Keeping an Eternal Perspective on the Temporal

ILLUSTRATION: THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN I AM GOLFING. IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT, YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE EVERYTHING ALIGNED CORRECTLY, AND THEN YOU REALIZE THAT YOU WERE OFF. I WAS WATCHING CHARLES BARKLEY ONE DAY - AS HE WAS GOLFING. IT WAS EASY TO NOTE HIS PROBLEM. THE FACT IS THAT MANY TIMES, IT IS EASY TO SEE OTHERS PROBLEMS AND NOT BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, IN SPITE OF THE RESULTS WE ARE EXPERIENCING.

Intro:

Paul sets forth the principle

Paul is continuing to respond to questions that he’d received from the church in Corinth. Listening to the telephone conversation, we can hear clearly what Paul is saying: “I have no words of Jesus’ earthly ministry, but the Lord has allowed me to remain faithful in singleness.” The question would seem to be, “Should virgins or those engaged to be married abstain from marriage?” The principle is that while it is good to remain single, it is not a sin to get married. In addition, your current status does not need to change.

With regards to the current distress, there are various views and no consistent answers. It would seem that Paul is addressing the current pressures or trials that they are under there in Corinth. This could be dealing with both internal troubles with heretical teaching and external pressures with the pagan culture of temple prostitution and eating meat offered to pagan deities. Whatever the case, he’s encouraging that if they have no necessity to add more care to their lives in marriage, they should not do so.

Paul gives reasons why the principle should be heeded

Here, the apostle Paul sets for several maxims for this. In other words, why should some remain unmarried? How should married people and single people live in this world? What is the driving force behind all of this?

Paul gives the practical explanation for this principle

Paul applies this principle to the unmarried

Paul applies this principle to the widowed

It should be noted that everything in this passage is with the understanding that the wisdom of the cross causes us to look at marriage and singleness different than our culture. Now, some of you are thinking that what I mean is that it causes you to see marriage as one man and one woman. You are right, but that is not all that I mean. What I mean is that the cross also teaches us to not make idols of temporary relationships. The cross not only affirms the horribleness of sin, but the cross also affirms that marriage and singleness are not ultimate. Marriage is temporal. Let me explain.

ILLUSTRATION: IF YOU’VE PLAYED GOLF AT SHAKER RUN, THERE IS ONE PARTICULAR PAR 5 WHOLE THAT BENDS TO THE LEFT AND GOES DOWNWARD AND ENDS JUST BEFORE THE WATER. AS AN INEXPERIENCED GOLFER, I LIKE TO SEE UP AHEAD IF I CAN AND FIND THE FLAG. WHAT I SEE AHEAD AND WHERE THE FLAG IT WILL ADJUST WHAT IS TRUE AND HOW I BEHAVE NOW....THIS IS WHAT PAUL IS SAYING.

There are two phrases in this passage that reveal an eternal consideration with regards to marriage and singleness. Note in and . Somehow the wisdom that Paul is postulating is inextricably connected with all that he has said in the beginning of this book about the cross and connected too with marriage. But how? The cross of Jesus Christ somehow causes Paul to look forward to eternity and this causes him to re-evaluate how he sees all that is temporal, including relationships.

Paul sees the cross as ushering in a new kingdom and a new age and made the end to be absolutely crystal clear! - “the time is short”

“The time is short” is often misunderstood as meaning that Jesus is coming back really soon; but that is not what the text is saying. This literally means the time is compressed. As one man put it, “The end has broken into the present...” [Garland]

In this context the word time means the time that began with the gospel of Jesus Christ and will be consummated at his return. (; ; ; ; ). [Garland, David E. (2003-11-01). 1 Corinthians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) (Kindle Locations 7745-7746). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.] All of this leads us to understand that Paul is not concerned about the brevity of time, but about what is done during the time (the quality). “…the future outcome of this world has become crystal clear....the event of Christ has now compressed time [in our eyes] in such a way that the future has been brought forward so as to be clearly visible.” [Garland]

In the gospel accounts we see two opposite extremes. We see the teaching of Jesus regarding marriage and we see the practices of those who reject Jesus:

Garland, David E. (2003-11-01). 1 Corinthians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) (Kindle Locations 7745-7746). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

(1) Teaches that marriage is temporary. This is the teaching of Jesus.

(2) , (Noah’s day) Specifies marriage as a distraction from devotion to the Lord and the reception of grace. It is a kind of distraction from the Lord.

