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And the Answer is… The Sex Sermon Series

Orginally published on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 8:08 AM
by Todd Rhoades


Jon at Stuff Christians Like writes: If Zondervan lets me write a second book, I'll probably title it "How to grow a huge church in 1 easy step." And inside the book, which I will insist on having my picture on, will be a single piece of paper. (Talk about being green!) And on that piece of paper will be the secret to instant church growth.

Want to know it? Want a sneak peek or really I guess it's not a peek so much as it is the whole book? Here it is:

"If you want to grow your church instantly, do a sermon series about sex."

Jon continues:

Below are a bunch of names for sex sermon series, including some websites. Some are real and are from actual churches. Some are fake and are from my head. See if you can guess which ones are which:

Sexy sermon series titles are real or something Jon made up?

1. “Yourultimatelover.com”

2. “Great Sex for You”

3. “Bringing Sexy Back”

4. “Electric Sex”

5. “Whatsbetweenthesheets.com”

6. “Desperatesexlives.com”

7. “Solomon is the OT’s version of the musician Prince. Love notes from a man whose awesomeness with the ladies eventually brought him to ruin.”

Which are true and which are false?  Go here to find out...

Jon concludes in his great post:

I’m not sure what the approach some churches are taking with the subject of sex says about us. Are we talking about it too much? Are we using it as a subject because it garners lots of attention? Or are we not talking about it enough?

I’m torn on this one. On the one hand, the world has a loud, noisy, colorful campaign about sex. They are constantly bombarding us with messages about it and for us to remain silent or to allow the world to try to claim that topic as their own domain seems foolish. I cheer that the churches on this list are sharing God’s word with our culture with creativity and funk. But at the same time, I think it’s really tempting to use that topic as a neon sign that will attract people to a topic but maybe not the Lord. Pastor Craig Groeschel dropped some bombs on this subject at a conference I went to when he talked about the foolishness of doing a sex sermon series just as a way to make your church look cool. And I confess that even as a silly blogger it’s tempting to write about controversial subjects in the hope that controversy will attract more eyeballs.

Where do you stand on that?

Does the church talk about sex too much?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  (And, thanks Jon, for a great primer and making us think!)

Todd


This post has been viewed 847 times so far.


  There are 51 Comments:

  • Posted by

    I have yet to hear of a person who has said something like, “Because I received a flier in the mail from a local church that was telling me how I can have my Best Sex Life Now (TM), I repented of my sins and put my faith in Christ.”

    Seriously, if we want to talk about sex in light of what the Bible says, in a decent and mature way, being sensitive and appropriate, that’s fine.  When it’s being used as the draw card for bringing people into churches through web sites, billboards, mass-mailers, and news reports--that’s where it has to stop.

    --
    CS

  • This post is so true. It is a strategy that even the growth experts endorse. I’ve also seen it happen before my eyes. A church about 30 minutes from me launched a sex series in a small town and it raised controversy. Out of that, the pastor was all over CNN, Fox, and local news. His church has boosted attendance like crazy from it.

    Whatever it takes to reach the lost I say!

  • Posted by

    I agree in doing sermon series to induce the consciousness of the congregation about what God has to say about sex. However, I don’t endorse using a sermon series on sex as a way of getting more attendance in our congregations. As preachers we can’t stray away from sensitive topics. We also must guard against bringing about self glorification. I do believe our communities need to be aware of the both the blessings and dangers of sex.

  • Posted by

    Brandon:

    “Whatever it takes to reach the lost I say! “

    That’s called, “pragmatism,” and that’s wrong.  The way that churches should be grown, in a biblical model, is going out and preaching the Gospel so that people get saved and then want to come into churches.

    Because, if we use your mentality, we could do silly things like giving away cars, iPods, vacations, and money.  That would certainly draw people in as well.

    --
    CS

  • So it’s wrong to make the messages inside our churches relevant so that people want to come?

