Pursue Godliness- Expect Persecution

                               PURSUE GODLINESS- EXPECT PERSECUTION

 

            According to church tradition, June 29 marks the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul. This year, Christians worldwide will take time on June 29 and throughout that weekend to honor the Lord through the legacy of those who have sacrificed their lives to advance the Gospel. The Voice of the Martyrs invites us into fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their bold and faithful witness at any cost.

            Scripture shows us, and real stories from Christians living today and throughout church history reinforce that teaching that those who live godly lives will be persecuted. The persecuted Church will help us see examples of those who, under severe persecution, remain faithful to God’s call to preach the Good News of the Gospel.

            John Chau responded to God’s call and went to the north Sentinel Island, one of the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, a protected area of India. Chau was born on December 18, 1991, in Scottsboro, Alabama, the third and youngest child of Lynda Adams-Chau, an organizer for Chi Alpha, and Patrick Chau, a Chinese-American psychiatrist who left China during the Cultural Revolution.  

            On November 15, 2018, John contacted the islanders in a kayak. A Sentinelese boy shot an arrow at John that was lodged in his Bible. John retreated. “God, I don’t want to die,” John wrote in his journal. “WHO WILL TAKE MY PLACE IF I DO? Forgive any of the people on this island who try to kill me, and especially forgive them if they succeed.” The next day, John penned a note to his family. “You might think I am crazy in all this. But I think it’s worth it to declare Jesus to these people.” On November 17, the fishermen saw tribal people burying his body. John Chua was unlike other young people in our country. As we honor John Chau, may we recommit our hearts to love nothing in this world more than loving and making Jesus known.

            Paul prepares him for the soon coming persecution upon the Church by writing to his “beloved son, Timothy (II Tim 1:1-2), a disciple and a young pastor. When writing II, Timothy Paul was going through his second imprisonment. Most scholars believe that Paul was acquitted at the first trial. Then, he returned to Greece and Asia Minor for more missionary work.

            Later, he was arrested again, taken back to Rome, and beheaded. Paul’s second Epistle to Timothy was written approximately A.D 66, while Paul was expecting his execution. This letter prepares Timothy and the Church for the worst persecution that ever took place under the rule of the Roman emperor Diocletian. The Great Persecution began on February 23, 303 AD. We will explore our passage from II Timothy 3:10-17 and see how that applies to our Christian living.

 

I. We are called to Pursue godliness

            A veteran pastor once asked a small group of men he was discipling, “Do you desire to be successful in your Christian life?” The men, puzzled by the question, hesitated to answer. The pastor clarified as he continued, “Or do you want to be utterly faithless as you follow Christ? Do you intend to act on your desire to live a godly life or not? Your success is not dependent upon anything greater than a daily commitment to faithfully living a godly life in Christ Jesus.”

            Our actions give evidence of our confession. Would others describe us as faithfully living godly lives? Have we counted the cost of our desire to pursue Christ? Paul reminded his beloved son Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God within by laying his own hands on him.

 

            He pointed out how the Holy Spirit gives us the power to love, not to be ashamed of the Lord, and endure suffering, including imprisonment, as Paul did. He shows Timothy and us the reason and purpose why Christ saved us: to live a holy life. After warning Timothy against the folly of the love of riches, he encourages him to pursue godliness and righteousness. We hear a similar call to pursue godliness in the following scriptures.

            Titus 2:10-12, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.” Why is it essential for believers to live godly lives?

            First, in the last days, people become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power (II Tim 2:5). Second, when people run after godless myths, we train ourselves to be godly as it gives us the power to hold on to our Christian Faith. Thirdly, as we eagerly await and hasten Christ’s return, we ought to live holy and godly lives. II Pet 3:11. Godliness is doing God’s will no matter what it costs, including our very lives.  

