I. Communion With the Shekinah Glory Glory of God

II. Sex From Different Viewpoints Jewish View Sex is a Gift from God Sex enables us to partner with God in the act of Creation “Yada” – to know implies intimate knowledge The Shekinah Glory is present in the union of husband and wife

II. Sex From Different Viewpoints Christian View Christianity emphasizes individual faith in God Celibacy is equated with Godliness of Holiness Sex is viewed as a fleshly act Sex is viewed as a distraction to a deeper faith in God

II. Sex From Different Viewpoints God’s View God said our bodies and our drives were all very good (Gen 1:31) Sexual intimacy should be exhilarating according to Proverbs 5:19

III. Sex as a Spiritual Discipline God views sex as a discipline that can draw us into His presence. God uses marriage to make us Holy, like Jesus Christ For our sexuality to become a “Spiritual Discipline” we must change our views

God’s Word Teaches us 3 Things about Sex Sex Is Good By Design But There Are Things More Important Than Sex Sex Allows The Experience Of Pleasure But Pleasure Can Never Become The Idol Of Our Existence Sex Seasons Our Lives But Will Never Fully Nourish Our Souls.

A. A Sacred View of Sex in Marriage Sex is a Mirror of our Desire and Passion for God Sex Must Be Confined to its Righteous Place- MARRIAGE of Man and Woman Sex is to be a SHARED Spiritual Experience

Gratitude Must Replace Guilt

B. A Sacred Emotional View Of Sex In Marriage Practice Thanking God For What Sex Involves Remove The Roadblocks That Hinder You From Seeing Sex As God Designed It. See that Sex in marriage is honorable before God If your history contains sexual abuse, you may need counseling to help gain the proper perspective on sex. God means sex to be exhilarating…a means of drawing our hearts to each other as well as Him. Gratitude to God is essential; otherwise the powerful feelings associated with sex will cause us to focus on ourselves.

B. A Sacred Emotional View Of Sex In Marriage 3. Deal with the Idolatry Of Sex And Obsessive Guilt Over Sex Causes us to focus on ourselves Gratitude turns our focus to God. We insult God when we do not accept the holiness of sex and pleasure. If the pain of a fast can reveal God to you, why not the pleasure of something God designed for you?

C. A Sacred View of Your Spouse Your Spouse Is Also Your Christian Brother Or Sister In Christ You share an eternal bond that will outlive your bond as husband and wife. Your marriage should transcend mere sexuality by emphasizing your fellowship with God. You are not just sexual partners. The instinctive longing you have for each other becomes a real expression of lives united with God.

C. A Sacred View of Your Spouse Sex must not be seen as merely a Physical Experience Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) Husband and wives are joining together with sanctified bodies God is present in our bodies through His Holy Spirit.

C. A Sacred View of Your Spouse 3. Your Bodies Belong to God. 4. God’s Temple = God’s Presence Not sacrilege to enjoy God’s presence as you enjoy each other sexually! God is present in the temple of your body. His Shekinah Glory is there in your bedroom

C. A Sacred View of Your Spouse 5. This Spiritual Component Of Sex Is Key To Deliverance From Sexual Perversions When sex is reduced to pleasure alone, no wife can possibly meet a husband’s expectations. Pleasure will always be fleeting. Pleasure focus will always want more and different to find satisfaction that is fleeting A Wife cannot be reinventing herself to satisfy the pleasure focus of her husband. Plastic surgery, implants will never be enough. We must find the fulfillment that comes from spiritually meaningful sex, looking for God and spiritual fellowship beneath the pleasure.

C. A Sacred View of Your Spouse 6. Every Hunger That Entices Us In The Flesh Is An Exploitation That Can Be Better Met By God. Godly sex is married sex Illicit sex is spiritual junk food, sweet and tasty, but eventually bad for you. 7. Sex Must Be Seen As BOTH A Physical And Spiritual Experience Of Intimacy

IV. Practical Advice to Deal With the Power of Sex Our Sex Drive is a Physiological Drive Place Your Sex Drive under the Lordship of the Holy Spirit Value the Things That God Values Give What You Have Accept That Our Bodies Need To Connect

IV. Practical Advice to Deal With the Power of Sex F. Need for Sex Can Groom Our Character. G. Our Sex Drive Literally Calls Us Out of Ourselves and into another H. Realize the Need for Passion

V. Life is to Be a Celebration

Jesus Christ Is Looking at Your Marriage… “Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord”

Skip the Candles and Get Some Rocks