5 – Thinking About Your Future

TWO WAYS TO LOOK AT SEX:

1. Small Picture = NOW
2. Big Picture = FUTURE

AREAS IN LIFE TO LOOK AT WHEN THINKING ABOUT THESE OPPOSING VIEWS:

SPIRITUAL

“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.  Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:13)

“They knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks.  They began to think of foolish ideas of what God was like.  As a result, their minds became dark and confused, claiming to be wise [as so many people in here are doing], they instead became utter fools. … Read the rest

4 – Living in a Fantasy World

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

“For years, years, years, my dirty little secret was that I was addicted to pornography.  It really, really messed up my life in a lot of ways. Every man out there desires intimacy. Every time you look at pornography, it’s a desire for intimacy. You are trying to fight your feelings of being alone by filling it with pornography in an attempt to feel like you are with someone and you know someone.… Read the rest

2 – Image Isn’t Everything

Messages from culture…

1.  Sex before marriage is normal.

“He [Adam] gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals.  But still there was no companion suitable for him.  He’s naming all these animals and then God says, “There’s no companion for you.  Let’s create one.”  “So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. … Read the rest

Just a Kiss

1 – Attraction by Design

2/10/19

Attraction is a powerful force.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” ¹⁹ So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. ²⁰ He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals.… Read the rest

not a fan

3: many or only

1/27/19 – MS

Theme Verse: Then He [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Biblical concept of marriage: 1 + 1 = 1

“Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked.… Read the rest

not a fan

2: know about Him or know Him

1/20/19 – MS

Theme verse: Then He [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

“One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping.… Read the rest

not a fan

1: fan or follower

1/13/19 – MS

Theme Verse: “Then He [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

(Video)

“There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.  After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus.… Read the rest

Monsters

7 – Fear of Dying

7/22/18 (MS)

Theme verse: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“What do you believe will happen to you after you die?”

  What do you fear most about death?

”No one can live forever; all will die.  No one can escape the power of the grave.” (Psalm 89:48)

“But in death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince, for all must die.” (Psalm 82:7)

“A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now.” (Ecclesiastes 7:4)

1. Recognize the uncertainty of life

“You do not know what will happen tomorrow! … Read the rest

Monsters

6 – Fear of Rejection

7/15/18 (MS)

Theme verse: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not…But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3,5)

Responses to Rejection

·       I’ll do whatever it takes to be accepted.… Read the rest