Sermons on 1 Corinthians | My Body and Sex | 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Body and Sex

My Body and Sex (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)

Sexual immorality is a problem in our society.

Sexual immorality was a problem in the Corinthian church. One man was “living with his father’s wife” (5:1). Fornicators, adulterers, male prostitutes, and sodomites are listed among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (6:9-11). The paragraph we’re studying speaks against sexual immorality. Paul encouraged marriage as a means of self-control (7:1-7).

We need to learn some lessons about our bodies from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20:

My Body Has Purpose, vv 12-14

The Corinthians apparently had written a letter to Paul asking certain questions. In that letter, they used this motif: “All things are lawful for me,” v 12. Some in Corinth apparently thought that they could do anything they wanted. In contrast, Paul declares: “Not everything is beneficial.” “I will not be dominated by anything.”

The Corinthians also said, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for foods,” v 13. The Corinthians thought since food and the stomach were made for each other, the body was made for sex and sex for the body. But, God is going to destroy both stomach and food.

The purpose of the body:

  1. Is not for fornication, v 13.
  2. Is for the Lord, v 13.My body was made to glorify God. Anything which detracts from that—including sexual immorality—is wrong.

God will raise our bodies, v 14. God raised the Lord. God too will raise our bodies by the same power He used to raise Jesus.

My Body Has Participation, vv 15-17

My body is part of Christ, v 15.

Therefore, I can’t take my body and engage in sexual immorality. When I do that, I’m taking Christ and joining Him to a prostitute, v 15. How dare we!

Those who engage in sexual intercourse become one, v 16. The one joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her. Because, “the two shall become one flesh.” This quotes Genesis 2:24. The context is of a man being joined to his wife!

Those joined to the Lord become one spirit with Him, v 17.

My Body Has Pride, v 18

“Flee sexual immorality.” We are to get as far away from sexual immorality as we can. Joseph fled sexual immorality (Gen 39:7-12).

All other sins are outside the body, but fornication sins against the body.

My Body Has Possession, vv 19-20

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, v 19. The temple is the dwelling place of God; the Holy Spirit, part of the Godhead, dwells within me. The Holy Spirit was given to me by God.

My body doesn’t belong to me, vv 19-20. I’ve been bought with a price, v 20. I’ve been redeemed from sin. I’ve been redeemed from sin by the blood of Jesus. Therefore, I need to glorify God in my body, v 20. It’s not my choice—it’s God’s decision.

Conclusion

Sexually immoral persons can have no fellowship with the church (1 Cor 5:5).

Sexually immoral persons can have no fellowship with God (1 Thess 4:8).


This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Main Street church of Christ in Pikeville, Kentucky.

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