Galatians 5:13-18
Preached Wednesday Evening March 21, 2012

Introduction:

Like a bird out of prison
That has taken its flight;
Like a blind man that God
Gave back his sight.
Like a poor wretched beggar
That’s found fortune and fame,
I’m so glad that I found out
He could bring me out
And show me the way

Thank God I am free, free, free
From this world of sin.
I’ve been washed in the blood of Jesus,
I’ve been born again.
Hallelujah, I’m saved, saved, saved
By His wonderful grace.
I’m so glad that I found out
He could bring me out
And show me the way.

We sing this great gospel song. Glory to God I am no longer a slave! The Blood of Jesus has loosed the chains of sin, broken the fetters of guilt, and opened the prison of dead works. I am free! The Apostle Paul has been clearly preaching the freedom of anyone who has received the Gospel. Paul has been warning of those who would seek to entangle you again to try to merit favor through works, rules, and ritual. You don’t have to be bound by that, you are free! You do not have to keep the Old Testament dietary laws, you are free! You don’t have to be circumcised or keep the Sabbath, you are free!

Ok, so I am free, what am I supposed to do with this freedom? Last week we learned that Satan is a wrestler who tries to get you off balance. If he cannot push you, he will push you, waiting for you to push back, then he will pull you in a different direction, but off the mark none the less. We started to discuss this strategy last week. Perhaps Satan would try to enslave you into a works mentality, a legalistic approach to your Christian life. If you resist, now he will step aside and let you go into a completely opposite direction, license.

We must be vigilant as believers and keep out attitudes and actions in check. We must steer clear of the slavery of legalism while avoiding the pitfall of license. In our passage this evening Paul gives some very clear instructions about avoiding this latter problem. You see, Satan hates your liberty and wants to move you from it into some kind of slavery. Tonight we are going to see what we are to do with our freedom. We will see how we can use our liberty wisely.

I. Do not squander your liberty on your flesh.
Galatians 5:13 (AV)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

A. “Brethren” – this message is to fellow believers

B. As a believer you are called to liberty

1. We have been warned to guard that liberty
2. We have been extensively warned about those who would change the gospel, adding something to either obtain or maintain salvation.

C. “Only” – Paul is putting a qualifier on this freedom, a warning about Satan’s push/ pull wrestling style. Freedom from the law should not make you lawless.

D. “Occasion” = military term referring to a base of operations, a springboard or launching pad.

E. Flesh = unchecked affections and passions reflecting a “me first” attitude.

1 John 2:15–16 (AV)
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1. Lust of the flesh – physical desires
2. Lust of the eyes – fantasy, covetousness
3. Pride of life – self promotion

? Liberty + Love = service to others
? Liberty – Love = slavery to sin.

John 8:34 (AV)
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
II. Use your liberty to fulfill the Spirit of the Law
Galatians 5:13–15 (AV)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
A. “But” alla- strong contrasting connective – the opposite of using your liberty as a launching pad for your fleshly desires it to use it to serve one another selflessly.

B. “Serve” douleo = serve as a slave, no room for self promotion

C. “Love” agape = highest form of selfless, Godly love.

D. To choose to selflessly love is to continue in the freedom you have been given.
Romans 6:1 (AV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:15 (AV)
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
E. To selflessly love is to fulfill the law.
Romans 13:8–14 (AV)
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

F. Are you here primarily to be ministered to or to minister?

1. “Bite and Devour, Consume” = words used in classical Greek depicting wild animals in a life and death struggle.
2. Consume = spend wastefully, use up

III. Use your Liberty to walk after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16–18 (AV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
A. “This I say then” = concluding connective. Paul is summing it all up by telling us the best way to use our liberty wisely.

B. Walk in the Spirit

1. Walk = day by day decisions to obey the Spirit of the law which is to love others – constantly choosing to serve others above yourself. It is a day to day renewal.