  • Posted by

    making church relevant is what many are talking about today… this is one of the biggest hereies and mistakes any preacher of the Gospel could make… our job is to preach the Gospel not entertainment…

    Brandon… who are you preaching for? the people or God? The Gospel preached in purity is our relevance to any generation… not giving away cars, ipods, etc… many are trying to turn the faith into a business with promotional give aways…

  • The message is always relevant, but delivery is not. Why is the NIV translation more commonly used now than the KJV, because the presentation is more relevant.

    I’m not endorsing “used car salesman” practices. But the topic was on sex series. For years the church has been silent on something Christ was vocal about and God created. Because the church has become vocal it has attracted the “world” to listen to what the church has to say. In return people have been saved and churches have grown. I just can’t find anything wrong with that.

    Jesus preached the gospel but in new ways. Parables was something revolutionary for the time. Message stays the same but the methods always change!

  • Posted by

    Brandon,
    I agree that this topic should be addressed in our congregations… but what I don’t agree with is the “relevant cop-out” that many are running too today…

    I also agree that every preacher has their own preaching style… and we’re called to wait on and cultivate our gifts…

    However, there’s too much showmanship and less Godliness within many of congregations… It’s the Holy Spirit that does the drawing… therefore we could take the pressure off ourselves and rely on the Holy Spirit… even in our best attempt we fall short…

  • I agree with that statement. I believe that we are to do everything we possibly can, and then the Spirit does the rest.

    What I mean by that is the same as “study to show yourself approved.” To me that’s saying don’t just half-way show up and expect God to clean up the mess. If I do all I can God rewards it and then does the work.

    If I make Christ message compelling and relevant to those who are unknowing, when they come Christ will fulfill the work. Some plant, some water, but “God” gives the increase.

    I agree the church cannot be built on personality, showmanship, or charisma. However, I still think we have to be creative in our approach.

  • Posted by Brandon Doss

    “it is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? the important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

    Philippians 2:15-18
    I’m not real worried about the motives behind why someone is preaching Christ. The fact is Jesus talked about it, and the Word talks about it. I think that if more faith families were open to bringing God back into the conversation from the pulpit on issues such as sex; maybe more people would be running from a sin, and running to Him.  Relevance isn’t a cop out, it’s simply an attempt to bring the life Changing message of the Gospel to a world with as much clarity as possible.

  • Posted by

    Brandon Doss:

    “I’m not real worried about the motives behind why someone is preaching Christ. The fact is Jesus talked about it, and the Word talks about it. I think that if more faith families were open to bringing God back into the conversation from the pulpit on issues such as sex; maybe more people would be running from a sin, and running to Him.”

    But that’s the key point.  Most of the sermons related to this post aren’t preaching Christ, but they’re preaching sex.  Christ and the life transformation by having a saving faith isn’t being put on billboards, but sex is.  And when those people who were drawn to the church by this choose to leave, it isn’t because of a lack of Christ, but a lack of the sex sermons.

    Brandon Matthews:

    “If I make Christ message compelling and relevant to those who are unknowing, when they come Christ will fulfill the work. Some plant, some water, but “God” gives the increase.”

    Christ is already relevant to those who are unknowing.  If we preach Him crucified for the forgiveness of sins, as Paul did, that’s the most relevant thing we could ever preach.

    --
    CS

  • Posted by brandondoss

    I disagree that they only preach sex. And I would submit that maybe your just seeing the title of the sermons and jumping to conclusions. I have seen and witnessed testimonies of Life change due to a message that preaches what God said about Sex, and presenting people an opportunity to repent, and run to Christ. It’s hard for me to understand why it’s such a big deal that churches preach on culturally relevant topics, many repent, and follow Christ, as a result. Show me where scripture says not to preach on Sex with in the confines of marriage, and show me where it says not to condemn sinful lifestyles.... Then I would be glad to agree that it’s out of place. I’m sure that if you were to inspect, every church talking about “Sex”, clearly presents the Gospel.

