October 17, 1999 Humble Messenger
Sexual Purity
"...living together before marriage has increased 864% from 1960 to last
year, according to a recent Rutgers University report; in fact, nowadays an estimated half
of all couples marrying have lived together previously. Virgin brides (and grooms) are
looked upon now as quaint cultural artifacts. About one in five women, and only 15% of
men, go to their bridal beds as virgins these days, says Edward Laumann, a sex researcher
at the University of Chicago." Asra Q. Nomani, Wall Street Journal. These
figures are due to premarital six, living together before marriage, and to the large
number of remarriages after divorce.
Society may have changed the numbers, but it hasn't changed the law--God's law. Sex
outside of marriage or in an unlawful marriage is still a violation of the moral law of
Almighty God. The Bible calls it "fornication" and "adultery."
(Instead of "fornication", your Bible may have "unchastity" or
"immorality" or "sexual immorality" or "marital
unfaithfulness" -- it depends on the translation you are using and which verse you
are reading.) One word ("fornication") refers to unlawful sexual intercourse in
general and the other word to unlawful sexual intercourse involving a person who was once
scripturally married. Both are SIN. Both will CONDEMN a person. Either will KEEP ONE OUT
OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not
be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9,10, NASB.
"Love" does not make it right. "Everybody does it" does not make it
right. Living in the nineties does not make it right. NOTHING can make it right. It is
WRONG. It has always been wrong. It will always be wrong. It is wrong anywhere,
anytime. "Do not be deceived!" - Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:9.
God's Word determines what is right and reveals what is pure: "The
precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is
pure, enlightening the eyes." Psalms 19:8, NASB.
Avoid situations that encourage sexual immorality. Do not make companions of those who
joke about it, practice it, and condone it. Remove from your buffet of entertainment the
movies, TV shows, internet sites, magazines, and videos that glorify it. "Flee
sexual immorality!" 1 Co. 6:18, NKJV Whatever difficulties or changes
or sacrifices it takes to avoid it, it is better than going to hell! "You have heard
that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you, that everyone who
looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. And
if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is
better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body
to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off, and
throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body
perish, than for your whole body to go into hell." Mt. 5:27-30, NASB.
Sexual immorality can have far reaching and long lasting temporal consequences: a broken
marriage... an unwanted child...venereal disease...shame and reproach. Unrepented of and
unforgiven, it will have eternal consequences: ". . . hell . . . the
unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:43,44, NASB. srf
-------
News of Interest
Carol Knudsen's aunt had to have part of her leg amputated last week. It
failed to heal fully after surgery stemming from an automobile accident she had been
involved in. She is 76 years old . . . Steve Fontenot is preaching in Texas City
this morning. Mike Head will teach the auditorium class and Kris Emerson
will preach this morning . . . New reports from Carlos Capelli, Leon Cathey,
and Wayne Chamberlain are available in the foyer . . . WEDNESDAY MORNING CLASS will
begin October 20, 10:00 a.m., the Lord willing. Lesson one is available in the foyer. Men
and women are welcome . . . GOSPEL MEETINGS: October 17-22, Texas City, 4425 5th
Ave., North. Speakers and subjects on bulletin board in foyer; October 17-22, Parkview,
6705 Fairmont, Pasadena, Wayne Goforth; October 17-22, Southside, 211 Graham
Rd., Huntsville, Max Dawson . . . WORKDAY: Saturday, Oct. 23, weather
permitting, work will be done on shortening and lacquering the pews. Several men will be
needed, some to take the pews up, some to move them outside, some to work of shortening
them and some to clean them. Others will lacquer them. If you can help, please come to the
building about 9 a.m Please sign the sheet in the foyer indicating your intentions so we
can know ahead of time if sufficient men can make the gathering. . . . . Lynn and
Leslie Michaels new address: 1011 Hamblen Rd. (Fairway Forest Townhomes), #106,
Kingwood, TX, 77339; Phone: (281) 359-6916 . . . Pictures of Wayne Chamberlain and
his family and Mike Mitchell and his family are posted in the foyer . . . ELDERS:
The congregation has been given several weeks to suggest men whom they think would be
qualified to serve as elders. Four men have been either encouraged directly by fellow
Christians and/or their name mentioned to the elders: Doug Bernard; Boyd Hurst; Gregg
Hutson; Larry Legg. These happen to be the same four men who voluntarily indicated
their willingness to serve in this capacity. Over the next three weeks, the congregation
will be given opportunity to discuss with these men any concerns they may have about their
qualifications, or any problems with serving under them. If you have concerns, please set
up a time to talk to these men directly. After this is done, if there are any issues yet
unresolved, the elders will seek to help in a resolution of these matters. "And let
these also first be tested; then let them serve . . ." 1 Tim. 3:10, NASB . . . When
leaving the building on Sunday night and Wednesday night, if you exit through the back
hall door or the side auditorium door, please be sure the door shuts completely. They have
been found open later in the week.
------
Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt
‹ October ‹
Sun., 17, am - xxxxxx pm -
Wed., 20, pm - Rocky Rodriguez
Sun., 24, am - xxxxxx pm - D. Bernard
Wed., 27, pm - Jim Crain
Sun., 31, am - xxxxxx pm -
*** Be sure to call Zelma before going to pick her
up to be sure she feels well enough to attend. The Sunday mornings are crossed out because
she has not been able to sit through both class and the following assembly due to
circulation problems in her legs. (281) 449-5998
----
SCHEDULED TO SERVE
Wednesday, Oct. 20
Song Leader: Jim Crain
Sunday AM, Oct 24
Announcements: Kris Emerson
Song Leader: Gary Tuttle
First Prayer: Glenn Bogs
Lord's Table:
Bread: Doug Bernard
Fruit of the Vine: Jeff Bogs
Contribution: Mike Head
Assistant: Fred Ferguson
Closing Prayer:
Sunday PM, Oct. 24
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Robert Rice
Lord's Table:
Bread: Larry Legg
Fruit of the Vine: David Dickey
Contribution: Ennis Osteen
Closing Prayer: Jim Porterfield