2. It is impossible to fulfill the desires of the Spirit and the desires of your flesh at the same time.

3. If you seek to fulfill the desires of the Spirit, the desires of the flesh will be weakened and rendered powerless.

Romans 12:2 (AV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
C. It takes constant effort to walk after the Spirit because the Flesh and Spirit are at war with each other.
1. The inner conflict is actually an evidence of your salvation. With no Spirit, there would be no conflict.
2. It is your choice as to which one you will choose to obey at any given moment.
D. This is your freedom. You are no longer enslaved to the law, you are free to choose to follow the Spirit or to voluntarily enslave yourself back to your flesh.
Romans 6:11–14 (AV)
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Conclusion:
Satan is subtle. On the one hand he can get us to think that we need to do something to obtain or maintain salvation. On the other hand he can get us to use the freedom we have selfishly. I am free! I don’t have to quit smoking… so you become a slave of tobacco, no longer free. I am free! I don’t have to do any more ministry in church. Other people have to pick up the slack, and you have ignored the calling of the Holy Spirit only to be a slave to the selfish pursuit of your own leisure.
It is no accident you are here tonight. You needed this message. It is no accident that this message dove tails with Sunday Morning’s message, although I did not know it would when I preached Sunday’s message. God the Holy Spirit wants you to be free, but not to waste your freedom by using it as a launching pad to pamper your flesh. If God has put His finger on an area of your life, get it right before we continue in our prayer service. If you are a Born Again Christian, you are free! Use that liberty wisely.

Galatians 4:11-31
Preached Wednesday Evening February 29, 2012

Introduction:

We have been studying what happens when you allow someone to mess with the simple plan of salvation. The enemies of the truth would seek to infect believers with doubt, enslaving them once again, to the bondage of the law. Tonight we will see just how divisive this false teaching is. May we all be sober as we see the corrupting power of legalism.

I. Legalism turns a beloved pastor and spiritual leader into the feared enemy.

Galatians 4:12-16
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

A. Paul begs for the restoration of intimacy with the believers. 12

B. Paul suffered and served with the saints in Galatia. 13

C. Paul was received with love and understanding in spite of his physical limitations. (probably his poor eyesight) 14-15

D. Paul preached consistent truth. 16

E. After being infected with legalism, this same truth drove a wedge between the pastor and people.

II. Legalism turns disciples into doubters

Galatians 4:17-20
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

A. False teachers aggressively drove wedges between the believer and their pastor. 17-18

B. False teachers caused believers to doubt the love of their pastor. 19-20

III. Legalism turns freedom into bondage.

A. Legalists ignore the law they claim to believe.

Galatians 4:21
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

B. Moses wrote a great picture of the relationship between the law and grace.

Galatians 4:22-27
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

1. Ishmael = the law – bondage
2. Isaac = grace – freedom

C. We are children of promise not bondage.

Galatians 4:28
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Romans 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

D. That which is fleshly has always persecuted that which is spiritual.

Galatians 4:29
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

E. Cast out the bondwoman = refuse to be placed under the bondage of works whether to obtain or to maintain salvation.

Galatians 4:30-31
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Galatians 3:14-29

Preached Wednesday February 15, 2012

Introduction:

My favorite teacher, Mr. Illner, who taught American History in my high school, once gave a lesson that I will never forget. As we came into his class that day, those leaving the class that he had just taught were pale-faced. They shook their heads and whispered a solemn warning, “He’s in a really bad mood!”

As we filed in and the starting bell for that period rang, he slammed a ruler on his desk to grab our attention. “I’ve had enough of our lazy attitudes and immoral ways! If the whole world falls into ruin, it will not be because Michael Illner was soft on his students!” He then had us file past him, one by one, with our homework. Mine wasn’t complete. I was called outside. Someone whispered. He was called out as well. Mr. Illner took a four-foot-long paddle with him – he was no lightweight, you know. As we got into the hall, he informed us that he was teaching us what it was like as a student of the Puritans under a strict schoolmaster. We were not going to get a swat, but no one else knew it. He let the paddle slap the floor. – SMACK – Jim walked sheepishly back into a silent class. – SMACK – I did the same. We never forgot the lesson of the schoolmaster.

God tells us that the Law is like that – but there is not need for that Law once faith is found. Tonight we must “Fire the schoolmaster!”

I. Who bewitched you?

Galatians 3:1 – O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

A. Watered down grace through faith

B. Those who teach works salvation

C. Those who teach that you can lose your salvation

II. How were you saved in the first place?

Galatians 3:2 – This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

A. If it is indeed faith, how can you mix works to keep salvation?

Galatians 3:3 – Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

B. Do miracles come through works?

Galatians 3:5 – He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

III. No man can be justified by the works of the Law
Galatians 3:11 – But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

A. Abraham wasn’t
Galatians 3:6-9 – 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

B. All who place themselves under the law are under a curse

Galatians 3:10 – For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
C. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
Galatians 3:13 – Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

IV. The law was never part of the covenant of promise.
Galatians 3:14-18
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

A. The Abrahamic Covenant was sealed by the Ancient treaty – it was a done deal. Genesis 15

B. The Abrahamic Covenant was accepted by faith – and that faith accessed righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 (AV)
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

C. The original Abrahamic covenant was made based upon Abraham’s faith, not keeping the law. The law had not yet been written.

