[Biblemat] Good News for Norwalk: Volume II, Number 39: September 30, 2007

[Ethan R. Longhenry]

Good News for Norwalk

For I am not ashamed of the good news, for it is the power of God for 
salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

A publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
Volume II, Number 39: September 30, 2007

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Society and Sexuality

It is an unavoidable reality: we live in a highly sexualized society. One 
cannot go very far in modern America without being bombarded by highly 
sexualized imagery-- online, at the grocery store, or even just walking down 
a street on a warm day. Our society prizes itself on its tolerance, 
especially in regards to sexual issues. Nevertheless, the results of this 
"tolerance" is manifest: a soaring divorce rate, large percentage of 
teenagers engaging in sexual activity, prevalence of pornography, and many 
other negative consequences. Furthermore, there is a culture of silence 
about such issues, especially among religious persons; while one's personal 
sexuality is understandably a private matter, the truth of God regarding 
matters of sexuality must be clearly proclaimed in our world.

Many would desire to return to some mythic "good old days" when people had 
proper views of sexuality; unfortunately, such times never existed. Human 
beings have either been obsessed about sex or the abstention thereof; 
holistic, Biblical balance has been entirely lacking. Regardless, we live in 
a rather promiscuous age, and there are many factors that have led us here.

Modern scientific consensus tends to rationalize mankind's behavior in terms 
of natural development. All matters of sexuality are analyzed and described 
in terms of natural animal impulses; when human sexuality is reduced to 
animal desire, why should we be surprised to see many humans thus acting 
like animals? Likewise, the modern feminist movement has "liberated" women 
to "take control" of their own sexuality. In reality, feminism has 
denigrated marriage and the need for commitment, and it is hard not to see 
correlations between the growing prevalence of single mothers and modern 
feminism. But it is entertainment, above all other factors, that leads to 
such promiscuous attitudes within our society. Does art imitate life, or 
does life imitate art? Television, movies, the Internet, and all kinds of 
venues promote all kinds of sexuality, and rarely is marriage honored or 
respected in such media. This has spread into the advertisement world, so 
that sex appeal sells everything from cars to chewing gum.

What has happened on account of these factors? Sex is reduced to a mere 
physical action, divorced of any other aspect. Men are treated as mere 
animals, and women experience great emotional trauma. "Liberated sexuality" 
has led to plenty of pain, suffering, and unfulfilled expectations.

This is not God's intent for mankind. God made male and female so that man 
would leave father and mother, he could cleave to his wife, and the two 
could become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Sex is only right and proper in the 
marriage relationship, cementing the covenant made between a man and woman 
before God (Matthew 19:4-6, Hebrews 13:4). Everything else-- lusting for 
other men or women, pornography, adultery, fornication, homosexuality-- are 
condemned (Matthew 5:28, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

The Word of God, therefore, stands against the world and its perverted view 
of sexuality. Friendship with the world is enmity toward God (James 4:4), 
and this is certainly true in terms of the world's view of sexuality. We 
must stand firm and stand up for true and proper and holy sexuality, and 
reject the perversions of mankind. Divorce and adultery are not acceptable. 
Fornication, lasciviousness, and pornography are not acceptable. 
Homosexuality is not acceptable. We must not compromise with the world, but 
stand firm and proclaim God's will for sexuality for mankind!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist at norwalkchurch.org

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The Bible on Sexuality

He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning 
made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father 
and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one 
flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has 
joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 
Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor 
adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, 
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God 
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the 
body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you 
not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you 
have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So 
glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

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The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for 
Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk 
area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city 
limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

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For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or 
desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at 
evangelist at norwalkchurch.org.

Good News for Norwalk is a publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, 
Ohio, for the promotion of God's truth in our world. For more information 
about the church of Christ in Norwalk, please visit our website at 
norwalkchurch.org.

Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
 (http://www.norwalkchurch.org)
Website: http://www.deusvitae.com
AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056
MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com
Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus

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