Hot Topics: Pornography

September 7, 2014

Pornography and sexual perversion is the number issue in the church today. Most pastors and leaders have struggled with how to deal with this massive issue. Today’s sermon will bring both clarity and freedom to all who want Jesus to purify their heart and mind!

SERIES TEXT

2 Timothy 4:1-5, “1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

TODAY’S SERMON TEXT

Matthew 5:27-30, “27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

U.S. PORN STATS

42% of internet users view porn.
The average age of initial pornography exposure is just 11 years old.
68% of young adult men and about 18% of women use porn at least once every week.
85% of men and 48% of women use porn 1-2x per month.
88% of pornography shows some kind of sexual aggression.
Around 8% of teen girls in the U.S. report participating in group sex because they viewed pornography and the average age of a first group-sex experience is 15 years old.
Those who commit adultery are 218% more likely to look at porn.
Source: http://www.covenanteyes.com/2013/02/19/pornography-statistics/

Taken from the sermon, “God & Sex.”

MPI PORN & SEXUAL IMMORALITY STATS

90% of all confessed sin from men in our church is related to porn. It is the 1# issue I have to pastor men through.
99.99% of men/women I see struggle with porn, struggle with living pure in a dating relationship.
When I first started in ministry only about 10% of women dealt with pornography, now it is getting closer to half, just like the stats show.
100% of the people I know who have committed adultery started with pornography.

WHY I BELIEVE ITS GETTING WORSE

EASY ACCESS: It’s everywhere 24/7 on our phones, the T.V., and computers.
LIGHT PORN IS EVERYWHERE: From billboards to today’s primetime T.V. shows nudity and homosexuality is a norm. Also, books like “Fifty Shades of Grey” depict bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism and pop culture magazine covers found at most check out lines leave little to imagination.
POPULARITY: Many main stream celebrities, talk show hosts, and psychologists refer to having sex with one’s self as a normal and healthy practice.
IT’S EASY TO HIDE: Since your sexuality is with you wherever you go you can easily hide your lustful thoughts and actions.
DECEPTION: Many people, even Christians, don’t think that lust is even a “big deal.” The common cliche is, “If it feels good and doesn’t hurt anybody than its okay.”

THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT PORN

EVERYTHING OUTSIDE OF GOD’S PLAN FOR SEX IS A FORM OF PORNEIA: The word “pornography” is based off the Greek word, “???????/porneia,” which means, “sexual immorality.” Like found in Galatians 5:19-21, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality (porneia), impurity and debauchery… and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
JESUS WARNED THAT UNGODLY PLEASURE CAN END YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE: Luke 8:14, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”
PAUL PROPHESIED IN THE LAST DAYS PEOPLE WOULD BE LOVERS OF PLEASURE AND THEMSELVES: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
CONCLUSION: We live in a time when sexual sin is being displayed in media, people’s lives, and fantasies because the devil seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy” God’s intention for sexuality. However, when we “deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus” we can have the abundant life of God in our sexuality.

HOW TO LIVE FREE FROM PORN

BE HUMBLE: Confess to God your weakness and sins and receive forgiveness and freedom, 1 John 1:7-2:2.
BE HONEST: Seek open accountability with your spouse and close friends, James 5:16.
BE HOLY: Believe who God said you are and live it out- no excuses. Pride says, “I’ll never change,” humility says, “By God’s grace I am changed.” 1 Peter 1:14-23.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Every Man’s Battle, by Stephen Arterburn & Every Women’s Battle, by Shannon Ethridge.
Every Man’s Marriage, by Stephen Arterburn & Every Women’s Marriage, by Shannon Ethridge.
Accountability Software from “X3Watch” for your smart phone and computer.

John 8:31-32 & 36, “31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Posted in Hot Topics Series