Fleeing Immorality: Embracing God's Design for Our Bodies
Summary
In 1974, Bruce Springsteen released a song titled "Born to Run," which captures a sentiment that resonates deeply with the Apostle Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 6. Just as Springsteen sought to escape Freehold, New Jersey, we are called to flee from "Immoralityville," a metaphor for sexual immorality. This call to flee is not just about running away from something harmful but also about running toward something greater—God's purpose for our lives. Today, we explore three compelling reasons to flee sexual immorality and pursue God's design for our bodies.
Firstly, Christian freedom comes with beneficial boundaries. While we are free in Christ, this freedom is not a license to indulge in every desire. Paul reminds us that not all things are helpful, and we should not be dominated by anything. True freedom thrives within the limits God has set for us, allowing us to live in a way that honors Him and benefits us. The Corinthian culture, much like ours today, was rife with opportunities for sexual immorality, but God calls us to live within His boundaries for our good and His glory.
Secondly, God has a beautiful plan for our bodies. Our bodies are not just physical entities; they are integral to our spiritual lives. Paul emphasizes that our bodies are made for the Lord and are members of Christ. This means that our bodies are not designed for sexual expression outside of marriage. Sexual intimacy is a gift meant to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage, reflecting the one-flesh union God intended from creation. Moreover, our bodies are destined for resurrection, a future hope that underscores their eternal significance.
Lastly, the health of the body of Christ requires individual holiness. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and engaging in sexual sin is a sin against our own bodies. This sin not only affects us but also the corporate health of the church. We are called to flee from sexual immorality and glorify God in our bodies. Jesus Christ, who took on a body and lived without sin, is our example. As believers, we are reborn to run away from sin and toward glorifying God.
Key Takeaways:
- Christian Freedom and Boundaries: True freedom in Christ involves living within the beneficial boundaries God has set for us. These boundaries are not restrictions but protections that allow us to thrive spiritually and physically. Embracing these limits leads to a life that honors God and benefits us. [07:24]
- God's Design for Our Bodies: Our bodies are created with a divine purpose, meant for the Lord and as members of Christ. This design calls us to honor God with our bodies, recognizing their eternal significance and the future hope of resurrection. [15:36]
- Sexual Intimacy and Marriage: Sexual intimacy is a sacred gift intended for the marriage relationship. Engaging in sexual acts outside of this context is not only against God's design but also harmful to our spiritual and physical well-being. [19:30]
- Holiness and Corporate Health: The health of the church depends on the holiness of its members. Our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, must be kept pure to maintain the integrity and witness of the body of Christ. [24:51]
- Glorifying God in Our Bodies: We are called to glorify God in our bodies, choosing to flee from sexual immorality and pursue holiness. This is our ultimate purpose, reflecting the example of Jesus, who glorified God through His obedience. [33:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Born to Run: A Metaphor for Our Journey
- [05:11] - Christian Freedom and Boundaries
- [07:24] - Not All Things Are Helpful
- [10:00] - God's Design for Our Bodies
- [12:30] - The Body and Sexuality
- [15:36] - Members of Christ
- [19:30] - Sexual Intimacy and Marriage
- [22:00] - The One Flesh Union
- [24:51] - Holiness and Corporate Health
- [26:22] - Fleeing Sexual Immorality
- [27:41] - The Impact of Sexual Sin
- [30:52] - Our Bodies as Temples
- [33:09] - Glorifying God in Our Bodies
- [37:10] - Jesus: Our Example in the Body
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
- Genesis 2:24
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful"? How does this relate to Christian freedom? [07:24]
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between our bodies and the Lord in 1 Corinthians 6:13? What is the significance of this relationship? [15:36]
3. According to the sermon, what is the purpose of sexual intimacy, and how is it meant to be expressed? [19:30]
4. What does it mean for our bodies to be temples of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:19? [30:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "Christian freedom with boundaries" challenge or affirm your understanding of freedom in Christ? [05:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that sexual immorality affects not just the individual but the entire body of Christ? [24:51]
3. How does the future hope of resurrection influence the way we should view and treat our bodies today? [19:30]
4. What does it mean to glorify God in our bodies, and how does this relate to the example set by Jesus? [33:09]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be stepping outside the beneficial boundaries God has set? How can you realign with His design for your life? [05:11]
