripture memory program. And I began most days praying for God's strength to get me through. The battle was terribly difficult, but the commitment to sexual purity paid rich dividends."
Under the barrage of contemporary messages, it would be easy to believe that purity, or self-control is an unachievable, outdated standard from the long-forgotten past.
PROPER USE OF THE BODY 6:19-20
He warns us to control our bodies so God may be glorified by our actions.
Paul reveals one of the most important ideas we will ever learn about the Christian life and about our role in living here on the earth:
Your body has been called to fulfill the role of the O.T. Temple.
It was to glorify God. Therefore, YOU glorify God.
It was to reveal God. Does our lifestyle reveal Him to those around us? Gal. 5:22-23
OUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR A PURPOSE: TO REVEAL GOD'S GLORY!
THREE KEY PRINCIPLES
1) While all things are permissable, not everything is beneficial.
2) Happiness comes from realizing that we belong to God and He lives in us.
3) Live to glorify Him rather than to satisfy self.
THREE KEY QUESTIONS
1) Is it really profitable? 12
2) Will it control me? 12
We’re to be controlled by the Spirit-Not by desires for personal satisfaction.
3) Will it glorify God? 20
We need to issue a “PG” warning this morning.
Compared to TV this is pretty tame; but it IS direct!
At GBI-I warned them that this was a dangerous and difficult message; The following week
Several married students: “It's too late to warn me now!
Why didn't someone preach this to me years ago!”
Some young men: Thanked me for warning-went right on in same direction as always
Young women: Wouldn't talk to me all week They just gave me a cold stare!
CONCERNING MARRIAGE 7:1-40
In 1 Cor. 7, Paul deals with how their lack of love affects their marriage.
Diversity in congregation—each one views it through different eyes.
Like the Corinthians, it’s too easy to treat the issue without compassion
It's easy to just present this as a theory
When you start applying these principles to life, you find you have to deal with real live peopleSome are already suffering. What we say can add to the pain!
Others will suffer because of what we say.
PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE 7:1-9
Marriage is intended to give US the opportunity to meet the needs of another.
MARRIAGE IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!
One of the main ideas of this chapter is that you’re better off staying single!
Single people sometimes find this hard to believe.
When you marry, you start out on the most difficult struggle of your life.
[ Paul afffirms this fact four ways: . . . ]
1. Once you marry, you’re stuck for life! Marriage is forever! Matt. 19:3-12
2. Once you marry, you are no longer your own boss.
You give up control of your own life.
That’s just as true whether you’re a man or a woman 7:3
You belong to your mate 7:4
You submit your desires to your mate (7:3-5)
This is something you are to keep on doing continually!
"Pay what you owe! Do your duty! Fulfill your obligation!"
It's NOT conditional. You do your part, period!
You dedicate yourself to meeting the needs of your partner
Goes beyond sexual needs-but includes them)
If you don’t like it, you don’t have to marry, but IF you choose to marry, part of the deal is you give up your rights and your desires for your spouse —marriage is about GIVING!
Concl.-Therefore, it's better not to marry! (7:7-8)
3. Once you marry, your main concern becomes your spouses’ welfare 7:26, 28 You become more concerned about the person you love.
Therefore, in the midst of difficult times—the family becomes a burden.
When persecution comes, it's one thing if I suffer; it's another if my family suffers
If there is a shortage, it's always harder if your family suffers too.
Married people dedicate themselves to struggle for good of their family.
Concl.-Don't try to get married!
4. Once you marry, ministry takes second place. 7:32-35
1st priority-how to please your mate.
2nd priority-how to serve God
There is a price to pay for marriage.
You give up your right to be an independent person
You give up your control over your own life
You give up your liberty to serve the Lord
Paul recognizes the benefits of marriage
But he also recognizes that marriage is going to cost you plenty.
Two conclusions:
1) You’re better off single 7:1
2) If you're going to marry, you’d better be willing to pay the price.
You’d better be determined to GIVE! 7:9a
v. 1 The warning: It's best to stay away from women!
Don't have anything to do with them.
v. 2 As a realist, practical problem: fornication-the temptation is just too great (especially in sex-saturated Corinth)
Christ too said, "but not everyone can live with that alternative!"
