Sermon on the Mount Mt 5:27-30

Reflection verse: So God created man in his own image,         in the image of God he created him;         male and female he created them. Gen 1:27

Summary: Sexuality is part of our being made in the image of God – maleness and femaleness. It is a drive to connect / to bond with others. It can express itself in physical genital sexual relationship, as an expression of bonding. People can be fully sexually alive and fulfilled, without a genital sexual relationship. Genital sexuality will no longer be needed or relevant in the “age to come”.

Matt 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery Matt 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.‘ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Adultery: Exod 20:14 - "You shall not commit adultery” (also Dt 5:18) Adultery – “a sexual relationship with someone other than your spouse.” Jesus is reaffirming the traditional teaching genital sexuality is for a faithful (exclusive) covenantal marriage relationship.

"If a man commits adultery with another man's wife-- with the wife of his neighbour-- both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.” Lev 20:10 Cf. John 8:1-11 – who is without sin cast the first stone.

Why God made sex? Pleasure: Drink water from your own well--share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don't share it with strangers. Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Prov 5:15-20 - NLT

Why God made sex? Love: What is love? Gk: Phileo, Eros and Agape

Why God made sex? Procreation: Gen 1:28 – Be fruitful and increase in number. Gen 4:1-2 – Adam “knew” his wife Eve and she became pregnant… “The fact that children are not born from every single act of sex simply means that sex is about more than procreation, but does nothing to nullify its generative dimension.” The Meaning of Sex. p. 104

Why God made sex? Expression of a Bonded Relationship: “Something changes when a couple engages in sexual intercourse. The act has altered their relationship. They have become one in body…” Sexual Ethics – p. 84

Expression of a Bonded Relationship: The man said,   "This is now bone of my bones    and flesh of my flesh;    she shall be called 'woman'    for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 2:23-25

Expression of a Bonded Relationship: a change in status “A man will leave his father and mother” a unique commitment “be united to his wife” sexual union of the two “And the two shall become one flesh” “The language employed … points to a unique physical, emotional, and spiritual bond that occurs through sexual intercourse.”

One Flesh: "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female', and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh '? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.“ Matt 19:4-6 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Eph 5:31 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. 1 Cor 6:16-18

Summary: God made sex for a committed life long, bonded relationship: For pleasure For love For procreation For expressing the bonded relationship

Reflection Verse: "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female', and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh '? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.“ Matt 19:4-6