The Conservative Statesman responded to Friday's troubling Supreme Court ruling on marriage with a serious of Bible studies and sermons. I preach every other week temporarily at the Oak Grove Church of Christ, west of Sparta, Tenn. I borrowed these messages from Mark Copeland's "Executable Outlines" and built on them. These are the outlines from Copeland.
SUNDAY AM BIBLE STUDY:
"MORAL ISSUES CONFRONTING CHRISTIANS"
Authority In Morality
INTRODUCTION
1. Christians today are confronted with many conflicting views of
morality...
a. People have different opinions concerning what is right and wrong
b. What once was generally accepted as good and true is now
challenged
c. Governments are redefining the concept of marriage
d. Businesses often operate with ethics that sanction lying, stealing
2. How does one know what is right and wrong in areas of morality...?
a. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong
b. But the standard of right and wrong often differs
[The answer for the Christian is simple. But before we consider it,
let's first review...]
I. WHAT MANY ACCEPT AS AUTHORITY IN MORALITY
A. THEIR FEELINGS...
1. "If it feels good, it must be right"
2. The Bible warns against trusting in "feelings"
a. "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is
the way of death." - Pr 14:12
b. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pr 28:26
c. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not
in man who walks to direct his own steps." - Jer 10:23
-- Many people have destroyed themselves by following their
feelings
B. THEIR CONSCIENCE...
1. "Let your conscience be your guide"
2. But one's conscience is not always reliable
a. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his
life - Ac 23:1
b. Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - cf. Ac
26:9-11
-- Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly only if
set properly
C. THEIR FRIENDS...
1. "Everyone else is doing it"
2. But consider the words of Jesus, in describing the end of the
majority - Mt 7:13-14
3. If you followed the majority...
a. In Noah's day, you would have perished in the flood
b. In Joshua's day, you would have perished in the wilderness
-- Following the majority can be like lemmings running over a
cliff
D. THEIR MINISTERS...
1. "The preacher (priest, rabbi, etc.) says it is okay"
2. They reason that surely these "men of God" could not lead them
astray
3. Yet notice the warnings given by Jesus, Paul and Peter
a. Religious leaders can be "blind leaders of the blind" - Mt
15:12-14
b. They can be "ministers of Satan" - 2Co 11:13-15
c. There will be false teachers with destructive ways - 2Pe
3:1-3
-- Following the wrong minister can lead to corruption
[It is clear that what many people accept as authority in morality
should not be a guide for Christians. So let's now consider what should
be...]
II. THE CHRISTIAN'S AUTHORITY IN MORALITY
A. JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY...
1. In heaven and on earth - Mt 28:18
2. In all areas, including sexual mores and behavior - Ep 4:17-24
3. He will one day judge all mankind - Ac 17:30-31
4. And the standard of judgment will be His words - Jn 12:48
-- Jesus is the ultimate standard of authority in morality
B. JESUS DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO HIS APOSTLES...
1. To receive them is to receive Him - Mt 10:40; Jn 13:20
2. They were sent as "ambassadors" for Christ - 2Co 5:20
3. To ensure reliability, Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit - Jn
14:26
4. The Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth - Jn
16:12-13
5. Thus the apostles proclaimed "the whole counsel of God" - Ac
20:27
6. Christians were to accept the apostles' words as truth - cf.
1Co 14:37
-- The apostles' doctrine is the Christians' standard of authority
(Ac 2:42)
C. THEIR AUTHORITY PERTAINS TO AREAS OF MORALITY...
1. As Paul solemnly charged the church in Thessalonica - 1Th 4:1-8
a. Addressing sexual immorality
b. And marital faithfulness
2. As he likewise wrote to the church in Ephesus - Ep 4:17-32
a. Addressing lewdness, greediness, and deceitful lusts
b. And lying, anger, stealing, foul language
-- Morality is an integral part of "the truth" that is in Jesus
CONCLUSION
1. Many people go through life confused about morality...
a. They constantly wonder: "Is this right or wrong for me?"
b. They stumble their way through life, making wrong choices with
terrible consequences
2. The Christian need not be confused about morality...
a. The truth is in Jesus - cf. Ep 4:21
b. God has given us "all things that pertain to live and godliness"
- 2Pe 1:3
If you are looking for truth as it pertains to morality, then let Jesus
and His apostles be your guide. As Jesus said...
