HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-06-17, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010. PAGE 11. From the Minister’s StudyLiving beyond lust and sexual appetitesBy Pastor Ernest Dow, LivingWater Christian Fellowship(EMC), BlythIn his book Crazy Love,
Californian pastor Francis Chan
observes: “Following Christ isn’t
something that can be done
halfheartedly or on the side. It is not
a label we can display when it is
useful. It must be central to
everything we do and are. If life is a
river, then pursuing Christ requires
swimming upstream. When we stop
swimming, or actively following
Him, we automatically begin to be
swept downstream.”
In no aspect of 21st-century living
is this more true than in the area of
lust and sexual appetites. Lust is one
of the tolerated, if not approved or
even applauded, ‘besetting sins’ of
our society. Some startling statistics:
• 12 per cent of websites are
pornographic (over 24 million)
• 70 per cent of men aged 18-24
visit pornographic sites in a typical
month
• 25 per cent of all search engine
requests are pornography-related (68
million a day)
• 35 per cent of all internet
downloads are pornographic
• the average age at which a child
first sees porn online is 11
• 20 per cent of men (and 13 per
cent of women) admit to watching
porn online at work
(source: onlinemba.com, “The
Stats on Internet Pornography”)
Lust is not a new problem. It was
around long before the internet.
Thankfully, in Paul’s first letter to
the church at Thessalonica, we have
helpful counsel by which we can,
with the Lord’s help, find the
freedom of holy behaviour instead
of being dragged down by lust’s
deception.
Several verses in 1Thess: 3-4
highlight the authority and
importance by which God
commands us to abstain from lust.
4:2, “For you know what
instructions we gave you by the
authority of the Lord Jesus.” He’s
not making this up! Simply
transmitting Jesus’ own emphasis.
4:8 repeats that this isn’t coming
from them as apostles: “He who
rejects this instruction does not
reject man but God, who gives you
his Holy Spirit.”
The divine Commander is also the
Enforcer. What God instructs, He
holds us accountable for. 4:6, “The
Lord will punish men for all such
sins, as we have already told you andwarned you.”If Jesus did in fact commandsexual purity, we would expect to
see that reflected in the teaching of
other apostles. Peter 2:11 says,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens
and strangers in the world, to abstain
from sinful desires (or, fleshly lusts),
which war against your soul.” Hear
the intensity of the struggle here?
Lustful temptations don’t just trip
up, or struggle, or fight, but WAR
against your soul. These are sins that
can destroy you, take you down.
John Owen wrote, “Be killing sin or
it will be killing you.”
We all know you can tell someone
a hundred times NOT to do
something, but unless you offer a
better alternative, they’re going to
keep being drawn to the original
deceptive delicacy. Lust offers a
‘quick fix’with disastrous long-term
effects; what’s the ‘something
better’ God promises to those who
live His way?
Just before chapter 4, Paul offers a
little word-picture of the ultimate
reward for righteous living: 3:13,
“...so that you will be blameless and
holy in the presence of our God and
Father when our Lord Jesus comes
with all his holy ones.” That’s the
long-term goal, we WANT to be able
to stand before God at the parousia
or coming of Jesus Christ without
blame, unashamed, free from guiltand regret. Jesus said in theBeatitudes, “Blessed are the pure inheart, for they will see God.” Do you
want that? Seeing God in all His
loving beauty and perfection and
glory, rather than being locked into
sleazy smut?
4:3, “It is God’s will that you
should be sanctified: that you should
avoid sexual immorality...” Don’t
you appreciate how point-blank Paul
sets it forth? There’s the standard.
Also v7, “God did not call us to be
impure, but to live a holy life.”
That’s God’s vision for us as His
sons and daughters, His plan, the
fulfilling lifestyle God intends for
us; His will, His calling, the way we
can please Him.
Contrast that ‘something better’
with the truth that lust corrupts.
Ephesians 4:22 NRSV, “You were
taught to put away your former way
of life, your old self, corrupt and
deluded by its lusts...” Lust may
seem delicious at first but it will rot
you. Don’t be deluded! Go for
what’s far better.
