The Sexual Struggle

What great, epic battles can you remember from history?

maybe, World War II and the taking of the beachhead at Normandy, possibly, the American Revolution and the colonists cause for freedom against mother England, still, maybe a more ancient war comes to mind like the epic battles of Rome and even of the nation of Israel, but, what about the battles of today? Yes, our fearless men and women are giving their lives for the democratic dream in the Middle East, but the war I am speaking about is the battle of the mind.

Sex on the magazine racks, sex on our computers, sex on the television sex in the mail, sex on the telephone. Sex, sex, sex! We are an obsessed people out of control with the urges of sexuality. At every turn, there is a battle of the mind going on, and its major combatant is sexuality. In fact, it’s so pervasive in American culture that one can scarcely drive down the road without being hustled by a billboard of a half naked man or woman advertising this or that. And, in tandem with those sensory impulses comes a message of toleration, indifference, and even indulgence. Yes, the battleground of the human mind seems to have been overrun by the enemy – its fortresses occupied by lust of the senses.

And yet, Jesus spoke to this very battle in his day. His commentary was not flamboyant or self-aggrandized. When confronted with the issue of adultery, Jesus said, “Anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:28). Jesus not only reminded people of the “limit of being lawful” but elevated the bar for his disciples to include adultery as a battle for the mind – not just the flesh. If his teaching was a tough pill to swallow, his solutions were even less palatable and passé. In response, Jesus said, “So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. . . and if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.” Wow! In a culture that would have one believe that promiscuous and perverted sexuality is the norm, Jesus not only declares “no,” but he demands that his disciples take great lengths to conquer the battle of the mind.

In our worship, we will be emphasizing many themes surrounding this topic. Namely, we will express our belief that God is in control and we submit to His reign in our lives. We will also, in reaction, dedicate our heart, mind, body, and soul to the great Redeemer of all things. Our worship will also call us as Christians to godly, pure living that exhibits holiness in the bright and dark spaces. Finally, we will offer to the congregation an invitation to wholeness and forgiveness that only comes through Jesus Christ.

Resounding Themes:
Power of God over sin
Renewal of Mind
Surrender of Body
Personal Holiness and Purity
Christ’s forgiveness
Atonement