TH120119/Hope for Lonely Hearts/1 Cor. 13/Gen. 39

Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners to receive free email daily devotions or to become a harvest partners, please visit us online@harvest.org Bible for two passages together will you look at first Corinthians 13. In Genesis chapter 39 in the title of my message is whole for lonely hearts first Corinthians 13. In Genesis 39. Let's pray together now father as we open your word. I pray that it will speak clearly and loudly to everyone for those who are single that they will get a better understanding of your plan and purpose for them. For those who are married that they would gain a greater understanding of what you've called us to do, Lord. Most importantly, we just pray that we will all be looking to you for our strength so we commit this time a Bible study to you now in Jesus name I met you know I think everyone is looking for love in life and extensive survey was recently done by a leading polling agency and questionnaires were distributed to people of various ages and occupations, and the key question was this what are you looking for most in life and the results were compiled the end of the analysts were surprised because most of them thought that they would receive answers that would suggest materialistic goals, but at the top of the list was love what you looking for most of life.

People said love. We want to love and we want to be love. I know it sounds like a cliché. That's exactly what people want, which then raises the question what is love. I think for a lot of people.

It's last.

That's all it is, so do we really have a good understanding of it. Well, if you're looking to our culture for accuser to be sorely disappointed.

And if you're looking to Hollywood people to show you how to have a lasting and meaningful relationship. That's not gonna work at all. I hope you're not getting your cues on what love is from popular song. Otherwise, I think you'll be very confused. I actually went and googled all the songs with the word love in them and and I looked at him for a while and then I started arranging them around and here's what I learned about love from popular music. First of all, there's the classic song with the world needs now is love sweet love so that that's establishing that everyone's looking for then foreigner saying I want to know what love is and we must not forget yummy yummy yummy. I got love in my tummy. But what is Lovell according to the sun. One song says it's a many splendored thing. Another says love is the answer, and Led Zeppelin saying about a whole lot of love meatloaf saying he would do anything for love but Phil Collins warned us, you can scurry and why we wonder will another give the answer when they think that's the way love go. Let's put this all together and review what we learned so far. We need love in our tummy because love is the answer and love as many splendored we need a whole lot of it because it but you can't hurry it because that's the way to go with them. And someone had to go in rain on our parade, but the song title that said said I love you but I lie has an actual song title causing the black-eyed peas. The wonder and there's some where is the love the Beatles famously thing all you need is love, then they broke up and sued each other in another soundboards is too much love will kill you. Maybe that's why Dionne Warwick single never love this way again and Tina Turner saying what's love got to do with it.

Maybe the dig aisles and how to write when they simply saying love stay. So what we need is real love, not the pseudo-love of culture today. So in this message I want to talk about love and lust, and loneliness and being single. If you're a lonely person I want to offer hope to you because maybe you're wondering if you're ever going to find that person in life that you would marry and spend the rest of your life with. But guess what single people aren't the only ones were lonely out there. Did you know that there's lonely, married people to because maybe there is sort of a loveless marriage. Maybe they have a disengaged make or maybe they found himself in a marriage, or one is a believer and the other is not so effectively they're going to corrections in life and so there's loneliness that can happen in a single situation as well as in a marriage relationship but I think we make a big mistake when we think that marriage is going to solve all of our problems or to think that a man or a woman is going to somehow rescue us from all of our problems in a little girls I have discovered I four granddaughters now. I raised two sons and now with four granddaughters.

I've entered into a whole new world of pink and litter and princesses and mermaids in all these things, you know, in the I've discovered that little girls really do generally like the color pink and they like to dress up like little princesses. And when I'm around them. You can tell because I have leftover glitter for days been known as a glitter chemist sticks on you for a really long time. It was a white as a glitter on your face. Let me explain. That's funny how the little girls will talk about wanting to be a princess and the dress up like a princess and so when I play with them. I always get the part of the print support so there all the blueprints of parts and I have to have the print say something you know and songs and locations take too much information about the there's is longing in the heart of a little girl you know that someday her Prince will come, and as she gets older. And instead of the frog turning into her Prince, the Prince turns into a frog. She used to sing someday. My principal commonalities singing Monday maybe another principal, because that other one didn't work out so well and then we enter into are told here's something for you will never really get over this.