Deeply rooted inside of us are tendencies toward idolatry. For the single it may be the idolatry of independence. For the married person, it may be the idolatry of marriage.

Proposition:

Whatever marital status you may have, you must see the cross of Christ as the ultimate reason to be completely devoted to that which is everlasting. Devote yourself to the Lord as you have never done so before.

The Crucifixion & Resurrection of Jesus Christ should cause us to:

(1) Refuse to idolize the status of marriage over singleness (v. 25 - 28)

Explanation:

(a) Paul gives personal testimony

(b) “It is good”

See Enjoining men to remain faithful in marriage

Encouraging singleness for unmarried/widows

Encouraging singleness in the Lord

“It is good” is an ironic phrase in consideration of where it was “not good” that man should be alone. This can only be explained by a firm understanding of the new creation that has been accomplished in Jesus Christ. [IF YOU DRIVE DOWN OXFORD STATE ROAD TODAY, YOU WILL SEE ROAD CLOSURE SIGNS…THEY INDICATE THAT THERE IS NO PASSAGE AND IT CAUSES YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU KEEP GOING DOWN THIS ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. THEY HAVE BYPASSED ALL OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN JESUS AS IF THE MESSAGING IS IRRELAVENT] In other words, if an individual were to merely look at the Old Testament (Covenant) and not consider the New Covenant that the blood of Jesus Christ has brought in, he would:

(1) Consider that marriage is the ideal and ultimate

(2) He would teach others and Old Testament Theology that is not considerate of the New Testament that Christ has brought in

(3) This would in turn from the sentiments and beliefs of people to have a legal mindset about marital status - almost a mindset that makes it to be superior to all other statuses

(c) In Christ, there is no reason to seek another status, but if you do, you have not sinned.

Paul is here pointing out the simple fact that when someone chooses to get married there are additional cares and potential distractions from the Lord that accompany marriage. Paul is not impugning marriage, but rather he is exalting the worthiness of the Christ and his cross.

Quote:

What does this mean for our attitude toward marriage and family? Paul says it means that both being married and not being married are good conditions to be in. We should be neither overly elated by getting married nor overly disappointed by not being so—because Christ is the only spouse that can truly fulfill us and God’s family the only family that will truly embrace and satisfy us. [Keller]

Principle:

Our relationship status, single or married, must be viewed through the cross. We should remain undistracted in our devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember the words of Jesus Christ in . It is this paradigm that Christ is establishing. The Father is the priority, and it is the will of the Father that is the priority.

Illustration:

IN BASEBALL WHEN THERE IS A YOUNG PITCHER AND A RUNNER GETS ON BASE, HE HAS ONE GOAL - THE RUNNER WANTS TO DISTRACT THE PITCHER FROM HIS PRIMARY GOAL....THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH WHAT GOD HAS BLESSED WITH US…WE TEND TO GET DISTRACTED FROM OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE.

Application:

What does this mean for the common attender at GBC today:

(1) This means that you don’t have to play the “hard to get” game with people of the opposite gender.

One common philosophy in our world is the “play hard to get” game. This is the philosophy that you put forth your most attractive image in how you dress or don’t dress. You put forth your most attractive personality in now nice you are or now NOT nice you are. You put forth your wittiest remarks and what you perceive to be your best self. It is based on the idea that you are putting forth bate for the pursuit of someone.

The good news is that the cross of Jesus Christ shows us something greater. It shows us that we were already pursued even though there was nothing lovely in us. It shows us that we were incapable of putting forth any kind of attractive persona. The cross humbles us because Jesus suffered for the reality of our filth. That is true love! Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

Now, the cross calls us to not show off our beauty but to show forth the beauty of Christ and how worthy He is of sacrifice. Before, we wanted people to see how worthy we were of pursuit, now, in Christ, we want people to see Christ’s worthiness. We want to express with Paul Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ...

(2) This means that (if you’re in marriage), you can stop acting like marriage is the one excuse you have to be distracted from service to your King.

Illustration: Christmas day can be an example of what we have done with marriage. Let me explain. On Christmas day children receive gifts that they have been waiting for. In the immediate moment they gleefully thank their parents; but soon those gifts become the reasons they do not lovingly listen or obey their parents. For some it is a game system that becomes the distraction. Within a day, the parents say to the student, please pick up the wrapping and clean the living room. At first, there is simply an acquiescent response. After the second and third admonition, it would seem that resentment may settle in towards the parents. What has happened? You guessed it, the gift became of greater value than the giver of the gift.

