Immorality & It’s Consequences
2000021
Subject: worldliness
Introduction:
A. Morality – a doctrine or system of moral conduct. Conformity to ideas of right human conduct. (Merriam Webster.)
1. Place letters IM before morality & we understand that to mean the going against ideals of right human conduct.
2. Webster defines immoral as “inconsistent with purity or good morals.”
3. in context: Paul talks about immorality. (1 Cor. 6) He says some of them had been wrapped up in it. He talks about the consequences of it.
B. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 is the basic text for today’s lesson.
C. One doesn’t have to look far to see that immorality has been a problem of man from the beginnings of time.
1. Gen. 19:5 – homosexuality of Sodom/Gomorrah
2. Gen. 19:30-38 – cases of incest
3. Num. 25:1 – fornication of Israel on repeated occasions.
4. Rom. 1:18-31 – the repeated sins of immorality among the gentiles.
5. our text in 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – the “former” conduct of the Corinthians.
D. It has been said that Corinth was one of the worst cities in Greece morally speaking.
1. Temple of Aphrodite – Greek goddess of love/beauty in Corinth.
2. Had over 1000 temple prostitutes
3. Religion/vice intertwined in Corinth.
E. Vice/immorality intertwined in society today. Don’t have to look far.
1. unfortunately, this having profound effect on Lord’s body.
2. Christians battling/tolerating things that would have been unheard of a few years back. Same w/young Christians.
F. We will look today at some cases of immorality that confronts us now.
1. then we’ll look at the causes of immorality
2. Finally we’ll look at the consequences of immorality.
I. Immorality that Confronts Christians today:
A. Drinking
1. Pro. 23:29-30
2. Wouldn’t think it a problem – but is. Tempted to give in:
a) just to have fun; fit in w/co-workers
b) it’s only 1 or 2.
3. Forget about importance of exerting good influence – Mt. 5:13-16.
4. 1 Pet. 2:11 – to abstain (no moderation). I believe this verse ABSOLUTELY prohibits the Christians from the consumption of alcohol in ANY degree.
B. Dancing.
1. Temptation to get dressed up & attend prom great. I know. Been there. But must ask: “Do I need to participate in this?”
2. Gal. 5:19-23
a) that Paul specifically forbid such practices – stated in a word lasciviousness & such like.
b) One who concerned about his influence – needs to consider such passages.
C. Immodesty
1. while much of this falls into judgment & conscience – the Christian who is exercising himself to godliness will take great pains to consider what he wears in public.
2. w/some – NO consideration given whatsoever!
a) can wear clothing that leaves NOTHING to the imagination.
b) Can wear clothing that COULD make someone else to sin.
3. 1 Tim. 2:9-10 – principle here applicable to both men/women!
D. Gambling
1. Power ball; Deadwood; Corner Casinos; Lotteries.
2. All around us. Tempting many. Consider gambling crisis centers.
3. Biblical problems w/gambling:
a) Rom. 12:17 – must make living by honest means.
b) Eph. 4:28 – gambling discourages work.
c) 2 Thess. 3:10 – results is Slovenes. If anyone should not work = neither shall he eat.
d) Mt. 7:15-20 – leads to crime.
E. Impure speech.
1. Don’t have to look far to find filthy jokes, cursing, unholy/impure slang.
a) what’s astonishing: Many who call themselves Christians participate in this.
b) Can happen w/o realizing. Must learn to control our tongue – Js. 3:2
2. Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6 – also come to mind.
F. Fornication.
1. This reached epidemic proportions in American society.
2. Statistics:
a) 80% of all college men & 50% of all college women guilty of the sin of fornication.
b) 25 years ago – 1.3 million unmarried couples living together. Imagine statistics NOW.
c) Extramarital relations also the norm.
3. 1 Cor. 6:18 – Flee fornication
a) 1 Thess. 4:3 – to abstain from it.
b) Gal. 5:19-21 – It = a work of the flesh – excluding one from heaven.
II. What causes immorality?
A. What has caused the upsurge of immorality in American society today? Here are some ideas.
1. Majority of thoughts of people on immoral things. We can be caught in this trap:
a) Prov. 23:7; 4:23
b) Phil. 4:8-9
2. Thoughts are stimulated by what person sees, hears, and reads.
a) what you implanting in your mind?
b) Must seek to avoid things which could lead one toward impure thoughts.
B. many are pressured to conform.
1. constant, unrelenting pressure to follow the crowd.
a) Ex. 23:2 – it has always been wrong to follow the crowd.
b) Christians to be trendsetters – rather than trend-followers.
2. Rom. 12:1-2 – to be transformed.
C. Changing attitudes/standards
1. Why divorce no longer looked upon w/shame & alarm?
2. Where the shame of illegitimacy? Almost a status symbol to be young, single, and with child.
3. Why do we hear, “People no longer look at that they way they once did?”
4. Must remember:
a) God does not change – Mal. 3:6
b) Jesus does not change – Heb. 13:8
c) Bible does not change – Gal. 1:6-9
5. We must stop changing scriptures to fit the circumstances. The end does not justify the means.
III. Consequences that we need to consider:
A. Broken bodies/homes.
1. immorality defiles the body. 1 Cor. 6:19 – bodies = temple of the HS.
2. Aids/venereal disease rampant. Things which do many people great harm.
3. Immorality/fornication – can break apart a home. Mt. 19:9 – only reason for divorce & remarriage is b/c of fornication.
4. This – I believe one of the greatest tragedies of society.
B. Broken churches
1. Eph. 5:22-23 – Look at how the church is described. 2 Cor. 11:2 – the purity of the church must be maintained at all costs!
2. Worldliness in it’s various forms can/will destroy the church.
a) Js. 1:27; 4:4 – constitutes spiritual adultery.
b) Yet many congregations full of worldliness.
D. Broken souls
1. Damages one’s relationship with God.
2. Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5-6
3. Bottom line: Hell is the eternal consequence of being immoral.
4. Is your soul in danger of hellfire because of immorality?
Conclusion
A. Immorality will destroy your life.
B. Immorality will destroy your soul.
1. Are you flirting with immorality? Are you flooded with worldliness in your life?
2. Do we realize that your sin stained soul will not make it home to heaven?
C. Come to Christ where you can receive forgiveness for your sins.
1. 1 Cor. 6:11 – follow the example of the Corinthians
2. Have YOU been washed/sanctified/justified in the name of the Lord?
3. Do so today – become a part of Christ’s church!
D. I N V I T A T I O N