There's still thinking a man or woman is going to fill the hole in their life. Hollywood actress" I believe a lot of us feel there's a big hole in our hearts and unfortunate a that's fixed by some people eating too much others with drugs in my case I'm a romance junkie and I think what they're looking for is a sort of euphoric excitement that they find when they initially hook up with someone in their lives with all the feelings of attraction. But then, you know, after a long period of time passes like two weeks they break up, they move on again, the lid to start with the simple truth you need to be content where you are there, regardless of your marital status if you're a single you need to be content.

As a single and if you're married, you need to be content.

As a married person and understand this, no person is gonna fix those needs deepen you. It's all about God that so we need first and foremost let's get first things first. That was a problem with the woman at the well must been a pretty good looking girl salon husband's injury five was living with a guy present when she met Jesus and that Jesus use the well that they were sitting by is a metaphor for life. He said if you drink of this well you will thirst again effectively saying lady let me tell you something guys aren't going to meet the deepest need of your life. That's why you keep looking up with new guys one after the other, but if you drink of the water. I give you'll never thirst again. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 411-whatever state I'm in, and content. Hebrews 13 5 Says Let Your Way of living be without covetousness to be content with such things as you have, for he himself is said I will never leave you or forsake you. So it's the Lord we need first and for most find your contentment in your relationship with God now as you are doing that. There's a verse that you might want to keep in mind some 37 four delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart doesn't say delight yourself in the Lord in the old give you a husband or one to give you the desires of your heart.

So first, find your fulfillment in Christ himself.

And then you want to wait on the Lawrence, don't be obsessed with finding a person focus your energy on seeking God and I believe in his timing. He will bring that right person to you and so we want to be seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to us. Better to be happily single and unhappily married comedian Chris rock said, quote you want to be single and lonely or married and bore are those the only choices.

Chris, I beg to differ.

If marriage is miserable. The fault lies with the participants not the institution. There is a common assumption often held by singles and married people are generally unhappy other reason as follows 1250% of all marriages end in divorce right and then the 50% who stay married are miserable. So why get married. Some even said you know the whole institution of marriage is outdated. In fact, in a pull 40% of single said they thought the institution of marriage is obsolete so many will say why don't we just live together. Instead it's far better idea. Why bother getting married which is the piece of paper.

What is it really me know that sounds logical, perhaps to some, but actually it's not correct factually. For starters living together will hurt not help your chance of having a happy marriage. This is borne out by statistics, the Census Bureau informs us that there are 1 million unmarried couples, the living together at the 600% increase in the last decade led people are getting married these days and if current trends continue.

A minority of adults will be married in the next few years, but here is why.

Living together is wrong. Number one is already cited. You will actually hurt your chances of ever having a good marriage study show that couples live together before marriage have a 50% greater chance of the board than those that don't. By the way that's based on 50 years of data. Furthermore, 20% of those were cohabiting confusing. Let me restate that 20% of cohabiting women are unfaithful to their mates as opposed to 4% of those were married. Think about amending with good for the goose is good for the gander. Right what is that even me. And he wrote one of those expressively from the goose of the gander. What I think the idea of it is hey I mean if I'm in a relationship with a girl and were living together and were not married.

I see a more attractive girl. What I need to be worried about this commitment and who are not married right and that's all got your CC once you start blurring the lines and you blur all the lines and so becomes very problematic on a number of levels.

But here's the greater reason to not live together quite simply, it's a sin violates God's law violates his order is revealed in Scripture.

He will not bless it. That means that every day you live this way, your effectively separated from God and fellowship. And if going to drive a wedge between you and your mate so living together is not the answer, but what about all these unhappy marriages will listen, I know some people who are not happy in their marriage but the fact of the matter is as most people were married are actually quite happy. Timothy Keller in his book the meaning of marriage pointed out and I quote all surveys tell us that the number of people who say they are very happy in their marriage is high, about 61 to 62%, Keller says, studies have found that two thirds of those on happy marriages will become happy within five years if the people stay married and do not get divorce during the last two decades, a great preponderance of research evidence shows that people were married consistently show much higher degrees of satisfaction with their lives than those were single, divorced or living with a partner." Not some you singles or think you know you just totally bummed me out that you can talk to us tonight and now you're distilling this marriages better nanny nanny Nanette Hutto. I'm just trying to explain to you at this mythology the people often buy into. So let's understand that fact of the matter is there are advantages to being married clearly, there are advantages to being single at far too often single people wish they were married and sometimes married people wish they were single again. No single people and said I'm lonely.

