(holy music) - In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy ghost, amen. Oh, God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against thee and are not worth to be called thy children. We have forsaken thy way and have walked in the light of our own eyes. We have not loved thee with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not waited for the mind of Christ to be born in us. We have conformed to the world which passeth away. We have not endured as seeing him who is invisible, forgive us, we pray thee, most personable Father, and renew us again in the strength of thy grace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen. The Lord knows that we are men in trouble. He is merciful and sets us free. He invites us to sing a new song and to see, and praise His glory. Therefore, hear these comfortable words. If any man is in Christ, he is a new preacher. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things are made moved. The Lord has mercy on you, forgives your sin, and restores you to new life. (holy music) - The scripture lesson is taken from selected verses of chapter one of the book of Genesis. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and it was so. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle. And over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So, God created man in his own image. In the image of God, who created him, male and female, the age of man, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply." God blessed them and God saw everything that He had made and behold, it was very good." (holy music) - The Lord be with you. Let us pray. (holy music) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen. - (mumbles indistinctly) complication, and not like the sermon (indistinct) creature. (audio drowned out by static) as effectively. Much better protected from the congregation than I'd like to be. My problem is not trying to see you through the glass (mumbles indistinctly). We in the chapel have no accustom to asking for patience of the temple congregation on account of the scaffolding. Now, we have to ask your patience on account of the fire. (mumbles indistinctly) word got around the campus, say it again, people here told me that I was going to then quit writing sermons on hell fire and brimstone. He said, "You probably were up here last night writing a sermon on hellfire and suddenly the temple burst into flames. I replied that I had been led down here by the sermons with not a lot of hellfire. He wanted to know what it was about. I told him that it was on sex. So, he certainly didn't wanna just hear that sermon. For those of you who are in the chapel and seeing our situation and still smelling smoke, not withstanding the very next clean up job, which was done by our late partner (indistinct). Those of you who are with us by radio this morning can neither see our situation, nor smell the smoke. Perhaps by the time our scientists have improved radio, in the mornings you can smell the smoke from here to where you are, it will also be possible for you to be appointed the time in the service to put a $10 bill into your radio and moments later, it will appear in the offering plate here. Dr. Ashley Montague, who until, his early retirement was chairman of the anthropology department at Rutgers wrote the following paragraph. "It is a curious thing that of all the basic needs of man, only one is not necessary for his personal survival, is the one which gives him the most trouble. In order to live, it's necessary to breathe, eat and drink, (mumbles indistinctly) the rest. If all these needs are not satisfied, death follows forever, but sexual intercourse between male and female, which is necessary for the survival to prove is not in the least necessary so far as the survival of the (indistinct) is concerned. A person can live for long stretches of time, or (indistinct) without sexual relations many times and not suffer the least biological injury. How then does it come about that man in the western world is so much preoccupied then with the devil (indistinct) sexual irritation (indistinct)?" Well, these comments by Dr. Montague serve to open up our topic for discussion this morning. For it certainly is true that the Western world today is preoccupied with and (indistinct) sex. Perhaps it would be inaccurate to say that people today are any more interested in sex than previous generations, but it is undeniably true that sex is now being more openly and explicitly discussed. More frequently written about, more frankly introduced and advertised, frequent business, industry, politics and in government, than in previous centuries before. The top Russian KGB agent, the effects to the United States reveals that the Soviet secret police maintain a large institute to train sexy Russian girls in the patriotic art of (indistinct) diplomat for countries. To be impressed with the cognitive presence of sex consciousness in our society, one has only to pronounce these names and phrases, Playboy, Cosmo Girl, Kenzie, Masters and Johnson, (indistinct) entertainment, the pill, Radio Welsh, (indistinct). "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex," is not only the titled book by David Reuben, but it also is an accurate description of a multi billion dollar traffic in literature, movies and records, which has mushroomed since the 1966 