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." - Jn 14:6
SUNDAY AM SERMON:
"MORAL ISSUES CONFRONTING CHRISTIANS"
The Institution Of Marriage
INTRODUCTION
1. Another moral issue that confronts Christians today relates to the
institution of marriage...
a. Many people are clamoring to redefine marriage
b. Governments are responding with laws that redefine who may marry
c. Same-sex marriage is becoming legal; polygamy and other forms of
marriage will likely follow
2. As Christians are confronted with this issue, we do well to ask...
a. What did Jesus and His apostles reveal about marriage?
b. What do they say about same-sex marriage?
c. How should we respond to those in same-sex marriages?
[We begin therefore by looking at...]
I. JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES ON MARRIAGE
A. JESUS' TEACHINGS ON MARRIAGE...
1. Marriage was instituted by God at the beginning - Mt 19:3-4
a. Weddings may be a social custom, and variously defined by
cultures
b. But marriage itself is ordained by God, not by society or
the state
2. Marriage was designed for those created male and female - Mt
19:4
a. From the beginning this was God's design
b. Beginning with Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve)
3. Marriage is for man and wife, who become 'one flesh' - Mt 19:5
a. A man is to leave his family to start a new one
b. Man and woman are biologically designed to complement each
other
4. Marriage is a union that God joins, not the state - Mt 19:6
a. Note well: only God does the joining
b. The state cannot force God to do something by passing laws
5. States may therefore declare marriages that are unlawful in
God's sight - cf. Mk 6:17-18
a. Herod had "married" Herodias, i.e., approved by the state
b. But in God's sight it was "not lawful" for him to have her
-- Jesus defined marriage as instituted and regulated by God, not
the state
B. THE APOSTLES' TEACHINGS ON MARRIAGE...
1. Sex in marriage is honorable, sex outside marriage is not - He
13:4
a. God will judge fornicators (any who practice sexual
immorality, see previous lesson)
b. God will judge adulterers (any who violate the bond
involving those married )
2. To avoid fornication, let each man have his own wife and each
woman her own husband
a. The solution to sexual immorality is heterosexual marriage
- 1Co 7:1-5
b. The only alternative is self-control - 1Co 7:6-9
-- The apostles taught marriage is regulated by God and His Word
[Both Jesus and His apostles have important things to say about divorce
as it relates to the institution of marriage, but we will discuss that
in another lesson. Let's now turn our attention to...]
II. THE ISSUE OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
A. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES...
1. Again we note what the Bible clearly teaches:
a. Sex outside of marriage is sinful (see previous lesson)
1) Whether heterosexual or homosexual
2) It falls into the category of "sexual immorality"
(fornication)
b. The solution to sexual immorality is clearly stated
1) Either heterosexual marriage - 1Co 7:1-5
2) Or self-control - 1Co 7:6-9
c. Marriage is a divine institution, not a civil one
1) God determines what constitutes a proper marriage, not
man
2) Marriage throughout the Bible is always between a man and
woman
2. We now note the following:
a. There is not one mention regarding same-sex marriage
1) Even though the practice was known among the Gentiles
2) Emperor Nero himself had two same-sex marriages
(Pythagoras, Sporus)
b. There is no Biblical teaching on how same-sex marriages are
to work
1) Who is to be the head? Who is to submit?
2) All discussions pertaining to marriage describe
husband-wife (male-female) relationships - 1Co 7:10-40;
Ro 7:1-4; Ep 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1Ti 3:2,11-12; 5:14;
Tit 1:6; 2:4-5; 1Pe 3:1-7
-- At best, the Bible is silent regarding same-sex marriage; of
course, there is the issue of homosexuality itself (to be
discussed later)
B. HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD RESPOND...
1. Same-sex marriage is on par with other unscriptural marriages
a. Divorce and remarriage can lead to adulterous marriages (see
next lesson)
b. Governments have sanctioned adulterous marriages for years
c. Many Christians have friends and family involved in such
marriages
d. As same-sex marriages become common, so will our
acquaintance with such
e. We must stand firm in support of truth concerning the
institution of marriage
2. As with all people engaged in sinful behavior, we should:
a. Love the sinner while hating the sin
b. Speak the truth in love, not hate - Ep 4:15
c. Reach out with gentleness, patience, humility - 2Ti 2:24-26
d. Convert them to Jesus as Savior and Lord (willing to obey in
all things) - Mt 28:18-20
e. We should certainly not fault the children - cf. Eze 18:20
3. As "citizen saints" living in a free society, we should:
a. Pray for our leaders, that we may live peaceable, godly
lives - 1Ti 2:1-4
b. Live as sojourners and pilgrims, setting honorable examples
- 1Pe 2:11-12; Ro 12:1-2
c. Vote for those who respect God's Word on such issues, for it
can only "insure domestic tranquility...promote the general
welfare" of one's country - cf. Pr 14:34
-- Our response should be no different than with any other sin
CONCLUSION
1. The institution of marriage has long been under attack...
a. Divorce and remarriage for any reason has undermined it for
generations
b. Same-sex marriage is only the latest attack; it probably won't be
the last
c. Many choose to simply cohabitate rather than marry at all
2. As Christians confronted with such attacks, let us...
a. Remain true to the teachings of Christ and His apostles
b. Illustrate by way of example that God's way is good, acceptable
and perfect
c. Reach out to all who are lost in sin with both the truth and love
that is in Jesus Christ
Always remembering that when it comes to the institution of marriage...
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but
fornicators and adulterers God will judge. - Heb 13:4
SUNDAY PM SERMON:
"THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY"
The Sanctity Of Marriage
INTRODUCTION
1. Marriage as an institution today is struggling...
a. Many seek to redefine what constitutes a marriage
b. We hear of same-sex marriages, open marriages, polygamy,
polyandry, polyamory
c. Others decry marriage altogether, preferring simple cohabitation
d. Many joke about it: "Marriage is a wonderful institution. But
who would want to live in an institution?" - Henry Mencken
2. The family as an institution today is struggling...
a. Husbands and wives often suffer strained relationships
b. Parents and children are frequently at odds with one another
c. Much misery in life is due to dysfunctional family relations
d. Some prefer that government assume the role of raising children
3. I believe much of the problem is due to self-centeredness in our
society...
a. People are told to "look out for #1" in all their relations
(business, family, etc.)
b. Thus many enter marriage and start families with selfish attitudes
c. Yet no relationship can exist peacefully and lovingly with selfish
participants
4. The Bible has much to say about marriage and family...
a. Especially in the teachings of Jesus and His apostles
b. That has helped many to have long-lasting, fulfilling
relationships
c. Which can affect both our temporal and eternal happiness
[In this series of lessons, we shall consider what Jesus and His
apostles taught concerning the Christian home and family. I believe a
good place to start is by affirming "The Sanctity Of Marriage"...]
I. THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE DEFINED
A. THE MEANING OF SANCTITY...
1. Sanctity is defined as the quality of being holy, sacred
2. Thus it is common to speak of "holy matrimony" (i.e., sacred
marriage)
B. THE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE...
1. Marriage is one of the holiest of relations two people can have
2. Marriage is a bond created by God Himself, thus we must treat
it as sacred
3. Marriage is not something to be entered into lightly
4. "Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage." - President
George W. Bush
[Is the idea of marriage as a sacred union a Biblical concept? What did
Jesus and His apostles say about it...?]
II. THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE DELINEATED
A. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD...
1. From the very beginning, following the Creation - Mt 19:3-4;
cf. Gen 2:18-24
2. Designed for those created as male and female - Mt 19:4
3. Whose union becomes "one flesh" (produce offspring) - Mt 19:5
-- Marriage is not a creation of the state, but of God Himself!
