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1 Corinthians 7:1-9 ESV
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

I.AVOIDING MORAL EXTREMES
A.Every church has to combat both ascetism, giving no spiritual value to the body, and hedonism, overemphasizing the spirituality of the body.
B.The ascetics in Corinth believed celibacy was of greater spiritual value in a life than marital intimacy.

II.THE MODERN CHURCH AND THE SCARLET “S”
A.Being single in the modern church is the modern equivalent of having leprosy.
B.Being married is no more holy than being single.
C.Being single is a gift of God for this season in a person’s life.
D.Singleness and a spouse are both gifts from God and they should be seen that way.

III. A TIME TO SAY NO TO YOUR LABEDO
A.If a couple can agree, they could abstain from sex for a mutually agreed upon time for the sake of prayer / spiritual growth.
B.Spouses should never hide behind Jesus to justify their own lack of desire for sex with their spouse.

IV.GAINS IN HOLINESS THROUGH MARITAL SEX
A.Sex in marriage gives us a healthy and holy outlet for the sexual desire and urges God created us with.
B.Sex in marriage is an opportunity to picture the Gospel as we give our bodies up for the good of another.

NEXT STEPS
1.Let the Cross of Christ hang above your bed in authority!

NEXT WEEK:
When the Vow Breaks — 1 Corinthians 7:10-17