Sexual Revelation
We are not good people pointing bad people to what is right.
We are forgiven people pointing everyone to the only good person who ever lived.
Matthew 5:27-32 NLT
[27] “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ [28] But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [31] “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ [32] But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
Today's topics
- The sexual Revelation
- The challenge of lust
- The heart of the problem
- The drastic way out
The Sexual Revelation
The sexual revolution was something that started in the 60s into the 70s. The normalization of public nudity, pornography, masturbation, etc.. Big influences were hugh Heffner and playboy, among others.
90s - hookup culture
2000s - redefining sexuality
The sexual revolution has had great impact on our culture. It has changed how people define their identity.
Some might say the sexual revolution gave way to sexual religion. But it has not delivered what it has promised. It has not led to freedom, but bondage to frustration and restlessness.
The Sexual Revolution has Failed Generation X Women
Proverbs 29:18 NLT
[18] When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
God created sex to be enjoyed, celebrated, and practiced inside of the covenant union of marriage between a man and a woman.
Consumer Relationship vs. Covenant Relationship
| Consumer | Covenant |
|---|---|
| My needs a priority | I will adjust to your needs |
| Always look for an upgrade | Deeper love over time |
| Go when my needs are not met | Stay and keep a promise |
| Always marketing | Security and intimacy |
| Always auditioning | Like a sacrament |
Sex is like a vow renewal. An outward display of an inward reality.
Sex is a matter of the design of the creator, not invention or imagine of the created. Sex was designed for marriage, so it is incomplete outside of that constraint.
Sex is both very good and beautiful and very powerful, and therefore can be destructive! It is like a fire in your fireplace. Very beautiful and useful, but outside of the constraints of the fireplace it can burn your house down.
The Bible is pro-sex. But the Bible is also very real, and recognizes the power that sex has.
The sexual revolution is antithetical to the sexual revelation of Jesus.
Revolution - worship sex
Revelation - worship God
Revolution - pride, pride, pride
Revelation - humility, humility, humility
Revolution - tolerance
Revelation - repentance
It is my identity in Christ that transforms my activities.
The Challenge of Lust
Matthew 5:27-28 NLT
[27] “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ [28] But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Lust does not mean appreciating beauty. It is not denying that someone is attractive.
It is recognizing there are beautiful people. The initial look is not lust. Lust is not simply impulses.
Lust is not temptation, but sin.
You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair
- Martin Luther
Blepò - continuous looking
Epithumeò - ???
Lust occurs when you stop loving someone and start using them.
We understand this. It is the second look. The pause while scrolling.
Visual sexual stimulation is everywhere. Sex sells. Pornography is more accessible than ever.
More people visit porn sites each month than Tik Tok, open ai, or Netflix. 700 million total more visits than Amazon. 900 million more than Tik Tok. Generates more than the big news stations combined. More money than NFL, NBA, and MLB combined.
In the church, there are estimates the 50% of men and 20% of women are addicted to pornography.
The Heart of the Problem
Matthew 5:27-28 NLT
[27] “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ [28] But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
At the heart of the problem is a problem of my heart.
It is not the lustful looking that causes the sin in the heart, but the sin in the heart that causes the lustful looking.
If the problem is a heart problem, then I need a new heart. I need a healed heart. I need a renewed heart. I need to guard my heart.
The Drastic Way Out
Matthew 5:27-30 NLT
[27] “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ [28] But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
If we were to take this literally, there'd be a lot of one-eyed, one-handed guys running around.
This is pointing to the need to ruthlessly cut out things that are or could be a source of temptation. He is encouraging us to guard our hearts.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NLT
[18] Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. [19] Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, [20] for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NLT
[3] God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. [4] Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— [5] not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.
Followers of Jesus are not exempt from sexual sin. As brothers of Christ, we have a duty to love and serve our sisters in Christ. Why isn't there more conversation about this if it is so prevalent? You will not find healing in the shadows.
You are not your addictions, hang ups, and struggles. Your identity is that you can be a new creation in Christ.