Introduction:

• Illustration: A third-grader explains that "Adultery is when a kid lies about his age."
• Speaking about sex provides so many ways to be misunderstood or to misspeak.
• Illustration: A preacher tells of Abraham and Sarah being told they would have a baby, and asks the church: "What do you suppose Abraham and Sarah went home and did after the angel finished with this message?"
• Christians are often conflicted about discussing sex.
• Illustration: A little boy, being told about sex by his father, asks, "Do you think God knows about all this?"

We need to understand cultural myths about sex—and then God's truths.

• The first myth is that sex is merely a physical act.
• To assert that sex is merely a physical act is to reduce people to being mere animals.

-1 Corinthians 6:15–17

• Illustration: JB Weld bonds things together with two chemicals, and sex is like that.
• Sex joins two people in a unique way.
• Sex has very real consequences; it is more than just a mere physical act.
• The second cultural myth about sex is that our passions must be fulfilled at any cost.
• When people seek to justify immorality, they cite their passion as the reason.
• Millions of people are living joyful lives without enjoying sexual relations.
• Many passions and urges need to be suppressed when they are not appropriate.
• The third cultural myth is that sex is dirty.
• Sex within marriage is holy, pure, and God-given.
• What attaches a sense of guilt to sex is its misuse, not its proper use.

We need to understand God's truth about sex.

• First, sex is for marriage, period.
• Illustration: Helt tells a long story of a woman who never married her son's father, but went in and out of the relationship and finally married someone else, leaving Helt to wonder what the long-term effect was on the innocent son during his early years.
• Sex is somewhat like fire: When used right way, it is wonderful, but outside its proper boundaries, it can be amazingly destructive.
• Illustration: Scotch Tape loses its stickiness after being stuck and unstuck repeatedly.
• I don't apologize for speaking God's wisdom on the subject.
• Illustration: Helt waxes humorously on handling future boyfriends for his daughters.
• You won't find anyone who waited for sex until marriage and regretted it.

Forgiveness is always possible.

• Jesus' words in Matthew 5:29 are an expression of just how dangerous sexual sin is.
• We need to be reminded that God is a God of forgiveness.
• We're not saved by following the Commandments, nor are we condemned by our failure to follow them.
• We're saved if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and condemned when we reject him.

Conclusion:

• God's commandments are wisdom for us, and we're wise if we follow them.
• Illustration: Senator Rick Santorum tells of a preacher who became a college president yet quit to care for his wife with Alzheimer's, because of his love and promise.
• God gave sex to strengthen that type of commitment to our spouse. Any use of sex that does not do that is a misuse of sex.