READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l As part of the Family Discipleship
As part of the Family Discipleship series, it is important to understand God’s design for sex and sexuality. Surveys show that engaged Christians that attend church regularly and holds the Bible as truth in the world have a strong influence on their views on sex and sexuality. This is why it is important for the Church to understand and articulate God’s position on all matters pertaining to a Christian view of the body.
Three Questions to answer today:
1. What is our purpose in life or why did God create humanity?
All of creation (including mankind) is to glorify God (Psalm 19:1, Rev 4:11, Isaiah 43:7). Humanity was created to pro-create & co-rule (dominion) the world with God (Genesis 1:26-31). Sadly, mankind has not fulfilled this purpose ever since the Fall (Romans 1:20-23).
2. How does our identity as male and female fulfil that purpose?
V 26-27 God created mankind in His triune image and intended them to procreate and have dominion with Him to rule the world. This singular design of Adam is expressed in two natures of male and female. In Gen 2: 21-23 we read how God created woman out of the rib of man and this ‘one flesh’ was God’s perfect design for the world. This oneness seen in a monogamous union between a man and a woman expresses the image of God. Sex within marriage is good, perfect and holy. Embracing sex and sexuality in God’s design is fulfilling and glorifies God. Paul writes in 1 Cor 7:8-9 that singles can better please the Lord as they are not distracted by divided loyalties but if they cannot live without lust they should marry. The goal of all humanity, married or unmarried, is to glorify God.
3. How does evil seek to distort our purpose, how should we identity and how should we respond as Christians?
Romans 1:20-34 describes a world of eros that has distorted sex and sexuality throughout ancient past. The church does exist in a culture and Christians are not spared. How are Christians to live in this World of Eros? Jesus prayed in John 17:7-19 for Christians to be strengthened and sanctified by God’s truth. We need to be strong in our biblical literacy and live faithfully by God’s Word. Paul added in Romans 1:16-17 and Romans 12:1-2 that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel and our standpoint, recognising it has power over sin and death. We are to be transformed by God’s word, fear God and cheer each other in our Holy Love and Holy Living.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What do you think the chief purpose of mankind is?
- Read Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 19:1, Rev 4:11, Isaiah 43:6-7 – what does Scripture say about our purpose?
- Read Romans 1:20-23 – how have we (mankind) not fulfilled our purpose?
- According to Genesis 1:26 & Gen 2:18-25 – Share your thoughts on God’s original design of sex & sexuality. Is it just merely sex as a physical act?
- Is sex good or evil? When is it good and evil? (1 Cor 7:1-2; Heb 13:4; Col 4:5-6)
- What is Scripture’s view of singlehood & marriage? (Luke 5:34-36; 1 Cor 7:8-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35, Eph 5:22-23). How is holiness expressed in singlehood & marriage?
- Read Romans 1:18-28 – How has humanity drifted away from God’s design of sex & sexuality and what are the consequences?
- How can we redeem back holiness (holy love & living) in our church, family & society? (Romans 12:1-2, John 17:17-19)
- How important is it and how can we inspire good biblical literacy as part of our discipleship in our family?
