why talk about sex?

robert wendt

@robertkwendt || lead pastor

I was walking down the hallway when my phone buzzed. Push notification. Right there in front of my eyes was a news story..."the five things you need to know this week not involving politics." The other words caught my eye..."nude beaches."

No matter where we turn, we are continually being bombarded with messages about the topic of sex. It's in commercials, advertisements, the news, conversations. Sex is always being talked about...but what about in the church?

A study showed one of the main reasons men do not go to church is because they believe Christians are a bunch of prudes.* In other words, Christians do not talk about sex; and if they do, it's in a very inauthentic way.

What if I told you the Bible is full of stories and illustrations about sex? Have you read Song of Songs recently? Sex is addressed in the very first chapter of the Bible (Genesis 1). It's addressed throughout the New Testament writings (see 1 Corinthians 7). Sex is something God designed and wants us to talk about.

So let's start the conversation. Below are the main goals of our upcoming series on sex:

#1 — create conversation

I'm sure there are hundreds of questions that can be asked about sex. Unfortunately, we will not be able to answer each and every question. However, the goal is to create conversation. We want parents to be able to talk with their children. For married couples to talk about their relationships. For single people to think through their future.
(Don't worry—if you miss a week, you can always listen to past messages by clicking here.)

In each bulletin, we'll also provide a discussion guide. This will allow for everyone to consider some questions to discuss in each person's context. Talk about it with your community group, a friend, or someone who wasn't even at church. It's all about having healthy conversation.

#2 — share god's heart

Ultimately, our goal is for everyone to understand God's overarching heartbeat behind creating sex. After all, He's the one who designed it in the first place! In fact, He made us as sexual beings. We have a natural desire toward having sex. Christians are not called to have boring relationships, but are actually encouraged to have really great ones. Christians are not called to be prudes, but we are called to be committed to our spouse. When we follow God's design, we ultimately discover that sex is good and God's design is best!

Sex is good. God's design is best.

#3 — talk about real issues

The series is called Uncensored for a reason. We are not going to be sugarcoating the good and bad sides of sex. We'll do this in a way that keeps all audiences in mind, of course, but want to be real. Here are some of the topics you can anticipate:

- We are created to be sexual beings.
- Sex is pleasurable.
- Sex is powerful.
- Sex is unifying.
- Pornography.
​- Gender identity.
- Human trafficking. (We will even have a special guest join us to talk specifically about this topic.)

Throughout the series, we'll look at how when we stick to God's plan, sex is a wonderful thing. However, straying from that design has led to hurt, slavery, bondage, pain, and addiction. Even when there is so much pain, it is God's desire to free us from the things that have taken a grip on us.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.' (Genesis 1:27-28 NLT)

#4 — invite someone to join you

Why talk about sex right after Easter? It's the perfect time for someone who hasn't connected with church to come and connect. This series is designed to be one that is easy to invite an unchurched friend or neighbor to. In a world crowded with messages, God's message is the most powerful one of all.

It is a message about the power God has entrusted mankind with.
It is a message about the goodness of sex.
It is a message of freedom from bondage.
It is a message of love.

I hope you can bring a friend with you throughout the series.​

The next five weeks are going to be an incredible journey. You can continue to follow along each week by visiting this page to "continue the conversation." A new post is up each Monday evening.


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* David Murrow, Why Men Hate Going to Church, 83.