Facebook Official - Week 4

On Sunday, Gary covered week 4 of the Facebook Official series with “The Sex Talk”.

Here’s what he went over…

1. Sex doesn’t lead to true love.

  • We are surrounded with media, movies, and tv shows that lead us to believe that sex will lead to true love; however, that’s not the reality. Our society has created false expectations of sex, when the reality is that sex before marriage is destructive; check out 1 Corinthians 6:16-18.

2. Sex is the result of true love.

  • God intended sex for marriage as a result of true love. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.” (MSG).

3. Experience God’s love first.

  • The reason we will settle for lame relationships and sex outside of marriage is because we don’t know who God is. Through establishing a relationship with God and learning about him in the Bible, you will be able to better understand how to love and have good relationships with others.

4. Go for and don’t give up on true love.

  • Don’t forget that God has a plan for you. Even though it may be hard to see now, there is someone out there who will give you the love and respect you deserve.

FAQ - Week 3

On Sunday, Jordan and Kyle wrapped up our FAQ series by answering a couple more frequently asked questions.

Here’s what they covered…

Is gambling a sin?

  • Gambling itself is not a sin. It can be a fun and harmless thing as long as it’s not taken too far. Gambling is a sin when it becomes an idol and becomes more than just fun. It can be an addictive thing, and when it is put above other things, especially above God, it is a sin. 1 Timothy 6:10 says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Be careful with gambling because it can just start out as small and fun but can grow into something more. Also be careful where you are gambling; be cautious towards some places where gambling takes place because they may have other bad influences and sins.

Is it wrong to drink alcohol?

  • Drinking alcohol is okay in moderation once you are of legal age. This is another thing to be super careful with, as it can start small and grow into a bigger issue. Ephesians 5:18 says “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Alcohol can slowly start to take over your life and become an idol. Drinking can become something that hinders your relationship with God and others. But when you are of legal age it is okay in small amounts.

Why do people raise their hands in music?

  • There are so many different ways to worship God; one way people express this is by raising their hands. Three main reasons people raise their hands is to surrender, reach to God, and express emotion. While this is a way some people worship God, that doesn’t mean you have to raise your hands. Everyone worships differently and in their own way. God is looking at your heart, not your hands.

Is it okay to live with your boyfriend/girlfriend before you get married?

  • The Bible does not have a specific answer to this exact question, but based on what the Bible does have to say, the answer to this question would be no. It is unhealthy and destructive to live with your boyfriend/girlfriend before you get married. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 says, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” This question is really about how you honor God with your relationship. If you are living together, it is going to be hard to stay away from sexual immorality. God intended sex for marriage, so by not honoring that, it is dishonoring God.

Does forgiving mean I have to forget?

  • Forgiving does not mean you have to forget. After forgiveness you don’t have to act like everything is fine and normal; you still have to face the consequences. It doesn’t mean that you get to treat someone badly, it means moving on. There are two different aspects of forgiveness. The spiritual side; which is where we know God will always forgive us, and between people when we make the decision to forgive someone. And the physical side; when we have to face the consequences for what has happened. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, it means moving on, not holding grudges, and living life in a new way.

FAQ - WEEK 2 - Speaking in Tongues, Tattoos, and Homosexuality

On Sunday, Gary continued our FAQ series by answering some questions that were text in this past week.

Here’s what he answered…

Related to Maveryke’s “My Story” video, what is “speaking in tongues”? (If you haven’t seen Maveryke’s story, check it out by clicking HERE)

  • Speaking in tongues is basically praying aloud in “gibberish” or in a way that no one else can understand. Tongues is real, but meant to be used with a seat belt. Tongues can be a weird thing for someone unfamiliar with it, and God would rather us be understood than nobody know what is going on. Speaking in tongues can give an exclusive vibe rather than an inclusive one. This is a gift that is better practiced in private, or to honor God, and not to self glorify. To see what the Bible directly says about speaking in tongues, check out 1 Corinthians 14: 5, 13, 16, 18, 23 (VOICE).

Should a Christian have a tattoo?

  • The Bible does have a verse that says to not mark yourself with tattoos (Leviticus 19:28), but it also has a verse right before it that says not to cut the hair at your temples or trim your beard (Leviticus 19:27). It is important to look at the context of these verses. They were referring to people who were doing these things in acts of idolatry and honoring false gods. So idolatry is the issue, not just a tattoo. Tattoos can be a cool way to honor God with your body. Some questions you should ask yourself if considering tattoos are: Do I want this on me forever? Why? Why do I want to get a tattoo? This is the heart check point; are you getting a tattoo for the right reason?

Can those who struggle with homosexuality be a Christian?

  • From what Gary has found in the Bible and research he has done, he 100% believes that someone who is tempted and struggles with homosexuality can be a Christian.The Bible does say that it is a sin to practice homosexuality. The word practice is super important; it means that a person is pursuing that sin and living it out. Homosexuality is just like any other sin. Some people are more tempted to homosexuality, just like some are more tempted to lie, have sex before marriage, cheat, or steal. We have to recognize that every one of us is in this list of sins in scripture that homosexuality is in (1 Corinthians 6:9-12). Just like having to work hard to overcome any sin we are struggling with, it is the same with homosexuality. Our sin doesn’t define us, Jesus redefines us.

Be sure to be there this Sunday for our last week of the FAQ series!