I agree with you....we must not ignore sex. It is an issue. We really have let culture define sexual boundaries, and that’s a problem. We need good solid biblical teaching on sex!

But, the two major issues I have with sex sermons are:

1. The same thing Leonard said. I’ve heard several pastors talk about sex, and go way to far. They get into graphic descriptions that seem designed to shock more than point people to the Bible. When a sermon is more likely to make me stumble than what I already see on television, in movies, or in the world at large, and it is due to the shock value, I have a problem with that sermon.

2. Why are people preaching sex sermons? Are they preaching them because they see a need in their community, and they are following God’s direction? Or are they preaching sex sermons because it worked in another church and brought in a lot of in? If we are preaching sex sermons for the latter, I think we are wrong. We need to preach the truth for the truth’s sake, actually, for Christ’s sake. If it makes friends, that’s awesome! But, more often, I think, it will make enemies. So, in my opinion, preach the truth, not what’s trendy.

That’s my $0.02.

Leonard,

I agree, there is a limit as to what you can do.  Like I said in the article, that limit is SIN.  I also mentioned an age limit, but I would leave that up to the parents (but I wouldn’t let children under 12 in, past that, it’s the parents’ responsibility, and the church should warn people, as you suggested, that the message will be frank and graphic).

Jeremiah,

I’m with you on the motives of the churches.  However, motives are hard to discern.  IMO, I’ll just leave that part up to God, and still defend the practice, even though I may not know the motives.

Curt,

I was hoping someone would find that funny I actually wrote this article a couple of weeks ago, and after reading it again today, I admit that I LOLed too

Thanks guys!

Nathan

“Those limitations are clearly spelled out in the Bible, look for the word “sin” or “thou shalt not...” and you can find them. We’re not allowed to sin in order to win someone to Jesus. We’re not allowed to sin to attract people to church”

Thanks for holding to such a high standard.  You really don’t know what holiness is do you?  If you think it’s just the absence of sin, your wrong.  My cat doens’t sin, he’s not holy. 

“No one has so far. It’s just a bunch of grumpy, disconnected, irrelevant, whiney people who have already decided it’s wrong, but they just haven’t yet figured out why. “

Here you showed us the real hand you were dealt. Bashing christians.  But again you are wrong.  Many of the complaints about these ads have come from your ordinary non-church going citizen.  And for the record, this post said nothing that hasn’t been said already 10,000 times.

Why do we have to defend this in 2007?

JB,

“any other time in church history these sex ads would be unheard of.”

Again, that’s one of my complaints.  A church that has sat silent from the pulpit on the issue.  Finally, some churches are getting away from “tradition” and doing what’s right.  Preaching the message of Biblical truth about sexuality, and letting the whole city know that they’re doing it, not ashamed that they are a church willing to tackle the issues your grandfather’s church wasn’t willing to.

“We open our arms to the unrepented sinner and give them a service mininstry position the next Sunday”

Where did that come from?

“The message has changed, the church has changed that’s why they need to be defended”

Sometimes the message and church need to be changed, because they’re avoiding critical subjects while they hide behind the “shame” excuse.

I asked a question in the article that, as of yet, no one’s ventured to answer.
can anyone demonstrate that sex sermons are a sin?

No history lessons, no anecdotes about the old days, just Bible.  Where can we find, in God’s Word, that sex sermons are sinful?

Nathan,

Sex has never been avoided by the church, it’s just s a myth to say otherwise.  Take anyone off the street corner and I can almost guarantee you they know what the church teaches. 

“can anyone demonstrate that sex sermons are a sin? “

Again your standard is low.  We are called to be “above reproach”. Some banks, hospitals, schools, businesses have higher standards then the “new” church.  This is ridiculous.

“Again your standard is low.  We are called to be “above reproach”. Some banks, hospitals, schools, businesses have higher standards then the “new” church.  This is ridiculous.”

This sounds very similar to what the pharisees would have said to Jesus.  Yes, we are to be above reproach, and i think it is reproachable to deny that sex needs to be addressed head on by the church.  I’m sorry if defining sin from the bible is not a high enough standard for you.  Maybe your problem is that the Word of God is just not strict enough for your high standards.

I took a whole 14 comments before the Pharisee card was played, congratulations.  Is there someone named Jesus commenting in this post?  Maybe I missed it.  Get your heads out of you church growth playbooks.  Sex has always been addressed by the church. The motives on theses ads are clear to me, to others I will let them defend them. Have fun.  .  Peace my friends this pharisee has some heathen to look for and condemn.

Sorry to see you go JB.  Thanks though, for staying and talking.
God bless you too Talk to you later, hopefully.

What a lively topic!  Sex and the church.  The pastor is called to teach the full counsel of God.  That requires three things (IMHO): 1) Know the Bible; 2) Know the congregation; 3) Know the culture of the community.  Is this a subject better handled in a Bible Study for adults and older teans or can it be handled from the pulpit?  From my experience, the more controversial topics are handled better in a Bible study or cell group format where there can be discussion, accountability, and a greater chance of the people applying biblical principles.  I am not saying they can’t be taught in a preaching service ... it just seems more effective.

I had a friend who found out that a speaker was coming to his daughter’s high school to talk about sex from the liberal secular perspective.  He attended and taped the talk.  During the question and answer time, he asked questions that challenged the speaker.  He later called the church leadership together.  They purposefully advertised to the community that they would present what was given to the children of the community - and rated the discussion R.  My pastor friend had the tape of the school event typed and he read it word for word.  The church was full. 

If our schools can bring speakers to talk to our children about “safe” and “responsible” sex from the world’s perspective...why should any church shy away.  The children in our public schools are already being exposed. 

I was once chastised by several members when I was preaching through 1 Corinthians and hit one of the “sex” portions. Prior to my sermon, I did warn the parents about what I might touch upon.  I mentioned the dangers of fornication and adultery.  I used the words “sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, syphillis, AIDS, and Clamydia.” They did not believe I should use such words.  And their children were asking them questions.  I shocked them with my answer:  “Tough!  Ask them what they learned in school.  Talk to your children and arm them.” That was seven years ago.  I’m still here by God’s grace.

I’m mystified at comments that purport that churches that handle this topic in a more open manner are automatically “changing the message” in terms of sin, salvation, repentance, etc.  Nathan asserted that nothing of the sort happens at the church he attends.

Sigh....

Too often the church has been “defensive.” Meaning that we only address an issue when it is magnified in the secular realm.  We need to be much more “offensive” - meaning that we need to be more pro-active in how we deal with these things.

Obviously the talk about sex is defensive in one sense - it’s on the mind of every red-blooded person above the age of 12, and some younger than that.  And entire industries are feeding on the inappropriate and immoral use of it.  That needs to be addressed, and is, even by some of the churches who would not agree that it’s okay to have “sex sermons” as described by Nathan.

It seems to me that this church is being “offensive” in the right way.  It’s taking a topic of immense interest and showing that the Bible addresses it, in a way that will show a great number of people that God invented sex in the first place, for our enjoyment, in the proper context.

I’ve been thinking about doing a series like this over the summer.  We’ll see.

Thanks, Nathan, for the article, and for your very gracious replies to those who disagree.

For those who disagree, I offer you the same challenge I offer my congregation if they have a disagreement with me.  Show me your SCRIPTURAL support for your position.  If I am wrong I will quickly repent, because I want to be as Scriptural as possible.  If you don’t have Scriptural support, then you need to reexamine your position and possibly repent yourself.

I’m not even saying “show me a specific chapter and verse.” If you can show me some Scriptural principle, I’m good to go.

Brian