I why want some of this your my life with. I'm tired of going to do a restaurant and saying table for one or even worse dinner party of one but then some more married might say amen I miss the good old days when I was single in I could be my close laying all over the house and do whatever I wanted and come and go as I please and spend my money the way I want to spend it without being nagged knowing married and have all these responsibilities you know the grass is always greener on the other side.

So there are really advantages and disadvantages to both policies that are pretty clearly in first Corinthians 732 to 35. He says when you're unmarried, you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Lord.

Marriage involves doing all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and wanting to please your spouse leading to so many more demands on your attention the time and energy that married people spent in caring for and nurturing needs or other unmarried can spend in becoming holy instruments of God. So I'm trying to be helpful to make it as easy as possible for you and not make things harder. So Paul is not critical of a married person wanting to please her spouse.

Because the fact of the matter is you should be that way.

But when you're single, you don't have that responsibility your flexibility. You want mobility you could do things. Many married people cannot. And this is especially helpful when it comes to serving the Lord and so if you are single now than you can utilize the opportunities before you but know this, it's very likely you're going to be married one day so if that's something you really hope for and desire. Don't despair. And I know there are some people that don't feel like they ever want to get married, and there are some people that warming single their life and happily so. And that's absolutely fine. I mean, I might cite that Paul the apostle was not married to our knowledge, and how about Jesus Christ is he a good example. I think so. He was never married. So here are truth to outstanding examples. One good one flawless of living as a single person in effect and so there is a life that God can give to you in that way that you be very fulfilling. But if you're single and that's not me I'm really want some and then chances are you to get married. Study show that 9/10 Americans are married, at least at some point in their life and I believe that the Lord is someone picked out for you so guess what you can start praying for them.

You may not even know who they are.

Fact is, you may know them and you haven't discovered them yet. Sometimes it's on. That's a good friend and and you know you'll think of them as a potential mate there just the body of but there member of the opposite sex.

Of course, in the other one day you just look at them in the use of the dungeon you went off yeah so that happens maybe will meet them tomorrow.

Maybe you'll meet them tonight.

What should you be looking for and that person that would be a potential mate will serve as minimum singles in the most and quality important qualities singles were looking for were number one beauty 43% number two brings 50% number three disposable cash 6% is interesting that no mention is made of inner qualities and I can tell you are to be married for 37 years of beauty is fine. I happen to be married to a beautiful woman but the inner qualities are what really start the matter in the long run, you know, I think you know nobody likes to get older, but let's just try to delicately say sometimes maybe it's a greater struggle for girls and guys right you know guys and began wrinkled and products I use a Brillo pad to make it even worse for girls are like oh no whole wrinkles I've to get rid of them.

You know more Botox injections in their text we tell you how they're feeling, because there faces a move anymore. They look potentially supply missing girls you get older. Deal with it, this grow into a woman of God, not a cougar on the cougar so I can wear out here. I think their dog up and there's roller implicit, but we will know their American underwriting. Many letters email.

Here is your goal grows, you should seek to be a woman of virtue that's in the Bible says that's what we call a women's ministry virtue is based on Proverbs 31 where it says who can find a virtuous and capable wife, she is worth more than precious rubies.

Her husband can trust her and show in Rich's life shall not hinder him but help them listen to this charm is deceptive beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praying you know virtue might be thought of as a feminine word but actually in the original language is not feminine at all. It's translated many ways. Sometimes the word virtue is the root word for virtue is used to describe an army and on another occasion, Scripture. A man so it doesn't speak of femininity as much as it speaks of spring power and influence, so the Bible is actually saying be a woman of strength be a woman of influence. Because God is giving you a skill set to influence in a profound and significant way. You should not be preoccupied with your appearance disregarded altogether either but say more about that normal humans first Peter three says what matters not is not your outer appearances probably never hear the jewelry you wear the cuddy are closed but your inner disposition.

