Page 101 in your pew Bible. I know we've memorized it as well, but I will read this. It's Exodus 20 verse 14. Exodus 20 verse 14. This is the Word of God. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, today we come to the second sermon of this two-part series on what the Seventh Commandment forbids. Of course, we've been dealing with the Seventh Commandment for a number of sermons, but looking specifically at what the Seventh Commandment forbids, as we see that the law forbids all sexually impure thoughts, words, and actions. The law forbids all sexually impure thoughts, words, and actions. As we noted last time, we are in the midst of a sexual revolution and have been for quite some time. There's much confusion today with regard to practice and conception of sexual matters. But it's good to know, therefore, that there is an absolute standard that tells us what to think and how to act. We've already considered what the Seventh Commandment requires. First of all, in terms of the extent It is for ourselves and for others. The comprehensiveness of it, it deals with the heart, let's say the inward part of man, his speech, what he says, and his behavior, what he does. And in terms of the accomplishment of what is required, we saw that that is both internal and external. Both internal and external. The internal, of course, providing the foundation for our actions. The last time we looked at the comprehensiveness of the prohibition, that is to say in thought, word, and deed. In terms of thought, those lustful desires and thoughts of the heart. The word, the words we use. Here we talked about obscenity. lewd speech, as well as enticing speech. Come lie with me, says the woman of Proverbs 7, or says Potiphar's wife. And in action, which of course is the logical combination of impure thoughts and speech. And then we started to consider the sexually impure acts. And last time we looked at things within marriage. For example, unseasonable and immoderate use of the marriage bed, bigamy and polygamy, divorce that is unjust or unrighteous. So not all divorce, not all filing for divorce is a sin. but it could be and often is. So unjust or unrighteous divorce, desertion of the marriage, adultery. Of course, those two things being either one of them being a just ground for divorce, desertion that cannot be remedied, or adultery. And of course, in any case, these are gross sins. And then, of course, we talked about marrying an unbeliever or marrying someone who does not profess the Christian faith and give expression to that by means of being part of a Bible-believing church. In other words, a Protestant church, one that maintains the gospel of Jesus Christ and not one that either implicitly or explicitly denies it. Now we want to think about today things outside of marriage. Things outside of marriage. Speaking of the person himself. And here we first of all look at fornication and adultery. Fornication and adultery. Having sex outside of marriage is obviously wrong. Although you wouldn't know it if you look at what's going on even in evangelical churches today. You wouldn't know it. There are so many professing Christians who shack up. It is truly shocking. So fornication, having sex outside of marriage is obviously wrong. It is a disgrace not to wait until marriage. And of course, if you have sex with someone who is married to another, even if you're not married, that's why I said those things that are outside of marriage, if you are not married, but if you have sex with someone who is married to someone else, then you indeed have committed adultery. Adultery is wrong, first of all, because it is a great sin against God. That's why this commandment is formulated this way in terms of sexual purity, you shall not commit adultery. But also it can cause the breakup of a marriage, so it's wrong in terms of our relationship with God, but also in terms of the implications. So fornication and adultery. Secondly, incest. Incest. Now what is incest? Well, this has to do with marriage or sexual relations between people who are closely related. Now, let's look at some of the passages here. First of all, 2 Samuel. 2 Samuel, chapter 13, verse 14. This is, if you're looking in your few Bible, You'll find this on page 433. Verse 12 actually is really the key here. But she answered him, this is Amnon, or this is Tamar saying to Amnon, but she answered him, no my brother, do not force me. for no such thing should be done in Israel do not do this disgraceful thing and so forth verse 14 however he would not heed her voice and being stronger than she he forced her and lay with her if you look at Leviticus chapter 18 Leviticus chapter 18 this is found on page 100 Leviticus chapter 18, verse 6, Leviticus 18, verse 6, none of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him to uncover his nakedness. I am the Lord. the nakedness of your father, the nakedness of your mother, you shall not uncover, she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness, the nakedness of your father's wife, you shall not uncover, it is your father's nakedness, and so forth. Then look at Mark 6, Mark 6, the Gospel of Mark, Mark 6, verse 18. So this would be page 1359. Mark 6 verse 18 starting in verse 17. For Herod the king himself had said and laid hold of John about him bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her, because John had said to Herod, it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. It's not lawful. It's a violation of the law of God. This is an incestuous relationship. And then look, finally, at 1 Corinthians chapter 5, which is really a shocking passage in many ways. 1 Corinthians chapter 5, page 1543, page 1543, verse 1. 