 

II. We are warned to Expect persecution

According to the International Rescue Committee, from 1998 to 2007, approximately 5.4 million excess deaths occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The vast majority of those killed in the DRC are Christians. Rebels, for example, often single out Christians because they do not cooperate with malicious plans to expand rebel territory. Such Christians, when they are killed as a result of actions springing from their faith, fit our definition of “martyr,” whether or not explicit proclamations of their faith accompanied those actions.[1]

We can openly attend Church, a Christian conference, or a musical concert in the U.S. No one puts a gun to our heads or a knife to our throats and forces us to deny our faith in Christ. Yet, we complain when there is opposition or pushback to our Christian ideals. We raise a hue and cry and say we are persecuted! Are we? Why do we think we would be spared from persecution?

Jesus did not include persecution as an afterthought or in small letters when He called us to follow Him. He repeatedly warned us about it. Paul, while giving a final charge to Timothy, said, “Infact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 

-John 18:20, “A servant is not greater than his master. ‘If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”

-Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

            So, dear friends, if you think you are being persecuted because you are facing some opposition. Don’t be surprised! Join the Church of the persecuted worldwide. Hold on! You are not alone; you are in the same company of the prophets of the O.T, our Lord Jesus Christ, the early disciples, and the millions of modern-day martyrs for Christ, like the young man John Chau. The truth about persecution is it is inevitable, universal, and meant for every Christian. While we cannot overcome it completely, what should be our attitude towards persecution?

 

II. Christian Attitude to Persecution (Opposition)

            First, when we are persecuted for our faith, we rejoice that we are being counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name and continue to proclaim the good news boldly. Acts 5: 41-42

            Second, let’s remember we are not alone. I Peter 4:12-13, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

            Thirdly, as Jesus and the first martyr Stephen prayed, let us pray for those persecuting us. Fourth, our love for Jesus is shown when we care for the hungry, poor, and needy, including those in prison. Paul encourages us to remember those in prison as if we were together with them in prison and those who are mistreated as if we ourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3 When we are persecuted, we pray to the Lord, “Deliver us from the evil (one). On this day, as we honor those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Gospel, let us determine that we will live a godly life and be committed to sharing Christ’s love with others no matter the cost.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/christian-martyrdom-who-why-how/

Two Gateway Sins Part II (Greed)

                                            BREAKING THE POWER OF GREED

              About seven in ten respondents in a survey said they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement: “Having more money would solve most of my problems.” Similar proportions of people in each income bracket felt that way, including those with salaries of $200,000 or more. Exactly how much more money do we think we need to be happy? A survey from the financial services company Empower put the question to about 2,000 people.

            In the survey, most people said delivering contentment would take a significant pay bump. The respondents, who had a median salary of $65,000 a year, said a median of $95,000 would make them happy and less stressed. The highest earners, with a median income of $250,000, gave a median response of $350,000.

            Even very wealthy people think like this. A 2018 study asked millionaires to rate their happiness on a scale from one to ten and, if they didn’t say ten, predict how much money they would need to move one point higher. Slightly over half of those with a net worth of $10 million or more said their wealth would need to increase by at least 50%.[1]

            I was often told by American Missionaries when they went to developing countries to preach the gospel that they were surprised to see how happy and cheerful people experiencing poverty were, even though they hardly had any food, clothes, or a house.

            How much money do you need to be happy? What truly makes people happy? What is one of the root causes of tragedies, sadness, and pain worldwide? We will examine what the Apostle Paul says about what controls all people and how to break its devastating, powerful grip. And why God’s children must stay away from its influence. Ephesians 5:1-7

            We will answer these questions: What causes human Greed? What does the scripture say about Greed? The devastating impact of Greed? How can we break the power of Greed?

 

I. What causes people to become greedy?

            Greed is an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or material gain (food, money, land, or animate/inanimate possessions) or social value, such as status or power. Greed has been identified as undesirable throughout history because it creates behavioral conflict between personal and social goals. Who is a greedy person? If you describe someone as greedy, you mean they want more of something, such as food, money, or materials, than necessary or fair. 