2. How can you practically honor God with your body in your daily routine, considering the sermon’s emphasis on our bodies being made for the Lord? [15:36]
3. What steps can you take to ensure that your relationships reflect the sacredness of sexual intimacy as intended by God? [19:30]
4. In what ways can you contribute to the health of the body of Christ by pursuing personal holiness? [24:51]
5. Identify a specific temptation related to sexual immorality that you face. What strategies can you implement to flee from it and glorify God instead? [26:22]
6. How can the example of Jesus, who lived without sin, inspire you to make choices that honor God with your body? [37:10]
7. Consider the idea that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this truth impact your view of self-care and the choices you make regarding your body? [30:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Freedom Within God's Boundaries
Christian freedom is not about indulging every desire but living within the beneficial boundaries set by God. These boundaries are not restrictions but protections that allow us to thrive spiritually and physically. In a world filled with temptations, especially regarding sexual immorality, God calls us to live within His limits for our good and His glory. The Corinthian culture, much like ours today, was rife with opportunities for sexual immorality, but true freedom in Christ involves choosing what is helpful and not being dominated by anything. Embracing these limits leads to a life that honors God and benefits us. [07:24]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to live within God's boundaries? How can you seek His guidance to embrace these limits as a form of true freedom today?
Day 2: Divine Purpose for Our Bodies
Our bodies are not merely physical entities; they are integral to our spiritual lives and are created with a divine purpose. Paul emphasizes that our bodies are made for the Lord and are members of Christ. This means that our bodies are not designed for sexual expression outside of marriage. Sexual intimacy is a gift meant to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage, reflecting the one-flesh union God intended from creation. Moreover, our bodies are destined for resurrection, a future hope that underscores their eternal significance. Recognizing this divine design calls us to honor God with our bodies. [15:36]
"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!" (1 Corinthians 6:15, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding your body as a member of Christ change the way you view your daily actions and decisions? What steps can you take to honor God with your body today?
Day 3: Sacredness of Sexual Intimacy
Sexual intimacy is a sacred gift intended for the marriage relationship. Engaging in sexual acts outside of this context is not only against God's design but also harmful to our spiritual and physical well-being. The one-flesh union in marriage reflects the intimate relationship God desires with His people. By keeping sexual intimacy within marriage, we honor God's design and protect ourselves from the consequences of sexual immorality. This sacredness calls us to view sexual intimacy as a reflection of God's love and commitment. [19:30]
"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." (Hebrews 13:4, ESV)
Reflection: How do you view the role of sexual intimacy in your life? What changes can you make to align your understanding and actions with God's design for this sacred gift?
Day 4: Holiness and the Church's Health
The health of the church depends on the holiness of its members. Our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, must be kept pure to maintain the integrity and witness of the body of Christ. Engaging in sexual sin is a sin against our own bodies and affects the corporate health of the church. We are called to flee from sexual immorality and glorify God in our bodies. By pursuing individual holiness, we contribute to the overall health and witness of the church community. [24:51]
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the holiness and health of your church community? How can you support others in their journey toward holiness?
Day 5: Glorifying God Through Our Bodies
We are called to glorify God in our bodies, choosing to flee from sexual immorality and pursue holiness. This is our ultimate purpose, reflecting the example of Jesus, who glorified God through His obedience. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and by living in a way that honors God, we fulfill our calling as believers. Jesus Christ, who took on a body and lived without sin, is our example. As believers, we are reborn to run away from sin and toward glorifying God. [33:09]
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to glorify God in your body? How can you use your body as a living sacrifice in your daily life?
Quotes
"The gift of sexual intimacy is something that is intended to be so unifying it should only happen within the confines of a marriage. He says, for as it is written, and he's actually going to go way back to the beginning, his understanding of our bodies is rooted in God's creation design." [00:17:58] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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