Upholding Purity in a Changing Culture
Summary
In today's world, we find ourselves navigating a landscape vastly different from the one many of us grew up in. The sexual revolution of the past century has dramatically altered societal norms and values, leading to a culture where almost anything goes. This shift has not only changed public morality but has also redefined concepts of identity and freedom. The Apostle Paul, in his writings, foresaw such developments and provided guidance that remains relevant today. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Paul urges believers to "flee from sexual immorality," emphasizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be used to glorify God.
The cultural changes we witness today, such as the normalization of behaviors once considered immoral, are not new. Paul faced similar challenges in his time, where sexual immorality was rampant. His solution was simple yet profound: uphold the biblical standard of sexual purity. This call to purity is not just about avoiding sin but about recognizing our bodies as gifts from God, meant to serve and glorify Him.
As Christians, we must acknowledge that the struggle against sexual immorality is real and requires a community of support. We are called to be compassionate towards those battling these temptations, offering love, support, and forgiveness. However, we must also stand firm in the truth, recognizing sin as sin, and not compromising on biblical standards.
Our identity as Christians is rooted in being washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus Christ. This identity calls us to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, serving as a witness to the world. In doing so, we not only honor God but also provide a beacon of hope and truth in a world that desperately needs it.
Key Takeaways:
- The sexual revolution has led to a significant shift in societal norms, challenging Christians to uphold biblical standards of purity. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to glorify God through them. [04:40]
- The Apostle Paul's call to "flee sexual immorality" is a timeless directive that applies to both pre-Christian and post-Christian societies. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining sexual purity as a reflection of our commitment to God. [17:19]
- Christians must be compassionate towards those struggling with sexual sin, offering support and forgiveness while standing firm in the truth. Recognizing sin as sin is crucial for the church to be a source of help and healing. [33:31]
- Our identity in Christ is central to our lives. We are no longer defined by our past sins but are new creations, called to live in holiness and purity. This identity empowers us to resist temptation and live for God's glory. [37:00]
- Living a life of purity is not only for our benefit but also serves as a powerful witness to the world. By upholding biblical standards, we shine as lights in a dark world, drawing others to the truth of the Gospel. [39:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction and Humor
[01:09] - Encouragement and Gratitude
[01:44] - The Assigned Topic
[03:42] - The Sexual Revolution
[05:04] - Cultural Changes and Attitudes
[07:14] - Identity and Freedom
[10:41] - The Apostle Paul's Insight
[13:26] - The Lie of Modern Secularism
[16:57] - The Simple Solution
[19:08] - Biblical Standards of Purity
[22:42] - The Importance of Our Bodies
[25:34] - The Consequences of Sin
[29:34] - Addressing Sexual Immorality
[33:31] - Compassion and Support
[37:00] - Our Identity in Christ
[39:28] - Living as a Witness
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
2. Romans 1:24-25
3. 1 Peter 2:11-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says our bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit" in 1 Corinthians 6:19? How does this relate to the call to flee sexual immorality? [04:16]
2. In Romans 1:24-25, what does it mean that people "exchanged the truth about God for a lie"? How does this exchange impact their behavior and identity? [11:17]
3. According to 1 Peter 2:11, what are the "passions of the flesh" that wage war against the soul? How does this relate to the struggle against sexual immorality? [32:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the cultural shift in attitudes towards sexual morality over the past century? What examples were given to illustrate this change? [05:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit influence a Christian's understanding of sexual purity? What implications does this have for daily living? [04:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern secularism presents a "lie" about identity and freedom? How does this contrast with the biblical view of identity in Christ? [14:09]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of community in supporting individuals struggling with sexual sin? Why is it important for the church to maintain a clear stance on sin? [33:31]
4. What does it mean to live as a "witness" in a world that often opposes biblical standards of morality? How can Christians effectively demonstrate the truth of the Gospel through their lives? [39:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle to see your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? What steps can you take to honor God with your body this week? [04:40]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of community support in overcoming sexual sin. How can you be a source of encouragement and accountability for someone in your life who is struggling? [33:31]
3. Consider the cultural messages you encounter daily. How do they align or conflict with the biblical view of identity and freedom? What practical steps can you take to reinforce your identity in Christ? [14:09]
4. The sermon emphasizes the need for compassion towards those battling sexual sin. How can you show love and support to someone without compromising on biblical truth? [33:31]
5. Think about a time when you felt pressured by societal norms that conflict with your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to stand firm in your beliefs? [16:57]
6. Identify one specific way you can live as a witness to the truth of the Gospel in your community. What actions can you take this week to shine as a light in a dark world? [39:28]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the importance of purity. What is one area of your life where you can commit to pursuing greater holiness, and how will you hold yourself accountable? [22:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Upholding Purity in a Changing World
In a world where societal norms have shifted dramatically due to the sexual revolution, Christians are called to uphold biblical standards of purity. This call is not merely about avoiding sin but about recognizing our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, meant to glorify God. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality, reminding believers that their bodies are not their own but were bought at a price. This perspective challenges Christians to live counter-culturally, valuing purity as a reflection of their commitment to God. [04:40]
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV): "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 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 can you honor God with your body today, especially in a culture that often promotes the opposite?
