Glorifying God: You Are Not Your Own
Summary
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:
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
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
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
- Hebrews 2:1
- 1 Peter 1:15-16
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#### 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]
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#### 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]
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#### 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]
Devotional
Day 1: Called to Holiness
Our identity as believers is rooted in being sanctified and set apart for God. This identity calls us to live holy lives, distinct from the cultural norms that promote self-indulgence and moral relativism. In a world that often prioritizes personal freedom and self-expression, the call to holiness can seem countercultural. However, as followers of Christ, we are reminded that our lives are not our own. We are called to operate under God's authority rather than the world's, choosing to live in a way that reflects His holiness. This involves a conscious decision to resist the temptation to conform to worldly standards and instead embrace our identity as saints, set apart for God's purposes. [08:38]
"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you choose to live a life set apart for God today, resisting the cultural norms that promote self-indulgence?
Day 2: True Liberty in Christ
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. In Christ, we find a freedom that is not about self-indulgence but about living in alignment with God's will. This true liberty empowers us to make choices that reflect our identity in Christ, rather than being swayed by the shifting values of the world. It is a freedom that calls us to live responsibly, using our liberty to serve others and glorify God. [20:44]
"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: How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others and honor God today?
Day 3: The Sanctity of Sexual Intimacy
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. In a culture that often trivializes sexual relationships, it is crucial to remember the sanctity of this gift. Sexual intimacy is not merely a physical act but a profound union that God designed to be experienced within the boundaries of marriage. When misused, it can lead to emotional and spiritual harm, disrupting the unity that God intended. As believers, we are called to honor the sanctity of this gift and resist cultural pressures to misuse it. [28:35]
"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: In what ways can you honor the sanctity of sexual intimacy in your life, whether you are married or single?
Day 4: Fleeing from Sexual Immorality
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 are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are to live in a way that reflects His holiness. Fleeing from sexual immorality is not just about avoiding certain behaviors but about actively pursuing a life that honors God. It requires vigilance and intentionality, choosing to glorify God in our bodies and resisting the temptations that seek to draw us away from Him. [40:15]
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to flee from sexual immorality and glorify God in your body?
Day 5: Our Bodies Belong to God
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. This truth challenges the cultural narrative of autonomy and self-ownership, reminding us that our lives are not our own to live as we please. Instead, we are called to submit to God's authority, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This understanding should shape the way we live, prompting us to make choices that honor God and reflect His holiness. [39:03]
"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: How does recognizing that your body belongs to God change the way you live your daily life? What specific actions can you take to honor God with your body today?
Quotes
"God's called us to a life of holiness, and we live in the middle of a culture that scoffs at the idea of being holy. As a matter of fact, one of the accusations that serious Christians get lodged toward them is, oh, you're one of those holier-than-thou people. And actually, my response to that would be, no, no, no, I'm not holier-than-thou could be, okay? Because we're all called to be holy." [00:08:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"True freedom is being freed from the power and the pull of sin to be able to live this holy life that God has called us to. That, that my friends, is true freedom. Because being carried about by our pleasures and being carried about by our appetites is not freedom. It's just being enslaved to ourselves all over again." [00:21:00] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 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!" [00:25:36] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The purpose, one of the purposes of the sexual intimacy that a couple shares on their wedding night is to consummate the marriage. It is to consummate the vows that they have taken. And it is to do both physically and in a soul, in a soul level, what God has said is taking place in a marriage, and that is that the two are becoming one. There is a true spiritual soul joining." [00:27:36] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul says, when you play with sexual immorality, when you play with sex, you are playing with fire. He says, go ahead and stand up to the devil. But if sexual immorality comes as a temptation in your life, you better get out of there. You better hightail it." [00:40:15] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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