Cultivate inner beauty. The general grace is kind of God delights in. You know how many girls today give even a passing thought to the inner person. That's why Christian girls are so attracted. That's why non-Christian guys hit on Christian girls because you got that special something the other girls don't have and it just sort of shines through it. It's that virtue, it's that godliness that is a very magnetic thing. As a matter fact that's how I came to initially even pay attention to the Christians of my high school campus or was a girl there. She wasn't like a beauty queen, but now she was an attractive girl but not strikingly attractive, but there was something about her that caught my eye that drew me to enter into a conversation with her right saw that she had a Bible not a curiosity I wanted to know why a perfectly cute girl would waste your life as a follower of Jesus, as I was not a believer early and then when I went to that meeting where she was attending.

I heard the gospel for the first time and that was a day I came to Christ and after I prayed, not the Lord to come in my life.

That girl came up to me and threw her arms around me and hugged me and said God bless your brother and I thought I like Christianity girl never became a girlfriend of the Lord used to get my attention. You see such a good thing, but many girls today you'll obsess over their appearance. Vince on the 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their parents. Research is shown that the more time a person spends consuming media, the more unhappy they are with their body. Maybe that's because you're looking at images of girls who been airbrushed in Photoshop and check this out. Those girls don't even look like that you know after they've done the the editing on it and so forth your you're looking at almost a fictitious character like a CG image of sorts so you know we have these unrealistic expectations up.

What I'm saying, you know, don't get me wrong, I'm emphasizing one thing so let's not miss the other. Here's what I would say why not give at least equal time to your spiritual life as you give to your physical life. Send as much time in Bible study and prayer. As you spend in working out better yet, spend more time look for sympathy for rates as physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise. That's much more important for a promise is a reward in this life and the next. Having said that, you can go too far in the other direction right you can say will I don't care about my appearance and M's can read my Bible and dressed in sackcloth never shower never wear makeup, then wonder why guys never look at me. I know why listen just be the best you that you can be there is a place for your outward appearance. There's a place for staying fit can exercise there's a place for closure where etc. but don't neglect the spiritual part of your life. Okay now what about that guy or that girl you would be looking for what qualities should you look for in let's broaden this a bit and say can we sort of consider all options. In other words, not just people at church but everywhere the words nonbelievers so that nonbelieving guy asked you out on a date or whatever. Is that okay did go out with him. Is it okay to enter into a kind of a dating relationship, a potentially romantic one with the nonbeliever.

Let me give you a really long answer your ready. No it isn't unsafe strata. Second Corinthians 6 is don't be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, what fellowship does righteousness have of lawlessness what communion is like yelp with darkness.

What a court has Christ with the devil what part has a believer with an unbeliever, you know, this seems to happen to girls more but it happens. The guys to you entering this relation ship in your safe.

I'm in a region for the Lord I'm in a win them to Christ. You know famous last words is what happens more often as you don't win them to Christ.

They pull you back in the wrong direction. It's like I could illustrate this very easily, but I could done put someone up in a chair, whose small bigger and stronger than I though would be hard to find someone like that but some in and I can say you know try to pull me up in that chair and though that person maybe is really muscular and huge arms. I can pull them off the chair way easier than they could pull me up in the chair even though they can benchpress you know a lot more weight than I ever could, because I got gravity on my side I just give him a good gate that cometh down see, so you enter into a union with the nonbeliever that got gravity on their side.

See they don't have a new nature, so they're not drawn in your direction but you do have an old nature in your easily drawn back in their direction. In far too many of these so-called romantic relationships. In fact, turn and essential relationships, and then you're in a relationship you don't want to be in.

So here's what you need to think about as you enter into a relationship with the guy. First of all, are they a Christian, don't I did not do they believe in God. Okay, everybody believes in God.

You know I believe in God you know know are they a Christian. Are they a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ you will know if they are in having asked that even that is not enough because there are compromising Christians out there.

All they talk the talk but then walk the walk. They say Jesus is in God that know the Bible but then there out there compromising left and right so you want to find a godly Christian that almost sounds redundant, but there are people that maybe there technically say, but I don't know if they would be a good person for you to spend a lot of time with peers, which want to ask yourself this person I'm hanging around after I spent some time with them as they build me up where they tear me down right after I've been with them for the evening. I know I feel afterwards is a great thing to me up at my main thing I'm encouraging my walk with the Lord. Plus a lot of and they agreed to be with her was a calm tried.

