Part I 24/7 ABF March 25, th Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery

“The Law was given to men for three reasons:” To restrain external evil To restrain external evil To show us our sin To show us our sin To show us God's character and will as a rule and guide to holy living, empowered by the Gospel alone To show us God's character and will as a rule and guide to holy living, empowered by the Gospel alone The Book of Concord: Article VI Institutes of the Christian Religion

Of Sanctification They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. LBCF: Chapter XIII

Q: What is sanctification? A: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness WSC #35 A: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness WSC #35 This process begins at regeneration and isn’t completed in this life This process begins at regeneration and isn’t completed in this life It’s a war!!! The flesh vs. the Spirit It’s a war!!! The flesh vs. the Spirit – –Gal 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Works of Flesh vs. Fruit of Spirit Gal 5:19-21 – –Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:22,23 – –But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.

Seventh Commandment Ex 20:14 Ex 20:14 Hebrew: na'aph {naw-af'} –“You shall not commit adultery.” Matt 5:27,28 Greek: Matt 5:27,28 Greek: moicheuo {moy-khyoo'-o} – –"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' – – But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

What is at the core of adultery/lust? Selfishness Selfishness –James 3:16 –James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. Pride Pride –Prov 11:2,3 –Prov 11:2,3 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. –Prov 16:18 –Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Idolatry Idolatry –Col 3:5 –Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

David – A man after God’s heart Acts 13:22 2 Sam 11,12 2 Sam 11,12 –David commits adultery with Bathsheba  (2 Sam 11:1-5) Read –David kills Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah  (2 Sam 11:6-27) Paraphrase –Nathan condemns David  (2 Sam 12:1-15) Read

Lessons Learned from David’s Sin Wrong place at the wrong time – preventable? Wrong place at the wrong time – preventable? Spent too much time on the roof (eyes) – preventable? Spent too much time on the roof (eyes) – preventable? Pursued his passion for Bathsheba – preventable? Pursued his passion for Bathsheba – preventable? Committed adultery (hand) – preventable? Committed adultery (hand) – preventable? Tried to cover up his tracks – preventable? Tried to cover up his tracks – preventable? Solved the problem with Bathsheba being married – preventable? Solved the problem with Bathsheba being married – preventable? Thought he got away with it – are you kidding me? Thought he got away with it – are you kidding me?

Final Scripture to Draw a Close Psalm 51 Psalm 51 –David’s repentance Proverbs 7 Proverbs 7 –False Attractions of Adultery Genesis 39:6-12 Genesis 39:6-12 –Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

Next Week…Part II Why is adultery such a heinous sin? Why is adultery such a heinous sin? What is our duties in obeying this command? What is our duties in obeying this command? How should all this impact our marriage? How should all this impact our marriage?