I. INTRODUCTION

A. Sexual immorality or fornication is a sensitive and difficult subject to discuss, but we must not neglect the Biblical teaching on this matter for fear of causing offense.

1. The Bible acknowledges the shame associated with this subject, but it nonetheless demands that we deal with the matter. Ephesians 5:11-13 says that "it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret" but also that we must expose "the unfruitful deeds of darkness." It may be disgraceful, but talking about this subject is the only way we can expose it to the light.

2. In particular, there is a certain embarrassment in discussing such things with fellow Christians, but let us be honest. We are surrounded by a culture that is saturated with images and words that depict and promote fornication. The world is giving Satan's side of this issue constantly, and we desperately need to offset that with the truth of God's word, especially for our young people.

B. As we enter into this lesson, let us be clear in our terms.

1. Sexual immorality or fornication is a sexual relationship between two people who are not lawfully married in the sight of God.

2. This definition is not arbitrary. It is made evident many times in the Bible (Lev. 18; 1Cor. 7:1-9; etc.). The category of fornication is broad and includes all sexual relations except for those between a lawfully married husband and wife.

3. Sexual immorality includes all forms of illicit sexual activity, including the inappropriate handling of another person's body. Such acts are forbidden as works of the flesh, called immorality (fornication), impurity (uncleanness), and sensuality (lasciviousness) in Galatians 5:19.

II. KNOW HOW TO POSSESS YOUR OWN VESSEL; FLEE FORNICATION

A. In 1Thessalonians 4:1-8, a clarion call is given for Christians to abstain from sexual immorality.

1. From verses 1-2, notice two points.

a. This was not the first time Paul had given these commandments to the Thessalonian Christians (see also verse 6). Therefore, we see that this message is worth repeating.

b. These are commandments given by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

2. Verses 3-5 speak for themselves: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God..."

a. Your "vessel" is your body. The body of a Christian is to be sanctified and honorable. It must be kept holy in order to be useful to the Lord, for He cannot use that which is defiled and corrupted (see 2Tim. 2:20-22).

b. Your "vessel" is not a play thing given for the indulgence of pleasure, especially in fornication (more on this later).

c. Because a Christian knows God, his conduct must meet a higher standard (Matt. 5:47).

3. Verses 6-8 warn us that the prohibition against fornication is not the decree of man, but of God.

a. In verse 6, reference is made to the sin of adultery and the defrauding of a brother by taking his wife. Notice that "God is the avenger in all these things" because "God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification" (v. 7).

b. Verse 8 emphasizes the importance of these commandments and the power behind them: "Consequently, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you." (The gospel came in power and in the Holy Spirit -- 1Thess. 1:5).

B. In 1Corinthians 6:9-20, another clear message compels Christians to flee fornication.

1. Like 1Thessalonians 4:1-8, verses 9-11 describe Christians' sanctification from immorality.

2. Verses 12-13 show that we must not turn our ability to commit an act into slavery to that act.

a. The stomach has a God-given purpose and natural function, which is the digestion of food. The stomach is not to be enslaved to food but to serve its rightful purpose.

b. Likewise, the body also has a God-given purpose and natural function, which is not immorality. The body's purpose is for the service of the Lord. This purpose cannot be served when the body is enslaved in fornication.

3. Verses 14-17 give a proper perspective to a Christian who would use his body for fornication.

a. The first part of this perspective is found in the truth of our resurrection. Our bodies will die, but our spirits will be raised up from death. Therefore, we must live by the spirit.

b. The second part is how a Christian's fornication affects his relationship with the Lord. When a Christian commits fornication, he is sinning with the body that he committed to be a member of Christ. It is unthinkable to involve Christ in such a thing.

4. Verse 18 gives us the only solution for fornication: "Flee immorality."

a. The danger of fornication is so great that a Christian must physically remove himself from the temptation. Run away from it! (Consider Joseph in Gen. 39:7-12.)

b. To flee fornication is the obligation of a Christian to his own body, for "every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."

5. Verses 19-20 complete the perspective for a Christian who would commit fornication.

a. Essentially, the Christian has no right to commit fornicatation because of his commitment to God in Christ. "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...you are not your own."

b. The price of a Christian's redemption -- the blood of Jesus -- was not paid so that the body could be used for fornication. It was paid so that the body could be used to glorify God.

III. CONCLUSION -- WORDS TO YOUNG PEOPLE, PARENTS, AND ALL

A. Young people may laugh and make jokes about fornication, but it is a deadly serious matter.

1. How many times must the Scriptures say that sexual immorality is a soul-damning practice?

a. "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators...nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals...shall inherit the kingdom of God" (1Cor. 6:9-10).

b. "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality...and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21).

c. "But immorality or any impurity...must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints...For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person...has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Eph. 5:3-5).

d. How many ways must the Scriptures say that fornication will exclude you from the kingdom of God and put you on the path that leads to hell?

2. Not only is sexual immorality such a severe problem, but it is also a widespread problem.

a. In the January/February 2007 issue of Public Health Reports (the official journal of the the U.S. Public Health Service), it was reported that "premarital sex is nearly universal among Americans, and has been for decades." The study found that 95% of Americans had committed fornication by age 44. Fornication has become a way of life!

b. This is a spiritual problem of epidemic proportions. How could we ever laugh about it?

3. The sin of fornication is also complicated by other sins that are involved with it, such as divorce, abortion, the shirking of parental responsibilities, and even mental and emotional problems. There are also associated diseases that plague our nation and world because of fornication.

4. A young man or woman should conduct himself/herself with respect for his/her future spouse and should treat others with respect for their future spouses. Save one another for marriage!

B. Parents need to know that abstinence education is not enough to protect their children from fornication.

1. "Just say no" is a nice slogan, but parents must do more than teach a slogan. They must keep their young people from the danger of fornication. (This does not mean to give them contraceptives!)

a. Most fornication among adolescents occurs in their own homes or the homes of friends. It is a result a parents allowing them to be in compromising situations that they are not prepared to handle.

b. Our Father in heaven provides a way of escape from temptation (1Cor. 10:13). Will we not do the same for our children?

2. In 1Corinthians 7:36-38, two options are presented for a father of a daughter.

a. He may give his virgin daughter in marriage, or he may keep her a virgin.

b. Putting her in a situation to commit fornication is not an option. Why then do so many fathers do so? Why do they send their daughters on unsupervised dates with boys?

3. The situation is equally critical for a father of a son, for he must be kept from fornication also.

4. Whether we have sons or daughters, Christian parents must evaluate all situations carefully to help their children flee fornication. Parents have a duty to oversee their children's choice of friends (both boys and girls), activities, locations, movies, music, books, internet use, phone usage, social media usage, choice of college, etc.