Purity In Christ

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Ephesians 5:32; Lord's Day 41
Psalters: 71, 67, 260, 277
  1. Gracious redemption.
    1. God created man pure in their mind, so that they were naked and not ashamed (Gen. 2:25).
      1. Adam and Eve's experience of their fall into sin was their being ashamed.
      2. When Adam and Eve sought to divorce themselves from God, it had bitter consequences, also on their relationship.
    2. God redeemed marriage from sin?s ravages, making it a reflection of THE marriage (Eph. 5:32).
      1. God promised redemption from sin's shame when He made coats of skin and covered them (Gen. 3:21).
      2. Thus God took marriage from the control of sin and put it under the discipline of His sacred command.
    3. We are to know how to keep marriage free from blemishes and live in it devoted to our Husband.
      1. His commandment makes every human responsible to reflect God's holiness and purity.
      2. His grace enables the redeemed to reflect His purity and faithfulness.
      3. In Christ God?s people reveal God?s faithfulness with each serving and assisting the other.
  2. God condemns adultery, all unfaithfulness and every uncleanness.
    1. Adultery is unfaithfulness on the part of a husband or wife, and it is sexual activity before marriage.
    2. This command boldly brings out sinful thoughts and desires from their hiding places and proclaims them as evil.
    3. Consider Jesus? anger when the physical temple was violated; so when the temple of the Spirit is defiled (I Cor. 6:15ff)
    4. We must be careful that the stones we intend for those caught in adultery do not land on our own heads (John 8:7).
  3. Everyone married to Jesus is called to reflect Jesus in grateful purity and faithfulness.
    1. Each mate must labor (in gratitude to God, not to their mate) never to cease to do their part.
    2. Be motivated by thoughts of God's goodness to us, A How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
    3. And be motivated by considering the greatness of God's mercy.