Key Takeaways

Your body belongs to God – so honor God with your body.

Our bodies and sexuality are part of what it means to be made in the image of God. Sexual desires aren’t bad, but like fire, they must be stewarded according to God’s design. Because our bodies belong to God and are temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to honor him with our bodies, run from what pulls us away from him, and trust his grace when our stories include sexual brokenness and regret.

• Our bodies belong to God – God cares about our bodies because he cares about every part of us. As followers of Jesus, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and are meant to honor him.
• Sex is like fire – Sexual desire is not inherently bad; God created it with a purpose. Like fire, however, it can bring life and goodness when stewarded properly or cause destruction when used outside of God’s design.
• Freedom means we can say “No.” – Real freedom isn’t simply having the ability to say “yes” to our desires. It also means we aren’t mastered by them and can say “no” when necessary.
• Run from the smoke – When something is in opposition to God’s will, we are called to run away from it, not to stay and manage it. Sometimes, freedom requires creating real distance, setting boundaries, getting honest, or removing what continues to draw us back in.
• Grace gives us a way forward – Sexual brokenness, regret, and past mistakes don’t make us hopeless or disqualify us from God’s love. We can surrender our past, present, and future to Jesus and trust him to bring healing and restoration.
• Honor God with your body – The ultimate question isn’t simply “What am I allowed to do?” but “Who do I belong to?”. Because God gave everything for us, including the body of Jesus, we can surrender our desires and relationships to him and learn to honor him with our bodies.

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Pray

As you pray, surrender every part of yourself to God. Thank him for caring about your body and ask for the wisdom and strength to honor him with the choices you make.

Father, we praise you because you are our Creator. You formed us in your image, and you care deeply about every part of who we are: our body, our soul, and our purpose. You have not left us to define what is good on our own, but have lovingly given us your Word to guide us. You remind us that our bodies belong to you, that they are temples of the Holy Spirit, and that we were bought at a high price.

Lord, forgive us for when we have allowed something good to become our master, or when we have looked to the world instead of you to telling us what is true. Help us surrender every part of ourselves to you and give us the strength to run from the things that pull us away from you.

Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit who lives within us and gives us the strength to live differently. May the way we live, the choices we make, and what we do with our bodies honor you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set into your slot and spot this week and praise God that we may honor him with our bodies.

Alleluia – Elevation Worship

House of the Lord – Phil Wickham

Inhabit – Lakewood Music

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. – 1 Corinthians 6:13

• Scripture – Genesis 1:27
• Scripture – Genesis 2:24
• Scripture – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
• Scripture – Matthew 19:4-6
• Read – Sex & Sexuality – God’s Ways vs. The World’s Ways  a 5 day devotional
• Watch – 7th Commandment: Do Not Commit Adultery from Bible Project
• Listen –1 Corinthians 6 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your slot and spot/discussions with others.

Sexual desires aren’t bad, but like fire, they must be stewarded according to God’s design.

• How does that differ from the current world view on sex?

Read First Corinthians 6:12-22.

• What does it mean to you that our bodies were made for the Lord and that he cares about them?
  • What stands out to you as you apply that truth to some of your current choices about what to do with your body?
• Paul tells us that, through Christ, we are forgiven for our sins, we should still avoid things that are not good for us, or that could control us. How would you answer the following questions about some of the choices you make with your body:
  • Is this good for me as a believer?
  • Does it honor God’s Word?
  • Is this starting to define me?
  • Can I stop doing it?
  • Does it honor the image I was created in?
• Paul tells us to run from all sexual sin. What sexual sin do you feel God is calling you to run away from?
  • What freedom do you believe you could experience if you were free from sin?
  • What specific step can you take today to run away from that sexual sin?

Next Steps

• Every day this week, set aside a slot and spot – a time on your calendar, and a place you go alone – to read the Bible and pray.
• Take the next step in your faith by leading a J-group this upcoming semester. Sign up to lead and create a space where others can find community, grow in their faith, and take their next step towards Jesus.

What’s one thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week? Share it in the comment section below.