Sex
Gravity – Week 3: Sex
In this powerful message, Pastor CJ Ward tackles one of the most significant and emotionally charged subjects in our culture—sex and sexuality. Grounded in Scripture and presented with compassion, clarity, and conviction, CJ invites the church to examine how our cultural values around sex can pull us away from God’s good design.
With honesty and vulnerability, he opens by addressing the shame often attached to the topic. Many people avoid this conversation entirely or carry silent regret and pain. However, CJ insists that shame thrives in secrecy, and freedom begins when we bring everything into the light—especially our struggles with sex and sexuality.
“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Genesis and God’s Original Design
CJ anchors the message in Genesis 2:19–25, recounting the story of Adam, Eve, and the creation of marriage. God declared that “the two shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), describing a union not only of bodies but of hearts and souls. In the garden, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed—fully known and fully loved.
Sex, in God’s design, is about intimacy, bonding, unity, and covenant. It is meant to occur within the sacred space of marriage between one man and one woman for life.
“Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
This is the foundation for the Christian sexual ethic:
Sex is a sacred act
Marriage is a sacred covenant
Intimacy is a gift to be protected
The Lie of Unlimited Desire
CJ warns about how our culture equates a fulfilled life with fulfilled desires. We’re told we can have whatever we want—and we should. But this is a lie. One of the cultural gravities pulling us down is the belief that sexual fulfillment equals personal fulfillment.
“Our cultural anchor tells us that a fulfilled life is fulfilled desires.”
This belief shows up in countless ways:
Dating without boundaries
Viewing pornography as harmless
Justifying infidelity in the name of “unmet needs”
Treating sex like a commodity instead of a covenant
CJ reminds the church that Scripture doesn’t affirm this freedom-without-limits mentality. Instead, it gives us holy boundaries—not because sex is bad, but because it’s good and sacred.
Pornography and Its Devastation
CJ devotes significant time to dismantling the myth that pornography is harmless. He points out:
Porn is directly linked to human trafficking
Consent cannot be given in perpetuity, undermining human dignity
Porn re-wires the brain like addictive drugs
Porn increases shame, loneliness, and intimacy disorders
This isn’t about being prudish—it’s about protecting something valuable. As CJ says, “We don’t protect sex because it’s dirty; we protect it because it’s sacred.”
Why Boundaries Matter
God gives us boundaries for sex not to restrict us, but to bless us. Healthy boundaries are how we protect sacred things.
“Not every boundary is about something being bad. Sometimes a boundary exists to protect something that’s good.”
Within marriage, sex is designed to bond two people together through physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. That unity is disrupted when we bond to multiple people or pursue sex outside of God’s covenant.
“Sex is the act of becoming one flesh.”
All Sexual Activity Outside of Marriage Is Sin
CJ doesn’t shy away from hard truths. He explains that the Bible does not differentiate between degrees of sexual sin the way we often do. Whether it’s pornography, premarital sexual activity, or infidelity, all are deviations from God’s intent.
“All sexual activity outside of marriage is considered sin.”
That said, he is careful to explain that not all sin has the same repercussions. While all sin requires the same forgiveness, some sins cause more damage than others. Using a visual example with diverging arrows, CJ shows that the farther we move from God’s intent, the more healing will be needed—but God’s forgiveness covers all.
Abuse and Grace
One of the most compassionate parts of the sermon is when CJ clearly states:
“If you were sexually abused, you are not guilty of that action.”
God does not hold us responsible for sins committed against us. Where the enemy tries to use abuse to define our identity with shame, God speaks love, dignity, and restoration.
“Restoration is found in Jesus, not in our ability to be perfect.”
The Call to Holiness
We intuitively understand that self-denial for the sake of something better is noble. Whether it’s running a marathon or living celibate for Christ, discipline brings life.
In marriage, this means denying selfishness and pursuing intimacy. Outside of marriage, it means trusting God’s plan enough to deny sexual desire and seek Jesus as our fulfillment.
“Jesus fulfills our lives, not our desire.”
Final Questions to Reflect On
CJ closes the message by asking two powerful questions every Christian must consider:
Do I actually believe that Jesus does not see me through the lens of my past?
Can I trust that Jesus is my fulfillment so I can deny desires in order to be fulfilled in Him?
A Word of Hope and Freedom
CJ ends with this simple but profound truth:
“God forgives, heals, and restores our sexual brokenness.”
No matter what your story includes—regret, struggle, addiction, or abuse—there is no shame in Jesus. He offers healing, wholeness, and hope for every heart.
Key Scriptures:
Genesis 2:19–25
Romans 8:1
Song of Solomon (various passages)
1 Corinthians 6:18–20
Hebrews 13:4
Ephesians 5:3
Matthew 5:28
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