I felt like they were almost like making it hard for me to live is a Christian and they were actually getting me to compromise and do some things I was really uncomfortable with. So you want to find a godly person. You might see the Craig to scroll and that she's totally hot. I'm sure by that you mean she's on fire for the Lord's right find a hot godly girl okay I did, you can to. But most importantly, find a girl find the guy that loves the Lord.

Second Timothy 222 run from anything that simulates youthful lust.

Follow anything that makes you do what is right pursue faith and love and peace and enjoy the companionship of those and call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Here's a simple way to sum it up, find someone more godly than you and I hope your God, but find some of that's actually stronger than you that you can look up to that you can admire okay now having established that led to say you met a potential mate of someone that could lead to something else you don't rush, don't rush it.

If your love is genuine it will stand the test of time. Let's look at our first textile first Corinthians 13 here's a definition of lots only using your love with someone or something to keep in mind.

First Corinthians 13 starting in verse four Paul writes love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way.

Love is not irritable, it keeps no record of when it has been wrong. It's ever glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up love never loses faith.

It's always hopeful and it endures to every circumstance number one love is patient, by the way this to be translated. It's long tempered and this word is common in the New Testament and is used almost exclusively of being patient with people rather than circumstances or events here is just a thought. If you meet someone that you're attracted to and you think there's potential. Don't make them your project saying I'm going to change the picture probably not been a change. Guess what, they might get worse.

So if you can love them as they are that then just stop right there on the changes you know that doesn't always work out so well. Love is patient, you have to be patient with people and if your love is real, it will stand the test of time.

The song of Solomon chapter 8 verse seven says many waters cannot quench love. Neither can floods drown it better to sort this out now then to rush into marriage and find out the hard way. Even if you break up better than divorce, even if you break the engagement. I may not even if you walk out of your wedding, but I don't recommend that you know. Don't be like that runaway bride member her stories in the news and was a man Hunton she just got cold feet and want to marry the guy and took off and does so I mean that's definitely not a good thing to do but actually I think that's a better thing to do then to get married and get divorced. So be patient good example of this in the Bible is the story of Jacob and Rachel. It was love at first sight. When Jacob laid his eyes on the beautiful Rachel, so much so that he walked right up and Chester talk about being forward.

Then he wept loudly.

She probably thought was a psycho Jacob went straightaway to Rachel's father, Laban, and said I want to marry her daughter. So Laban was a bit of a connive or sidekicks are good business opportunity here is about anyone. Jacob if you work for me first seven years she's yours Jacob said forget that there's of the fish in the sea.

I'm outta here.

But the Bible says in Genesis 2920 Jacob spent the seven years. The next seven years working the paper. Rachel because his love for her was so strong it seemed as but a few day a great that's patient, love.

Holy can way maybe it's not love. Maybe it's lust it's really love it will stand the test of time. Love is patient, love is kind.

You know, just as patients will take anything from others kind. This will give anything to others. It's funny because when you're first going out with a girl or guy you want to make the best impression Friday so you know you taken a girl that you driver to the restaurant you get out you open the car door for her and he walked up and you open the door of the restaurant for her and you can only pull the chair out at the table for her and you compliment her and tell her how beautiful she looks at you a little gift for her. I got this for you to think wonderful guy then you get married now, you still pull the car door open for her. You just close it before, she's all the way out.

You still pull the chart in the restaurant you just comported again when she father the ground. He appointed her and laugh just to bring your little just like your dirty laundry here dear I need this was now know things have changed, the beloved skyline. Now here's a problem with the word love will one word in the English language for love and its love and we use it from everything to I love my job.

Do I love my house so I love my card to I love my dog do I love tacos to I love my girlfriend or my boyfriend. I hope you don't love your girlfriend like you love your dog guys a quick dating tip doesn't like it when you pet them on the head for the person telling defective just like so in the Greek language they had multiple words for love.

It wasn't just one word they had heroes which mainly was physical attraction they had for Leo that spoke to brother love the love between friends, family.

They had agape, which is the word that is most commonly translated as love in the New Testament affect everything we just read their first Corinthians 13 was a definition of agape John 316 for God so loved the world that's agape when the Bible says God is love. Again, it's the word of agape.

Greater love has no man than this, and he laid on his life for his friends again. It's the word agape now every one of these. Love has its place in a relationship era is not always been. I think we the girls as evil, erotic, you know, will win a second.