PRACTICAL COUNSEL FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING
LEGITIMATE REASONS FOR GETTING MARRIED:
1. Because of the immorality around us 7:2
There’s temptation everywhere around us, both for male and female
There was in Corinth in Paul’s day There is today as well.
Temple of Aphrodite was just outside Corinth. 1,000 priestesses carried on immoral activities in worship of pagan god. Their sandals left words in the sand: FOLLOW ME. Corinthian citizens and sailors accepted the invitation. The goddess of physical pleasure still calls to us; almost every area of our culture cries out: “FOLLOW ME!”
Michigan State University study: average teenage girl views 1,500 sexual acts, or references to sexual acts, on television each year.... Combination of sex on TV and movies provides tantalizing attraction, difficult for teenage girls to resist.”
Natural temptation-what you see with the eye
Social temptation-what the world flashes before us daily
-movies, television, magazines, music, newspaper
To avoid falling into Satan's trap, it’s better to marry.
2. Because of our inability to control ourselves 7:9a
Danger physically, as well as mentally.
Danger of burning 7:9b
If you struggle with temptation, you need to marry, not resist it.
Paul goes through this whole dialogue by way of concession; he would rather we stay unattached, as he is.
That isn't practical for most people.
We weren't made to live that way.
We need companionship and sexual intimacy (7:6-9)
["If you must marry, then . . . ."]
LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE:
Paul's arguments appear to be saying:
(1) Marriage is based on carnality
(2) Celibacy [ = not getting married] is based on spirituality.
It looks like he’s saying marriage is bad; it’s not the best choice
... that staying single is more spiritual; it’s a better choice!
This is NOT a valid conclusion: That’s a false conclusion!
God created sexGod created marriage
Sex is a good thing Marriage is good
God is the One who said it isn't good for man to be alone
Either response is possible:
Marriage can be lived for God, or be self-centered and carnal!
A single lifestyle can be lived for God, or be self-centered and carnal
God's plan for most people is marriage 7:2
Benedict’s Scrapbook: a publisher offered a prize for best answer to question, “Why is a newspaper like a good woman?” Winning answer: “It’s like a good woman, because every man should have one of his own and not look at his neighbor’s!”
God's answer to sexual temptation is NOT self-control (abstinence);
God’s answer is marriage.
God's purpose for marriage includes sexual satisfaction.
Sexual satisfaction is a legitimate purpose for marriage.
Concept that the only valid reason for marriage is reproduction is NOT a biblical concept!
Personal satisfaction is also a legitimate purpose—inside of marriage!
BIBLICAL COUNSEL FOR MARRIAGE
(Since marriage exists to resolve the problem of sexual temptation:)
1) Both partners are told to do their duty! 3-5
2) Neither partner ought to reject the desire of the other 7:5
Except under three conditions:
1) Mutual consent
2) Limited time
3) Spiritual purpose-to dedicate ourselves to prayer (& fasting).
This is not conditional!
3) To deny your partner is to tempt your partner 7:5
The shopping trip
“Satan is not such a fool as to fish without bait!”
Since this is true, married people should avoid putting partner in jeopardy
Satan will take advantage of it!
4) Sex is NOT a tool (or a bribe) you use to get your way.
It’s not something you use to manipulate your partner to get what you want! —that’s prostitution!
5) Meeting your partner's need isn't limited to sex. It applies to every area!
-economic needs
-personal needs
Companionship Self-expression
Love Sense of value and purpose, significance
-social need
Getting out of the house Going out together
-Sometimes it includes the need for "breathing room"
6) Fulfilling your duty to your partner requires spending time together.
Conclusion:
God's plan is that most marry
Marriage achieves good purposes
ONE SURE THING ABOUT MARRIAGE:
IT WILL COST YOU PLENTY!
It requires GIVING!
People who don't want to pay the price, shouldn't marry!
The world says:
"Your body is yours; you decide what you want to do with it." "You have your rights!"
"When you don't get what you want, make the other one pay!"
Love says:
Satisfy your mate's needs unconditionally
=> and your own needs will be satisfied.
even if it doesn't get me what I want, I still do what God tells me to do!
We’re back to the bottom line of love again.
Love begins with giving.
GIVING is unconditional!
What do you think God wants YOU to do in the light of this passage?