Fleeing Sexual Immmorality

for Another Love: God

1 Cor. 6:12-20

 

Main Idea: We must flee sexual sin for another lover: God

 

1.        the Slogans of sexual immorality

 

 

2.        The slavery of sexual immorality.

 

2.1.  Destroys Freedom

 

  • We are indeed free – Paul concedes this.
  • Corinthians think that freedom is having full choice of every and any option.
  • Paraodox of freedom – free to choose the right slavery.
  • Sexual immorality enslaves.

 

People inevitably become enslaved to their sins.  Paul reminds them that embodied humans easily can become hostage to their bodily appetites.  One can only choose the master one serves, and Paul later declares that he has chosen to become enslaved in service to Christ and others and pummels his body to maintain his devotion.    David Garland, ECNT, 1 Corinthians, p. 229

 

We humans are so designed, in the fascinating interplay of body, mind, emotions and imagination, that what we are and do as sexual beings affects every other aspect of our lives.  There is no such thing as ‘casual sex’; sex is far more important than that.  To trivialize sex is to trivialize our God-given humanness.  To tell lies in that area inevitably sets up a fault line that will run through the rest of our character; or, to look at it the other way round, if there are fault lines elsewhere in our lives, they may well result in distorted or damaging sexual desires and practices.  – Tom Wright.

 

 

2.2.  Destroys Fellowship

 

  • Our bodies are members of Christ.
  • We are one in spirit with Christ.
  • One who fornicates becomes one with other.
  • The shock of uniting Christ with a prostitute!
  • Destroys fellowship with Christ.

 

 

To give oneself over to porneia is unthinkable because it separates one from Christ, renounces his lordship, and is irreconcilable with the resurrection life.  .    David Garland, ECNT, 1 Corinthians, p. 231

 

 

3.        The savior from sexual immorality

 

3.1.  Denies the Gospel

·          Bought with a price.

·          The meaning of redemption.

·          The new life.

·          The indicative before the imperative.

Paul does not condemn them for failing to obey the law that forbids porneia, nor does he command them to obey  the law.  He argues instead that they should live in was congruent with who they are – those who belong to Christ and are destined to live with Christ.   .   

David Garland, ECNT, 1 Corinthians, p. 231

 

3.2.  Run to the Savior from Sexual Immorality.

·          Delighting in Him.

·          Delighting in the fullness of salvation.

 

 

4.        Conclusion Applications

 

 A way out:

4.1.  Truth – the necessary ground work.

4.1.1.     Our freedom

4.1.2.     Grace

4.1.3.     Our identity

 

4.2.  Flee

 

4.3.  Accountability – grace in the body.

 

4.4.  Sowing

 

An idle mind is an idol’s mind

 

Questions:

1.       What were common ideas about extramarital sex in Corinth?

2.       What are common ideas about extramarital sex in New England?  Name a few.

3.       Why should we flee sexual immorality? (From this passage)

4.       Are there any other reasons given in scripture.

5.       How do we treat non-believers who are pursuing sexual immorality?

6.       How do we treat believers pursuing sexual immorality?  How is this different?

7.       What lies entice us towards sexual immorality?

8.       How do we avoid these lies?

9.       What truths help you flee sexual immorality?

10.   What practices help you flee sexual immorality?

11.   What would you say to a friend who is a believer and struggling with this area?

12.   What would you do to help them?  Pray for them, say it, do it!

  1. Do you need to confess your struggle to someone?