Called to Be Saints - 1 Corinthians 7 – Marriage Matters

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Getting Married – 7:1-9

“The things about which you wrote …” 7:1

Two opposite extremes, both wrong:

1 Cor 6 - Hedonism: whatever feels good is good.

The body does not matter. Do as you please.

Physical “sin” does not affect the soul.

1 Cor 7 - Asceticism: whatever feels good is bad.

The body is not spiritual. Punish and deprive it.

Marital relations do not benefit the soul.

So their letter, their words: “It is good for a man …”

Getting Married – 7:1-9

“But because of immoralities …” 7:2

Get married!

One man. One woman.

Heterosexual. Monogamous.

Meet the needs for which God designed marriage.

God made man and woman to love, depend on, fulfill, and complement each other.

Do not deprive each other.

         1. Your body is not your own, but your mate’s.

         2. Increased temptation to sin may result.

Getting Married – 7:1-9

Why get married?

Gen 2:18 “Not good – alone – helper suitable.”

Gen 1:28 “Multiply.” 2:24-25 “One flesh.”

Gen 24:27 “Isaac – Rebekah – comforted.”

Gen 29:20 “Jacob – Rachel – few days – love.”

Ruth and Boaz. Priscilla and Aquila.

Eph 5:22-33 “As Christ and the church.”

1 Tim 3:2, 12 Overseers and deacons.

Gen 26:8; Prov 5:15-19; Song 2:3-17; 4:1-7; Heb 13:4

His Needs, Her Needs, by Willard Harley

Admiration

Affection

An Attractive Spouse

Conversation

Domestic Support

Family Commitment

Financial Support

Honesty and Openness

Recreational Companionship

Sexual Fulfillment

Staying Married – 7:10-16

Consecrate

Concentrate

Communicate

Collaborate

Celebrate

The Christian can have a sanctifying influence on his or her mate and children, which they otherwise would not have. Who know? You might save them all!

Being Content – 7:17-24

Our secular world thrives on trying to make us discontent, then offering us contentment … at a price.

“I’ll be content if, when, as long as …”

“I would be content, but …”

“I cannot be content, because …”

And there is no end.

Eccl 1:8; 5:10-12

Luke 12:13-21

Being Content – 7:17-24

Contentment results from seeing your current situation as that which God has assigned, that to which He has called you. 7:17

         Circumcised or Uncircumcised

         Slave or Free

         Gain your freedom if possible; be content if not.

         Change your perspective.

         Better to be a slave, free from sin …

         Than a free man, enslaved to sin!

Living Single – 7:25-40

Is marriage the best option for everyone?

1 Cor 7:7 “Yet I wish …” “Each one has his gift.”

1 Cor 7:8 “Widows … unmarried … good …”

1 Cor 7:11 “Remain unmarried … be reconciled …”

1 Cor 7:27 “Do not seek a wife.”

1 Cor 7:28 “Trouble … spare you.”

1 Cor 7:40 “Happier if she remains as she is …”

The most effective life ever lived was that of a man who never married: Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus noted this option for others.  Matt 19:10-12

Living Single – 7:25-40

Why not marry?

1. Pressure from the “present distress.” 7:25-27

2. Problems “in the flesh.” 7:28

3. Passing of this world. 7:29-31

4. Preoccupations of marriage. 7:32–35

A “single” focus on the Lord, without divided interests. Fewer cares, expenses, burdens, conflicts. Undistracted devotion. Greater flexibility … availability … mobility.

5. Pledges from fathers or fiancés. 7:36-38

6. Permanence of marriage. 7:39-40

Living Single – 7:25-40

Paul’s instructions to the unmarried:

“Remain as you are.” 7:25-31

“Devote yourself to the Lord.” 7:32-35

“In this matter, do as you wish.” 7:36-38

         A single man may marry his fiancée.

         A father may allow his daughter to marry.

         Such will do well; the single will do better.

“Do not necessarily seek remarriage.” 7:39-40

         A widow may remarry in the Lord.

         Staying single is advised.

Living Single – 7:25-40

Married Christians help each other “live single” – with a single (shared) focus on the Kingdom of God.

Matt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters …”

Matt 6:33 “But seek first …”

Matt 7:13-14 “Narrow gate … wide gate …”

Phil 3:13 “This one thing I do …”

Col 3:17 “Whatever you do, in word or deed …”

Jesus was both single … AND single minded.

John 4:34 “My food …”