Day 2: Timeless Guidance for Modern Challenges
The Apostle Paul's directive to "flee sexual immorality" is a timeless piece of guidance that applies to both ancient and modern societies. Despite the cultural changes and the normalization of behaviors once considered immoral, the biblical standard remains unchanged. Christians are encouraged to maintain sexual purity as a testament to their faith and commitment to God. This call to purity is not just about personal holiness but also about serving as a witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of living according to God's standards. [17:19]
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: How can you actively pursue holiness in your daily life, especially in areas where you feel tempted to compromise?
Day 3: Compassionate Support in the Struggle
Christians are called to be compassionate towards those struggling with sexual sin, offering love, support, and forgiveness while standing firm in the truth. Recognizing sin as sin is crucial for the church to be a source of help and healing. This balance of truth and grace allows believers to support one another in their struggles, fostering a community that reflects the love and holiness of God. By offering a compassionate response, Christians can help others find freedom and healing in Christ. [33:31]
Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life might need your support and encouragement in their struggle with sin? How can you reach out to them today with both truth and grace?
Day 4: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Our identity as Christians is rooted in being washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus Christ. This identity calls us to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, serving as a witness to the world. By embracing this identity, believers are empowered to resist temptation and live for God's glory. This transformation is not about being defined by past sins but about living as new creations, called to holiness and purity. [37:00]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What aspects of your old identity do you need to let go of to fully embrace your new identity in Christ?
Day 5: Shining as Lights in a Dark World
Living a life of purity is not only for personal benefit but also serves as a powerful witness to the world. By upholding biblical standards, Christians shine as lights in a dark world, drawing others to the truth of the Gospel. This witness is crucial in a society that often rejects absolute truth, offering hope and direction to those seeking meaning and purpose. By living according to God's standards, believers can demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and invite others to experience the same. [39:28]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community today, demonstrating the truth and hope of the Gospel through your actions and words?
Quotes
"Flee from sexual immorality every other sin a person commits is outside the body but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body 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." [00:04:09]
"Big changes startling changes attitudes changed whereas at least public morality said before the sexual revolution that profanity was wrong do you remember the moment of sitting in a hotel lobby and hearing the language going on all around you profanity was wrong pornography was wrong promiscuity was wrong premarital sex was wrong divorce was wrong." [00:05:06]
"Questions of identity have changed who are you who are you and the answer increasingly in our contemporary world is i'm a person who could be anything i want some of you may have seen a new book an important book by carl truman the rise and triumph of the modern self written by a very thoughtful reformed christian after a lot of study." [00:07:20]
"And the truth is we as christians have to face the fact that in a whole new way since the sexual revolution and symbolized so powerful powerfully by the sexual revolution is that we live in a world that is post-christian as late as the 1970s 1980s even maybe 1990s there was a at least a tipping of the hat to christian values as public morality." [00:14:55]
"And paul wrote that in a world that is remarkably like our world we're facing a post-christian sexual morality paul faced a pre-christian sexual morality i remember being on a on the ligonier cruise to the mediterranean a few years back and we went to ephesus and they took us on a tour of ephesus and the guide took us to the remains of the beautiful facade of the ephesian library." [00:17:32]
"Paul is not necessarily necessarily saying it's easy to flee sexual immorality but he says if you don't see clearly the goal you won't get close to it and that's what he's saying to christians interestingly paul's not talking to the world he's not saying to the roman world you know if you'll only flee sexual immorality you'll be ready to be a christian." [00:21:09]
"And part of the lack of credibility on the part of the church in relation to these issues is precisely a result of the church closing its eyes to sins it found convenient to tolerate and that means we as we are indignant about sins we don't like have to be just as indignant about the sins we do like and we have to hear the simple word of the apostle flee sexual immorality." [00:28:05]
"We need to have compassion on people waging war against those sorts of desires whether they're heterosexual desires or homosexual desires we need to have compassion on people who are struggling against sin and it's not that some are more noble whatever the sin is you're struggling against you need the support and love of the christian community to help you." [00:33:56]
"But the church will be of no help to any of us in our struggle against sin if it's since if the church says that sin is not sin we've done a lot of study about alcoholism and maybe that study is genuinely helpful to lots of people but no matter how much my family background and my dna presupposes me to be a drunk one of the things i have to say is." [00:34:36]
"And so we as a christian community have to be recommitted to fleeing sexual immorality and maybe we need to see that in this new world perhaps people will be a little freer to come to us and say i'm wrestling with a problem can you help me and we ought to be there to help people to pray for people to encourage people to take them in." [00:35:25]
"Remember paul wrote after listing the sins that would be disqualifying for the inheritance of the kingdom of god i think he lists those sins in terms of thinking of people with that identity who is that person he's an adulterer who is that person she's a drunk that's their identity they will not inherit the kingdom of god but then he goes on to say first corinthians 6." [00:36:33]
"Our lives are to be pure not just for our sake and for god's sake but for the world's sake if they never hear the truth if they never see the truth lived out what hope is there that they'll ever know the truth but we are called by our god to glorify god in our bodies and as we seek to do that we will be lights shining in a dark place." [00:39:34]
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