            In the article “The Psychology Behind Greed: What Makes Greedy People Greedy?” Patricia K. Flanigan notes what makes some individuals constantly exhibit greedy behavior while others don’t. The answer lies in the realm of their psychological disposition. The following traits can be observed among those who are greedy.

1. Fear: A fear of financial struggle or loss can manifest as needing to accumulate more         money and resources.

2. Competition: A competitive nature can drive a person to become overly greedy. This     can fuel a need to outdo others and acquire more resources than they have.

3. Scarcity Mentality: A person with a scarcity mentality may believe there will never be enough resources. They may stockpile items or money to ensure their survival, even though this behavior may be excessive or harmful in the long run. 

4. Envy: It is a feeling of resentment or longing for what someone else has. It can be a significant driving force behind greedy behavior, as people strive to obtain what they believe they lack.

5. Lack of Compassion: A lack of empathy or care for others can lead to a person’s unwillingness to share resources or wealth.

6.  Materialism: The desire for material possessions can significantly cause Greed. A person may become attached to material goods, needing to accumulate more and more of them.

7. Addiction: Substance addiction, gambling addiction, and other types of addiction can fuel a need for more resources, leading to Greed.

8. Lack of Self-Awareness: Finally, a lack of self-awareness can contribute to a person’s greedy behavior.[2]

            You may have more psychological dispositions that may turn you into a greedy person. But there is hope for you. All these negative traits can turn into positive strengths.

 

 II. What does the Bible say about Greed and its devastating impact on people?

            If we want to know about money, we may pick up The Wall Street Journal or Fortune Forbes, right? But do we look at the Bible for its uses and abuses? Andy Alcorn noted in his Book, “Money, Possessions and Eternity,” that the Bible’s authors devoted twice as many verses to money (about 2,350) than to faith and prayer combined. Jesus spoke more about money than about both heaven and hell together.”[3] What does the Bible say about Greed and its impact?

            God commanded humanity to avoid Greed or covetousness. The tenth commandment reads, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17. Since giving the Ten Commandments, God warned people through His prophets about the devastating impact of Greed and its consequences. Consider these scriptures:

1. Ecclesiastes 5:10, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This, too, is meaningless.”

2. Deut 17:16-17, “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them,..He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.” A clear warning from God for kings and rulers to avoid sexual immorality and Greed.

3. Prov 11:28, “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

4. Prov 13:1, Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

5. Prov 15:27, The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”

            In the N.T, Jesus warned against the folly of Greed by saying that wherever your treasure is there, your heart also be. No one can serve two masters, the Lord and the money, simultaneously, etc. The parable of a rich fool, the destiny of rich man and Lazarus, and how Greed has hindered a rich young ruler from following God warns us to avoid Greed. I call Greed a gateway sin because it opens a door to other sins.

            Paul amounts Greed to Idolatry. Eph 5:5, “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person such a person is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” The first of the Ten Commandments warns explicitly against Idolatry. God forbids us from making an idol of anyone or anything from anywhere and worshipping that idol instead of Worshipping God, who alone deserves all of our attention and Worship.

            You might justify your Greed, saying I don’t make or worship idols as millions of others in India and elsewhere do. We, westerners, make sports, music, entertainment, and business our careers and Patriotism as Idols, and we let them rob our joy of our true devotion and Worship of God. What is your idol today? Whatever it is, if it is coming between you and God, it must go.

II. How can we break the power of Greed?

             Looking at the scriptures and learning from history, we know Greed is not a virtue we want to hold on to. Whether we admit it or not, we are all prone to Greed, some more than others. How can we break the power of Greed before destroying our lives?

