Dear Paul,

O Lord our God, Creator of all that is visible and invisible–the earth and all that dwells in it is for your honor. The earth declares it and we your people declare that you are the Lord. Receive our worship this morning as a testament to your glory. Perfect our worship by the blood and intercession of Christ, and send us the Helper, the divine Spirit that our words and actions could be pleasing to you. Receive our prayer offered in the name of Jesus.

†OPENING HYMN OF PRAISE #319

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV)

Let us confess our sins together

†CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN

based on Psalm 5

Minister: Hear our words and our groanings, O Lord. Give attention to our cry for mercy. You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

Congregation: The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; you abhor the bloodthirsty and deceitful. But, O Lord, we are evildoers. We are boastful, deceitful, and bloodthirsty.

Minister: By your mercy alone, by the abundance of your steadfast love, may we enter your house.

Congregation: Because of your son, O Lord, we find refuge in you. You have taken away our sin and let us sing for joy. For the sake of our savior, you have covered us with your favor as a shield. We rejoice in our forgiveness! Amen.

CONTINUAL READING OF SCRIPTURE Exodus 4:18-31

Steven Hoffer, Elder

THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND OUR GIFTS

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

†HYMN OF PREPARATION #299

“Joy to the World! The Lord is Come”

ILLUMINATION

Blessed are you, God of all creation. You spoke in the beginning and all things came to be. You spoke, and your word came to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. Bless this place where we would hear your voice. As the word is spoken, may our ears be attuned to you. As the word is spoken, may you speak to us.

TEXT

1 Corinthians 7:1–16 ESV

1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 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. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

AFTER SCRIPTURE

Every word of God is perfect, let his people bless his Holy name.

SERMON 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 // Dear Paul, Pastor Austin Prince

Intro

A blessing to teach through scripture in context one verse at a time, otherwise we might not come to sections like this one.

Paul is now responding to a letter sent by the Corinthians to him. It’s a bit like hearing a one-sided conversation, so we have to reconstruct the questions that they are asking on our end. But it doesn’t seem too hard. Here’s what they seem to be asking:

Should we get married or stay single?

Should a wife who has been converted leave her unconverted husband?

Should a converted husband put away his unconverted wife?

What do we make of children who are brought up in a home with only one believing parent?

Should you give your children away in arranged marriages?

Two dynamics about the Corinthians that we should hold in our mind as we read this text:

Their philosophy on the body (body for stomach and stomach for food)

The present persecution of the believers

Pliny (the Younger) (62-c. 113).

Christians in Bithynia, c. 112.

Plin. Epp. X (ad Traj.), xcvi.

It is my rule, Sire, to refer to you in matters where I am uncertain. For who can better direct my hesitation or instruct my ignorance? I was never present at any trial of Christians; therefore I do not know what are the customary penalties or investigations, and what limits are observed. [2] I have hesitated a great deal on the question whether there should be any distinction of ages; whether the weak should have the same treatment as the more robust; whether those who recant should be pardoned, or whether a man who has ever been a Christian should gain nothing by ceasing to be such; whether the name itself, even if innocent of crime, should be punished, or only the crimes attaching to that name.1

Meanwhile, this is the course that I have adopted in the case of those brought before me as Christians.

[3] I ask them if they are Christians. If they admit it I repeat the question a second and a third time, threatening capital punishment; if they persist I sentence them to death. For I do not doubt that, whatever kind of crime it may be to which they have confessed, their pertinacity and inflexible obstinacy should certainly be punished. [4] There were others who displayed a like madness and whom I reserved to be sent to Rome, since they were Roman citizens.

Thereupon the usual result followed; the very fact of my dealing with the question led to a wider spread of the charge, and a great variety of cases were brought before me. [5] An anonymous pamphlet was issued, containing many names.

All who denied that they

were or had been Christians I considered should be discharged, because they called upon the gods at my dictation and did reverence, with incense and wine, to your image which I had ordered to be brought forward for this purpose, together with the statues of the deities; and especially because they cursed Christ,

a thing

which, it is said, genuine Christians cannot be induced to do. [6] Others named by the informer first said that they were Christians and then denied it; declaring that they had been but were so no longer, some having recanted three years or more before and one or two as long ago as twenty years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods and cursed Christ.

[7) But they declared that the sum of their guilt or error had amounted only to this, that on an appointed day they had been accustomed to meet before daybreak, and to recite a hymn antiphonally * to Christ, as to a god, and to bind themselves by an oath, not for the commission of any crime but to abstain from theft, robbery, adultery and breach of faith, and not to deny a deposit when it was claimed. After the conclusion of this ceremony it was their custom to depart and meet again to take food; but it was ordinary and harmless food, and they had ceased this practice after my edict in which, in accordance with your orders, I had forbidden secret societies. [8] I thought it the more necessary, therefore, to find out what truth there was in this by applying torture to two maidservants, who were called deaconesses.? But I found nothing but a depraved and extravagant superstition, and I therefore postponed my examination and had recourse to you for consultation.