True Christian community helps
protect against immorality. We can
take a clue from the fact that this
section dealing with sexuality is
sandwiched between verses dealing
with brotherly love in Christ. Look
at 3:12, “May the Lord make your
love increase and overflow for each
other and for everyone else, just asours does for you.” Paul’s prayingfor the Lord to cause their love toabound not just for one another but
also for those outside the church - as
Paul, Timothy, and crew deeply
loved those in Thessalonica. Do you
start to get the sense of true
community? Then skip down to how
Paul winds up this section, 4:9-10:
“Now about brotherly love we do
not need to write to you, for you
yourselves have been taught by God
to love each other.And in fact, you
do love all the brothers throughout
Macedonia.Yet we urge you,
brothers, to do so more and more.”
Placing this emphasis around the
teaching on lust and sex suggests
that, when we are experiencing the
best in Christian community - when
we feel loved and appreciated and
are actively loving and caring for
others in meaningful fellowship -
appreciating people at a soul level,
deeper than just their skin and shape
- that helps guard against harmful
sexual desires. Real Christian caring
then may act as an antidote or
‘booster shot’ that helps protect us
from cheap degrading counterfeits.
Think about it: under whatconditions are you most likely tofind it easy to be tempted to click onan immoral link, or watch the wrong
show, or fantasize by reading
harlequin romance? Is it not when
you’re alone, maybe a bit tired or
discouraged, feeling sorry for
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
at Blyth Public School,
corner of King & Mill
Christ-centred, Bible-believing,
Fellowship-friendly, Growth-geared
June 20: Acts 11:22-30
Happy Father’s Day!
Barnabas’ Bolstering
Behind the Scenes
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA
Welcomes you to come
and worship with us
Trinity, Blyth
9:15 a.m.
519-523-9595
St. John's, Brussels
11:15 a.m.
519-887-6862
Sunday, June 20
BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
Sandra Cable, Worship Leader
Church Office 519-887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca
Sunday, June 20
Ethel United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.
Brussels United Church
Worship Service and Sunday School - 11:00 a.m.
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, June 20
Brussels Public School
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age (mornings only)
Childcare provided for infants and toddlers
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact:
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
Chris McMichael 519.482.1644
Welcome to
Brussels Mennonite Fellowship
Sunday, June 20
9:30 a.m. Together for Worship
Lloyd and Erla Koch sharing about
their experiences volunteering in Tanzania
10:45 a.m. Coffee Break
11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
(Lloyd and Erla continue sharing while
children are in Sunday School)
Noon Potluck Fellowship Meal
Everyone Welcome
Pastor Brent Kipfer 519-887-6388
Join us!
YOU ARE WELCOME
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
10:30 a.m. - Sunday Morning Worship
Mid-week Bible Study
C H U R C H O F G O D ,ANDERS
O
N
,
I
N
D
I
A
N
A
Timeless Truths
For Today
308 Blyth Rd. E., Blyth
Pastor Les Cook ~ 519-523-4590
Blyth Community Church of God
Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street
Blyth United Church
Office: 519-523-4224 Rev. Gary Clark
All Welcome
Sunday, June 20
Worship Service at 11 a.m.
“We’ve Got Cake!” at worship and join us after worship at
Scrimgeour’s parking lot for cake and beverages that celebrate
the United Church’s 85th Anniversary.
Please join us for worship
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00am
Evening Service 7:30pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
Pastor John Kuperus
Hwy. 4, Blyth
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
SUNDAY, JUNE 20
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-2664
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
119 John’s Ave.,Auburn
519-526-1131
www.huronchapel.org
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School & Small Groups
10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship Service
Guest Speaker:
Rev.Eugene Neudorf
PLAN AHEAD FOR SUMMER
Huron Chapel is offering two
summer experiences
for your children.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
July 5th-9th
ATHLETES IN ACTION
SOCCER CAMP
August 16th - 20th
Contact Melodi at
melodi@huronchapel.org
for all the details
Continued on page 16