            First, follow Paul’s advice to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” I Timothy 6:6-10

 

            Second, If you are given to Greed, which is Idolatry, you need to repent and ask God to set you free from the powerful grip of Greed. Paul urges us to deal with these two gateway sins, sexual immorality, and Greed, ruthlessly—Col 3:5. Thirdly, the antidote for Greed is generosity, so practice generosity. Proverbs 11:24-25, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. By cultivating empathy, appreciating what we have, and focusing on our relationship with God, we can break the power of Greed and live more fulfilling lives.

 

 

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[1] Joe Pinsker, “The Pay Raise People Say They Need to Be Happy,” The Wall Street Journal (11-19-23)

[2] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/psychology-behind-greed-what-makes-sb0nc/

[3] Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, And Eternity, Page 4

United In Mission

                                                   UNITED IN MISSION

            The Boys In The Boat is a recent movie based on Daniel James Brown’s book. It is the true story of a nine-man crew team from the University of Washington that, despite long odds, made it to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and became the improbable winners of the gold medal, beating out Italy and Germany in a close race. Joe Rantz is the main character in that movie.

            The quote “A rising tide raises all boats” from The Boys In The Boat perfectly encapsulates the essence of teamwork and its transformative power. Like a tide that lifts all boats, individuals can achieve remarkable feats when they work cohesively.

            George Pocock (a boat builder and advisor to Coach Ulbrickson) approaches Joe Rantz (the main character) to give him some feedback about his rowing. Pocock explains to Joe how rowing well with his crew is like being a part of a symphony, and Joe is just one musician. Rather than focusing on rowing hard, Joe needed to focus on “how well everything he did in the boat harmonized with what the other fellows were doing.”

            Pocock explained that doing this required Joe to open his heart to his teammates and care about his crew. Pocock recommended that Joe learn to like every man in his boat, and then he ended with, “Joe, when you really start trusting those other boys, you will feel a power at work within you that is far beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.

            Sometimes, you will feel as if you have rowed right off the planet and are rowing among the stars.” In essence, he told him, “It’s about the boat, it’s not about you.[1] Some scriptural parallels can be found in the passage we read. Like the nine boys in the boat, we are placed in the Church. It is not about you and me but about God’s Kingdom and fulfilling His Mission on the earth. We need to work together, not alone. Acts 4:32-36. What is God’s Mission?  

I. Understanding God’s Mission.

            “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16           God’s Mission is to save sinners through His Son’s obedient death on the Cross. Jesus went after the lost house of Israel, preaching the good news, healing their diseases, and setting them free from their bondage to sin and Satan.

            After saving Zacchaeus, the tax collector Jesus explains His Mission by saying,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save the Lost.” Luke 19:10. When the hour came for Jesus to die on the Cross, he declared why He came into this World. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” John 12:27-28. How did Jesus glory God the Father?

            John 17:1-5, “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you, for you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the World began.”

            After He rose from the dead on the third day, He called His remaining eleven close disciples and entrusted them to take the message of salvation to the ends of the earth. Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

            Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

            Deriving from these two passages, we will discover God’s twofold Mission for the Church: First, “To preach the Good News to all people, and to make disciples.” Making disciples involves teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded His early disciples to do.

            If you follow Christ, God’s Mission becomes your Mission. You have been attending Hope Church for a while and have become a member. You may have noticed our Mission Statement, “Glorifying God by becoming devoted followers of Christ.”

            You are not here by accident. Recognize that God has put us together in Hope Church to fulfill His Mission. To preach the Good News and make disciples of all nations. Disciple-making involves teaching them to obey the commands of Jesus. How can we accomplish this Mission?

II. United In Mission

            How many people do we need at Hope Church to accomplish this Mission? How much money does it cost? It requires all the human resources and all the resources we can have. Having people and financial resources doesn’t get the job done. It requires the Unity of Mind and Purpose. We must be united. Only then can we go forward and fulfill our Mission.

            We must be United In Mission. Like the boys in the boat, we must learn to like every man in Hope Church and start trusting the other members and teammates. When we trust others and work with them in unity, God will command a blessing over all that we do for His Kingdom. It is not about you or about me. It is all about God’s Kingdom and fulfilling His Mission. 

