Precious Purity - Engagement
God's standard for engagement is purity and holiness, and compromising our spiritual lives will lead to spiritual unfaithfulness and judgment.
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in engagements, urging young people to seek God's guidance in choosing a spouse rather than succumbing to worldly standards of beauty and indulgence. He warns against the consequences of unfaithfulness and the inevitability of sin being revealed, using the example of a young man who married a beautiful woman only to discover her infidelity. Stegen stresses that true faith requires a complete separation from sin and a sincere commitment to Jesus, as unrepentant hearts will face dire consequences. He calls for self-examination and repentance, reminding listeners that God despises wickedness and that one cannot claim to know Christ while living in sin. The sermon serves as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of spiritual fidelity and the need for a pure heart before the Lord.
Text
2Cor 11:2, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
When our young people get engaged, we do not follow the tradition of the world, whether they be Zulus or Europeans. We follow and uplift God's standard where young people get engaged in purity and holiness. In the worldly tradition engagement goes together with partying and drunkenness.
A Christian young man should pray that God would show him who his wife must be. He should not look at beauty but at the girl who fears God. Only a girl who fears the Lord can be trusted, as we read in Prov 19:14, "Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD."
A certain young man said that he won't seek God's will to obtain a wife, but will look for a "pretty peach" himself. And he married a very beautiful girl.
Shortly after the marriage she complained of stomach pains and they rushed her to a doctor. It was revealed that she was expecting a child by another man. God brought her sin to light. As sure as there is a God in heaven all your sin will be brought to light. God specialises in bringing sin to light. The husband came to see me. He was white as a sheet. He couldn't believe that his "pretty peach" had a big worm inside.
There are women who are unfaithful to their husbands. If you compromise in your spiritual life, loving Jesus and money, sport, slander, lies, anger - then you are like an unfaithful woman with two men.
How will your Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, find you? The Samaritan woman in John 4 had had five men and the one she was living with was another woman's husband. You can fool men, but not the One with eyes like blazing fire. You will have to face Him. Unless you repent and ruthlessly separate from sin it will be visited upon you and your offspring. God hates wickedness.
You cannot claim to have had a meeting with Jesus and still flirt with sin from time to time.
John, the beloved apostle, fell down as dead before Jesus when he saw Him in His glory and power. Woe to you if you should meet Him in your unrepentant state, taking sin lightly. Allow God's Word to pierce your heart, lest you end in hell.
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Standard for Engagement
- A. Purity and holiness are essential
- B. Christians should not follow worldly traditions
- II. Seeking God's Will for a Spouse
- A. Pray for guidance
- B. Look for a partner who fears God
- III. Consequences of Compromise
- A. Sin will be brought to light
- B. Compromise leads to spiritual unfaithfulness
- IV. Meeting Jesus
- A. He sees everything
- B. Repentance is necessary for salvation
Key Quotes
“You will have to face Him. Unless you repent and ruthlessly separate from sin it will be visited upon you and your offspring.” — Erlo Stegen
“God specialises in bringing sin to light.” — Erlo Stegen
“You cannot claim to have had a meeting with Jesus and still flirt with sin from time to time.” — Erlo Stegen
Application Points
- Pray for guidance in seeking God's will for a spouse.
- Look for a partner who fears God and is committed to purity and holiness.
- Repent and separate from sin to avoid facing God's judgment.