  • Posted by

    Wow...nothing like a little “sex talk” to stir the waters.  As a pastor’s kid that grew up in a church culture where sex was taboo--I’m sooo thankful for relevant, life-giving churches that are dealing with the issues we actually face.  It’s not our job to judge the motives of pastor’s who have “these series”, rather can we celebrate in the changed lives that are a result.  Fruit speaks well of the tree it came from....whether we like it or not...just do what you’re called to do...if you don’t feel comfortable with a sex series...don’t do it...but if God is using it to reach the masses....don’t judge it!  Remember, He does actually work in ways that are above our understanding…
    --keep preaching Jesus my friends!!!

  • Posted by Peter Hamm

    CS writes [I have yet to hear of a person who has said something like, “Because I received a flier in the mail from a local church that was telling me how I can have my Best Sex Life Now (TM), I repented of my sins and put my faith in Christ.”]

    Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. I could definitely see somebody attending a church for a specific sermon series to see what they can “get out of it” and in the process, beginning a new life in Jesus.  Even one on sex.

    That said, I sometimes feel like it’s too much, and we haven’t done one like this here. Not saying we won’t… But we do try to come up with provocative sermon titles like “Don’t Go To Church Anymore” (I think it was something like that.)

    I don’t mind intriguing unbelieving or “de-churched” people to get them in my door, because I know what they will find here.

  • Posted by

    Preach the word- explain,illustrate and apply it is always relevant.

  • Posted by

    If you preach the saving grace of Jesus without showing the need for the saving grace of Jesus, you wind up with people who get disillusioned. If you use creature comforts of peace, joy and guilt-free sex as a drawing card, people will eventually find out that the feel-good gospel is shallow and the circumstances of life can easily rob you of those comforts. And that once-held belief in Jesus turns into resentment because “all the Jesus stuff didn’t work for me!” syndrome.

    But, if you tell them we all fall short and break God’s law and heaven is unreachable without the blood of Jesus, then salvation means something to them. They are grateful and they won’t be quick to discard their peace and joy because it is a true fruit generated by the Spirit on the inside, not an external enticement getting blown about by the storms of life that inevitably comes to every person.

  • Posted by

    Jerry, just sayin… I’m not aware of anyone speaking of “guilt free sex”.... I’m sure we’re speaking of sex in the confines of Marriage (and then, of course it’s “guilt-free")...and to my knowledge most if not all of the churches getting the attention on this… preach about the blood of Jesus quite well...it really is amazing to me how we look at and judge the success of others...the only way to not be Pharisee"ish" is to only speak of things we’ve witnessed and understand....have we visited these ministries to know what they speak?  And again I ask, can we not applaud the lives that are being transformed?

  • Posted by

    Steven:

    “it really is amazing to me how we look at and judge the success of others...the only way to not be Pharisee"ish" is to only speak of things we’ve witnessed and understand....have we visited these ministries to know what they speak?  And again I ask, can we not applaud the lives that are being transformed? “

    It’s just as important to ensure that the way in which people are being transformed is biblical and proper as it is to those who have life change.  Otherwise, we run the risk of being almost Machiavellian in saying that the ends justify the means.

    And, in the case of the sex sermons, those churches I have seen in the national spotlight that present these things are lacking in theology and doctrine.  Ed Young Jr. comes straight to the top of my mind after watching his antics on The Colbert Report and listening to how he comes up with his sermons (he spends a few hours on a Saturday after working out to think of something--his own words).

    --
    CS

  • Posted by

    CS,
    There’s no arguement as to the lack of Biblical doctrine and theology in most congregations today. Many are resorting to these formulas to entertain the people rather than empower the people with the Word of God.

    Not to far from where I minister a pastor friend of mine resorted to giving license to homosexuals and lesbians just to fill up the congregation… I have to admit, they are packing the congregation… they even have big name Gospel singers flocking to this congregation… but the people aren’t being fed with the correct diet… they are stuck on junkfood instead of the meat of the Gospel…
    I’m praying for my pastor friend...as well for all the pastors that’s compromising the Gospel just to fill up congregations…

  • Posted by

    CS:

    Sorry to bring you to such judgement of others...i’m not sure we are the one’s to judge the doctrine and theology of others...especially ministries that we are not personally involved in...it’s hard to conceptualize the heart and motives of others and how God has blessed them (with concepts outside of yours and/or tradition) to reach the lost...many people did not understand Jesus meeting with the tax collectors and those in the “business of sex”....but He was Jesus anyway....reaching and being relevant to people right where they are...and teaching them to live a life that pleases God...so, whatever our opinions...we can rest assured that God knows ...and whether or not our first attended sermon series is listed beside our name on “that day” well, we’ll see....and to Ed Young Jr. and others .....thanks 4 being who God has called you to be...whether we understand it or not!