            How did the early Church understand God’s Mission and achieve its fulfillment? The book of Acts gives us a blueprint of the Church’s Mission on the earth. The Church began in prayer as the Holy Spirit descended upon a small band of 120 followers of Christ. In a single day, they grew up to be a Church of 3,000. The numbers are not what we must focus on, but what caused the increase. Let’s look at a few things that the early Church did.

            Notice these words, “All and Together, in Acts 2-4.” The early Church believers were devoted to the Apostle’s teaching (discipleship), to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Acts 2:42. Vs. 44, “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Vs. 46, “They continued to meet in the temple courts daily. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, Praising God and enjoying the people’s favor. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

            In America, the Church adopted the tactics of a business model. We focus on numbers and growth. God’s Mission for us is not to grow the Church but to preach the Gospel’s good news and make disciples of all nations. It calls for a unified effort, all the believers everywhere working together to glorify the Father by preaching the good news and making disciples.

            At Hope Church, we must recognize the need for unity and maintain it. Like in the passage we read, we want all the Hope Church attendees and members to be in one heart and mind. It is not about any of us, but it is about all of us working together for the sake of the Kingdom. How does that practically work out at Hope Church?

            We have various ministries in the Church, namely: 1 Worship Team. 2. Discipleship Team. 3. Prayer Team. 4. The Media Team. 5. The Missions. 6. The Hospitality. 7. Youth Ministry Team. 8. The board: deacons, trustees, Clerk, moderator, treasurer, finance secretary. 9. Pastor. We are also involved in both local and global Missions. When we are United in Mission and serve the Lord with gladness as we work for Christ the King, God will bless our efforts. 

            We pray for each other to succeed. We offer our help and support. We love and encourage one another. We combine our resources and talents for one common goal: to preach the Gospel and make Disciples of all nations. It is not your Church or my Church but the Lord’s. May God be glorified through our Unity and Love for one another. 

 

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[1] (Boys in the Boat, Brown, pp. 234-235).

Two Gateway Sins-Part I ( Sexual Immorality)

SEXUAL IMMORALITY

            In his book, A Fellowship of Differents, Dr. Scot McKnight describes an eye-opening walk he once took down the Roman roads of ancient Pompeii. The volcano erupted there in 79 A.D. preserved a vivid snapshot of Roman culture in the century when the Church was born. “It is not an exaggeration to say the city was swamped with erotic images,” writes McKnight. Explicit pornography was everywhere. “The sexual reality across the Empire, of which Pompeii was a typical example, was a total lack of sexual inhibition.”

            The standard order of things in the first century was for most men (and some women) to have procreational sex with their spouses and recreational sex with others. Those others often included young boys and slave girls. Pederasty (or the practice of sex with children) was widespread and accepted. Lesbianism was well known but nowhere near as common as recreational same-sex liaisons between men, many of whom were still married to women. And relations with paid sex workers formed such a major and enduring industry that Rome’s most famous orator, Cicero, asked: “When was such a thing not done?”

            Las Vegas or Bangkok has nothing on first-century Roman society. This was the World in which the Church was born and introduced a more constrained sexual ethic.[1] The Apostle Paul founded the Church in Ephesus, where people were given to sensuality and practiced every kind of impurity. We are at the halfway point of the letter of Ephesians.

            The first three chapters of the letter deal with who we are in Christ. The second half deals with how we are to live in this World because of our position in Christ. Watchman Nee, in his book, observes, “Though the Christian life begins with sitting, sitting is always followed by walking.”[2] In Ephesians 5:1-14, we are warned about certain pitfalls that Christians must avoid.  

            From both the O.T. and N.T. references, it is clear that the symbolic use of the English verb “walk” refers to conduct or behavior that should support one’s verbal testimony. The word “walk” is about how a believer lives or conducts their life, in stark contrast to that of the unbeliever. In the book of Ephesians alone, the word walk appears eight times. It means “to walk around” or order one’s behavior. We will examine the basis for our Christian walk in love, what sins we must avoid, and what new ways we are to cultivate when walking in the way of love.

