I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:14
Last week we began 1 Corinthians 6 with a discussion about verses 1-11. In these verses Paul strongly discouraged filing lawsuits against others, especially against fellow believers. He also broadly listed several examples of unfaithful behaviors and sinful lifestyles. It appears that the litigation Paul was referring to stemmed from the sharp division of the congregation that he’d elaborated on earlier in this letter. The topic of today’s message seems to be yet another extension of a previously discussed matter.
Back in chapter 5 Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their willful inaction regarding a church member who was engaging in sexually immoral conduct. To be specific, he was sleeping with his father’s wife. Paul urged them to put this man out of the church. Now, in verses 12-20 of chapter 6, he deals explicitly with the issue of sexual immorality. I have titled this sermon, “How to Use Your Body”.
I. MADE TO LAST (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)
Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life and was wholly without sin. By doing so, He fulfilled the demands of the Law and went on to establish a New Covenant through His shed blood. Christians no longer live under the Law, but rather are covered by God’s grace. They are not saved on the basis of their works, but rather upon the completed work of Christ. In Him, they have been set free from the requirements of the Law. But does this freedom entitle believers to sin without impunity? How should Christians properly exercise their religious liberty?
Paul will delve much deeper into this subject later in this letter (chapters 8-9), but for now he states that just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. Although Christians are not judged by their works, some behaviors are not beneficial to them and may even wield a negative influence in or over their lives. In context, some actions have damaging and harmful effects on the body. Such conduct should be avoided.
Food satisfies the hunger of the stomach and the stomach necessitates the eating of food. They go together, and both will pass away. Similarly, the physical body has its own desires. The carnal flesh longs for sexual indulgence and gratification. However, the body is not made for sexual immorality, but rather for the Lord. Whatsmore, people’s bodies are not disposable or dispensable - they will not simply pass away. On the contrary, they will be physically raised just as Jesus was. These bodies will be glorified and fashioned for eternity.
II. MEMBERS OF CHRIST (1 Corinthians 6:15-17)
When a person accepts Jesus unto salvation, they become a member of His body. Paul will give a more thorough explanation of this issue later on in chapter 12. In this passage, he simply introduced the concept by stating that born-again believers are bound to Christ. They are wholly connected to Him - both body and spirit. The Bible also describes this union as a branch that has been grafted into the vine (Romans 11:11-24; John 15:1-6). Just as the Christian abides in Jesus, so also Jesus abides in the Christian. Heaven forbid that a saved person would defile their body by giving it over to a prostitute!
There is no such thing as casual or meaningless sex. There are emotional, psychological, spiritual, and other aspects of sexual expression that go far beyond the physical act itself. According to Scripture, when people have sex with each other, they become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). They are mysteriously bound in the eyes of God. This is why the LORD reserves sex exclusively for married couples. Christians should not be binding their bodies to prostitutes - or to anyone other than their spouse!
Believers should give their bodies to the Lord. They should be united in spirit with Him. They should be members of Christ, not members of a prostitute.
III. NOT YOUR OWN (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
Paul instructed the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality. They were to run from its charms and not be enticed by them. While the Romans glorified and practiced all sorts of sexual sin, Paul urged the Corinthian church to set itself apart. He explained that, unlike most other sins, sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body. It not only defiles the purity of the body, but also invites debilitating disease.
He then recalled and repeated a metaphor that he’d used earlier in this letter (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). He reminded the Corinthians that their bodies were the temple of God. Beloved, the Holy Spirit resides within the body of each Christian. Therefore, believers should strive to keep their bodies clean, pure, and holy. They should not dirty themselves with sexual immorality.
Finally, Paul explained that Jesus died on the cross not only to save the souls of sinners, but also to redeem their bodies. He paid the price at Calvary to forgive and restore all of mankind - both spiritually and physically. As such, these bodies belong to Him. They have been bought with a price. It is only fitting and proper that they be used for His purposes. Thus, Christians should utilize their bodies (which actually belong to the LORD) to glorify God.
CONCLUSION
Some Christians mistakenly believe that their bodies are not very important. Aren't they just earthen vessels or tents to be discarded? No, my friends, they are much more! In today’s message, we have highlighted several important truths about our physical bodies. Let’s summarize the major points that we’ve touched on:
Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made. All of us have been lovingly crafted by the Creator of the universe. Each person is beautifully unique. We should not treat ourselves like cheap garbage.
As Christians, our bodies will be raised, glorified, and united with our souls so that we may live with Jesus physically and spiritually forever. They are not merely temporary or expendable.
As Christians, our bodies are members of Christ. We are one with Him and He with us. When we defile our bodies by joining them with a prostitute, we defile His body as well.
Sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body. In other words, it is self-destructive. We should not inflict harm upon ourselves by engaging in sexual immoral behavior.
Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He abides in us. Our bodies are His temple. We should strive to keep them pure and holy.
In truth, our bodies do not belong to us. They belong to Jesus. As such, they should be used in accordance with His will and purposes.
For all of these reasons - we as Christians should flee from sexual immorality. In all of its forms, and there are several, sexual immorality is a sin against God. Instead, we should use our bodies to glorify the LORD!
