Glorifying God Through Our Sexuality and Identity
Summary
In today's exploration of 1 Corinthians 6, we delve into the profound and often challenging topic of sexuality from a biblical perspective. The Corinthian church, much like our society today, was grappling with the pervasive influence of a culture that had distorted God's design for sexuality. Paul addresses this by reminding the Corinthians—and us—that our bodies are not our own; they are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with the precious price of Christ's sacrifice. This truth calls us to glorify God with our bodies, rejecting the world's ideology that promotes self-gratification and instead embracing a life of holiness and purity.
Paul's message is clear: while all things may be lawful, not all things are beneficial. Our culture often equates freedom with the ability to do whatever we please, but true freedom in Christ means living within the boundaries God has set for our good. Sexual immorality enslaves us, leading to shame and brokenness, whereas God's design for sexuality within the covenant of marriage brings fulfillment and joy. We are called to flee from sexual immorality, recognizing that our identity is not defined by our desires but by our relationship with Christ.
The challenge for us is to live counter-culturally, to resist the pervasive messages that bombard us daily through media and society. This requires intentionality in guarding our hearts and minds, making covenants with our eyes, and practicing self-control. It also involves having honest conversations with our children and setting boundaries to protect ourselves from temptation. Ultimately, we must remember that our bodies are not our own; they belong to God, and we are to honor Him in all that we do.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Our Identity in Christ: Our identity is not defined by our desires or the world's ideology but by our relationship with Christ. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price, and called to glorify God with our bodies. This understanding should shape how we live and make decisions about our sexuality. [25:21]
- The Dangers of Worldly Ideology: The world's ideology promotes self-gratification and leads to destruction. True freedom is found in living within God's boundaries, which are designed for our good. We must choose to follow God's wisdom rather than the world's, recognizing that our beliefs dictate our behavior. [18:56]
- Fleeing Sexual Immorality: Paul calls us to flee from sexual immorality, understanding that it enslaves us and leads to shame. We must be intentional in guarding our hearts and minds, making covenants with our eyes, and practicing self-control to live a life that honors God. [09:05]
- The Role of Accountability: Having accountability in our lives is crucial in resisting temptation. We need trusted friends who can hold us accountable and help us stay true to our commitment to glorify God with our bodies. This involves being honest about our struggles and seeking support. [48:21]
- God's Design for Sexuality: God's design for sexuality is within the covenant of marriage, where it brings fulfillment and joy. We must reject the counterfeit offered by the world and embrace God's plan, recognizing that it is for our good and His glory. [27:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[09:05] - The Challenge of Sexual Purity
[12:00] - Worldly Ideology vs. Godly Wisdom
[15:03] - The Body as a Temple
[18:56] - Consequences of Worldly Ideology
[25:21] - Our Identity in Christ
[26:11] - Master or Servant?
[27:40] - God's Design for Sexuality
[28:50] - The Role of Marriage
[30:09] - The Impact of Sexual Sin
[31:51] - Biblical Commands on Sexuality
[34:14] - Lessons from Biblical Figures
[35:15] - The Pervasiveness of Pornography
[40:44] - Modern Prostitution
[44:19] - Glorifying God with Our Bodies
[48:21] - The Importance of Accountability
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: 1 Corinthians 6
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
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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 the Corinthian church's understanding of freedom? [12:00]
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between the body and the Lord in 1 Corinthians 6? What implications does this have for how we view our bodies? [15:03]
3. What is the significance of Paul stating that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? How does this concept challenge the Corinthian church's practices? [25:21]
4. According to the sermon, what are some consequences of following the world's ideology regarding sexuality? [18:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "bought with a price" influence a believer's understanding of their identity in Christ? What does this mean for how they live their lives? [25:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that worldly ideology leads to enslavement? How can believers recognize and resist this in their own lives? [18:56]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of accountability in resisting temptation? Why is it important for believers to have trusted friends in this area? [48:21]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between beliefs and behavior? How can this understanding help believers live a life that honors God? [15:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity in Christ. How does this understanding influence your daily decisions, especially regarding your body and sexuality? [25:21]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality. What practical steps can you take to guard your heart and mind against temptation? [09:05]
