Comments on: Can a Sermon on Sex Lead to Life Change?

By: Jim W

Jim W — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:32:38 +0000

And that jailer that Paul and Silas witnessed to was different how? He wasn't worried about the bills? He wasn't concerned about his family? Since he probably worshiped Zeus or Jupiter, I rather doubt he cared about Christians, except to wonder what all the fuss was about. You still haven't told anyone how meeting his felt needs does anything at all to witness to his eternal soul.

By: Tim Stevens

Tim Stevens — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:30:06 +0000

And we should reply the same way when we are sitting in the same room with the guy asking the question. But of course, your analogy is ridiculous.

We aren’t talking about people who are asking “what must I do to be saved?” We are talking about people who are paying bills and raising families and working long hours and have absolutely no interest in Jesus or religion—and certainly no interest in Christians. But they do need help with their kids. And their marriage. And yes, maybe even they have confusion about their sex life. How do we get that guy to a point where he is asking the same question as the jailer? We show him the love of Jesus. That is…we meet his needs.

By: Andrew DeLoach

Andrew DeLoach — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:29:53 +0000

I can only imagine Paul and Silas in prison, when the jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Paul: What do you think, Silas?
Silas: If you don’t offer something he needs, he won’t follow us. If he doesn't follow us, you can’t teach him the truth. So you should identify his needs.
Paul: But isn't his "need" to hear the Gospel?
Silas: Not yet. If you don't meet his needs first, he won't listen. But if you meet his needs, the odds increase significantly that he will hear how much he matters to God, and he just might respond. Tell him about sex.
Paul: Good thinking!

Thank God Paul and Silas (and Barnabas, Peter, and the rest of the Apostles) didn't worry about meeting needs, and instead replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

By: Chris Rosebrough

Chris Rosebrough — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:13:44 +0000

Tiger Woods is experiencing all kinds of 'life change' right now and he's doing it all without Jesus.

Jesus has called the church to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:46-48) NOT life change.

By: David Ravell

David Ravell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:06:27 +0000

There is a remarkable assumption being made that a church that believes and teaches the Bible's teaching on sex does not also teach about Christ's sacrifice, the gift of salvation, and how to get it. I have never attended Tim's church yet I have listened to those things being taught simply by watching a video of services. It's the easiest research project you could ever undertake.
I have a question: If teaching on sex is not important, why did the Holy Spirit inspire that teaching and include it in the Holy Scriptures? Should we tear out those pages? If we believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, then we better teach all of it. I for one am not going to tell God his teaching on sex is not relevant.

By: Jim W

Jim W — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:54:43 +0000

There is only one thing important, and it isn't a better sex life. Christ's sacrifice on our behalf is the only thing that matters.
I understand that people don't want to be condemned. Trouble is, we all have a death sentence hanging over our heads, and unless someone tells us, we'll never know. We'll also never know what was done to mitigate that sentence unless someone tells us. We'll also never know how to receive the free gift unless someone tells us. But as long as we have "spiritual" guest speakers, money-managers, and better sex lives, most people will never hear the real good news.
What could possibly be better than telling someone they have been pardoned of their crimes against God? That is what matters.

By: H

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:05:36 +0000

People don't want to be condemned. Telling them they're going to hell isn't a very effective way to get them in the doors, they're just going to get angry and make sure to stay out. By speaking about what is important to them, you're showing them that they matter, and that you care about them.
"Christ's death and resurrection isn't relevant?" –that is not the question, the question is how are you going to teach them about Christ's death and resurrection in a way that a person who has never gone to church before will understand.

By: Jim W

Jim W — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:51:15 +0000

So, what about telling them they are dying and going to an eternal torment unless they repent and trust Christ as their Savior? That isn't enough to get people in the doors? Salvation from eternal damnation isn't "sexy" enough? Christ's death and resurrection isn't relevant?

By: Cy

Cy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:08:10 +0000

We are 2 1/2 years into a church plant. A huge portion of our regular attenders stem from our “Sexy Sundays” series in February 2009.

I guess the Church should be talking about what people are thinking about.

By: Jay Gonsalves

Jay Gonsalves — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:16:32 +0000

Tim, I really like the "feed 'em what they're hungry for" approach. I'm finding that the men in our church are particularly hungry to have someone believe they matter; that they are necessary and that they can be champions. They don't necessarily have to be rock stars or olympic medalists or even very good at being good but they want to know that within them is a spark of greatness that Jesus is willing to stir to living fire; and that somebody noticed.
Jay Gonsalves