Monday Morning Message - Stuff God Wants You To Know

"There are two kinds of people in the world, those who are interested in sex and liars" (Anne Ortlund, Building A Great Marriage)

To once again emphasize the need for a discussion concerning purity I offer for your consideration a few headlines pulled from the news of last week.

• •U.S. Prosecutor Accused of Seeking Sex With Girl, 5
• •Florida Principal Faces Child Porn Charges After Nude Images Found in Office
• •Cops: Dad Sodomized Teen Stepson (18) to Avenge Rape of Daughter (8)
• 6th-Grade Teacher Gets 10 Years in Prison for Sex With 13-Year-Old Boy
• 4 Michigan Cops Fired Over On-the-Job Sex With Dispatcher Scandal
• •Cops: Texas teen(14) tried to flush newborn
• •College Class Trip Takes Tour of Nevada Brothel, With Seminars From Prostitutes

It's clearly evident that somewhere the train is off the track when it comes to sexuality in our culture. What strikes me is that these are the cases being reported. Perhaps a re-consideration of God's plans for sexuality is in order.

It is my perception that society believes God's plan for sexuality to be all about denying mankind the joy, fun, and pleasure of sex. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. God sees sex as an incredibly positive thing! I know, you're surprised by this. I think a lot of people are surprised because somewhere, somehow, "sex" became a dirty word and nice people weren't supposed to talk about it. This is so unfortunate when God has so much to share with us about this marvelous (woo-hoo!) gift.

Here are a few "surprising" truths from scripture about sex. These are truths I believe God wants us to know.

1. God made you a sexual being! Genesis 1:27 clearly states, "So God created man (mankind) in his own image...male and female he created them." Furthermore in Genesis 1:31 God says it's "very good." Not only did God come up with the idea of sexuality but He thinks it is a VERY GOOD idea! (An interesting side note here is that this is the only time in the creation account that God says something is "very good." Everything else is "good.")

2. God made sex for procreation! Procreation - n- the producing of offspring; reproduction; i.e. 'making babies'. What a blessing children are! "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward!" (Psalm 127:3) Society sees children quite differently; much more burden than blessing. I am amused each time the report concerning the "cost" of raising a child is published. I usually take it and show it to my children saying something like, "Kids, there is no way your mother and I can afford you. We'll let you decide but at least two of you have to go." The most holy moments of my life have been the births of my three children. What a marvel that God lets us in on His creative process!

3. God made sex for our enjoyment! This is good news! (I received a hearty "AMEN" from our first service crowd on this point!) It is worth remembering that sex was created before sin entered the picture. It was perfect sex! Sounds good, aye? Even after sin gets involved and sex gets screwy (sorry...) God desires for sex to be something enjoyed. However, for it to truly be enjoyed it must be kept in bounds. Sex outside the boundaries is destructive and ultimately crippling (See "This Week's Headlines"). Much like the raging Mississippi River right now. While it is in its banks (boundaries) it is an incredible force for good. Commerce flows. People swim, fish, and boat. Homeowners enjoy magnificent views. But let it get out of its banks and it is no longer fun, just creating a lot of messes that someone has to clean up.

Proverbs 5:18-20 presents a great piece of wisdom concerning sexuality and its enjoyment.

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth...Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?

4. God made men and women to be together. Genesis 2 recounts the special creation of woman. She is truly the crown of creation! You can find this in Genesis 2:18-25. The story ends with this note, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." There is so much here to celebrate! Let me simply point out that they were 'naked.' Some, who are astute Bible students, will immediately say, "Of course they were naked! Clothing doesn't come along until chapter 3." To which I nod my head in agreement. But the issue of nakedness here has much more importance than just the skin they were in. The idea is one of intimacy with no shame, no 'skeletons in the closet,' no other lovers in the bed. God designed the relationship to be an unencumbered joy.

5. Purity is a lifetime calling. The need for purity crosses all age, social, economic, religious, and political lines. This is not just a message for youth. It is a message for adults of every stripe. There is a desperate need for adults to step forward and take up the banner of purity in their own lives.

"So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, you power to all those to come." Psalm 71:18.

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