|
Sermons PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES |
| HOME PAGE SERMONS LIST |
In Praise of Purity
Introduction
1. 1 Timothy 5:22 (NKJV) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. Pure is the Greek word hagnos meaning "chaste, clean, pure." Vincent says that it is always used in a moral sense in Scripture.
2. Paul described the church as a chaste virgin in 2 Corinthians 11:2 (NKJV) For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. The word "chaste" there is the same word as "pure" in Paul's admonition to Timothy.
3. The image most apparent in the world around us is the very opposite of what Paul teaches ought to characterize God's people. We live in a time when sensuality, sexuality, wantonness, and lasciviousness prevail. These characteristics are works of the flesh rather than being part of the fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:19 (NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,]
a. Notice the third word in the list -- uncleanness. Thayer said it meant "the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living." Looking at various English translations, we find the word translated with such English words as "impurity" [NASB, NRSV] and "perversion" [God's Word].
b. The fourth word is "lewdness." The KJV and ASV say "lasciviousness." Modern speech translations say "licentiousness" [RSV], "sensuality" [NASB], "debauchery" [NIV], "promiscuity" [GW], and "eagerness for lustful pleasure" [NLT]. Thayer says it means "unbridled lust . . . ."
c. There is no question that such terms describe the sexual behavior of many people in Pensacola in 2001. This hits close to home.
4. For the sake of our souls, we must pay attention to the admonition to keep ourselves pure.
I. PURE IN THOUGHTS
A. We are what we think [Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.]
B. All of us should be concerned about the influence of sensuality on our thinking. Unless we are very careful, familiarity will breed acceptance of sinful behavior.
1. Nudity and near-nudity in movies and television has made almost any kind of dress acceptable. Some actresses can be counted on to dress outrageously to get attention when they attend award shows and movie premieres. Without showing up totally naked, they are finding it hard to dress in a way that shocks anyone. The fact that we've lost the ability to blush is a sad commentary on our society.
2. All the blame can't be put on the media. We all know people who are "living in sin" as it used to be called. A rapidly-growing segment of our population sees nothing wrong with people living together outside of marriage. The same growing acceptance can be seen of homosexuals and lesbians living together.
3. Public acceptance of sinful behavior does not change the fact that it remains sin. God does not allow His opinion of our behavior to be influenced by public opinion polls. Sexually immoral people will still have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone [Revelation 21:8]. Christians, we must not allow ourselves to become desensitized to sin!
C. Furthermore, we must not allow the sensuality of the world around us to lead us into sinful thoughts or actions.
1. Jesus warned about the danger of the lustful look [Matthew 5:27-28 (NKJV) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.]
2. It's probably impossible for us to be like the good little monkey and "see no evil" if we go anywhere today. But we must be aware of the danger and make a conscious effort to stay away from places where our minds could be tempted. Some things are no-brainers here. If you have a problem with lust, stay away from places where you will be exposed to scantily clad people. Use the internet for good and check out the content of movies you see in advance. One excellent site for finding out exactly what kind of behaviors you'll find in a movie is www.screenit.com .
II. PURE IN DRESS
A. Some Christians dress in a way which makes them fit right in with the sensuality of the world around them. Ladies, short skirts, short shorts, bare midriffs, and tight clothing may be fashionable, but they make a statement. As a Christian, are you proud of the statement you make by the way you dress?
B. The Bible teaches that women should dress in a way which "professes godliness" [1 Timothy 2:9-10]. Men should also be a good representative of Christianity in the way they dress. All of us should look in the mirror before we leave our houses and assess how well we are professing our godliness in the attire we're wearing.
III. PURE IN BEHAVIOR
A. Christians are to "flee fornication" [1 Corinthians 6:18]. Fornication is broad enough to include all sexual relations except that between a husband and wife.
1. Pre-marital sex is fornication.
2. Fornication includes adultery when at least of the participants is married to someone else.
3. Homosexuality is fornication.
a. Romans 1:26-27 (NKJV) For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
b. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
c. All of us should be aware of the great push to make homosexuality acceptable. Simply reading the above verses would be construed as "hate speech" by some. A church in Canada recently got into trouble with the government for simply publishing an ad quoting Paul's statement against homosexuality. That kind of persecution is likely coming in the U. S. as well. It is certainly not the first time in history that people have been punished for speaking as the Bible speaks.
(1) We should love homosexuals . . . as we do all other people. They should not be shunned or mistreated because of their sin.
(2) We should understand clearly, however, that their behavior is sinful. It does not matter if 99.99% of the people in America change their thinking and begin to approve of homosexuality. God does not approve of it and the teaching of the Bible will not change!
B. Christians should avoid the urge to "play with fire" and get as close to sexual sin as possible without committing "the act."
1. Lasciviousness (lewdness) includes such things as "indecent bodily movements" and "unchaste handling of males and females" [Thayer, pp. 79-80].
2. Keeping oneself pure means refraining from acting in a way which excites sexual passion whether or not those passions are satisfied by having sex.
3. Let me speak frankly to young people. It is natural that young men should be very interested in young women and young women likewise interested in young men. Hormones start flowing and sexual desires become a part of life. Many people think that sexual experimentation is a natural part of growing up.
a. The idea of coming to marriage with virginity intact is seen as hopelessly old-fashioned to some.
b. There are encouraging signs, however. The number of high school seniors who are virgins has actually increased in recent years. The "True Love Waits" program encourages teenagers to keep themselves pure until marriage. Many thousands of young men and women have made that pledge and most seem to be trying to keep their commitment.
c. The Bible says "keep yourselves pure." Talking about another subject, Jesus recognized that the demands of discipleship can be hard. He said of the disciples who went to sleep in the Garden of Gethsemane "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" [Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)]. The best way to deal with temptation is to avoid situations where the temptation is strongest. Don't let yourself get caught in a situation where your desire to maintain your purity might be overcome by the power of sexual desire.
CONCLUSION
1. This entire subject is distasteful to some. Some of you may think it is inappropriate to talk about sex from the pulpit. I recognize those concerns and have tried to be discreet. However, the Bible has a great deal to say on the subject of sexual purity. We cannot be faithful Christians if we fail to heed the command to keep ourselves pure. Thus preaching the gospel requires that this subject be taught.
2. The need is great because sexual sin is so prevalent everywhere around us. Christians are challenged to be lights of purity shining in a world darkened by sin and sensuality. [Philippians 2:15 (NKJV) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,]
3. Invitation
Copyright ©2001 by John Gaines. May be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided this notice accompanies any use.
| HOME | SERMONS | EVENTS | NEWS | LEADERS | LINKS |
|
LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST |
|||||