1 Corinthians 5 and verse 1. page 1543. We read here, it is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles that a man has his father's wife. The Apostle Paul is saying not even the Gentile, Gentiles don't even do this. What a horrible thing that this is happening in the church. That's why he says at the end of the chapter, verse 13, but those who are outside God judges, therefore put away from yourselves the evil person. In other words, excommunicate that person until he repents, which thankfully in this case, the fellow did repent. Isn't that interesting? As you read 2nd Corinthians, he did repent. But nevertheless, until that happens, put it away. Put away this person. Excommunicate this person from the church. So scripture forbids marriage or sexual relations between people who are closely related. I would simply mention that this is a particularly bad problem today, primarily because of total erosion of biblical standards. Thirdly then, in terms of things outside of marriage, we consider the issue of rape, of rape. Deuteronomy 22 verse 25, you'll find this on page 273, page 273, page 273. So these, of course, are some of the case laws in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 22, verse 25, but if a man finds a betrothed young woman engaged in the countryside, the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. You shall do nothing to the young woman. There is in the young woman no sin deserving of death, for just as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, Even so is this matter, for he found her in the countryside. The betrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her." Now, this invasion of privacy is cruel and wicked, and appropriate legislation, including appropriate punishments, should be enacted and enforced. And then fourthly, we consider today sodomy and other unnatural acts. Sodomy and other unnatural acts. Here, of course, we talk in the first instance of homosexuality and lesbianism. We had as one of the prayer requests today. for a young woman who is so-called married to another woman, which of course is an impossibility morally and metaphysically. But nevertheless, this just shows where we are in terms of our society today. The Bible is very clear that this activity is an absolute abomination before God. We talked about this in terms of Sodom and Gomorrah. Why do you think Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed? Because of the blatant homosexuality coming to expression. As we consider those who practice homosexuality and lesbianism, let us be clear. These folks are not, quote, gay. They are sad people. They often have no security. Many times they will have many partners, sometimes even in the same night. They are subject to disease, not just AIDS. But most importantly, they are subject to God's punishment. This type of activity is dangerous. It subjects society to undue health hazards. It subjects the society to militant, violent attempts to have a homosexual lifestyle tolerated and imposed upon the society. And everyone with a biblical view can just shut up or be fired or fined or with so-called hate speech legislation imprisoned. It subjects the society to those militant, violent attempts to have that lifestyle tolerated and imposed just like in Sodom and Gomorrah. And it subjects the society to God's judgment again as witnessed in Genesis 19 with the fire and brimstone that God sent on Sodom and Gomorrah. God's word clearly condemns homosexuality. It is a degrading practice and defaces the image of God. And as we read from Romans 1 earlier today, God gives up, God gave them up, God gives up those who continue in this lifestyle. And therefore, it is not a hereditary problem as such, rather, apart from the fact, of course, of original sin that attaches to all of us. It's not as if, well, this is just the way God made me, and God didn't make junk, right? No. Homosexuality is an expression of the sinfulness of man. of which we all are, that sinfulness of which we all are guilty, which can come to expression in a variety of ways, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, lying, stealing, killing, whatever, breaking the law of God. As we saw in 1 Corinthians chapter five, or the implication of it, in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, where Paul says, put that person outside the church, the one who's engaged in this gross sin. The church may not receive into membership or ordain those who practice homosexuality, any more than she may receive anyone who willfully continues the practice of any sin. You wouldn't say, well, I'm given over to sealing. I'm a kleptomaniac. I'm a Christian kleptomaniac, though. No, no, no, that doesn't quite work, does it? No, God is able to save from any sin, obviously. But those who continue in the practice of sin clearly are not believers in Christ. Therefore, the church may not tolerate that. One of our sister denominations, the PCA, Presbyterian Church in America, dealt with this very issue. And thankfully, although it was a struggle, thankfully came to the right conclusion. And a man who identified as a, quote, gay pastor was driven out or effectively left It effectively was driven out by leaving