Never
preach against any sexual behavior without equally sharing the wonderful hope,
grace, mercy, pardon, and victory available for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Always be aware that whichever sexual sin you preach about was probably done
by people who are hearing your sermon. Did they hear any message of hope from
you?
As
a preacher and pastor who is delicately dealing with such difficult topics,
your main goal is to help your people get past the hiding of their sexual suffering
or sin.
They
have gut-wrenching stories to tell! As one woman told me: “What they did to
me is not even done to dogs!” Preach in such a way that these wounded people
will come to you and express their hurt, shame, anger, fear, or guilt to you.
It was so exhilarating and liberating for David to finally come clean in Psalms
32 and 51. People need to confess their sin or pain to their preacher.
Help them. They have silently suffered long enough and gave up hope that they
could ever be normal. Their lives were turned upside down by someone else’s
or their own sexual sin. Like the women who were sexually violated and abused
in 2 Samuel 13 or Judges 19, there are women in your church who weep bitterly
and feel they are worthless and disgraced. Like the sexual assault and humiliation
described in Genesis 34, there are men and women in your church who are consumed
with grief and rage. The sexually wounded and addicted come see you every Sunday
but will they ever hear you preach that God can help even them in their deepest
need of sexual confusion?
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Let
us open our eyes unto the harvest but let’s also examine the wreckage! Like
your Master, may you be freshly anointed to preach the good news of healing
for the broken-hearted and freedom for the prisoners of today’s sexual revolution!
_________________
Sam
Serio is a Christian counselor and director of Heal My Hurts ministry in Alpharetta,
GA.
_________________
Here
is a personal checklist to consider as you prepare your sermons:
Your
voice? Listen to how you preach. George Whitfield said “Every minister
must be a Boanerges, a son of thunder — as well as a Barnabas, a son of
consolation.” Can you do both, in the same sermon?
Eye
contact? Look directly into people’s eyes when you’re preaching on a more
emotional tone or sexual topic. Make it easier for them to confide in you, later
on.
Gestures
and posture? If you look uptight, your people will be uptight too. Smile.
Lean forward towards your people. Extend your arms and reach out with open hands.
You don’t have to clench your fists; that doesn’t make you look very approachable.
Leave
the pulpit area? Since some people get upset at any sexual language from
a pulpit, leave that fortress and walk towards or amidst your congregation.