2. 1 Corinthians 7:1-10 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

3. 1 Corinthians 7:1-10 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

4. Celibacy is not God’s gift for all people…Purity is! – 1 Thessalonians 4:4-8, “that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

5. Celibacy is not God’s gift for all people…Purity is! Celibacy is especially useful in times of persecution...but it is not the norm – 1 Corinthians 7:2, 26 Celibacy is a gift that allows one to fully devote their life to the cares of Christ without having to care for the needs of one’s spouse – 1 Corinthians 7:26-35

6. Marriage was designed by God in the garden – (Genesis 2:21-25) Marriage is the first institution ordained by God – (Genesis 2:21-25) Marriage is designed to be between one man and one woman for one lifetime – (Mark 10:6-9; v. 2) Marriage provides the ideal environment for the procreation and training of children – (Ephesians 6:1-4; Psalm 127:3-5)

7. Sex was created by God in the garden – Genesis 2:24-25, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Sex within marriage is pure and holy and without shame – Genesis 2:21-25 – Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” – Proverbs 30:18-19, “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.”

8. Sex was created by God in the garden Sex within marriage is pure and holy and without shame Sex within marriage should satisfy the natural God- given sexual desires of one’s spouse – Proverbs 5:15-19 – Song of Solomon 7 – 1 Corinthians 7:2-6

9. Sex was created by God in the garden Sex within marriage is pure and holy and without shame Sex within marriage should satisfy the natural God- given sexual desires of one’s spouse Sex within marriage is about giving of yourself to your spouse -- 1 Corinthians 7:3, 4 Sex within marriage should be pursued aggressively by both partners -- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Sex within marriage is to be continuous unless by mutual consent -- 1 Corinthians 7:5