D. Abraham’s seed (not seeds) refers to all who believe God and have righteousness imputed to their account. All are saved the exact same way.

E. The existence of the law did not re-configure God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith. The covenant was already made

F. If righteousness and a heavenly inheritance comes because of our ability to keep the law, then God’s promise to Abraham has been nullified.

V. The Law is our schoolmaster

A. No law gives life
Galatians 3:21 – Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

B. All are under sin – we all need Christ’s redemption
Galatians 3:22 – But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

C. The Law revealed our sinful condition
Galatians 3:24 – Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

A. It existed whether we knew it or not
B. It was our schoolmaster
D. After faith, we do not need him – fire him!

Galatians 3:25 – But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

VI. The Law did not make us children of God, faith did.
Galatians 3:26–29 (AV)
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A. Faith in Christ grants us adoption into the family of God.

John 8:44 (AV)
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 1:12 (AV)
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Romans 8:15 (AV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

B. Our Baptism pictures the faith that unites us – united with Abraham as spiritual seed.

C. There is no difference of classes or genders, all need salvation, all access it the same way, through faith. (This verse has nothing to do with permitting ladies to preach to men!) 1 Tim 2: 9-11

Galatians 1:1-12
Preached Wednesday Evening January 4, 2012

Introduction:

Tonight we launch a new year of preaching centered around the theme “So Much The More As Ye See The Day Approaching”. On Wednesday evenings we will study Paul’s Epistles that focus upon his heartfelt instructions to churches helping them to live successful Christian lives in the face of fierce opposition. As we draw closer and closer to the Day of The Lord, the heat of our battle will intensify. It is important that we get our heads and hearts right and be conformed to the truth of the Word of God. Correct belief will produce correct living.

Have you ever doubted your salvation? Have you ever struggled with understanding or explaining all of the ramifications of salvation by grace through faith? Have you ever felt like a spiritual failure, wondering why or if God has really saved you? Tonight we are going to launch a study into a very important Pauline Epistle.

The book of Galatians was a terse letter written to all the churches in the region of Galatia. The churches were founded on the true Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone. Then some Judiazers came in and taught the people that if they did not follow certain rules, then the people would lose their salvation. The tactic was subtil, but they were actually preaching another Gospel.

I. Introduction

Galatians 1:1-5
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

A. Paul was an Apostle under the Authority of Jesus Christ.

B. Paul came to the churches in Galatia

1. A Celtic people – a Gaelic people
2. New to the Bible
3. Infected by Judiazers who corrupted the true Gospel

C. Paul came to these churches in the name of Christ

1. In His Grace
2. In His Peace
3. Remembering His death on the Cross.
4. Remembering that Jesus saved us from this present evil world.
5. Giving Him Glory forever

II. How quickly you forget!

A. You can quickly be removed from your foundation of grace.

Galatians 1:6
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

B. Anything other than Grace Alone is perversion of the gospel!

Galatians 1:7
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

C. Those who preach another gospel trouble you.

1. Unbearable standard

James 2: 10
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

2. No security in faith.

Romans 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

D. No matter who preaches another gospel, let them be accursed!

Galatians 1:8-9
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

1. Your pastor
2. A vision someone claims to have seen.
3. Some famous TV or Radio preacher

? It is the Bible that is our standard, not human reputation or ability.