  • Steven Crutchfield @ I am much concern about your point of view. we should not declare any verdict about it.

  • Posted by Peter Hamm

    Rev. K. writes [here’s no arguement as to the lack of Biblical doctrine and theology in most congregations today.] Sure there is! You can’t really make that statement without making either a lot of assumptions or having a mountain if data that if you actually did have, you should be sharing more publicly.

    With all due respect, that statement is pure opinion. You do not know what “most” congregations today believe.

    And… I am getting tired of doctrine and theology being the only measuring stick for orthodoxy. It’s not even how Jesus said we would know who his followers are. (I’m not saying doctrine is not important, but in your statement you said nothing about what people DO, how they ACT, as if there is no importance to it, as if proper doctrine alone belongs on this litmus test of proper Christ-following lives.)

    How true, unfortunately, is this scenario below… (And don’t ask yourself if it’s true of you. Many of you I KNOW this is not true of… ask yourselves how OTHERS see us, and why.)

    Jesus: “They will know you are my followers by your great love for one another.”

    21st century western evangelical: “They will we know we are His followers by our list of doctrinal distinctives and our stand on abortion and marriage and the family...”

    It’s no wonder that people who’ve grown up in a post-Christian, post-modern society are rejecting the church. Some of their reasons are good… Let’s start giving them better reasons to stay.

  • Posted by

    It’s going....going...going....GONE.... Knocked “out of tha park” by Peter Hamm.....thanks for your input!

    and to the “horse racing person?” i’m not sure what you mean? sorry!

    But seriously...let’s lay down the finger pointing and judgmental spirit....I don’t see these guys finger pointing at all of you guys making comments about them...belittling your communication style and sermon content......it’s all about Jesus Christ and what happened with the Cross… oh yea, and about Ed Young Jr.’s “sermons”...if you take a look at his outlines and understand his communication style....it’s quite impressive...and there’s no telling how many hours go into the preparation of his series...just sayn...you can’t pull that stuff off with a few hours on SAT....seriousely!!!!!! (i mean...come on...it was the Colbert Report and ed young was ridiculously smooth and impressive)

  • Posted by

    Peter Hamm,
    Out of all do respect...many congregations don’t know what they believe...(Many are flowing with the wind of the world...wherever the world blows they follow)

    this is the point I’m getting at… anybody could say they’re a Christian but doesn’t have the fruit to prove it… Orthodoxy is our measuring stick and has been for centuries… and our doctrinal beliefs makes up our orthordoxy… without doctrine and theology you don’t have a church… our doctrine and theology establishes who we are and what we hold to… James encouraged us to contend for the faith and guard against heresy… if we don’t have doctrine and theology how could we guard against heresy?

    Correct orthordox teaches us how to live and love one another… Doctrine and theology produces the fruit… how can one love if one doesn’t know how to love? they need theology to teach them how to love…

    Peter, how often we take the Scripture out of context… “They will know you are my followers by your great love for one another.” (Who is Jesus talking to?) (Who is Jesus telling them to love?)

    Peter, how do you deal with the Scripture “ know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?”

    Many are laying down Theology and doctrines and presenting the world with a one sided Jesus (loving, loving, loving).

    I agree Peter,
    we must present both sides of the coin… we must teach Theology and doctrines as well as the fruit of the spirit and love for one another…

  • Posted by

    Rev. K

    The “Living Word of God” teaches us how to live and love one another....NOT orthodox (tradition and rituals)

    And a life lived after God’s heart & Word produces FRUIT that remains..........Doctrine & Theology in themselves without the “heart"-- produce nothing but “white-washed tombs”....

    And as far as Jesus goes....was He not Loving, Loving, Loving???

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