Sermon Scraps (7/1/12)

Sermon in a sentence (or a few) - 

The conversation about sex is almost non-existent within the church.  This is a travesty and both the church and the world are at a loss because of this.  Scripture is quite open about sex and while it does warn about engaging in sexual immorality there is more to the conversation than simply "no".  The Bible does a wonderful job of illustrating the ramifications of how sexual interactions can be harmful to individuals and communities (physically, spiritually, and emotionally) and we as members of "the church" should do no less.  Ultimately God loves and values us and wants us to have sex, but in ways that won't be damaging and harmful to us and others.

Primary Text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

v. 12 "permissable" (Gk. exesti <1832> - it is lawful) - The NIV reading does a good job of distinguishing between the literal translation of the word "lawful" and Paul's likely intended use of the word.  Paul is here quoting the Corinthians and their application of his teaching about freedom from the law under Christ.

v. 12 "mastered" (Gk. exousiazo <1850> - to hold captive, to be brought under power, to be mastered) - Paul again is quoting the Corinthians assertions of freedom and flipping it by claiming that in their freedom they are actually being mastered (held captive) by "sexual immorality".

v. 13 "sexual immorality" (Gk. porneia <4202> - sexual immorality, illicit sexual intercourse) - This word is translated many ways in the Bible (fornication, homosexuality, adultery, idolatry (metaphor) etc.).  It is a difficult word for biblical interpreters to adequately translate but typically means some form of sexual immorality.  In this instance it's likely that Paul is continuing (more broadly) his conversation from Chapter 5, where a man is said to be involved with his step mother.

vv. 13-14 "Food for the stomach and stomach for food..." - Once again Paul uses a quote from the people in the Corinthian church to make a point.  The argument being implied is that just like our stomachs are made for food so our bodies are made for sex.  Paul takes this assertion and claims that both our bodies and the food we eat will cease to exist in their present state in the resurrection.  The argument Paul is making here is that because we are new in Christ, and are already a part of the "body of Christ" we are to act differently with our bodies (e.g. not engaging in sexual immorality).

v. 15 "bodies" (Gk. soma <4983> - body) - While the word typically is understood to literally be the actual substance of a being's physical form, here the apostle is using the word more broadly to encompass the entirety of a person (and even applying it to the spiritual reality of the body of Christ/the church universal).

v. 15 "prostitute" (Gk. porne <4204> - prostitute, harlot) - This word is often used to describe a woman who sells herself for sex.  It is more literally a woman who commits "porneia" (sexual immorality).  Therefore when reading this, it is not necessarily the case that Paul is specifically condemning sex with prostitutes, but rather that he is more broadly condemning sexual activity with those who might (for one reason or another) be described as sexual deviants.

v. 19 "temple" (Gk. naos <3485> - temple, shrine) - The word used here is not a generic term for any temple, but specifically for the temple in Jerusalem.  Furthermore this word is used to describe the most inner sanctuary within the temple, where the essence of God was believed to most fully reside.  Therefore the author is making an especially emphatic statement about the value of the individual and the essence of God residing within.