[9] The matter seemed to me to justify my consulting you, especially on account of the number of those imperiled; for many persons of all ages and classes and of both sexes are being put in peril by accusation, and this will go on. The contagion of this superstition has spread not only in the cities, but in the villages and rural districts as well; yet it seems capable of being checked and set right. [1o] There is no shadow of doubt that the temples, which have been almost deserted, are beginning to be frequented once more, that the sacred rites which have been long neglected are being renewed, and that sacrificial victims are for sale everywhere, whereas, till recently, a buyer was rarely to be found. From this it is easy to imagine what a host of men could be set right, were they given a chance of recantation.

Their questions are certainly valid. How should we then live in a culture and a time such as this? For us, these texts serve as a wonderful guide into what it is like to think as a Christian. How do we see the world in light of our redemption?

Outline:

Effects on Marriages (7:1-7)

A case for marriage and a case for separation (7:8-11)

Marriage to unbelievers (7:12-16)

1) Effects on Marriages (7:1-7)

1 Corinthians 7:1–7 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 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.

“It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman..” (v.1)

Notice the quotation marks — this was a phrase that encapsulates a worldview that some had.

Apparently, this was a philosophy even among those who were married — hence the need for v.3

They had adopted a more gnostic view of the body — the spiritual realm was good and the body only taint spiritual life.

“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” (vv.2-4)

Because of temptation, Marriage is the right place for sexual fulfillment. Not the local temple prostitutes, and not burning with lust but trying to remain celibate.

Instead, husbands and wives give to one another. She is not a concubine like many cultural marriages at the time would have been. They reciprocate in service to one another, giving authority over their own bodies to their spouse.

They, in effect, say “I’m here for you”

Marriage, with its hard boundaries of fidelity, honor, service, and mutual joy, displays a distinctly gospel chord.

shows the gospel. They are in covenant.

“Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (v.5)

The title of this section is “Don’t touch me, I’m praying”

There may be times where the sexual relationship needs to take a pause, but only by mutual agreement and for a limited time.

The reality is, our bodies have appetites and instead of being tempted to sin, marriage channels our passions into fruitful and good expressions of sex, love, trust, security, enjoyment and children. Fighting sin is essential for the Christian and the marriage bed is a marvelous help with that.

The phrase, “do not deprive” is sometimes rendered “do not defraud”. That is, if you withhold from your spouse, you are robbing them. Is it ok to rob someone if they annoy you or if you are frustrated with them? No, and it’s no excuse in your marriage either.

The dynamic here is service and self-sacrifice, a lesson that Paul taught was centered at the cross. The Corinthians often got that backwards, seeking what would serve them instead of being stewards themselves.

“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.” (vv.6-7)

Paul was almost certainly married at some point. To be a rabbi, one needed to be married. He may have been a widower or they may have been separated because of his conversion - we don’t know.

What is Paul’s “gift”? Not necessarily singleness, but contentment

Remember the persecutions, it might be good to remain single. After all, Paul himself would later be martyred.

“I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.” (1 Corinthians 7:26, ESV)

Some of the early martyrs were women who rejected suitors or arranged marriages in favor of remaining single—an option that was not tolerated by the surrounding culture. Agatha of Syria refused several offers of marriage, especially from a Roman magistrate named Quintilian, who tried to coerce her by denouncing her as a Christian (this was during the persecution of Decius in AD 250-253). When she did not change her mind, she was tortured and eventually died in prison. Agnes of Rome repeatedly refused offers of marriage from high-ranking suitors, until one of them denounced her as a Christian. She was executed during the reign of Diocletian in AD 304. Lucy rejected an arranged marriage in order to devote her life to the Lord and to distribute her fortune to the poor. Her betrothed denounced her as a Christian and she, too, was executed during the Diocletian persecution. (Pearcy, Love Thy Body, 147.)

2) A case for marriage and a case for separation (7:8-11)

1 Corinthians 7:8–11 (ESV) — 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

“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.” (vv.8-9)

Possibly good because of the previously mentioned persecution (see v.26)

It is better to marry than to burn with passion. But not to an unbeliever and not

“To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.” (vv.10-11)

When Paul says, “Not I but the Lord”, he is referring to Jesus’ teachings and reiterating what it is that Jesus taught.

That is, if you marry, you shouldn’t separate. There are grounds for separation in the case of infidelity, but if someone merely wants to leave then they should remain unmarried or reconcile.