B. MARRIAGE IS REGULATED BY JESUS...
1. Jesus has been given all authority, will be our Judge in all
things - Mt 28:18; 2Co 5:10
2. He taught that man may try to put asunder, but only God puts
asunder - Mt 19:7-9
a. One may legally divorce and remarry, but adultery can still
occur - Mt 5:31-32
b. God allows divorce only for fornication, and remarriage by
the innocent - Mt 19:9
3. He taught some might have to remain celibate ("make themselves
eunuchs") for the sake of the kingdom of heaven - Mt 19:11-12
a. Perhaps because they had been divorced for adultery or
unlawfully married
b. Or because they were single by choice, or never asked to be
married
4. His apostle Paul had more to say concerning marriage
a. Marriage is for life; marrying another while one’s spouse is
alive is adultery - Ro 7:1-4
b. Each person is to have his or her own spouse, not shared
- 1Co 7:2
c. Husbands and wives have certain duties toward one another
- 1Co 7:3-5
d. One is not to divorce; if divorced, must remain single or
return to spouse - 1Co 7:10-11
e. If an unbelieving spouse departs, a believer is not
obligated to fulfill marital duties (but that does not
necessarily imply they are free to remarry) - cf. 1Co 7:3-5,
12-16
-- Jesus as Lord over all is the final Arbiter regarding marriage!
C. MARRIAGE IS RESERVED FOR INTIMACY...
1. The only proper relationship for sexual intimacy (intercourse)
is marriage - He 13:4
a. Not before the wedding, during courtship, but only after the
wedding
b. Greatly simplifying the perennial question: "When is the
right time?"
2. Sex outside marriage (between a man and a woman) is fornication
a. Fornication includes pre-marital, extra-marital, or same-sex
relations
b. Such conduct can keep one out of the kingdom of God - cf.
1Co 6:9-10
3. Sex outside marriage is not without physical and psychological
consequence
a. Even casual "hookups" deeply affect the brain and our
emotions - cf. 1Co 6:16
b. Chemical reactions in the body occur that lead to bonding,
even addiction (this is not even considering the
consequences of STDs!)
c. Leading to an increase of depression and suicide when there
is no marriage - Heritage Foundation, 2003
d. 25.3% of sexually active teenage girls experienced
depression, compared to 7.7% of sexually abstinent girls
- ibid.
e. 14.3% of sexually active girls attempted suicide, compared
to 5.1% of their virgin peers - ibid.
f. For more, read this: There Is Nothing Brief About A Hookup
4. Pre-marital sex endangers having a successful marriage
a. The national divorce rate in the United States is over 40
percent - National Survey Of Family Growth
b. Couples who wait to have sex until marriage - and remain
faithful - have a divorce rate of only 20 percent - ibid.
c. Couples who have more sexual partners prior to or outside of
marriage have a much higher rate of divorce - ibid.
d. Those who have as many as five partners have only a 30
percent chance that their marriage will not end in divorce
- ibid.
5. A successful marriage requires mutual respect and trust
a. Courtship is the time to build respect and trust which will
strengthen your marriage
b. If your potential spouse will sin with you before you
marry...
c. ...what assurance do you have they will not sin against you
after you marry?
-- The sanctity of marriage is preserved when it alone is the
realm of sexual intimacy!
CONCLUSION
1. Marriage is not an institution...
a. Created and designed by man or the state
b. Subject to alteration by societal whims
2. Marriage is a sacred institution...
a. Instituted by God in the beginning
b. Regulated by Jesus and His apostles in the Word of God
c. Reserved for sexual intimacy between a man and a women
3. Marriage is a successful institution...
a. When we follow the Biblical injunctions concerning it
b. When members of the family fulfill their proper roles
We shall consider those injunctions, starting with the duties of
husbands in our next lesson. In the meantime, some food for thought
from an uninspired (though wise) perspective...
The 10 Commandments of Successful Marriage
Judge Joseph Sabbath, after twenty year’s experience in presiding over
what he called "the nightmare world of the divorce courts," framed ten
commandments of a successful marriage which, he predicted, could prevent
at least ninety percent of marital smash-ups:
1. Bear and forbear.
2. Work together, play together, and grow up together.
3. Avoid the little quarrels, and the big ones will take care of
themselves.
4. Compromise (give and take). It is the antitoxin of divorce.
5. Practice sympathy, good humor and mutual understanding.
6. Don’t grouch before breakfast or after it.
7. Respect your "in-laws," but don’t criticize them or take criticism
from them.
8. Establish your own home, even in a one room flat.
9. Fight for each other, but not with each other.
10. Build your home on religious faith, with love and forgiveness as
the watchword.