3. Consider the media and cultural messages you consume daily. How can you be more intentional about choosing content that aligns with God's design for sexuality? [44:19]
4. Accountability is crucial in resisting temptation. Do you have someone in your life who holds you accountable in this area? If not, how can you seek out such a relationship? [48:21]
5. The sermon discusses the dangers of worldly ideology. How can you ensure that your beliefs are rooted in God's wisdom rather than the world's? [18:56]
6. How can you have honest conversations with your children or younger family members about God's design for sexuality? What boundaries can you set to protect them from harmful influences? [09:05]
7. Reflect on the idea that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. What changes might you need to make in your life to honor God with your body? [25:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Our Identity in Christ Shapes Our Actions
Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational to how we live, especially in matters of sexuality. The world often tells us that our desires define us, but the Bible teaches that our true identity is found in our relationship with Christ. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to glorify God with our bodies, recognizing that we were bought with a price—the precious sacrifice of Jesus. This understanding should influence our decisions and actions, leading us to live in a way that honors God. By embracing our identity in Christ, we can resist the pressures of the world and choose a path of holiness and purity. [25:21]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed worldly desires to define your identity? How can you begin to embrace your identity in Christ more fully today?
Day 2: True Freedom is Found in God's Boundaries
The world's ideology often equates freedom with the ability to do whatever we please, but true freedom in Christ is found within the boundaries God has set for our good. These boundaries are not meant to restrict us but to protect us from the destructive consequences of sin. Sexual immorality, for example, enslaves us and leads to shame and brokenness. By choosing to follow God's wisdom rather than the world's, we can experience the fulfillment and joy that comes from living according to His design. Our beliefs dictate our behavior, so we must be intentional in aligning our beliefs with God's truth. [18:56]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have mistaken worldly freedom for true freedom in Christ? How can you realign your understanding of freedom with God's boundaries today?
Day 3: Fleeing from Sexual Immorality Requires Intentionality
Paul's call to flee from sexual immorality is a reminder that we must be proactive in guarding our hearts and minds. Sexual immorality enslaves us and leads to shame, but by making covenants with our eyes and practicing self-control, we can live a life that honors God. This requires intentionality and vigilance, as the messages of the world constantly bombard us. We must be diligent in setting boundaries and seeking accountability to protect ourselves from temptation. By doing so, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from living a life of purity. [09:05]
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to guard your heart and mind against sexual immorality? How can you seek accountability in this area of your life?
Day 4: Accountability is Essential in Resisting Temptation
Having accountability in our lives is crucial in resisting temptation and staying true to our commitment to glorify God with our bodies. We need trusted friends who can hold us accountable and help us navigate the challenges we face. This involves being honest about our struggles and seeking support from those who can encourage us in our walk with Christ. By surrounding ourselves with a community of believers, we can find strength and encouragement to live a life that honors God. Accountability is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our need for support and guidance. [48:21]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who are the trusted individuals in your life who can hold you accountable in your walk with Christ? How can you cultivate deeper accountability relationships within your community?
Day 5: Embracing God's Design for Sexuality
God's design for sexuality is within the covenant of marriage, where it brings fulfillment and joy. The world offers a counterfeit version of sexuality that leads to destruction, but by embracing God's plan, we can experience the true joy and fulfillment that comes from living according to His design. This requires rejecting the messages of the world and choosing to follow God's wisdom. By recognizing that God's design is for our good and His glory, we can live a life that honors Him and experiences the blessings of His plan for our lives. [27:40]
Ephesians 5:31-32 (ESV): "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."
Reflection: How have you been influenced by the world's counterfeit version of sexuality? What steps can you take to embrace and live out God's design for sexuality in your life today?
Quotes
"Do you have someone that you can have conversations about this, that you can be honest about it and say, I'm struggling in this way. Friends, we are all broken sinners. I do not come to you as a self-righteous, I've got it all figured out. My life has been filled with putting this under the cross of Jesus." [00:48:21] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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