There was a life streaming on Equip 2015 topic at Ci Icing's humble abode. A couple of girls from church came to her place to listen to it since apparently the tickets of Equip were sold out. The topic this year was 1 Body, 1 Life, 1 Lord.
Glorifying God With Your Body
[1 Corinthians 6:12 - 7:7]
presented by Carmelina Read
The world's view : "My body, my choice"
No one has the right to tell me what to do
The Lord's view
This is different to the world's view because the world's view has eternal consequences (6:9-11). Revealing our choice than God will lead us to not inheriting the kingdom. We are all guilty and the choices we made in our body condemn us. But it is a relief that Jesus wash us clean and sanctify us, justify us. We are not guilty anymore so that we can inherit the kingdom of God. We are a new person and therefore we need an elevated view. An elevated view is to see your body is for the Lord. And that is by setting free from slavery (6:12). Paula agrees to the freedom but the wrong choice may enslave us. Sex outside of God's plan enslave us. Our bodies and soul are cared by the Lord and there are 3 proofs:
i) God the father will raise our body and soul (v.14) when Jesus comes back
ii) Jesus the son is united with the body (v.15), the body and the spirit and the Christ in an unbreakable union
iii) The holy spirit lives in our body (v.18). The body is incredibly precious and unity to Father, Son and Spirit
We are bought with a price and Jesus paid our debt. Our purpose is to honour God (6:20b). Reflect on Paul's teaching. As Christians, we are so blind to my choice influence but Paul challenged us to rethink our bodies that when it comes to our bodies it is NOT my choice but the Lord's choice.
The Christian woman's view: "The Lord's body, The Lord's Choice"
Pauls has challenged us that it is not my choice but the Lord's choice. Belonging to Jesus is a great decision ever made. Believe the good news. There is nothing that Jesus cannot forgive.
Application
1) Honor God by fleeing from sexual immorality. Sex in any content dishonours God: flirting/oral sex/ fantasizing. The Lord who bought us says that sexual immorality is bad for us but his sayings are opposed by the world. How can we flee? We should be selective, do drastic actions to FLEE and honour God
2) Embrace sex in your marriage. God gives permission and that we should join with out husbands. Things may hinder sex in marriage: there is no perfect husband or even a perfect wife. Ask God to love one another, God's way is always good for you. Don't deprive.. married sex honours God (7:1-6)
Glorifying God With Your Sexual Desire
presented by Dr Patricia Weerakoon
The science of sexual desire
A sexual desire is a testosterone induced feeling which drives a desire of I want sex. It is the urge or sexual intimacy in the brain. The opposite is to not want sex but disinterested. The desire is determined involuntarily as well as voluntarily. Scripting occurs as you grow up. It is forming a screen for sexual attraction. However, with bad influence around us, poor scripts will get built into the brain. This is an involuntary action. On the other hand, Neuroplasticity is what you choose to feed your brain, a voluntary action. It reflects on what we are watching/reading/feeding our minds on. It will wire our desire patterns and what is wired can be re-wired. This means that the voluntary action is not permanent and nothing in your brain should stay the way it is. The desire is not static that is there is variation between individuals, with age, relationships and gender. Man and woman are different. Man is visual and quick like a microwave. Unlike man, woman is more like an oven that need to be pre-heated. So the question is, do we have control over sexual desire? It is always a choice. We have centres in the brain that processes the decision to be godly or not. We are not controlled by our desires. We are unique because we are created in the image of God.
Understanding the world view on sexual desire
Sexual desire as an irrepressible need that must be met. Human right is to have the desire filled. Commodity to be offered and bought for self-expression. No objective truth, it is about self-gratification not about honour.
God's pattern for sexual desire
It is a good gift, powerful, seductive and fragile (Genesis 2:18-25; Song of Solomons 8:6-7; Proverbs 6:27-28). To be treated with care, caution and self-control. Be celebrated in the context of marriage. And joyously lived without as a celibate single.
Dealing with sexual desire
There are problems like: self-stimulation (masturbation), same-sex attraction and pornography. Masturbation is getting yourself a sexual kick. It becomes a habit and it needs a kick of lustful stimulation. Same sex attraction is more to gender than sexual orientation. If you have any desires regarding same-sex attraction, you should know that close same-sex friendships are good and healthy but do not sexualise the friendship. Name it as a desire and ask for help to live a godly life. Attraction is a desire and you are able to choose. Pornography is hijacking the brain with super stimulation and therefore reality becomes boring. Wiring can be re-wired so break out of it and repent yourself.
Keep remembering that there is hope because Jesus comes for sinners of whom I am the worst. Live in the beautiful life of God's glory.
Glorifying God with Your Life
[1 Corinthians 7:8-40]
presented by Jane Tooher
The principle of the passage is REMAIN as you are when God called you to be a Christian. There are options that are fine and godly to choose as mentioned by Paul to the Corinthians. But for some you can change your situation. This world won't last so do not become so consumed and prioritise to be here and now. Why should we remain? Paul's motivation for telling the Corinthians and us to remain is so that we can better understand the time.
There are seven different life situations as mentioned by Paul.
1) The unmarried and the widows (v.8-9) - We don't know Paul's marital history but we all know that he is single. According to Roman culture, if woman stays single after husband died they are called widows and v.9 says that if they cannot keep their self control, it is best for them to marry
2) The married (v.10-11) - The christian norm is not to divorce. This is a command (Matthew 5, Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 16). God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). But there are exceptions in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 that is if a divorce occurs, it is good to stay unmarried or reconcile to the divorced partner. Divorce is permitted if adultery happens but it is not required. Try and remain married. marriage covenant broken if there is domestic violence. A marriage should be a safe place. If you are suffering from domestic violence try to remove it, do not deny and find a safe home to rebuild lives.
3) The Christian married to an unbeliever who is willing to keep living with the Christian (v.12-14) - Jesus and Paul's ministry are at different stages. Recent believers might be married to people who are not Christians. Living a godly life is to act and how to relate. The unbelieving partner can be exposed to his believed partner, impacting in a good result.
4) The Christian married to an unbeliever who is not willing to keep living with the Christian (v.15-16) - It is their choice but trust God in his sovereignty and mercy. The norm might be to remain but maybe it is not their choice.
5) Live the life God gives you (v.17-24) - Live as a believer just as God has called them. No hiding. Keep God's command is what counts. Remain in situation. In verse 21-22, slavery is described. Slavery means: badly treated; not always oppressive; complicated; economic security, move up the social ladder; early Christians were formal slaves. If you are a slave, do not be concerned because everyone was bought with a price. We are not defined by our status. Slave to Christ is what counts.
6) Virgins (v.25-38) - This is long-term singleness and could be a concern for old males but sympathy for old women. The reactions to this would drive them crazy. In terms of time, flexibility is offered in a single person. There are lots of stereotypes but if you make the most of it, it would be attractive. Be obedient to God's commands. Take initiative and be welcoming to glorify God.
7) Widows (v.39-40) - Free to marry after partner has died but he/she should belong to God. Younger widows should marry because of sexual urges (1 Tim 5:11)
In summary, obedience to God is what matters and your life is about Glorifying God.
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