decision of the US Supreme Court in the Fanny Hill case. Book Magazine states that over the past year, practically every sexual act imaginable has been screened. Newsweek Magazine surveyed this rise of pornography in last August and labeled it, "More than I wanted to know about sex." Life Magazine said editorially in November, "The much daunted sexual freedom that the sex researchers and their disciples insist that we share is turning out to be (indistinct)." In case anyone still doubts after all this that sex is a predominant factor in human consciousness today; let him ponder the implications of a report by Dr. (indistinct), New York City. That despite history's most widespread dissemination of prophylactics, and notwithstanding the easing availability of antibiotic remedies, 65 of America's largest cities now have venereal disease in epidemic proportions. So, today might be a good time, and here might be a good place to ask the question, does Christianity have anything at all say about sex? We have met in this chapel because we should engage in Christian worship, and to broaden our understanding of the Christian faith, because our faith offering in sight, into the nature, the function (indistinct) sex in our lives. Yes, there are specifically Christian insights, which illuminate and inform the entire area of sex. There are Christian understandings which involve sex- (speaker drowned out by background noise) Before turning to these positive understandings, let us focus on two preliminary considerations, which will enable us to see more clearly what Christian understanding of sex is. First, it's obvious, but still worth mentioning here that many people who are speaking to, or writing about sex are not Christian, and indeed, are not (mumbles indistinctly). So, from there on- (speaker drowned our by background noise) some are upstanding judges, some are sports celebrities, some are personalities in the entertainment world. Each is entitled to respect the field of his competence, but as they themselves would admit, when they speak about sex, they are referencing a point of view and a set of assumptions, all together- (crosstalk drowns out speaker) Different from those of the Christian faith. It should not surprise us, therefore, if what they say about sex does not sound like the interpretations of the Christian faith. (speaker drowned out by background noise) grace, they are making sense, plus their own assumptions, which are not identical to the Christian assumptions. It should not be surprising, therefore, that their announcements of grace are quite different from the Christian understanding of grace. Now, the same as the sex. For example, I have a friend, who knows Joe Namath quite well. He has told me that Mr. Namath has made it clear to him that at least at this time, he does not consider himself in any sense, to be a Christian. Joe Namath is a brilliant quarterback. When he speaks about football, I listen. When he plays football, a must, I watch, but when he speaks about sex, there is no reason to suppose that he intends by his words to offer Christian insight, or guidance. Well, actually we can make a very long list if we were interested this morning in cataloging the names of outstanding personalities who have been quoted on the subject of sex, but whose viewpoint is not based by their own intention, on Christian assumptions. The point is that those who want to have a Christian understanding of sex will have to seek it where it may be found. The second preliminary consideration has to do with the context of Christian sexual understanding. The Christian mind as a whole provide freedom within discipline, and discipline within freedom. It is not a life of flagrant indulgence at any level, sex or anything else. It is uncharacterized by willing sacrifice, by the emotions of the glory of God, whose will is accepted as (indistinct) of every Christian. God's will is the pearl of great price, for which the Christian is willing to sell everything he were to possess. Furthermore, the Christian looks primarily to God for the meaning of his life, finds in God's revelation of himself, and of Jesus Christ, the understanding of his existence and the style of his life. Now, that will make a difference when we talk specifically about sex. Let's now talk specifically about it. What does a Christian church now say about sex? What has it historically said about it? What do the church's scriptures say? (speaker drowned out by background noise) The first message is that sex is understood as being clean and good. Not dirty, not bad. Sex was created by God, not by some wicked perpetrator, who now advises. In fact, the scripture, which mostly also is read (indistinct) plainly stated that God himself created us the way we are, male and female, and it immediately adds that the almighty looked at what he had created and pronounced it quote, "Very good," unquote. The Christian understanding of sex starts with this doctrine of creation. Sex is a good thing, God is the one who made it good. Of course, we make it feel dirty to any part of God's creation gets tarnished by improper use. Even the act of church attendance can be (mumbles indistinctly) under certain circumstances, but in the creative intent of the almighty, sex is very good. Now, the second understanding has to do with what God's creative intention was. Church around