Hot Topics Part 7 ‘Is it right that sexual relations be only between married men and women and what about extra-marital relations?’

1.Is it right … 2.… that sexual relations … 3.… be only between men and women … 4.… and what about extra-marital relations? Hot Topics Part 7

Is it right … ? Is it right … ? Bible not the state 21‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. 22"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." 20:13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads 23‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. Old Testament Law (Leviticus 18)

Is it right … ? Is it right … ? Bible not the state Old Testament Examples of Love David and Jonathan? 1 Kings 18  Deep Affection Ruth?  Ruth 1  Anxious moment Song of Solomon Romantic Love in Marriage context

Is it right … ? Is it right … ? Bible not the state New Testament Phileo  Feeling Tender Affection  Not Commanded Eros  Erotic  Implied in scripture Agape  Demonstrated, not felt  Commanded

… that Sexual Relations Therefore God gave [the godless and wicked men who suppress the truth] (v15) over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is for ever praised. Amen. "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." Romans 1: within context of v 15

… be Only Between Men and Women Old Testament  Only between a man and a woman New Testament  One man, one woman when deeply committed  ‘aka’ Marriage

… be Only Between Married Men And Women State view:  Two people  Over 16  Not already married  Simply bestows legal rights Biblical View:  An intimate union between a man and a woman  2 become 1  Unity of God  Man and woman made in God’s image Marriage

… be Only Between Married Men And Women For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.  Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, Ephesians 5:31 Biblical View:  An intimate union between a man and a woman  2 become 1  Unity of God  Man and woman made in God’s image  Pattern of Christ and Church Marriage

… be Only Between Married Men And Women All Abrahamic faiths Most world faiths Many ‘local’ tribal religions Most secular philosophies, legal systems and cultures Biblical View:  An intimate union between a man and a woman  2 become 1  Unity of God  Man and woman made in God’s image  Pattern of Christ and Church Marriage Extra-Biblical View

… be Only Between Married Men And Women Biblical evidence of same sex marriage  NONE Marriage Biblical View:  An intimate union between a man and a woman  2 become 1  Unity of God  Man and woman made in God’s image  Pattern of Christ and Church

What About Same Sex Or Extra-marital Relations? Homosexual None described  See Romans 1 Also:  Significant social problems reported Heterosexual extra-marital Rape  e.g. Genesis 34:2  Penalty: marriage Consensual  e.g. David / Bathsheba  Penalty: baby death Biblical Examples

Marriage Purpose Unity  Of purpose, physical, emotional God–designed balanced life Two become one flesh  Offspring shared genetic makeup  Bonded like super- glue Banned:  Adultery  Premarital sex  Homosexuality  Polygamy  Concubinage  Incest  Bestiality  Cultic prostitution

Our Response Is it right that sexual relations be only between married men and women and what about extra-marital relations? Love Yes Agape style Approve? Yes or No A choice Tolerate! Yes By Grace

Our Response SOME ARE NOT – LOVE THEM TOO

Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down! Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit, Let us find Thy promised rest. Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy grace receive; Suddenly return, and never, Never more Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee! Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place; Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise. sf0377Charles Wesley.