For some this means you’ve become unfaithful to the Lord in merely spending time in prayer and devotion with him. For others your passion for sacrificial service to the body is done out of contempt because you really want to be doing something other than service. Yet, for others you’ve found an excuse that pacifies your conscience. Please be encouraged to be devoted to the Lord in spirit and in strength.

(3) This means that (if you’re an unbeliever) you can find rest in something other than a social status that the world sets.

(4) This means that there is no sacramental value in marriage but rather marriage is the place where devotion to Christ can and should be shown.

There is a segment of our world that still associates sacramental value to the institution of marriage. Rest assured, you gain no greater merit with God because you are married or because you are single. The merit you get with God is found only in Jesus Christ. Just because marriage was the first institution and Jesus performed a miracle at a wedding - these do not imply hidden redemptive value in marriage.

There is also a segment of conservative, moral people that imply some kind of meritorious status to marriage. They imply it by living out a different theology than they profess. Let me explain:

They profess that Jesus is their Savior; but they live as though their spouse is the one who meets their deepest needs

They profess that they have a conservative theology; but are kind and accepting in their practice; but they are truly liberal in their theology and legal in their practice.

You see, liberal theology is any theology that does not postulate the one true God as fully sufficient. It is a theology that errs from the true gospel. I submit to you that the Pharisees were liberal theologians no matter how conservative their practices. In like manner, you may have grown up in conservative churches and be as liberal in your theology as anyone you disdained. That is if you view marriage as a meritorious status.

This results in singles who are bouncing in and out of relationships looking for the right one. This leads to singles who put images of themselves online for the sake of attractiveness. Be devoted to Jesus Christ in personal prayer and devotion. Be devoted to Christ in loving commitment to the body of believers. Be in Christ, and allow Christ to be the beauty you show forth.

Conclusion to Part A:

Illustration:

A really vivid way we see this occur at The Village is in response to what the staff jokingly calls my “State of the Union” addresses, in which I say to the congregation, “Hey, quit coming here. If you’re not serious, if you don’t want to plug in, if you don’t want to do life here, if you don’t want to belong, if you’re an ecclesiological buffet kind of guy, eat somewhere else.” And then people who are doing all of those things will sit there in the crowd and say, “Yeah! Get ’em. It’s about time someone said this.” I’m thinking, “I’m talking to you! You’re who I’m talking to.” It makes me want to pull my hair out. They hear the words coming out of my mouth, but they’re not listening. [Chandler, Matt; Chandler, Matt (2012-04-30). The Explicit Gospel (Re:Lit) (pp. 72-73). Crossway. Kindle Edition.]

Chandler, Matt; Chandler, Matt (2012-04-30). The Explicit Gospel (Re:Lit) (pp. 72-73). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

A really vivid way we see this occur at The Village is in response to what the staff jokingly calls my “State of the Union” addresses, in which I say to the congregation, “Hey, quit coming here. If you’re not serious, if you don’t want to plug in, if you don’t want to do life here, if you don’t want to belong, if you’re an ecclesiological buffet kind of guy, eat somewhere else.” And then people who are doing all of those things will sit there in the crowd and say, “Yeah! Get ’em. It’s about time someone said this.” I’m thinking, “I’m talking to you! You’re who I’m talking to.” It makes me want to pull my hair out. They hear the words coming out of my mouth, but they’re not listening.

Many of our believes & practices are formed because of fears. These fears are based on bad Theology. In other words, many of our beliefs & practices are based on bad Theology. All is not gained because you got a marriage. All is not lost because you lost a marriage. All is not gained because you are single. All is not lost because you are single.

How has the cross of Jesus Christ changed your beliefs and practices? How has the cross of Jesus Christ changed your fears? How does the cross of Jesus Christ form your Theology?

Chandler, Matt; Chandler, Matt (2012-04-30). The Explicit Gospel (Re:Lit) (pp. 72-73). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Transition:

(2) Recognize the importance of the everlasting over and against the temporal (v. 29 - 31)

Explanation:

a. Maxim regarding marriage

b. Maxim regarding weeping and rejoicing

c. Maxim regarding buying and possessing

d. Maxim regarding this world

Principle:

Illustration:

Application:

Transition:

Conclusion: