Andrew Fountain - Does the Bible have a hang-up about sex?

Full sermon notes - Ephesians pt8: Once Darkness, Now Light

(link to my own translation from the Greek text)

• First where we are up to:
• Earlier in the series I talked about being “united with Christ”
• If we fully grasp this then it will have a big impact on us
  • What have we to fear—we are secure
  • Illustration of the large ship that went down

• Who is “The New Man” that we are to put on?
  • Jesus Christ
• So who is “The Old Man” ?
  • Adam
• Notice corruption (decay, death) vs new creation
• Notice where the the new creation is: spirit of our minds: our inner being, not yet our bodies
• So if Adam and his descendents were given a law
  • culminating in the 10 commandments
  • moral laws that applied to all mankind, the whole creation
• What about the new mankind—is it the same for us?
  • Yes and no
  • God’s idea of right and wrong has not changed
  • But here is the difference

Ephesians 4:17–5:2

• Now we come to the next passage
  • No mention of the 7th commandment (You shall not commit adultery) up till now
  • How does Jesus expand on this commandment?

Ephesians 5:1–6

1. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2. And walk in love, just as Christ loved us
   and gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.
   3. But sexual immorality and all impurity or greed
      must not even be named among you, as is fitting for holy ones.
      4. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor sarcastic ridicule-giving, which are out of place,
         but instead let there be thanksgiving.
   5. For you may be sure of this, that
      everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is greedy (that is, an idolater),
      has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6. Let no one deceive you with empty words,
   for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

• It seems very strong.
  • Is this salvation by works?

• This is very helpful because it shows how these sins are within all of us, and have to be dealt with.

• Why sexual sins?
• Worst?
  • no, pride and unbelief
• Because they are poison to the new life of love
• I take a cholesterol tablet every day as a precaution
  • I have to avoid grapefruit
  • They are not the nastiest of foods, not the most unpleasant
  • But they will totally prevent the cholesterol tablet working

Ephesians 5:7–14

7. Therefore do not become fellow sharers with them;
   8. for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
      Walk as children of light
   9. for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true,
   10. and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
11. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
    
    12. For the things done in secret by them are shameful even to mention.
    13. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
    14.       for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
        “Awake, O sleeper,
              and arise from the dead,
        and Christ will shine on you.”

• What if you are sinning in this way now?
  • Jesus said, go and sin no more
  • John said “the person who says they are without sin is is liar”
• The point is not to be discouraged

Updated on 2013-02-13 by Andrew Fountain