Last week we began 1 Corinthians 6 with a discussion about verses 1-11. In these verses Paul strongly discouraged filing lawsuits against others, especially against fellow believers. He also broadly listed several examples of unfaithful behaviors and sinful lifestyles. It appears that the litigation Paul was referring to stemmed from the sharp division of the congregation that he’d elaborated on earlier in this letter. The topic of today’s message seems to be yet another extension of a previously discussed matter.
Back in chapter 5 Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their willful inaction regarding a church member who was engaging in sexually immoral conduct. To be specific, he was sleeping with his father’s wife. Paul urged them to put this man out of the church. Now, in verses 12-20 of chapter 6, he deals explicitly with the issue of sexual immorality. I have titled this sermon, “How to Use Your Body”.
I. MADE TO LAST (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)
Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life and was wholly without sin. By doing so, He fulfilled the demands of the Law and went on to establish a New Covenant through His shed blood. Christians no longer live under the Law, but rather are covered by God’s grace. They are not saved on the basis of their works, but rather upon the completed work of Christ. In Him, they have been set free from the requirements of the Law. But does this freedom entitle believers to sin without impunity? How should Christians properly exercise their religious liberty?
Paul will delve much deeper into this subject later in this letter (chapters 8-9), but for now he states that just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. Although Christians are not judged by their works, some behaviors are not beneficial to them and may even wield a negative influence in or over their lives. In context, some actions have damaging and harmful effects on the body. Such conduct should be avoided.
Food satisfies the hunger of the stomach and the stomach necessitates the eating of food. They go together, and both will pass away. Similarly, the physical body has its own desires. The carnal flesh longs for sexual indulgence and gratification. However, the body is not made for sexual immorality, but rather for the Lord. Whatsmore, people’s bodies are not disposable or dispensable - they will not simply pass away. On the contrary, they will be physically raised just as Jesus was. These bodies will be glorified and fashioned for eternity.
II. MEMBERS OF CHRIST (1 Corinthians 6:15-17)
When a person accepts Jesus unto salvation, they become a member of His body. Paul will give a more thorough explanation of this issue later on in chapter 12. In this passage, he simply introduced the concept by stating that born-again believers are bound to Christ. They are wholly connected to Him - both body and spirit. The Bible also describes this union as a branch that has been grafted into the vine (Romans 11:11-24; John 15:1-6). Just as the Christian abides in Jesus, so also Jesus abides in the Christian. Heaven forbid that a saved person would defile their body by giving it over to a prostitute!
There is no such thing as casual or meaningless sex. There are emotional, psychological, spiritual, and other aspects of sexual expression that go far beyond the physical act itself. According to Scripture, when people have sex with each other, they become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). They are mysteriously bound in the eyes of God. This is why the LORD reserves sex exclusively for married couples. Christians should not be binding their bodies to prostitutes - or to anyone other than their spouse!
Believers should give their bodies to the Lord. They should be united in spirit with Him. They should be members of Christ, not members of a prostitute.
III. NOT YOUR OWN (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
Paul instructed the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality. They were to run from its charms and not be enticed by them. While the Romans glorified and practiced all sorts of sexual sin, Paul urged the Corinthian church to set itself apart. He explained that, unlike most other sins, sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body. It not only defiles the purity of the body, but also invites debilitating disease.
He then recalled and repeated a metaphor that he’d used earlier in this letter (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). He reminded the Corinthians that their bodies were the temple of God. Beloved, the Holy Spirit resides within the body of each Christian. Therefore, believers should strive to keep their bodies clean, pure, and holy. They should not dirty themselves with sexual immorality.
Finally, Paul explained that Jesus died on the cross not only to save the souls of sinners, but also to redeem their bodies. He paid the price at Calvary to forgive and restore all of mankind - both spiritually and physically. As such, these bodies belong to Him. They have been bought with a price. It is only fitting and proper that they be used for His purposes. Thus, Christians should utilize their bodies (which actually belong to the LORD) to glorify God.
CONCLUSION
Some Christians mistakenly believe that their bodies are not very important. Aren't they just earthen vessels or tents to be discarded? No, my friends, they are much more! In today’s message, we have highlighted several important truths about our physical bodies. Let’s summarize the major points that we’ve touched on:
Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made. All of us have been lovingly crafted by the Creator of the universe. Each person is beautifully unique. We should not treat ourselves like cheap garbage.
As Christians, our bodies will be raised, glorified, and united with our souls so that we may live with Jesus physically and spiritually forever. They are not merely temporary or expendable.
As Christians, our bodies are members of Christ. We are one with Him and He with us. When we defile our bodies by joining them with a prostitute, we defile His body as well.
Sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body. In other words, it is self-destructive. We should not inflict harm upon ourselves by engaging in sexual immoral behavior.
Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He abides in us. Our bodies are His temple. We should strive to keep them pure and holy.
In truth, our bodies do not belong to us. They belong to Jesus. As such, they should be used in accordance with His will and purposes.
For all of these reasons - we as Christians should flee from sexual immorality. In all of its forms, and there are several, sexual immorality is a sin against God. Instead, we should use our bodies to glorify the LORD!