the church. He was not disciplined, but he ended up leaving that denomination, thankfully, as did his church. He led his church in the same direction, unfortunately. Well, furthermore, that's with regard to the church. But here, may I get a little controversial? Maybe speak truth to power here? The civil government should protect those who are acting normally, should protect them from those who engage in homosexual practice. It is certainly wrong and unwise to create a special class of citizens, homosexuals, with special rights and privileges. It is certainly right to enact legislation to protect against these, quote, queer people. You would not want a child molester to teach your children in school, would you? I'm not suggesting everyone who practices homosexuality is a child molester. I'm using it to make the point that there are moral outrages that you do not want people who practice those to be in positions of power and authority. You do not want to put such people in a position where they are role models as well as those who can influence and just go on TikTok if you don't believe this in terms of teachers and schools that are deliberately promoting the homosexual lifestyle. deliberately promoting this sort of idea. Well, how are they able to do that? Because they were in a position of authority to do it. And so it is certainly right to enact legislation to protect against these queer people and their practices. And it is certainly right to outlaw such morally degrading practices with appropriate punishments as well. All law, listen to me carefully, all law, no matter what the law is, involves and presupposes morality. But the question is, which morality? That's the question. When people say, well, you're just imposing your morality. Every law involves the imposition of morality. Whether it be in terms of not lying and punishing that, for example, if you commit perjury or not stealing, you violate that. You're going to be in trouble with the civil government if you get caught. But what's behind it? What's behind it is the idea of a set of moral principles. And so the question is not the imposition of morality. All law involves imposing morality. The question is, is it gonna be God's morality or is it gonna be the devil's morality? That's the question. Tolerating LGBTQ+++, is to endorse pagan morality and thereby to discriminate against Christian morality. Or we could put it this way. One side or the other will be driven into the closet. That's the point. Dr. Greg Bonson, who was one of my professors, years ago, and about 50 years ago, he wrote a book called Homosexuality. He was very, very insightful as he made this point. One side or the other is going to win. The morality of one side or the other will prevail. And if the homosexual perspective wins fully, then Christianity the danger is that the church will be driven underground and that Christians will be persecuted and maybe even prosecuted. As I suggested that this type of thing is already happening with hate crimes legislation. Now why is it that homosexuality then is pushed so much in our society? Well, number one, It is useful for the enemies of Christ. It is useful for the enemies of Christ. It is a serious attack on the family. It undermines the family. It's also, as we've suggested here, an attack on the church. It undermines the ethics that are based on the Bible. And it allows violators of the seventh commandment to be justified in their practices. So not everyone who promotes the toleration of homosexuality is a homosexual. But it's useful for such people, many of them, because it allows them to feel justified in terms of their own position, their own sins, their own violations of the Seventh Commandment, to get away from all of those morals. And then secondly, why is homosexuality pushed so much? Secondly, why it's because homosexuals insist on others embracing their lifestyle. But why? Why is that the case? Because deep down inside, they know that they are wrong. Deep down inside, they know that they are condemned, as Paul wrote in Romans chapter 1. But what do they do? They suppress the truth in unrighteousness. They try to hold down the truth in unrighteousness. Just like you have a beach ball in the pool and you try to submerge that under the water. You try to keep it there. of course, eventually it's going to pop up, isn't it? Eventually, right? But you try desperately to hide it, to put it under the water, to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, as Paul writes in Romans 1. It's like a constant reminder, you see, The law of God and even the law that is written on their hearts is a constant reminder that they are guilty before God as Paul writes at the very end of Romans 1. They know that those who commit these horrible things are worthy of death. And that they suppress that in unrighteousness. And indeed they desperately need others therefore to affirm them in their rebellion. to try to assuage their conscience, to try to have people agree with them. Why don't you agree, you see? Why don't you agree with who I am? How dare you deny who I am? It's like an ugly woman who insists that she's a beauty queen. Right? And if she really believes or maintains she's a beauty queen, she's going to insist that everyone thinks she's beautiful. Right? And so it is with homosexuality and the desperate attempt to insist that others agree with them. I mentioned homosexuality and lesbianism. I'll just mention