I have been speaking a lot at h2o (my church) lately and this Thursday I get the honor and privilege of talking about the subject everyone loves to discuss, no not algebra, sex. I don't know about you, but for a lot of people talking about sex in church seems a bit strange, I mean isn't that personal? But, when you really think about it, what better place then church to talk about one the world's most misunderstood subject. All this thinking about sex has really got fired up about a few things.

1. why do we think Hollywood knows more about sex then the church and God for that matter?

2. how many young people have bought into the lie that sex has no strings attached and no consequences?

3. why do people think sex can't be talked about at church?

The Bible is clear sex is a great thing created by God, and it is to be done well and done often. But, only in the right context, and that is in a committed marriage. Outside of that context, sex can be devastating and it can damage your soul in a way that our mind can't comprehend.

It is kinda like fire. What an awesome discovery, where would the world be without fire. We cook with it, heat our homes, sterilize things, burn unnecessary items, and a lot more it is great. But, when it gets out of control, look out. It can ruin lives, burn down homes that have taken years to build in a matter of seconds, it can even kill. Both sex and fire are extremely dangerous in the wrong context.

But, here is the good news, God can restore a person who has let sex ruin their lives in a matter of seconds. No matter how many mistakes we have made God can wipe our slate clean because of his great mercy. Like the Psalmist tells us �as far as the East is from the West so far has he removed our transgressions from us" ~Psalm 103:12. Sure there are still consequences here in this life, but our standing before God can be completely pure when we come to him and ask for His forgiveness.

If we can't talk about sex in the church then we have a problem, because we can't separate parts of our lives from our faith. Besides God may know a little bit about the subject, after all he did create it in the first place.  

Love

I met my first communist yesterday. Sure I have met people before that claim to be communist, the hippy professor�the angry teenager�the radical college student. But, yesterday I met a true red card carrying communist from China. It was the most interesting, sad, stimulating, confusing, and meaningful conversation I have had in a long time.

My friend and I met Jan (that isn�t her real name) on a trip that we took. It soon became apparent she wanted to learn about Christianity. When we sat down I knew it was going to be a great conversation, she was sweet and polite and full of questions and so were we, full of questions that is.

So we asked he about China, what was she raised to believe? What was life like? How did she end up in America? And after talking for a while we got to the good stuff, her faith. She told of how she was always taught to believe in Materialism. That there is nothing more to life than what you see. There is a logical explanation for everything, and if you want something you have no one to rely on but yourself to make it happen. O.K. I thought, that is not that weird many Americans believe the same stuff.

But, she ended her statement with something very interesting. Jan explained, �that is what we are taught to believe, but there is something missing, I know that not everything can be explained, there has to be a supernatural side to life.� I told her that is what we believe and that in fact is what the Bible says. So I went into my explanation of Christianity she said she didn�t know much about the Bible but she had read the whole New Testament, more than a lot of Christians can say. As I was sharing she said, �that reminds me of a story, where Jesus forgave a adulterous woman even though many wanted to stone her. (John 8)� Right, I said, that is exactly what I mean.

Then as I was sharing she told to the two professors she had in China who were from America and who were Christians, she was very impressed by them, and one of them even gave her a Bible. She told of the �little white church� she went to in Connecticut with her friend and how impressed she was by the faith of those who worshiped there. �It was nothing like the church I went to in China that was run by the government, she said, they seemed to really be worshiping.� She told of the Christian organization that helped her get settled into her new home and gave her free furniture with no strings attached, and she said I am just really impressed with Christianity.

For myself, someone in ministry, I was proud of the people who had ministered to Jan. This is amazing, I thought, what a story, now I have the easy part just share Christ with her, and all the love and sacrifice of the others before you will help lead her to Christ. If there is ever someone who is ready to become a Christian it is Jan, she understood, she experienced, and she was open to all Christ did for her.

So I finished explaining the gospel, all that Christ had done for her, and how she can have forgiveness for her sins and enter into a relationship with the God of the universe, if she just puts her trust in Christ. I said, �Jan if you want you can make that decision right now, you can become a Christian right here with us at this moment, if it is what you desire.�

She looks at me with big brown eyes, �right now?� �Yes, I say,� �You don�t understand she replies.� �To become a Christian for me is not that easy.� �What do you mean,� I inquire. �Here in America it is easy and it is great for the Chinese people who live here, but for me I would have to give up everything. I would affect many people around me, my family would be very angry, I would have to leave the Communist party which means I would not be able to get good jobs or promotions. It is just not that easy.�

Wow, what do I say, she is right I have no clue how hard it would be. So we talk a little more, and I try to let her know how important of a decision she has and I ask her to continue reading the Bible and to keep thinking about if it is worth it for what Christ did for her. She said she certainly will and she wants to get together and discuss the Bible whenever she can and meet other Americans. We said that would be great and if we were ever in the area we would talk, and of course we can e-mail.

As the conversation ends and Jan leaves I am in shock, my faith is not so cozy anymore. In fact, it seems pretty radical, I just asked a girl to give up all the comfort that someone can have in China and embrace a sacrificial life. I can�t help but ask myself and my wife if we are sacrificing in the same way I asked Jan to. I can�t help but go home and ask, Am I an American Christian, or am I a global Christian, would I be willing to trust in Christ if I was in Jan�s shoes. I hope and I hope that she is too.

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple.� ~Luke 14:26