Heroes is a Greek word that speaks of physical and sexual attraction heroes is just fine in the right place. It heroes is in marriage where it can be righteously fulfilled. It's a good thing to be sexually attracted to your wife, etc. but outside of marriage, it becomes problematic in sinful, but actually it's really euros that attracted to a person work. You notice that you all well, look at that guy.

Look at that girl.

So it's not an evil thing in and of itself up for Leo is more than friendship. Now let me sort of contrast them heroes want something from someone for Leo will give you some beer but expect something in return.

Agape will give you something, wanting nothing that if we converted to giftgiving Aeros means I just want the gift from you. Now Leo would sell give you a gift for what you giving me in return agape with the here's a gift you could never pay for ever but I'm giving it to you because I love you. Tragically, many relationships are built on Aeros today in which he is no longer hot you dump and when he no longer has disposable cash you dump him right so you go from relationship to relationship saying that you're falling in and out of love. When you in fact have never really experienced genuine lasting love that will last a lifetime. You want to build a marriage on this agape love.

Though there's a place for the flail, friendship, love, and a place for the Aeroflot so let's talk a little bit about sex and the single person. It can be summed up in one word no is a clear no greater you say this single person get upset in exactly one. Importantly, that's with God. The same sex is not bad sex is good we wouldn't be here without sex, but it's been created by God is a proper place for it and the place is not outside of the marriage relationship. Don't tell me is a single person that God spoke to your heart, and said my child I'm okay you guys express your love one to another, never the will of God is, it will great that your interpretation and I think your interpretation is very narrow because my God is loving and my God wants me to express myself and my God says it's okay for me to have sex with my boyfriend actually don't dispute that I would just state your God is not the same God is the Bible you another got and I guarantee that God will save you the God of the Bible says this about it very clearly. First Thessalonians 4, three, and it's God's will that you should be sanctified or set apart, and you should avoid sexual immorality. Hebrews 13 forces remain faithful to one another in marriage.

God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery, then Proverbs 515 says drink water from your own well.

Sure love only with your wife. Outside of its proper context. Sex can be extremely dense destructive spiritually and even physically. That's why there is no such thing as a so-called one night fling, you might so it didn't mean anything. Once I means a lot and the reason that means a lot is because when you enter into a sexual union with someone to effectively become one flesh with my the way that even applies to a guy that hires a prostitute for the night or grow doesn't say about the apostle Paul said over in first Corinthians 615 don't you realize your bodies are parts of Christ. Should a man take his body which belongs to Christ and join into a prostitute.

Never go to know them and joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her because the Scripture says into our United and the one so run away from sexual sin. No other sin clearly affects the body as this one does for sexual immorality rights. Paul is a sin against your own body.

The Scripture says you been bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body, it will great it's okay were practicing safe sex. No, you need to save sex for marriage. You need to make this decision to remain pure in the front seat of the church, not the backseat of your car. Decide now don't decide later when the lights are down in the temptation of five and the music is playing the saxophone.

You know, you notice that in a movie with some really wears getting up in this phone starts playing. So you're out there you know the streetlight that is out because you shot it out earlier with your BB gun is there with your jar your girls and guys standing on the corner playing the saxophone troubles come you decide now if you're going to be pure because if you decide now you would be in a place to start.

As you know better not immediate but popular in the place.

It shows that obviously you've lowered your guard sees it doesn't hurt anyone. Never heard of AIDS. AIDS is a leading killer of Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least one of four American teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease, 25% of all teenage girls.

According to this survey have a sexually transmitted disease and 20% of the people of HIV in America today aren't even aware of it. So that means that there are basically 236,000 people in America today of HIV-AIDS and have no idea and are spreading it by having unsafe sex does answer same-sex know the answer is abstinent and hurts people doesn't hurt anyone when I'm on an unplanned pregnancy. Well wouldn't you know, sort of deal with that will abort the fetus was able to call.

I call it murdering an unborn child that's with the Bible.

Sex you know the full ramifications of that may not get you an innocent child killed because people don't want to deal with the inconvenience of raising up think God my mom didn't abort me. I was conceived out of wedlock. I was implant but got is a plan for every child. There are no illegitimate children only legitimate parents every child deserves the list so any guy or girl that would tell you to prove your love to them by having sex is a loser on put the brakes on the right there Bible tells a story of Samson's entire life was devastated by sexual sin, because he thought he could handle it.

