1 Division within the church

2 The importance of the gospel… The Gospel is… Foolish to those who are unsaved A Christian’s primary message A Christian's primary role Only received by revelation by Holy Spirit Is All powerful…

3 Moral Purity 5 reasons we are to live in purity Christians are children of the King Immorality has personal consequences Our sin can harm others Unchecked Immorality spreads Immorality destroys our witness…

a/ Concerning married life Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 1 Cor 7:1

b/ Being Single 7I wish that all of you were as I am b/ Being Single 7I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

c/ Divorce 10To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

“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.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matt 19:10

d/ Who can a Christian marry Someone of the Opposite gender… Currently not already married They must be a Christian believer Someone who is old enough

e/ Options for those with unbelieving partners 12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother (term for Christian man) has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

f/ Engaged couples 25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

7. Remarriage 39A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives 7. Remarriage 39A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.

Q1 What does God think about sex within Christian marriage? He created it It is very good

Q2 What are some of the benefits of sex within Christian marriage? Builds Intimacy It is Safe Builds Trust Gives pleasure There are many health benefits Emotional benefits Spiritual benefits…

Q3 Some people believe that God hasn’t brought the right person along… so what are 3 things might they need to consider? a/ God’s timing… b/ The persons Preparedness c/ Are they positioning themselves to meet a great Christian mate?

Q4 If a person wants to be married but hasn’t found the right person, does God expect them to live celibate? Yes… God expects obedience. Sometimes obedience is costly…

Q 5 Why does God hate divorce? Marriage is supposed to represent our relationship with God Trust is lost Divorce hurts …(Children, families, Friends)

Q6 What are 3 reasons for NOT marrying a Non-Believer? Our values are different Our priorities are different Our purpose for living is different

Q7 Many engaged couples Choose to experiment with sex before marriage… How can this be harmful? It can bring Shame Rejection after having sex being left for another… Feelings of having been used… Erodes the foundation of God’s blessing on the relationship