How It Started; How It's Going: Sex
Genesis 2:4-25
Continuing from last week's sermon, we will look at the biblical understanding of a very important topic that is only seldom mentioned in church: sex. Once again, we need to understand sex within the context of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation.
Sex is introduced in the opening of the Bible (Genesis 1-2). There is nothing controversial about sex. Instead, sex is given as a gift from God for a husband and wife to enjoy. According to Genesis 1-2, sex has at least two purposes: to fulfill the command to multiply, and to experience a particular kind of love. Both of these purposes are not merely isolated in Genesis 1-2. In fact, they are further developed throughout Scripture.
When we look at the consequences of the fall, which characterizes much of our existence, we see that sex is also depraved and corrupted. Similar to the other things we've seen thus far (e.g., authority, relationships, vocation, gender), what is a gift from God that was intended to bring us closer to him, has now become idolized and distorted. Consequently, sex has become a very controversial topic, associated with abuse, addiction, and other symptoms of sin. This, then, explains the tension that all have experienced with sex: we know that it is powerful, glorious, and pleasurable; but we also know that it has been used to cause many problems in our lives--both personally and societally.
Thankfully, God has provided a way for us to experience redemption even in the area of sex. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all aspects that have been corrupted by sin are also being redeemed, which includes sex. Being in Christ gives us the right motivation, a desire, and the power to overcome the corrupted aspects of sex. The promise of being in Christ is that our sinful selves are being put to death while the reign of Christ becomes more central until his day of his glorious return where we will be perfected.
The sermon will also speak to one of the specific controversies around sex: homosexuality. In this regard, it is important to understand homosexuality within the doctrine of sin. More specifically, homosexuality is one of many symptoms of sin. What is more important than our sexual orientation is our sinful orientation.
Questions:
1. One of the recurring themes so far in this sermon series is having a biblical-theological understanding of human history: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. (Biblical-theological means that it is a system of beliefs that is based on the literary movement found in the Bible [i.e, from Genesis to Revelation].)
How have the four biblical-theological eras of human history been helpful as we've reflected upon topics such as the ones in the sermon series thus far (e.g., relationships, authority, vocation, rest, etc.)?
How have the four biblical-theological eras of human history been helpful as we’ve reflected upon sex in particular?
2. As important as sex is, the crux of the issue is our sinful orientation and not our sexual orientation; in other words, we need to be more concerned with the underlying essence of sin rather than the symptoms of sin.
Why is it important to make this distinction when we think about homosexuality and the gospel?
How can this distinction keep us humble and Christ-centered?
3. In addition to sharing any prayer requests, close your time in prayer by praying for the following things:
Everyone would remember and appreciate how they are recipients of God's love despite being sinful and fallen--we idolize and distort all of God's gracious gifts that were intended to bring us closer to him.
Our church's love and sensitivity toward those struggling with the corrupted aspects of sin (such as sex) will be guided, motivated, and empowered by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our church will grow in understanding God's Word, especially in the ways that it intersects with everyday concerns, such as the controversies surrounding sex.