the world today and around (indistinct) has been in substantial agreement with its scriptures that God's will specifies, sex is to be consummated exclusively within the bond of marriage, with one man and one woman who lends a lifetime faithfulness to each other. Dr. Edward E. Thornton, a professor of pastoral theology and political pastoral education in (indistinct) Seminary; recently stated that the nearly invincible minimum Christian ethic on sex has been chastity before marriage, fidelity in marriage with the role of (indistinct). Many years, the distinguished professor of church history of Yale University, being honored as a church historian for having supported many others. And has written a book published by the YMCA Press, entitled, "What Christianity Says About Sex, Love and Marriage." In this book, he affirms the same thing as Dr. Thornton wrote. The church from the outset and throughout her history, and even in the midst of her own divisions has consistently taught that marriage is good. Sex is not evil. Marriage should be with a single partner for life. Well, the credentials of (mumbles indistinctly) are pressing, of course, that I mention (mumbles indistinctly) is simply the representative of many other theologians are the same. Church historians, they have (mumbles indistinctly), but you and I might ask, is there a basis for what they say in the New Testament? It would seem that there is. There are quite a few references in the New Testament of fornication, or of fornicators. Fornication is sexual intercourse between unmarried partners. The reference is to adultery, which is sexual intercourse with married partners, but who are not married to each other. None of these references implying a proof of either fornication, or adultery. Indeed, the Apostle Paul, fairly well represents the new of the entire New Testament in his first letter to the Corinthians, when he says, "Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor adulterers will now inherit the kingdom of God." How does this mean that Christians are to abstain from fornication and adultery, causing some kind of religious law? I want to make it perfectly clear that the answer to that question is certainly negative. The Apostle Paul says it for in the plainest way in his letter to all, is that Christians have been freed from that same law when they identify themselves with the light and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, we lived by the spirit, we serve by grace, not under the (indistinct) law. However, the revelation of the nature of reality and the unfolding of God's creation intention and as seen with Jesus, becomes the understanding of life for every Christian. So, instead of dropping below the ball, this will fulfills the ball. That intention of God's was sex. The concerning of that, Jesus said, "Have you not read that he who created them at the beginning made them male and female?" And said, quote, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and join his wife. And the two shall become one." It follows that they are no longer (indistinct). Jesus gets word to his mother (indistinct) what God himself then has yolked together, man must not separate. Now, some very intelligent people have suggested that this word was just fine, (mumbles indistinctly) given. When there were no contraceptive devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy and no antibiotics to cure venereal disease. But now, in this day of vast technology and vastly improved medical science, the Christian (mumbles indistinctly). Well, (mumbles indistinctly). There might be some reason to think this if the scripture teaching was all set and inferred that such considerations as those were the reasons for the effort. But the interesting thing is that (indistinct) anything which sounds like, thou shalt not commit adultery unless thou become an unhappy (mumbles indistinctly). (pastor mumbles indistinctly) Nor have I read anything in the Bible that sounds like this, thou shalt not commit fornication, unless thou cause an embarrassing pregnancy. No, the considerations of unwanted pregnancy and venereal disease, this concerning (indistinct). They are not seeing the main factors, the biblical principles of rebirth, chastity and (mumbles indistinctly) fidelity. So, by the same token, technological and medical inventions in this area were not all (indistinct). Dr. Peter Burtucky on the back of Lawson University recently said, "The basic argument against extra marital sexual intercourse is untouched by scientific advances." Thus far, I have said sex is created by God and it is good. I have said that the church now, and throughout history has substantially agreed with the scriptures is that God felt is that sex is intended exclusively for a lifetime marriage relationship. Now, I might also imply that there is no voice from the Christian community which speaks a different word. If not, well, this wouldn't be the case. There are some churchman who would make exceptions here and there as we accept more, a few genuine atheists who ran desperately and operated as ordained ministers, merely goers of the church. There really is only one bonafide group of Christians who make exceptions, and the others, they (mumbles indistinctly) given. This one group, though is manifest in three separate departments. So, I shall mention them separately. A group of