And the reason he thought he could handle it is because he was so powerful and could destroy his enemies. On one occasion he destroyed a thousand of his enemies, the Philistines with a bony picked up off the ground a jawbone of a donkey you pick up city gates and carry them on his back. You know and do you know me like this workout you know know we always think of Samson is really cut muscular buff and so forth. The Bible never says he was leaving that the spirit of God would come upon them, which makes the water to be with someone like some scrawny little do which makes it even funny to think that he can do these things but the main deal is. He had made a commitment to God that was symbolized by growing his hair out long because he took the bow of a Nazirite and God empowered him but because he was so able. On the battlefield. He thought he could handle anything so the doubles clever double size you up. Everybody has their vulnerability.

Everybody has their Achilles' heel. I want is one person's weakness is not necessarily another so the double luggage and all I see you're not so weak in that area and you're not weak there but all very weak. That's from and to get you so Samson was a he-man with a she. Weakness so the devil been taken down on the battlefield, he took him down in the bedroom.

He didn't take him down with an army to come down with one girl with the name Delilah, which ironically means delicate. She came to him and said oh Sam see Pu you're so wonderful your souls. Tell me the secret of your string so I might torment you will be the first indication. This is not a healthy relationship that you might want to give Delilah torment Shiro Huff you little Delilah and so every time they got together, they would have sex and then she would start asking them to be the secret of your strength, and he got closer and closer to the truth and then one day he finally just broke down and said okay secret of my strength and symbolized by my long hair I've never had my hair cut. You give me her cut. I'll be weak like any other man. Guess what you did that. It took a one way trip to Delilah's barbershop get a buzz cut. And you know Elsie got he got his eyes gouged out with the Philistines pounced on them.

He didn't have that supernatural strength and he ends up grinding out and mill as a sort of form of entertainment for the Philistines. But listen.

Having said all that God had grace on him and we read that in that place, God gave him a second chance and Judges 16 says I'll be at the hair of his head began to grow again. By the way I've cited Nevers many times.

Lord, you said in your word hair of his head to grow.

Lord has a work so far in his hair did grow back and occurs know know the story of how Samson slow all those Philistines and so forth in the but don't forget that when he pushed those foundational pillars apart in the walls and the ceiling came crashing down and destroyed his enemies he was destroyed with them sexual sin did for him. Melanie contrast and enclosing with a guy who did it right. Samson messed up. This guy didn't write his name was Joseph. He's in Genesis 39 Bible tells us he was really good looking really handsome and he had a God-given sexual drive.

We was working for a guy named Potter Pro is very wealthy and powerful had a wife named what we don't know her name actually she's bought for his wife.

She was a cougar for sure she was probably very attractive as well. Insert otherwise, why would be tempting and she was far from subtle.

Just come up to Joseph and St. yeah you know when we have sex together the way. No, no, yellows do not know know know it says that I can do this wicked thing and sin against God, yet interesting, but let's go and have sex again and he resisted her day after day. Never even for a moment considered it and so now she just turns in the full predator Genesis 39 verse 10. She kept putting pressure on him day after day, he refuses sleep with her.

He kept out of her way is much as possible. One day when no one was around. He was doing his work inside the house she came and grabbed him by his shirt, demanding sleep with me. Joseph tore himself away and as he did his shirt came off and she was left holding it as he ran from the house.

How do you deal when you're really getting tempted do with Joseph Ron. Sometimes it's literally as simple as that. You know maybe let's go back to that scenario okay you know member you're in the car and the lights out. The guys playing saxophone on the street corner and got in. Temptation is coming on strong fingerlike: get week. Get week will know Lord help me pull or help McClure help me that you don't need to pray anymore no good would bring an adult pray open the door the car and run better yet to come out and try get out of it. There's always a way out. How many of you have ever given into temptation, raising.

I hope all don't not reach her clinically think you're more guilty now go back to the last temptation you gave into balance.

Not make it even evil like to say you know you like that piece of chocolate cake person was a way to not do that as I kind I you know I'm trying not to eat late at night, but I I found myself in Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

How did you find yourself there will I near their new LaVergne and no I don't live near their conclusion by now you know you put yourself in the way of temptation so here's what the Bible says. First Corinthians 1013 says no temptation is taken you but such as is common to man, but God who is faithful will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able to grow the temptation make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it loose paraphrase God will never give you more than you can handle. And there's always a way out and sometimes the way out is as simple as the door which Joseph you flee temptation and don't leave a forwarding address. So Samson.

