It Was Addressed

I just finished preaching a four week series on sex, love, and relationships from a Biblical perspective called Addressing It.
At first, some were apprehensive about the idea of such things being spoken of from the platform of the local church. Some were ok with it, as long as it wasn’t spoke of on a Sunday (which it was).
But people came to listen to a young, thirty year-old, so-called pastor teach on the controversial topic.
And when people started to hear words like sex, stimulation, dating, fornication, sexuality, lust, desire, intimacy, pornography, perversion, slab of meat, oral sex, and homosexuality from the podium of the church; something interesting happened- there was a simultaneous sigh of relief from those gathered. Finally, someone was willing to address it with them! Finally, it became relevant how the Word of God and one’s sexuality intertwined. Finally, people were liberated by realizing that they are not alone in their struggles. Finally, the Body of Christ was willing to stand with those who were confused and struggling.
After each message, I had the elderly come up and say,” I wish someone would have told me this when I was younger.” I had those living in sexual sin receive the Word of God with open hearts and coming back hungry for more. I had people spurned on to sexual purity. I had young people seeking their hearts about what they should pursue in their relationships. I had people abiding in sexual immorality hug me and tell me that these were the best messages they had ever heard. I had wives desperately asking what to do if they were the spiritual head of their house instead of their husband. I had husbands admit that their marriages were in shambles and that they desperately needed a move of God to transform their circumstances. I even got a letter from someone who adheres to a completely different religion, who had heard about our series, praising us for our boldness to address these vital topics. The testimonies could go on and on…
I am honored that God called me to preach this series, and I am thrilled that He used it to touch so many lives.
I hated every minute of prepping and speaking these messages because they were just so awkward and brutal. But I am so excited to address these issues again and frequently with my Church Body so that they can be prepared for whatever the world throws at them!