I. The Basis of our Christian Walk in Love.

            Ephesians 5:1-2, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (NASB). These two action verbs, “Be imitators of God, and walk in love,” are not simple suggestions; they are commands from God. They are not for individual believers only but for the whole Church of Jesus Christ. They are not for one-time action but for continual action.

            Let us pause and think of the implications of what it is to be imitators of God in a secular world that has little or no regard for God. The early disciples, too, have lived in a world like ours, yet they took imitating God seriously. For that reason, they were called Christians.

            When I shared with my wife that we are called to imitate God, she responded imitating God when dealing with difficult people all day at work is challenging. I get it! Yet, that is what we are commanded to do. We have heard the idiom, “Like father, Like son.”

             A son or daughter shows similarities to his/her Father in mannerisms, interests, behavior, etc. As God’s dearly beloved Children, we must reflect God’s nature through our words and actions. What would people say about us? Here is a godly man or woman or something else?

            The basis of our Christian walk of love is twofold: Firstly, our God, our heavenly Father, is love. Secondly, we are His dearly beloved children. Therefore, we want to obey His commands out of our love for God. As the children of God, we are called to a higher standard of living. Paul says to walk in love, we must avoid certain sins that affect our relationships. He warns all believers to stay away from Two Gateway Sins, which might trip them up in their walk of love.

II. God’s Children must avoid two gateway sins: Sexual Immortality and Greed.

            Ephesians 5:3, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Writing to the Colossians, Paul emphasizes these two deadly sins. Colossians 3:5 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.” Let us look at Sexual Immortality and Greed. I call them gateway sins like gateway drugs; they may lead people to commit a variety of other sins.

III. The Gateway Sin Of Sexual Immorality.

            We seldom talk about Sexual Immorality from the pulpit. Why is it such a devastating sin? What are its implications on people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual lives? And how does Sexual immorality affect society and the Church in general? Let’s explore these questions.

            In the New Testament, the word most often translated as “sexual immorality” is porneia. This word is also translated as “whoredom,” “fornication,” and “idolatry.” It means “a surrendering of sexual purity,” and it is used in premarital sexual relations. From this word, we get the English word pornography, stemming from the concept of “selling off.”

            For a few moments of pleasure, people surrender their God-given sexual purity by getting involved in premarital sex, pornography, extra-marital relationships, homosexuality, and other forms of sexually immoral activities. They ruin individual lives and the lives of their loved ones.

            Why is sexual immorality a devastating Sin? It amounts to Idolatry. “Flee from Sexual Immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” I Corinthians 6:18-20

            Pagan idol worship often involved perverse and immoral sexual acts performed in the temple of a false god. When we use our physical bodies for immoral purposes, we are imitating pagan worship by profaning God’s holy temple with acts He calls detestable. Apostle Paul sternly warns that there not be even a hint of Sexual Immorality among God’s people.

            Hearing these warnings, some might think God is punitive, a spoiler of fun, and doesn’t want us to enjoy sex. The truth is, it is God who gifted humanity with sex. God wants us to enjoy sex within the confinements of marriage between a woman and a man. Sex before or outside of marriage and among same-sex people is a sin and not God’s order of life.

            As God’s children, we want to do what is right before God. This is how Jesus affirmed God’s intentions. “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his Father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6

            God invented and intended sex for our pleasure and procreation of the World. The devil perverts this beautiful gift by tempting people to get involved in Sexual Immortality. As a result, people and our society are suffering. As God’s children, we want to avoid Sexual Immorality. Our loving Heavenly Father is here to set you free from all forms of sexual immorality. When we repent, he is faithful and just, forgiving and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2016/january/7012516.html

[2] Watchman Nee, Sit Walk Stand, Page 23.