I DO! I DON’T! I WILL! I WON’T

“Does Sexual Purity Matter?”

Pastor Duane Cross | 05.19.2013

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...” (Philippians 1:9-10)

1) Purity matters to God.

“Are they ashamed of their loathesome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.” (Jeremiah 6:15)

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity; or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”  (Ephesians 5:3)

2) Intimacy matters to God.

“Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body?”
(1 Corinthians 6:16)

3) Holiness matters to God.

“It is God’s will that you should be holy; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week-to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:9,10; Ephesians 5:3; I Corinthians 6:16; I Thessalonians 4:3-5; II Corinthians 5:17

Getting Started

What’s the difference between our societies (normal) view of sexuality and what scripture teaches?

Do you believe sexual purity matters?

Why or why not?

Why is sex such a big deal in our society? Is it a big deal to God?

Why or why not?

A Closer Look

Pastor Duane said that sexual purity matters to THE ONE (God). Comment on the

following:

•Purity matters to God (Jeremiah 6:15)

•Intimacy matters to God (1 Corinthians 6:16)

•Holiness matters to God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

How is “living a holy life” honoring to your spouse?

Digging Deeper

Is sexual sin (adultery, homosexuality, pornography, etc.) a higher degree of sin than other things?

Explain why or why not.

Pastor Duane said there is redemption and reconciliation for any sin (2 Corinthians 5:17). Do you agree or disagree?

How does keeping sex within the fence (protection) of marriage honor God? Honor your spouse? Honor your future spouse?