*Below is Pastor Andrew’s teaching outline from Sunday’s sermon, not a word for word manuscript. This is meant as aid in seeing the thought and direction of the sermon.
4 weeks overview (Eph 5-6)
Bringing it to a conclusion we look at the single Christian home.
In America today there are more unmarried people than there are married couples, and it is a trend that seems to be growing exponentially for a variety of reasons:
Marriage has become less and less important in a world where sexual immortality is more rampant and legacy less influential.
However, in the church this is less so, in many circles Marriage isn’t just seen as a norm it can be treated as the epitome of the Christian faith. As if you can’t fully live out the Christian faith apart from marriage.
-In some ways this is explicit in others it is more subtle.
• True sanctification begins when you get married
• When you get married then you will really know what is like to grow
The church at times puts such a high priority on marriage that it creates a second-class citizenship for those who are unmarried.
-Visiting church
So, over the last few weeks we have been covering the biblical ideals of what a Christian home should be in following the Lord, and this task wouldn’t be complete if we did not also look at Scriptures teaching on those who are unmarried.
Paul deals with this very subject in 1 Cor 7.
Quick overview:
1 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
Paul here is answering a set of questions he has received from the Corinthian church dealing with living out the Christian faith well in the home in a world plagued by the fall.
In the first half of the chapter Paul deals with married couples (both Christians and those married to non-Christians)
In the middle of that discourse, he states though:
1 Corinthians 7:6–9 ESV
Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows, I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
This theme he will pick back up in verse 25-30 where we will spend the bulk of our time today:
And so, the first thing this text points us to is the Freedom to be Single (Marriage is not a Biblical requirement)
I. Freedom to be Single(v25-31)
1 Corinthians 7:25–31 ESV
Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Betrothed/Virgins (those who have never been married)
-Paul here will deal with those in the church who have not been married before
No command: There is no verse in scripture or direct teaching from Christ that Paul is appealing to in these sections.
-Paul appeals as we see to the gifting of the Holy Spirit and wisdom as he encourages the believers in Corinth.
Why Freedom:
Paul states that based on the situation at hand there is no pressing need or command that one should be married:
-We are living at the end of this passing age and the true seed of Abraham has been revealed in Jesus. The redemption of sins has been bought and paid for through his life death and resurrection, and with it a command to be fruitful in the multiplication of disciples to the ends of the earth.
-Thus, marriage is not a requirement of faith, and he will lay out here it may be the best thing for some people.
-In the first century Paul’s statement would be revolutionary. This was not the norm.
-Also, he here as we see is not seeing Singleness as an Ascetic Ideal, such as becoming a monk or nun. This isn’t a choice of singleness to lock oneself away from the world.
-It’s a choice as a believer you are free to make, and you are no less valued and useful within the kingdom.
-Paul gives the believers a Warning about Marriage:
-Paul highlights that marriage isn’t all happy times
-Paul also highlights that marriage comes with new battles a single person doesn’t have to deal with
Married life you have to prioritize someone else: all discussions should include the thoughts of someone else.
Singleness you make your own plans.
So, Paul Highlights the reality that every station in life looks different and comes with its own benefits andand then we should not look at either state as the better or more desirable, but rather see the state we are in as the best state God has for us today.
-Thus, his Statement:
1 Corinthians 7:29–31 ESV
This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
His point is our priorities must be properly aligned towards the Lord.
-These things should not be our highest aim,
-In Each his point isn’t to tear these things down (he would be contradicting himself) but to highlight these things can take an unbiblical priority in our lives.
-This world is not our home and is always sifting. If this day and age is your ultimate hope it will be dashed to pieces quickly.
So then in this proper frame of Mind Singles are now encouraged by seeing that in being Single there is a host of opportunities available to you:
II. Freedom to use Singleness (32-35)
1 Corinthians 7:32–35 ESV
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
Here Paul encourages singles to use this station in life as a means to further the gospel in themselves and in others:
-He doesn’t want them to see these things a burden but as opportunities to Grow in holiness:
Married in ministry vs Single in Ministry
-Both have been amazing, and both have their struggles.
-How are you viewing this stage of your life?
-Friends/bonding/gospel discipleship/evangelism
-serving the church
-Paul’s encouragement is that they should not be anxious about the things we can control but to use the things we can for the Glory of God,
-Who are you continually seeking after: A spouse or the Lord?
-What is your attention drawn too?
-So, use the freedom God has given you to make much of Him
Lastly Paul encourages unmarried people to be wise:
III. Freedom in wisdom (36-40)
1 Corinthians 7:36–40 ESV
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. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. So, then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. 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, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
• Here Paul is calling for wisdom and reflection on the decision to marry or remain unmarried:
• His admonition is a reminder that either state is not sinful, but each should be done in wisdom.
• There are selfish reasons to get married
• There are selfish reasons to refrain from marriage
Close: How do we wrap this whole series up:
-I Think the best conclusion is to look back a few verses to Paul’s statements in v17-24
IV. The Christian home is content in Christ (17-24)
1 Corinthians 7:17–24 ESV
Only let 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. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Paul uses two illustrations to prove 1 point: No matter where the Lord has you today, married, Single, widow, divorced, Be content in the plan of God.
-Anxiety over what could be or what has been doesn’t produce the righteousness of faith that Looks forward to the Hope that is set before us.
-In whatever state we are called (The picture is the state of being a Christian) let our aim be to make much of Christ pursing Him alone.
-The best way to live out the faith is not defined by your external circumstance but by the work of the Holt spirit in you, and that will look different for everyone.
-Married couples will be sanctified differently than singles,
-Those who work for a fortune 500 company will experience sanctification differently than those who work for themselves.
-Children of believing parents will have a different spiritual journey than those of unbelieving parents.
-None of these situations will make you a better Christian, because it is not the situations that sanctify you in the work of the spirit in you through these situations to grow you in your faith and reliance on him.
-For he is our aim and our deliver. He is our greatest hope not the circumstance of this passing age.
-Turn to the table:
For all of us have a great Wedding feast that awaits us in our eternal home with the Lord. This feast is for all who have repented and believed regardless of live situation and station.
-It is this feast that we look forward to and are reminded of today as we turn to the table:
