Corinth And Human Sexuality

Summary

Pastor Frank Winans presents a Christian teaching on human sexuality, using the church in ancient Corinth as a case study. His central claim is that sexuality is a valuable part of God’s creation, intended to be expressed within marriage. He argues that this teaching is meant not to restrict people but to protect them, and that people who regret their sexual past can find forgiveness and a new identity in Jesus.

Main Ideas

• The Corinthian Christians were learning to live out their faith in a challenging culture. The pastor describes Corinth as a wealthy port city with a reputation for sexual immorality, including prostitution associated with the worship of Aphrodite. He says the new Christian community had serious problems and was still immature in its faith. Understanding their background, he argues, helps explain the issues Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians.

• The Corinthians asked Paul for guidance about sexuality. The sermon focuses on 1 Corinthians 7:1–2, presenting Paul’s response as a call to sexual faithfulness within marriage. The pastor frames the question as one the church still needs to ask: How should Christians understand sexuality and live it out?

• Sexuality is presented as good, powerful, and created by God. The pastor points to Genesis and the Song of Solomon to argue that the Bible does not treat marital sexuality as shameful. He describes it as physical, emotional, and spiritual, and as a source of intimacy and joy in marriage.

• The sermon’s central boundary is marriage. Drawing on the repeated phrase in Song of Solomon, “Do not awaken love until it’s time,” the pastor says sexual intimacy should be reserved for marriage. He uses an analogy to atomic energy: the same powerful thing can be constructive or destructive depending on how it is used.

• Sexual choices can have lasting consequences. The pastor argues that sex outside marriage can cause emotional pain, damage trust, create unwanted pregnancies, and affect families. He shares stories of young people hurt by relationships they thought were loving and of a man facing long-term financial responsibilities after a one-night stand.

• The body has spiritual significance. In 1 Corinthians 6:15–20, Paul’s teaching is presented as a challenge to the idea that the body is unimportant. The pastor emphasizes that Christians’ bodies belong to Christ and are temples of the Holy Spirit, so believers should “honor God with” their bodies and flee sexual immorality.

• Past sexual mistakes do not define a person’s identity. Quoting 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, the pastor emphasizes the words “you were washed” and “you were sanctified.” He says that, in Christian belief, Jesus offers forgiveness and cleansing, and a person’s identity is found in Christ rather than in past actions or sexual identity.

Practical Guidance

• Learn before making consequential choices. The pastor uses Proverbs 5 to encourage listening to wisdom and instruction rather than learning only through painful experience.

• Avoid situations that invite sexual unfaithfulness. Proverbs 5:7–8 is applied as advice to keep distance from people, places, or websites that may threaten a marriage. The sermon contrasts resisting temptation with fleeing sexual immorality: in this area, leaving or shutting down the situation is described as strength, not weakness.

• Protect and invest in marriage. Proverbs 5:15–19 is used to encourage spouses to cherish one another, remain faithful, and direct their attention and intimacy toward their marriage. Hebrews 13:4 is cited in support of honoring marriage and keeping the marriage bed pure.

• Teach children intentionally. Parents and grandparents are urged to talk with children about sexuality rather than leaving the subject entirely to schools or popular culture. Two illustrations are offered:

  • A mother compares sexuality to three kinds of cups—disposable, ordinary, and precious—with the last representing its value and the care with which it should be treated.
  • The pastor describes taking his son to Las Vegas to discuss the sexual messages encountered there, and reading the Song of Solomon and Proverbs 5 with him.

• Apply the teaching with humility and grace. The pastor acknowledges that no one has lived perfectly and defines sin as missing God’s mark. He closes by urging believers to seek God’s guidance, honor their bodies, and remember the possibility of forgiveness and renewal.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Pastor Frank Winans — the sermon’s speaker.
• The Bible, especially:
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9–20 and 7:1–2
  • Song of Solomon
  • Proverbs 5
  • Hebrews 13:4
  • Genesis
  • Malachi 2:15
  • 1 Corinthians 1:26
  • 1 Corinthians 13:11
• The Apostle Paul — quoted and discussed as the author of the Corinthians letters.
• Michael Anthony and Michelle — referenced in an anecdote about discussing sexuality with their daughter.
• Tina Turner — referenced through the song “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”