III. The original gospel is good enough!!

A. Every one is a sinner

Romans 3:10
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

B. Christ’s perfect righteousness is applied to all who believe.

Romans 3:21-25
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

C. Old Testament saints were saved by faith without works!

Romans 4:4-8
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

D. We must turn from our own efforts of religion.

Romans 10:3
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

E. God offers the free gift of salvation.

Romans 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

IV. Do not tolerate any other gospel!

A. Someone who denies Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 12:3
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

B. One who corrupts worship by reverencing inanimate objects.

Deuteronomy 27:15
15 Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Romans 14:14 (AV)
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

C. One who changes God’s perfect and preserved Word.

Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

1. By tradition
2. By textual criticism.

D. One who claims the Blood does not matter.

Hebrews 9:22–24 (AV)
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

E. One who enslaves himself to the law by “Lordship Salvation”

1. For obtaining salvation

Galatians 3:10,13
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

2. For maintaining salvation.

Galatians 3:3
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

I Corinthians 6:13-20

Preached Wednesday Evening August 31, 2011

 

Introduction:

 

           This evening we are going to delve into a very sensitive and under preached subject.  We do it because this is the subject of our passage.  We do it because this sin is destroying lives and families at a record rate.  We are going to talk about sex.  Specifically, we are going to talk about the sin of fornication, or sex outside of marriage.

 

          Every day we are bombarded with messages, both subtle and graphic, that a successful and happy person is one who has many sexual conquests in his or her life.  Every TV show and movie assumes that sex outside of marriage is assumed and accepted as a normal function like eating.  One born again Lutheran pastor friend of mine is seeking my help with a marriage ceremony because this is the first couple he has married that were not already living together or having an active physical relationship.  They are the only ones he has ever worked with who even claimed to be saving themselves for the wedding night!

 

          One of our biggest problems as a society is that we feel that we are the possessors of our own bodies.  If you are a Born Again Believer, you are not your own, Jesus owns you!

 

I.                   Your body is God’s holy creation.

 

Genesis 1:27

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

Revelation 4:11

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

1 Corinthians 6:13

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.     There are things for which you body is designed

 

1.     Eating

2.     Sleeping

3.     Sex within marriage

 

Hebrews 13:4

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

B.     There are things for which your body is not designed

 

1.     Addiction – including the sin of gluttony

 

1 Corinthians 6:12

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.

 

2.     Fornication= “pornia”= sexual activity outside of marriage

 

1 Corinthians 6:13

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. 

 

C.     God’s design is perfect

 

1 Corinthians 6:14

14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

 

II.                Your Body is God’s Holy Dwelling Place

 

A.     God will not leave you, so you take Him with you no matter where you go or what you do

 

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Corinthians 3:16

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 6:17

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

 

Ephesians 5:30

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

 

B.     Whoever you have sex with, you become one with

 

1.     That is why a baby is the logical outcome of two becoming one

 

Genesis 2:24

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 

Matthew 19:5-6

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

 

2.     There is no such thing as a casual encounter

 

1 Corinthians 6:16

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

 

C.     If a Christian joins to an harlot, then God is joined to the harlot

 

1 Corinthians 6:15

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.

 

 

III.             Your body is God’s holy tool.

 

A.     Make it you habit to flee fornication

 

1 Corinthians 6:18

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

 

1.     Joseph did

 

Genesis 39:1-12

 

2.     Take the way of escape

 

1 Corinthians 10:13

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

 

3.     Do not allow yourself to be tempted

 

Romans 13:14

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

 

4.     Don’t start something you shouldn’t finish

 

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

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.

 

5.     Fornication is a sin against the body and will sow seeds of judgment

 

Galatians 6:7-9

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

a.      unwanted pregnancy

b.     STD’s

c.      AIDS

d.     Once you lose your virginity, you can never present yourself pure to your spouse on your wedding night

e.      If you live in sin, do not be surprised if God’s heavy hand of judgment falls upon you and yours.

 

B.     Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit

 

1 Corinthians 6:19

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?

 

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

 

2 Corinthians 6:16

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,  I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 

1.     Fornication is a sin against the temple

2.     Beware of any kind if temple desecration

 

C.     You are not your own

 

1 Corinthians 6:20

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

2 Corinthians 5:15

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 

1.     You body has been purchased with Christ’s blood

2.     Glorify God din you body

 

Romans 6:12-13

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 

 

3.     Glorify God in your spirit

 

John 15:8

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

Conclusion:

God give us men. The time demands

Strong minds, great hearts,

True faith and willing hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie;

Men who can stand before a demagogue

And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking;

Tall men, sun-crowned men, who live above the fog

In public duty and in private thinking.

John G. Holland

 

 

         

          If you are born again, yet guilty of this terrible sin you must repent! In a few moments we will be taking communion. Do not bring greater judgment on yourself by taking communion before you repent. Are you “shacking up”? Move out today! Do what is takes to serve God with your body. Do what it takes to follow the principles of purity.