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1 Corinthians 7:1-9 – 1 Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another — except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 - 8 I say to the unmarried: It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire.

SERMON TITLE: “THE PURPOSE OF INTIMACY”

1. SEX IS A *GIFT, BUT OUTSIDE OF GOD’S DESIGN IT IS *DESTRUCTIVE

God’s Purpose for Sex in Marriage:

1. Unity – Ephesians 5:31

- “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

2. Pleasure & Joy – Proverbs 5:18–19

- “Take pleasure in the wife of your youth… intoxicated with her love.”

3. Procreation – Genesis 1:28

- “God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth,...”

2. DEPRIVATION CREATES *DISTANCE BUT INTIMACY BUILDS *DEFENSE

1 Corinthians 7:2-5 – 2 But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another — except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.