Glorifying God: You Are Not Your Own

In today's message, we delved into the profound truth that "You Are Not Your Own," a concept that challenges the prevailing cultural narrative of autonomy and self-ownership. We explored 1 Corinthians 6, where Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price, and therefore, we are called to glorify God with our bodies. This teaching stands in stark contrast to the cultural norms that promote self-indulgence and moral relativism.

We began by examining the identity of believers as saints, sanctified and set apart for God's purposes. This identity calls us to live holy lives, distinct from the world around us. The culture of Corinth, much like our own, was steeped in sexual immorality, and Paul warns against being swept away by such influences. Instead, we are to remember our calling to holiness and resist the temptation to conform to worldly standards.

The sermon also addressed the concept of true liberty. True freedom in Christ is not the license to do whatever we please but the power to do what we ought. This freedom enables us to live lives that honor God, free from the bondage of sin and cultural pressures. We are reminded that even good things can become detrimental when they dominate our lives, and thus, we must ensure that Christ alone rules over us.

Furthermore, we discussed the sanctity of sexual intimacy, emphasizing that it is a sacred gift intended for the marital covenant. The act of joining with another person is not merely physical but involves a deep soul connection, which is why sexual immorality is so damaging. It not only defiles the body but also disrupts the spiritual unity that God intended for marriage.

Finally, we are called to flee from sexual immorality and to glorify God in our bodies. This involves a conscious decision to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. Our bodies, souls, and spirits belong to God, and we are to live in a way that reflects His holiness and bears fruit for His kingdom.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our identity as believers is rooted in being sanctified and set apart for God. This calls us to live holy lives, distinct from the cultural norms that promote self-indulgence and moral relativism. We must choose to operate under God's authority rather than the world's. [08:38]
• 2. True liberty in Christ is not the freedom to do whatever we want but the power to do what we ought. This freedom enables us to live lives that honor God, free from the bondage of sin and cultural pressures. [20:44]
• 3. Sexual intimacy is a sacred gift intended for the marital covenant. It involves a deep soul connection, and sexual immorality disrupts this unity, causing profound damage. We must honor the sanctity of this gift and resist cultural pressures to misuse it. [28:35]
• 4. We are called to flee from sexual immorality and to glorify God in our bodies. This involves a conscious decision to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. [40:15]
• 5. Our bodies, souls, and spirits belong to God, and we are to live in a way that reflects His holiness and bears fruit for His kingdom. We are not our own; we were bought with a price, and our lives should glorify God. [39:03]
  ** [39:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:06] - Opening Prayer
• [08:38] - Called to Holiness
• [12:02] - Cultural Influence and Drift
• [15:53] - The Power of Culture
• [17:50] - Choosing Which Culture to Follow
• [19:25] - True Liberty in Christ
• [24:31] - Defining Truth and Authority
• [25:59] - The Sanctity of Sexual Intimacy
• [28:35] - Consequences of Sexual Immorality
• [30:47] - Serving in Marriage
• [32:29] - To Whom Will I Give Myself?
• [33:17] - Our Bodies Belong to Christ
• [36:00] - The Importance of the Body
• [39:03] - Fleeing Temptation
• [40:15] - Glorifying God in Our Bodies

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what does Paul say about the ownership of our bodies and how should this influence our actions? [19:25]
2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the cultural influence on the Corinthian church, and what specific term was used to describe their behavior? [12:02]
3. What does the pastor say about the concept of "true liberty" in Christ, and how does it differ from cultural perceptions of freedom? [20:44]
4. How does the pastor explain the significance of sexual intimacy within the marital covenant according to the sermon? [28:35]

Interpretation Questions

1. How does the idea of being "sanctified" and "set apart" as described in 1 Corinthians 1:2 challenge the cultural norms of self-indulgence and moral relativism? [08:38]
2. What does the pastor mean when he says that "even a good thing becomes a bad thing when it becomes a ruling thing," and how does this relate to the concept of true liberty? [20:44]
3. How does the pastor's story about cultural influence in Africa illustrate the power of culture over biblical truth, and what lessons can be drawn from it? [15:53]
4. In what ways does the pastor suggest that sexual immorality is a sin against one's own body, and how does this understanding affect the view of personal autonomy? [36:00]

Application Questions

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have allowed cultural norms to influence your behavior more than biblical teachings? How can you realign these areas with God's authority? [12:02]
2. The pastor emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality. What practical steps can you take to avoid situations that may lead to temptation? [39:03]
3. Consider the concept of true liberty as the power to do what we ought. How can you apply this understanding to a specific area of your life where you struggle with self-control? [20:44]
4. How can you honor the sanctity of sexual intimacy within your marriage or future marriage, and what boundaries can you set to protect this sacred gift? [28:35]
5. In what ways can you consciously submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your daily decisions, especially regarding how you use your body? [33:17]
6. Think about a time when you felt the pressure to conform to cultural standards. How did you respond, and what would you do differently now in light of the sermon? [15:53]
7. How can you actively remind yourself that your body, soul, and spirit belong to God, and what changes might this perspective bring to your lifestyle choices? [19:25]