He played with and sin played with and effectively ruined. Joseph resisted it and ran out. You might say well you know Greg, that's all nice with the same but I've already fallen. In fact, I'm living with my boyfriend or girlfriend or I've been having sex outside of marriage or I've actually had an abortion and I'm feeling pretty guilty right now and I don't know what to do with. Here's what you need to do. You need to see the God you're sorry. It's a sin call it what it is and ask for his forgiveness and guess what the forget member. That woman was caught in the very act of adultery. So how did Jesus deal with her memory.

She was surrounded by her accusers.

Jesus got rid of them and then he turned to her and said what are your accusers didn't even one of them condemn you. She said no Lord. He said neither do I condemn you go and sin no more to that girl, she realized that Jesus was forgiving her and if you will tell God you're sorry for your sin and repent of it. Don't forget if that doesn't mean you say you're sorry and go and do it again. That's not repentant. So that means hope you will break this down for Michaela µ you living with someone you don't love them anymore. You're having sex with someone you stop having sex with that you're looking at pornography you stop looking at pornography was hard. Bennett will then get up Internet filter or generate your computer if you need do whatever you need to do. Take whatever measures you need today to put the proper barriers in your line, you're in a relationship. We are feeling weak and compromised. You probably need a new relationship make the appropriate changes and you'll see things improve quickly. And if you've done something that can't be fixed.

Woman you just ask God to forgive you conceived a child out of wedlock. You carry that child to term and if you don't feel you can raise a child you put it up for adoption is wonderful Christian homes out there that will adopt that child out to a loving family who love Christ to want to raise it in the way of the Lord to give that child a chance. Or maybe you'll change your mind after the child is born, but the point is, don't make a bad thing even works okay just deal with it. Take the appropriate measures. Unlike Jesus said to this woman go and sin no more. Let bottom line. Every one of us of sin. Okay now not talking the singles and married people in particular stuck in everybody. We've all said, we've all sinned sexually. If either be it in an act or in a thought because Jesus said if you even look at a woman with lust in your heart. If I give committed adultery. We've all sinned in this area.

We've all lie. We've all stolen.

We've all taken the Lord's name in vain.

We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. That's clear. God loves us so much he sent Jesus Christ his only son to die on the cross in our place and then he rose again from the dead and now he stands at the door of our life and nonsense visible hear his voice and open the door you'll come in and forgive us of our sin or if I've gone astray.

He'll forgive me in welcoming home again so were going to close now in prayer and this is really for anyone that needs to get right with God.

If you need to make a commitment or recommitment to Christ respond. Now let's all pray. Father, we thank you for your word to us tonight.

We thank you for your offer of forgiveness and we thank you that there is no sin is so great that you cannot and will not forgive, if we will turn from that sin and ask for your forgiveness. So I pray for any who are here who need to take this step, any hearing this message. We need to repent of their sin help them to do that now we pray no overheads about their eyes are closed and were all praying, if you want Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin. If you've done something you know is wrong.

You're ashamed of it but you want it, a race he wanted pardons you want to be part you want to be forgiven if you want Christ to come in your life right now. Would you just lift your hand up wherever you're sitting that I'm in a pray for you if you want God's forgiveness tonight.

Just raise your hand up a pray for me to bless you all over hands are going up.

Hope yours is one of, if you need to take the step done something you know it's wrong, God will forgive you but the only sin that God will not forgive is a sin that we will not confess the Bible says that we will confess our sin is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Anybody else you need God's forgiveness tonight. You need Christ to come in your life with your hand a pray for you accomplish throughout there in the lobby area you can raise your hand as well. I can see you but the Lord sees you so you take that step two. Maybe some of you will fallen away from the Lord, you know it's right but you have them in living it, human living and compromised life in the areas I've been talking about.

Maybe your some other area but you know you need to get right with God, and that your need.

Raise your hand up in the me pray for you tonight publish, seek, publish, millennial's compass. Father, I think you know for each one of these and I pray you will give them the strength to stand up and follow you and receive all that you have for them, we commit them to you now in Jesus name, amen