The Seventh Word

Introduction

We live in a day where a young child is more likely to see pornography in elementary school than learn punctuation in sentences. The gross sexual immorality in our day has been noted and commented on. I know I’ve preached against it. We’re even talking about how to fight against it on Sunday nights. However, we need to be reminded that the fight for sexual purity is not a fight unique to our age. Throughout every age of the church, obeying the seventh commandment has been a major focus. Kevin DeYoung estimates that close to 90% of the sin issues brought up in church have to deal with this commandment. This shows us that the Devil’s favorite attack against us is his onslaught against marriage and sex.

The Passage

You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14

Explain the Passage

Like last week, this commandment is simple. However, there’s a lot packed into this little verse. For example, adultery by definition assumes the institution of marriage. A primary purpose of the seventh word is to protect the covenant bond of marriage and family. This command also reveals that God has jurisdiction over our private lives. The Old Testament further prohibits sexual relationships with other members of your family (Lev 18; 20:11-12), animals (Lev 18:23; 20:15-16), or members of your same sex (Lev 18:22; 20:13).

Sex and Marriage for the Glory of God

When you and I make examples and parables, we think it’s a victory when someone understands the point we’re trying to make. But when God makes a parable for His son’s love for the church, He makes new immortal souls that will live forever. The purpose of sex isn’t pleasure but promise. God has made promises of blessing to all the generations.

The ultimate reason God desires us all to have a right view of sex, marriage, and the family is because it’s all an allegory for understanding our place in God’s world. God gives us lists of do nots because His gifts of do are so much better. Do not commit adultery but be fruitful and multiply.

Contrary to popular culture, the purpose of sex is not personal fulfillment. Today, society speaks of sex as needs, identities, and attractions. It’s all about you. But biblically, sex is God’s gift to the covenant of the family. When sex is respected in the way God intended, new life springs into existence. But when you use the gift of sex outside of God’s design, you’re breaking the 8th word (stealing), breaking the 2nd word (making a mockery of God’s images), and breaking the 1st word (refusing to worship God). So, if you’re carrying guilt for sexual sin, confess your sins to God and repent. If you want help to fight these sins, please ask to meet with me sometime this week.

Images of Christ and His Church

A powerful and lifelong evangelism technique is to make marriage great again. When husbands and wives are joyfully faithful to one another, they become walking, talking images of Christ and His church. Since we desire to make much of Jesus, let’s make much of marriage. Here’s some machine gun fire on how.

Husbands, take responsibility for your home. Adam was responsible for protecting the garden of Eden and protecting his wife. His negligence led to the serpent entering the garden. His cowardice led to Eve eating the forbidden fruit with his wife. He should have not eaten the fruit and took the punishment for Eve’s sin on himself. Why? Because that’s what Christ did for His bride. Husbands, model Christ by taking responsibility for the sin in your home.

Husbands, give your life sacrificially for your family. You are not Christ, but you do get to model His joyful service (Heb 12:2) in how you give yourself to your family. Come home ready to serve, not ready to be served. Prioritize daily family supper as a family. Read the bible out loud before supper or before bed. Be the hardest person in the family to offend and the easiest person in the family to crack a smile. Be like Christ your king: first in, last out, laughing loudest.

Wives, submit joyfully to your husband. Encourage him when he develops a vision for the family. Make the home a place he wants to come to, not a place he wants to avoid. You are your husband’s helper. When he sins against you, wait until you can talk about it to him without you emotionally manipulating him. While you’re waiting, decide if this is a sin that you should cover with grace or if this is a sin your husband should kill for the good of himself and the family. For example, when your husband leaves the toilet seat up and when he jokes with you harshly like you’re one of the guys, he’s not living with you in an understanding way. One them is a sin you should cover and another is a sin you should respectfully bring to his attention. When you address it to him, do so in a very respectful way (like you would a boss). Men respond to respect like women respond to love. When you want your husband to know you love him, respect him instead.

Parents, prepare your children for marriage. Teach your daughters the traits of godly women and your sons traits of godly men. Teach your sons how to act like the kind of men you want your ideal daughter-in-law to marry. Teach your daughters how to act like the kind of women you want your ideal son-in-law to marry. Model for them how to have a joyful, godly, and productive marriage.

Churches, we also need to make marriage great again. This is mainly the job of older saints in the church. Stop talking about wives as the old ball and chain and stop talking about husbands like their idiots. Take up Paul’s instructions in Titus 2:

2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Titus 2:2–5

Older men, model Christ and be an example for younger husbands. Be level-headed, not a worry wart. Be worthy of respect, not the negative Nancy or class clown. Be self-controlled, not obsessed with your retirement trips. Stay battle ready in your faith, love, and endurance as a Christian. Older women, encourage the young wives to be good wives. Stop encouraging them to be grumblers and complainers.

Conclusion

Marriage is a great and powerful gift. However, our marriages are not eternal (Luke 20:27-36). The marriage between Christ and the church is.