Keeping Your Marriage Vows (1)
Introduction:
Adultery is one
of the ugliest words in our language. It is so bad that we have come up with
different terms to describe it. The word represents a betrayal of trust at the
highest level. Scripture speaks on adultery. Ex. 20:14 (7th commandment) Deut. 5:18; repeated Rom. 13:9; Jesus: Mt. 5:27-32; 19:8-9. We need
to focus on what the bible says concerning sex and marriage.
I. Sex is God’s Idea
A.
God boldly created sex in
the beginning and called it good.
1.
Gen. 1:28 – necessary
for procreation…but that is not all there is to it.
2.
It has been designed to meet
some of the deepest human needs.
a.
Based on a loving,
committed, relationship inside of marriage.
3.
1 Cor. 7:3-4
4.
1 Cor. 7:5 - It is a
responsibility of the marriage relationship.
B.
Husbands and wife need to
show endearment toward one another.
1.
Genesis 26:8-9a
C.
Tragic to see some couples
act like they are not married. Not in love.
D.
Love is the key for this
affection. See Gen. 24:67.
II. Sex Outside Marriage is a Good Thing in the Wrong
Place
A.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
1.
4:3 – sexual
immorality = fornication. (General
term for unlawful sexual intercourse).
2.
Adultery is a form of
fornication. (More specific, in describing unlawful sex involving a person who
is married.)
B.
Why is fornication so
serious?
1.
Gen. 39:9 – it is a
sin against God.
2.
Ex. 20:14 – it is a
sin against our neighbor
3.
1 Cor. 6:18 – it is a
sin against our own body – this act dishonors the body.
4.
Hosea 4:11 – it
enslaves the heart. (NKJV).
5.
Pro. 6:33; Eph. 5:12 –
it causes shame.
6.
1 Cor. 6:9-10 – it
will keep us out of heaven.
C.
1 Thess. 4:4, 7 –
Christians have been called to a higher standard.
D.
Prov. 5-7 – adultery is a foolish sin.
1.
Pro. 5:15, 18; 19c – be exhilarated (intoxicated) always with her
love.
2.
Pro. 6:32 – the one who commits adultery with a woman,
is lacking sense. He who would destroy himself would does it.
3.
Pro. 7:21-27
III. You Can’t Affair Proof Your Marriage; You Can
Affair Proof Your Life.
A.
You can’t always control
what your spouse does, but you can control how you live your life.
B.
Gal. 5:16 –
individually, we must make a commitment to walk by the Spirit.
1.
5:19-21 – live with a
realization of the end result of living by the flesh
2.
5:22-23 – earnestly
work to possess these qualities in our life.
3.
5:24 – remember your
commitment to Christ.
Conclusion:
A.
Adultery is not the average
sin…it’s worse. Deut. 22:22
B.
Live your life filled with
honor and dignity. Begin a relationship with Jesus.