Biblical Sexuality Pt. 6

Weekly Update – September 14th, 2023

Over the last 9 months, we have been slowly walking through our newly adopted statement on Biblical Sexuality.  There are nine points to this statement.  This week we will look at point six.  Point one can before found HERE.  Point two, HERE.  Point three, HERE.  Point four, HERE.  Point five, HERE. Point six is as follows:

“Sin distorts sexual desires by directing them away from the marriage covenant and toward sexual immorality. This distortion can include both heterosexual and homosexual immorality, and is wholly unjustifiable.“

To begin understanding this statement, the necessary point that we need to start with is sin.  We need to understand the nature of sin and how sin works.  Let’s consider the very first sin committed as a sort of paradigm for us.  In Genesis 1 and 2, God created all things, including his first people, Adam and Eve.  He gave them everything good, with a beautiful and lush garden to tend to.  He left them with only one command, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17).  But what does Satan do?  In Genesis 3:1, he comes to Eve and he says, “Did God actually say….”  In other words, the evil one creates doubt as to what God has actually commanded.  Satan continues in Genesis 3:4, telling Eve, “You will not surely die.”  Eve then saw that the fruit was a delight to her eyes and she ate it (Gen. 3:6).  What this means then, is that sin is ultimately an act of unbelief against the promises of God. 

If sin then is an act of unbelief, where does unbelief begin?  Well, for this we must consider Mark 7:21 which says, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.”  That is why Jesus says in Matthew 5:28, “that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  How does Jesus say this?  Again, if the root of sin is unbelief against the promises of God, then unbelief begins in the heart.  Furthermore, if unbelief is present in the heart, if left unchecked, the result will be outward actions that defy the commands of God.  You can see this progression that moves from unbelief to defiance against God’s commands in James 1:14-15. Here James says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”  Unbelief begins in the heart with wrong desires.  These desires then manifest into outward sin.  Outward sin, if not repented of, will eventually lead to eternal death. 

Where then does this lead us in terms of sexual immorality?  Consider God’s intention for sex.  Genesis 1:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall be one flesh.”  Here you have a covenant being established between a man and a woman (the man leaves and they hold fast to each other) followed by sexual relationship (one flesh).  This is why the author of Hebrews says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Heb. 13:4).  So then, desires for sex within the context of marriage are good and God given.  Desires for sex outside of the context of a heterosexual, monogamous, covenantal marriage are sinful as they are motivated by unbelief in our heart, which left unchecked, will lead to the outward display of immorality. 

God created sex to be experienced within the context of a biblical marriage.  This means marriage between one man and one woman, who are brought together in a covenant relationship for life.  Sin begins when the heart starts to believe that there is a better plan for sex outside of the context of marriage.  Therefore, let us not merely seek to avoid the outward action of sin, but instead, let us seek to shape the heart by trusting in the promises of God, seeing him as our highest good and his plans for our greatest joy.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
- Matthew 5:7-10

Announcements:

Game Night: Everyone is invited to come for an afternoon of board games and card games 2pm-6pm Saturday, September 16th. Please bring a snack to share as well as your favorite board game or card game. See Nate Johnson for details.

Home Groups: Additional home groups will be forming for the fall in the next few weeks. If you are not in a home group but would like to join one, look for a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. You can find more information about home groups HERE.

Ladies’ Bible Study: The Ladies’ Bible Study for the fall will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm on Tuesdays, for the next 6 weeks. Sheryl Nelson will lead through Kelly Minter’s study on the book of Ruth.

Men’s Retreat: Men, mark your calendars for Friday, September 29th-Saturday, September 30th for our 1st annual men’s retreat. We will head to Rushville, MO., to God’s Mountain Camp. We will have times of teaching, recreation and lots of good food. The price is $40. Sign up in the hall this Sunday!

Missouri Missions Offering: Every year, along with nearly 1,800 other churches, our church partners to pray and give concerning the Lord’s work in our state. The statewide goal is $750,000 this year. Our church goal is $4500. I hope that you will consider praying and giving to this effort throughout this month. As with your normal offering, you can give in person, by mail or online. Just mark MMO when you do give. Check out more information about this effort HERE.

Members’ Meeting: We look forward to our regularly scheduled members’ meeting on Sunday, October 8th.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of the minor prophets will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.