bikers in England had decided that extra marital sexual intercourse can sometimes be approved. And one of the Presbyterian bodies in the United States recently voted on the statement, which many believe mostly parallel to the English bikers. The third manifestation is out of a small group of theologians, who teach what they call situation ethics. Now, while all three of these voices base their (indistinct) upon elements in the gospel, they would readily acknowledge that their view as a whole represents a departure from both scripture and 1,900 years of Christian witness. It is an intelligent departure, which they make with their eyes open. Each of us has to decide for himself whether to depart with them, or not. It certainly is true, today in a Christian church, with these few exceptions has elected not to make that departure. My own personal reason for not joining these deviated is essentially that it seems undeniable to me that the biblical sex (indistinct) is a part of a given of Christian faith. Part of the real will of God. If I'm going to elect a historic page at all, I must elect in such an understanding. It is a reveal equity not a derived equity (mumbles indistinctly) a derived equity. You see, I am not a bishop now, know that it is more valuable to me as it were for human beings than it were for earthworms. For all we know cosmically, if blindly give a wiser use of our time and energy to labor to prevent the final extinction of whooping cranes and (mumbles) pass and the ivory billed woodpecker to Florida, than to tutor school children in Edgemont. But part of the given and provable assumptions of Christian faith is that humans are more valuable than animals. I either accept that, or reject it, for I cannot prove it, but it is a part of the reveal given of the Christian faith. We understand that God's (mumbles indistinctly). Now, in exactly the same way I know that God calls for pre-marital chastity and both marital fidelity, personally, by faith I accept it and so does the vast majority of the Christian church today and throughout history. Okay, I have time just to mention a third passage of Christian understanding of sex. Sex is not only God's good creation, it's not only intended for consummation supposedly for marriage, but it is to be fully celebrated and enjoyed in marriage. Husbands and wives should cultivate and educate their sexual relationship. Sex in marriage is completely joyous, holy and a lot of clean fun. Now, you know, it would be nice if we could go on then to marriage with the same degree of unanimity on this one as on the other. On half (mumbles indistinctly). See, the keeper of scriptures got us off to a good start, and then, in many instances the church fell into an aestheticism, even (mumbles) for celibacy, which left sex in marriage floundering. The limbo of something that became a regrettable necessity. But in the Hebrew, Christian scriptures, the celebration and enjoyment of sex by husband and wife is everywhere assumed, is nowhere prohibited, and is occasionally urged explicitly. In Proverbs, you read this advice to men. "Rejoice in the wife of thy youth, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times, and be thou ravished always by her love." (pastor mumbles indistinctly) That doesn't sound like any regrettable necessity, any way you read it. But then, we read through centuries of church history that would make one wonder if those churchmen had ever read that scripture passage. Then began the climax of the Victorian, and it got itself installed for much too long as the Christian (mumbles), but the Victorian sex (mumbles) is as flatly un-Christian as hedonism. (mumbles) has pointed out recently that the Hedonist Playboy scene is trying to have a lifetime of sex without falling in love. The Victorian (indistinct) is the opposite of that. Victorians tried to have a lifetime of love without falling into sex. Both are bad. Today, however, the church around the world is the story, the scriptural emphasis upon goodness, marriage sex, and the glory of God. Now, I would like to close with what is perhaps my favorite paragraph on the subject of sex, written by (indistinct), here are his words. "Sex expression means marriage given meaning, which of itself does not (indistinct). Marriage also, by virtue of the structure it provides is able to give sex life a continuity and a stability, which is necessary for the fullest realization of the purposes of (indistinct) sex. So, we come now to this understanding," he says. "Sex means marriage, marriage means sex." Almighty God, our creator and our Father, we require in thy presence. As we contemplate thy creation, open our minds with thy wisdom, and help us become (indistinct) thy presence. (pastor mumbles indistinctly) (holy music) - Oh, Lord (mumbles indistinctly), receive these gifts as a token of our thanksgiving and cause your spirit to come upon us that we may give ourselves to your service and offer faithful prayers for the work of your servants. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen. The Lord bless you with cool heads, a passion for justice and peace, and with His presence wherever you go. (holy music) (holy music) (people chatter indistinctly in the background) - Okay, all right. (people chatter indistinctly in the background) - Like I said, it's so much of what I have to do. Oh, there's a single.