Jesus is speaking to a Jewish audience. The married couples would have been Jewish, covenant children of God. They appealed to the law of Moses referring to marriage and divorce.

But Paul is speaking to a Gentile audience with a new dynamic. What happens when pagans become believers? Now what? Do they divorce their unbelieving spouse?

3) Marriage to unbelievers (7:12-16)

1 Corinthians 7:12–16 (ESV) — 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Paul says, “I, not the Lord”, not meaning his opinion, but rather his authority as an Apostle. He is building upon Jesus’ teaching to a Gentile audience, bringing gospel wisdom.

If you become a Christian and your spouse doesn’t or isn’t yet, and if they are willing to stay with you, then do not seek divorce.

Divorce, as many of us know firsthand, is devastating, even though sometimes it is necessary. It goes with the principle that we saw last week about sexual immorality. We cannot simply engage in these things lightly as the world often tells us we can. There is a bigger reality that presses in upon us, demanding our attention. And that is, our bodies and our marriages are spiritual realities. The temple of the holy spirit and pictures of the gospel.

What about the kids?

The unbelieving wife or husband and the kids are made holy by the believer.

Holy = set apart

Baptism is a visible sign of this setting apart

Instead of the believer being defiled, the leavening influence is from the believer to the unbeliever. The unclean becomes clean because of the gospel.

If the unbelieving spouse wishes to leave, let them go……

You are called to peace. Refusing to let the nonbelieving spouse go would cause all sorts of turmoil in their soul, your family, and the community. Christians are called to peace, not turmoil.

Who are my mother and brothers?

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:29–30, ESV)

Conclusion

The power of the gospel to all (single, widowed, divorced, married, married to an unbeliever)

The gospel reorients us what is ultimate

We are no longer trapped by lust our bound to mere survival

We aren’t seeking marriages for social standing and wealth acquisition, nor do we seek illicit relationships to fulfill our lusts.

Our marriages or our contented singleness is a testimony to Christ and for Christ.

Gee, Alexander, we sure don’t see you down at the temple anymore when were are purchasing prostitutes. What gives?

Marriages are a powerful testimony of self-sacrifice and love amidst a culture of radical self-service. Paul elsewhere describes the marriage relationship as the mystery of the gospel. Project forward to Paul’s teaching on love in ch. 13

We need to remember that Paul sees the gospel with power. Power to change the culture, the marriages, eating habits, discrimination, fraud, etc.

†HYMN OF RESPONSE #308

“Good Christian Men, Rejoice”

THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Minister: Lift up your hearts!

Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Congregation: It is right for us to give thanks and praise!

Declaration of God’s Promises and Words of Institution

Let us hear the story of how this sacrament began. On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples. While they were eating, he took a piece of bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

A little while later, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.”

So now, following Jesus’ example and command, we take this bread and this cup, the ordinary things of the world, which Christ will use for extraordinary purposes.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Minister: Therefore, we proclaim our faith as signed and sealed in this sacrament. This is what we believe about the work of God:

Congregation: We believe that God - who is merciful, yet perfectly just - sent his Son to assume the nature of man, in order to bear the punishment for the sins of his own, by his most bitter passion and death.

Minister: This is what we believe about the work of Jesus Christ:

Congregation: We believe that Jesus Christ presented himself in our name before his Father, to appease his wrath with full satisfaction, by offering himself on the cross and pouring out his precious blood for the cleansing of our sins, as the prophets had predicted.

Prayer for the Work of the Spirit

Minister: Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we and all your saints be united with Christ and remain faithful in hope and love. Gather your whole church, O Lord, into the glory of your kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Congregation is seated.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS

INVITATION AND RESPONSE

Minister: Hear the words of our savior: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Come then, for all is ready.

Congregation: We come not because we ought, but because we may, not because we are righteous, but because we are penitent, not because we are strong, but because we are weak, not because we are whole, but because we are broken.

SHARING OF THE SUPPER

Take, eat and drink, remember and believe.

†OUR RESPONSE #213 “Glory Be to God the Father”

Glory be to God the Father, glory be to God the Son,

glory be to God the Spirit, God Almighty, Three in One!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!, Glory be to him alone!

†BENEDICTION: GOD’S BLESSING FOR HIS PEOPLE

Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Go in confident peace, for the Lord is with you. Amen.

GRACE NOTES REFLECTION

When the gospel comes to a man it comes for the whole man. It comes for our decisions and ambitions, it comes for our relationships, and it comes for our hands and feet. In the text from this week, the Corinthians sent Paul a letter asking very specific questions on how they should live in light of the gospel. Through his answers on marriage, singleness, and separation, how does this text inform the way we think as Christians?

What is the goal of marriage?

What are the benefits of marriage or singleness?

How do our relationships display the gospel?

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