briefly bestiality. which is sex with animals. The Bible deals with this. And by the way, this is, I mean, it's a serious matter. This is no joke. There is, today, this is why you have laws against having sex with animals, because there are people who would do it otherwise, and people still do it. And of course, the horrible thing here is that even those that have laws against sex with animals, why do they do it? Why do they have, why is that legislation still on the books? It is not because of the dignity of man. It's because of being worried about the animals, you see. That's what's behind a lot of it. It's the PETA crowd, you see. Which again just shows how degraded we have become in terms of our ideas of sexuality. Well, having looked then last week and this week at sexually impure acts both inside marriage and outside of marriage, let me just very briefly talk about things that tend toward sexual impurity. There are things that affect you individually, idleness, gluttony, drunkenness. These things are wrong in and of themselves, but when you engage in those things you can open yourself up to temptation in a sexual way. But also things that affect others. Unchaste company, we are known by the company we keep. Immodest apparel, which we're seeing a lot in our society today, are we not? Lustful entertainment. Songs, plays, movies, pictures, books, magazines, TV shows, paintings. All examples of pornography. Houses of prostitution. Or those just on the street corner. Not that we would know anything about that in this neighborhood, right? but those that are just on the street corner applying their services. And finally, sex ed without morals. Sex ed, sex education without morals. So these are things that tend towards sexual impurity that should be rejected. I have five points of application. The first is this, be alert, be alert, be on guard for sexual predators. There have always been examples of sexual depravity as seen in scripture and throughout history, but there are times when such sin comes, seems to come, especially to expression. And so be alert for the sake of others. But secondly, Be on guard for yourself. Be on guard for yourself. Don't do those things that will lead you to sexual temptation, gluttony, drunkenness, idleness. Do be careful what you watch on TV and what you read. And remember, in this regard, as I say, be on guard for yourself, remember that there is a very clear danger of hypocrisy. And we'll deal with that more in just a moment. Be alert. Be on guard for yourself. Thirdly, be empathetic. Be understanding. That is to say, put yourself in your neighbor's shoes. Don't just condemn somebody. Try to understand what he or she has experienced or is experiencing, maybe as a victim. maybe as a victim or maybe as a perpetrator, try to understand the temptation or the hurt. Fourthly, be humble. If we had one inkling of how loathsome, how disgusting we are to God, we would never be proud again. Don't ever think that you could never do whatever sin. Think of King David. Think of King David who lusted after Bathsheba, committed adultery with her and had the husband murdered. I am sure that growing up he may have been tempted to say, I could never do, you know, not that he necessarily would have said that, but you, you see the temptation to do that. But in Psalm 51 verse five, he confesses in sin, did my mother conceive me? And therefore do not look down your nose at someone else who has fallen into horrible sexual sin, such as homosexuality or lesbianism. Do not look down your nose at someone else. And do not be proud that you're a member of a church that stands against immorality, unlike others, including various churches in our general area here. I could name names, I won't. Don't be proud. Well, we at least told to the Bible, well, that's good. But don't be proud about that. Be humble. But third, but finally, fifthly, be bold. The matter of LGBTQXRXYZ, whatever it is, the matter of this, is going to be won not in the halls of Congress or state capitals. It's going to be won in the trenches. And in being bold, remember the foundational issue as always is law and gospel. It's law and gospel. It's very simple. It's law and gospel. It is law. It is what God commands and requires and in some cases forbids. It is gospel. The good news that Jesus came to die for our sins. The news that he is our only hope. The news that His cleansing us and His giving us robes of righteousness is how we can get rid of the filth of our own sin and how others can get rid of the filth of their sin as well. His blood, His righteousness, impute it to us and receive by faith alone. And thus be bold in confronting sin. but also in presenting the gospel. Do not be ashamed of Christ and his law and his gospel, but boldly declare the truth. Amen. Will you please stand for prayer? And our Father, we do pray that this message would be applied to our hearts We pray, Lord, that we might indeed love thee and serve thee. We pray, Lord, for the overcoming of the horrible sexual practices that we see in our own day. We long for the day, Lord, not merely when there will be outward conformity, but, Lord, when the hearts will be changed. And so, Lord, start with us. Deal with our own sin, O God. Give us the grace to be humble, but also give us the grace to be bold. Hear this, our prayer. We pray it in Jesus's name. Amen. In closing, please turn to 12A. As you do so, let me just note here, as we turn to 12A,