!

1 Corinthians 7:17-40! Live as You Are Called"

"
I. " Introduction:! The grass is always greener on the other side. This saying

applies to many situations, but I think it is especially true when it comes to singleness and marriage. At the small Christian college that I attended, a popular saying that described the attitude of the students was ring by spring. In other words, they were scrambling to get married as soon as they could. In contrast, many married people view their marriages as a terrible burden that they would like to get out of. Men call their wives the ole ball and chain and resent being trapped by their wives." " In contrast to this, in todays passage, the Apostle Paul gives

us a much different way of viewing our status as single or married. In light of the gospel, such things as ones marital status are secondary compared to the surpassing greatness of serving Christ. Therefore, Christians should be content with their current marital status, because God has called us to serve in our current circumstances, and both marriage and singleness have a legitimate place in the Christian life.!

!2

II. Body" ! ! " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " A. God has called us to serve him in our current ! circumstances (v. 17-24).! " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 1. God has assigned our present circumstances to us." " " " " " " " " " " " " a. [L]et each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches (v. 17)." b. God has sovereignly ordained your current " position in life." " " i. There is nothing that is outside his " providence." " !

c. For Christians, all of our circumstances work " together for our good." " " " i. Let us ght against the temptation to think " that God hates us, and therefore makes us " single."

2. Paul brings up circumcision and servitude as examples of circumstances that one should be content to remain in (v. 18-23)." " " a. Remember that Paul had Timothy circumcised " (Acts 16:3)."

!3

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " " "

i. So it was not always wrong for a Gentile to be circumcised." ii. In that case, it aided Timothy in his ministry among Jews."

b. Of course, if one has the opportunity to gain " freedom, they should take it (v. 21)." " " " i. And a freeman should not go under bondage." ii. You were bought with a price; do not "" become bondservants of men (v. 23)."

c. Paradoxically, Paul says that those who are " bondservants are free in Christ, and those who are freemen are bondservants to the Lord (v. 22)." " " " i. We are free from the curse of the law." ii. We are called to the highest place of service to God." "

3. Our current circumstances are of relative " "

unimportance, but what is important is obedience to " Gods commandments (v. 19)." " " " a. The Corinthians seem to have thought that " changing their" marital status would elevate them to a higher spiritual plane."

!4

" " " " " " " " " " ! " " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " " " "

" "

i. Some of them wanted to get out of their " marital obligations."

b. Whether you are married or not is of relative " unimportance, but what is vitally important is to be " obedient to Gods commands." c. By focusing on getting married, many young " people miss the really important issue of " sanctication." " " i. Marriage will not necessarily make a person struggling with sexual immorality holy." "

B. Singleness is a legitimate lifestyle (v. 25-35).! " " " " " " " " " " 1. Times of distress call for singleness." " " " " " " " " a. I think that in view of the present distress it is " good for a person to remain as he is (v. 26)." b. The call for singleness here is tied to some " temporal distress that was happening at that time." " i. We dont know exactly what this refers to."

c. There are special times when singleness is a " prudent lifestyle." " i. For example, times of war call for singleness."

2. Singleness provides more freedom to a person (v. 27)."

!5

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " "

a. A married person is bound to their husband or " wife." b. If your spouse doesnt want to do something, " usually you cant either." " " i. You have to call your spouse and ask " " permission."

c. So a single person is free to do many things that a married person cannot."

3. A single person has more time to devote to the Lord (v. 32-35)." " " " " " " " " " " a. Married people spend their time pleasing their " spouses (v. 33)." " " i. There is nothing wrong with this." ii. Indeed, it is required of them."

b. Married people are occupied with taking care of " their kids." c. The Apostle Paul would not have been able to do his missionary work if he was married." " " i. There is a special place in the ministry of the church for single people."

!6

" " " ! " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " "

" " "

" " "

ii. If someone needs counsel, I can come to " them immediately." iii. I dont have to worry about my family."

C. Marriage is a legitimate lifestyle (v. 35-40).! " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 1. One can marry if he believes he is acting improperly or his passions are strong." " " " " " " " " " " " " " " a. If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry it is no sin (v. 36)." " " " " i. This is not speaking of single people in " general." ii. This is referring to those who are betrothed." iii. That is engaged to be married."

b. In keeping with 7:9, It is better to marry than to " burn with passion." " " i. If you have someone you love, and you burn for passion with them, you should get married."

c. In other words, if a person really desires to get " married, they should if they can."

!7

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

" "

" "

i. There is nothing holy about singleness if it " causes you more distraction that it is worth."

2. Remarriage is legitimate after a spouse has died (v. " 39): A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to " whom she wishes." " " " " " " " " " " " a. This is a matter of Christian freedom." " i. Widows are under no compulsion to remarry."

b. I would have younger widows marry, bear "" children, manage their households, and give the " adversary no occasion for slander. For some have " already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows (1 Timothy 5:14-16)." c. But Paul thinks she will probably be happier if she stays single (v. 40)."

3. If you marry, you must only marry a Christian (v. 39): " only in the Lord." " " a. This admonition is not just for widows but for all " Christians."

!8

" " " " " " "

" " " " " " "

" " " " " " "

b. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with " "

lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with " darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)." c. If you are a servant of the Lord, how can an " unbeliever be your helpmate?" " i. They hate God."

III. Conclusion:! " So nally, let us remember our call to be content whether

married or single, for God has placed you in this situation and both marriage and singleness are wholly legitimate before God. " " " Therefore, for you singles, use this time in your life to serve the

Lord in a special way. Dont waste your singleness pinning after marriage and sinking into depression. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to be more devoted to him, and view your singleness as a gift." " And for the married people, serve the Lord in your marriage.

Dont long for the time when your were free. Stop complaining about having to take care of your kids. See this as the great gift that it is from the Lord, and in that way, raise covenant children who will pass Gods word on to the next generation. Let us pray.