You Are Not Your Own

1 Corinthians 6 

¹² “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. ¹³ “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” ¹⁷ But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. ¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Introduction:

1. The argument - I have the right to do what I want.  12-13

All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. ¹³ “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body

1. The Argument of the Corinthians

“Everything is permissible for me” (lawful)

“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food.”

If I am hungry, I eat. If I have sexual desire, I satisfy it.

I have a desire and Christ has made me free

There is something available that will satisfy my desire

Therefore, I should satisfy it.

2. Paul's response to their argument

All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful.

All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything

• The law of Love
• The law of Liberty

Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other.

3. Culture today argues:

1. My body for my desires
2. My body my choice

2. The Body - your Body belongs to the Lord.  13-14

¹³ “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

1. Your body was made for the Lord.
2. The Lord is for your body.
3. Your body has an eternal destiny.

3. The union - your body is joined to Christ 15-17

¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” ¹⁷ But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

1. Your body is a member of Christ
2. Sexual union is more than just physical
3. Your deepest union is with Christ.

4. The response - Flee Sexual immorality vs 18

¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1. Flee sexual immorality and all other sins.
2. Set boundaries, barriers and accountability.

5. The ownership - you were bought with a price  19-20

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you.

B. You are not your own

1. You are purchased by God so he can do what He wants with His house.
2. This is a much deeper theological truth. Paul is not just trying to get believers to become better moral people.

C. You were bought with a price

1. We are bought free from God's wrath.

Romans 5:9 ⁹ Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

2. We are bought free from Satan

Colossians 2:13-15 ³ And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

3. We are bought free from Sin

1 Peter 1:18-19 ¹⁸ knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

4. We are bought free from Man

Free from self:

2 Corinthians 5:15 ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Free from others:

1 Corinthians 7:23 ²³ You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.

D. You are to glorify God in your body.