Dating, Relationships, Marriage and Sex

GODLY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX - “God thought up and created two sexes. It is his idea.” – Dean Sherman. The Kingdom of God is based on relationships (and almost every problem on the planet arises out of bad relationships). Relationships are top priority to God (Mat. 22:37-39). Jesus came and died to restore a relationship between God and people. The entire Bible (both OT and NT) involves covenants, commitments, friendships and relationships. John. 17 - Jesus said the world would know his church by the love they have for each other. There are God given rules for relationships. Godly relationships are fulfilling, real, and produce good fruit. Selfish relationships (self on the throne) produce almost every problem on the planet. Jesus said the entire law is wrapped up in loving him and each other (Mat.22:37-40). God’s relationship rules (1 Cor.13:4-8): Love 1Is patient, 2 kind, 3doesn’t envy, 4doesn’t “parade” self (show off), 5isn’t puffed up (proud), 6isn’t rude, 7doesn’t seek own interests, 8isn’t be provoked, 9bears all things, 10believes all things (believes the best, not worst ~ gossip), 11doesn’t rejoice in evil (isn’t happy about others’ downfalls), 12rejoices in the truth (of who they are in Christ), 13hopes all things, 14endures all things (keeps on loving when it is hard to), 15Love Never Fails!! 4 different types of loves (C.S Lewis). 1Affection, 2Friendship (should be “Agape” or unconditional), 3Mariage (a married man and woman, this also involves agape, but there is more to it than that!!!) and 4Relationship with God. All 4 areas involve Attraction (Attraction is an emotion which involves admitting something is nice and beautiful compared to lust which is choosing to selfishly use, desire or gratify). You can be attracted to a pizza or to a kitten (Affection), guys and gals as friends, your spouse (I hope you will be) and God. Don’t Be Bamboozled!!! Fact: You will be attracted to different individuals. Attraction does not = Romance. Letting attraction lead you will get you into more trouble than you can imagine. You are not an emotion (you are a spirit, you have a soul (emotions, desires, feelings, thought life, intellect and appetites) and you live in a body. Knowing your true identity will affect your relationships. Fact: Attraction is a feeling, which can be good or bad depending on who is on the throne. Attraction should never lead you; you lead it (decide what you allow yourself to be attracted to i.e.to God, to your husband or wife, to the Word; Not to a T.V model). Don’t be fooled by mystical feelings (“If I see her today I’m supposed to be with her”). Romance is God’s idea! God created the 2 sexes with a “need” for each other – don’t deny this but seek God’s wisdom in it (1Cor.1:25, James 1:5). Gen.2:18 - God describes the importance of the male-female relationship. The entire book of Song of Solomon discusses romance, marriage and sex. God says marriage and sex are great and satisfying (Heb.13:4, Pr.5:18-19). A romantic relationship between a man and a woman is why we’re alive and here tonight! God created us with romantic desires and He wants to fulfill those in the correct way – the best and most satisfying way. Trying to do romance our own way causes tons of problems. Divorce – no one ever originally plans on getting divorced. Unplanned pregnancies – force unexpected responsibility. STDs – which can