 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;” ( 2 Tim. 4:2–3 )

The topic we will discuss today is uncomfortable, but it is needed! Recent court rulings legitimized same-sex marriage. But truth is still truth and sin is still sin! In the process, if we stand for the truth, we are vilified ( Isa. 5:20 )

Regardless, we cannot think this will not affect us! If this conduct continues to be legitimized, it WILL affect the Lord’s church and those who dare to disagree. Consequences for us if we stand for truth Compromise by the weak and unconverted – 1 Cor. 5:6

The Sin of Fornication

What is Fornication? πόρνος (pornos), “sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage.” Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary A broad term describing any relations other than that of a husband and wife. Homosexuality, cohabitation, casual relations, prostitution, adultery, beastiality, etc.

What is Fornication? “Sexual immorality” – newer translations. A vague term open to broad interpretation. Sometimes narrowing the scope of Biblical meaning, OR broadening the scope. Usually used to justify premarital relations

What is Fornication? The Bible clearly distinguishes between “relations” in marriage and all others. Gen. 2:24 Heb. 13:4 1 Cor. 7:2

What is Fornication? Heb. 13:4 “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

What is Fornication? Gal. 5:19-23, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, … and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

What is Fornication? Eph. 5:3-7, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks…

What is Fornication? Eph. 5:3-7, “…For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

What is Fornication? Col. 3:5-7, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”

What is Fornication? 1 Thess. 4:3-8, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;…

What is Fornication? 1 Thess. 4:3-8, “…that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness....”

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 6:9-11, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,…

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 6:9-11, “…nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 5:1-6, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles— that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you…” Vs. 6, “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 5:1-6, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you…”

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 5:1-6, “…Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 6:18-20, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,…

What is Fornication? 1 Cor. 6:18-20, “…whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

What is Fornication? Rev. 21:8, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Social – Eroded standards of decency Who we elect indicates society’s morals! Prov. 14:34 Jer. 5:30-31 Consequences

Physical – Diseases Unwanted pregnancy Unwanted children Murdered babies! David, 2 Sam Cor. 6:18 2 Tim. 2:22 Consequences

Mental – loss of innocence Guilt, shame, worry, regret Possible false “love” NOTE: Even OUR society recognizes age limits Consequences

Family – loss of trust Stress on relationships, trust. Possible rebellion Church discipline Divorce Consequences

Spiritual – on earth Church discipline 1 Cor. 5:1-6 Lack of trust Strain in spiritual relationships Consequences

Spiritual – before God Sin – cf. Gen. 39:9, 2 Sam. 11 (David) 1 Cor. 6: Cor. 11:2 Will not inherit the kingdom of God Consequences

Congregational Reproach in the community Congregations becoming unfaithful Losing our “candlestick” Rev. 2:18-23 Consequences

Hermeneutical Would we be experiencing as great a problem (or any problem) in understanding the plain biblical teaching concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage if it were not for the sin of fornication… Fruits of fornication, Phil T. Arnold, July 15, 1993 GOT, XXXVII 15, P Consequences

Hermeneutical “…When that sin leads to the dissolution of a marriage and the pursuit of another marital relationship by the put away fornicator, emotions often override intellect and personal involvement or sympathy produces a hurdle to proper interpretation and application of divine truth… Fruits of fornication, Phil T. Arnold, July 15, 1993 GOT, XXXVII 15, P Consequences

Hermeneutical “…Why would we want to place ourselves in the circumstance of having to redefine terms, strain interpretations and create our own theories to justify what the Bible identifies as sin and to maintain fellowship with the unrepentant sinner and the false teachers who uphold them? …” Fruits of fornication, Phil T. Arnold, July 15, 1993 GOT, XXXVII 15, P Consequences

Hermeneutical “…Why would we want to lay an added burden upon those who love us of choosing between their love for us and their love for the truth? Yet, this is often exactly what is done as a consequence of the sin of fornication.” Fruits of fornication, Phil T. Arnold, July 15, 1993 GOT, XXXVII 15, P Consequences

Fornication IS a sin! Let us not be caught up in its snare – either ourselves or approving of it! Rom. 1:28-32, “those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.” Consequences

Keep yourself pure! Flee Fornication!